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The few waves that reached the coast shone under the afternoon sun, the rest collided against each of the ships anchored. His eyes scanned quickly the ship his organization used, still horrendous but, at least, clown related decorations were toned down. He made sure the ship was still in good conditions and there were no uninvited guests in it.
Over 6 years have passed since the Great War, where the slim boy he met in the East Blue had conquered his dream to be the King of the pirates and provide the government with a well deserved and long awaited punch to their ego. However, some things never change, he and all the people in the beach behind him were still famous and wanted pirates. So, how did none of them think of checking the coast in case Marines decided to appear? Many of the previous pirates that used to share the warlord position with him, had lost against the slim boy because of their own hubris.
Just a year after the Great War, Cross Guild received an invitation from the Straw Hats to meet and celebrate. Not to celebrate the anniversary, just celebrate, with friends and allies that participated in the war. Since then each year they meet. Straw Hats, their fleet, Cross Guild, Redhead pirates and other people Luffy deemed their friends. Each meet was in different islands under Luffy's or a Yonko protection but still, at some point, Marines would appear and a battle would start. Except for last year and the third year reunion, maybe it was because the chosen locations were Punk Hazard and Zou.
His train of thought was interrupted by slender arms with well manicured pink nails that appeared next to each side of his head and wrapped themselves around his neck without any pressure and the body the arms belonged got close to him. He raised his hand to the arms hugging him, not to stop them but to intertwine their fingers together.
“Careful with Yoru, Ghost girl” Mihawk warned without taking his eyes off the coast.
He could feel the woman pouting with a light scowl that she thought looked menacing but was more like a kitten hissing “Yoru would never, Hawkeyes”.
They usually didn't use nicknames with each other, or at least not the ones their community knew, but sometimes, mainly in the presence of other pirates or when they playfully argue, they were Ghost girl and Hawkeyes. The rest of the time they used their names with each other or more loving names, that were reserved just for intimate moments.
Mihawk had to admit that they could have been together since Kuraigana, but the dissolution of the warlord system, his own issues with the government at the time, and their age difference prevented him from taking a step. He never expected to feel any kind of attachment to someone else, different from friendship, and at the time thought any feeling towards the younger girl was because of their time together in the Muggy Kingdom. Not to mention the significant age difference between them, Perona was young and he didn't want to stop her from living all the experiences that he had already lived.
When the topic suddenly appeared in conversation during a meet up with the Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks didn’t waste any second to let Mihawk know how stupid he was. In all the time the two knew each other, Shanks had never seen or heard his older friend talking about a woman with the same affection Mihawk spoke about Perona. She was different, and Shanks knew it the moment Mihawk bought cocoa trees for the girl. So, in his opinion, not expressing his feelings was a waste of time and could lead to unnecessary drama. Besides, there were a number of other couples with big age differences between them.
On the other hand, Perona knew the older man believed her to be annoying. Mihawk always commented on how loud she was or how much she complained. Until one day in Kuraigana, Perona decided that if Mihawk and Zoro wanted her to be silent, less loud, she would be. Zoro lasted 48 hours, by the second day the mosshead man begged her while shouting to complain, cry, yell, throw any of her ghosts at him, anything but her silence. The older swordsman, however, indulged her new attitude for over a month, which allowed Perona to actually think about her previous actions, that was the moment she decided to make a change and “grow up”. But, in his own way, Mihawk gave her the biggest response one night after a knock on her door “You should start singing again, Ghostgirl”. Those words haunted her even after leaving Kuraigana and crossing paths with Cross Guild.
Perona was sure of her feelings after leaving, although she thought it was impossible something would happen. However, she never noticed the longing looks Mihawk gave her when she arrived on the Cross Guild’s ship. The pink haired girl noticed how sometimes the man would disappear with Alvida, which gave her the worst case of jealousy she had experienced in her life that quickly changed to sadness. Heartbreak was the worst nightmare, especially with the main characters of her nightmare in front of her. Every. Single. Day.
What Perona didn’t know was that Mihawk and Alvida weren’t in a relationship, at least not one where they were called a couple. They enjoyed their company for a short time, got their own pleasure and kept going with their day. Their arrangement was short lived, one day Alvida confessed she was catching feelings and the hawk eyed man only reminded her he wasn’t searching for a relationship and stopped seeking her.
It was an open secret between the Cross Guild crew what happened between Hawkeye and the former female captain, because of this, the ending of their ‘relationship’ was treated in the same way. Either way, Perona stayed away from Mihawk, until after a night of partying they slept together. Just sleeping, the pink haired girl was drunk and the older man had carried her to her room, in her drunken state Perona asked him to stay. As always, Mihawk indulged her.
Alvida had previously explained to Perona and the other girls in the crew that Mihawk didn’t want a relationship. However, still Perona chose to confess her feelings towards the hawk-eyed man. Mihawk’s response was complicated, nothing like what Alvida had told her. It needed a near dead experience for them to finally officially start dating.
“You should come to the party” Perona advised while her right hand traced soft circles over the scar Zoro left on Mihawk years ago.
Mihawk closed his eyes and exhaled “Someone should ke…”
The pink haired woman stopped her caresses and turned her face slightly to see better his side “You either come with me or I’ll go tell Shanks to come get you”
That was all Mihawk needed to know. He will always prefer to be dragged by Perona, than the annoying redhead. Perona let go of her embrace and lowered herself to the ground, to extend her hand to him. He took it and walked with her to the party.
One thing the Straw Hats were good at doing, besides creating ruckus, was throwing a party. Add the musicians and cooks of the other crews and everyone will get great food and entertainment for at least three days.
Soul King himself was providing the melody with Bonk Punch and Monster for the diva Uta’s song. All of them on top of an improvised platform big enough for them, other musicians and their instruments.
Near the people but far enough for the stove not to bother anyone, were Sanji and Lucky Roux with twin sisters Lola and Chiffon, making sure all the food was prepared with the greatest care for all their friends. However, Sanji was the only one taking too many breaks just to provide to his female crewmates, Robin and Nami, and sometimes Hiyori and Perona, with the latest creations of the kitchen.
At the edge of the party, Perona decided it was safe to release Mihawk’s hand, believing he wouldn't go back to the docks to act as a guard. She floated up to kiss his cheek and went away where a turquoise haired woman was sitting caressing her round belly.
Mihawk spotted the redhead captain, his first mate and the crew sniper sitting at the left side of the party. He could have gone to where Crocodile, the clown and other members of the Cross Guild were sitting. However, after decades of knowing each other, Mihawk could say that Shanks was one of his best friends, or the only one and preferred to spend his time with him. Not that he will admit it out loud. Also, after spending most of the time with the Guild members, it was nice to talk to different people, even if it was Redhead Shanks.
Shanks raised his jug at him while openly smiling “Yo, Hawkeye! Did you get tired babysitting us?”
Mihawk took a drink from Beckman that was being freshly poured and took a spot on Shanks left side but made sure of letting space in the log for Perona, for when she would like to come.
“Shouldn’t you ask Beckman?” Mihawk pointed the first mate with the drink in his hand “he’s your self appointed babysitter”
“No, he is not!” The redhead captain yelled.
Benn Beckman took a sip of his beer “I kind of am”
Hearing what his crewmates had said, Shanks was ready to respond. Until a gentile hand touched his forearm “Mihawk-san has just sat with us and you are looking to mess with him” softly scolded the green haired woman next to him. The captain only pouted and drank his beer, he couldn't fight against the soft voice and fair remarks of his lady.
“Appreciated, Makino” Mihawk smirked to the redhead to signal another battle won.
“Daddy!” a high pitched voice alerted them. A little girl was running to them with one of Perona’s ghosts in tow.
The girl, not older than five, stopped in front of Mihawk putting her hands on his left knee. He patted her head and observed her state. Her black curls were still separated in two low pigtails but her fringe was a bit messier than he remembered and the ribbons decorating her pigtails looked like they would soon fall off. She had some dirt on her face and her pink dress. Clearly all of that was the result of her playtime with the other children, all boys.
Mihawk opted to gently clean the dirt off her face and comb her fringe with his fingers. Either way, Persona will complain, fully knowing it was impossible the girl would stay clean while playing. Yet, even if it was Perona who dollled her up with the pink dress with black details, ribbons decorating the black hair and striped stockings, it was their daughter who constantly asked for the outfit so she would look ‘cute’.
Mavis, Mihawk and Perona's daughter, had been a surprise for them. It wasn't like they didn't know the possible consequences of their actions but both used contraceptives continuously. They never thought of being parents or even had a serious conversation about it. That Mihawk remembered at the time.
Perona did remember a conversation during her stay in Kuraigana. As previous times, she was his companion for a warlord expedition. Out of boredom or curiosity, or both, she had asked the question “do you have kids?”. She remembered Mihawk's expression, he had looked at her like she had two heads but the answer was quick “kids are a liability in our line of work”. Which was fair, everyone knew how Gol D. Roger’s son, Ace, had ended.
Nonetheless, Perona's deepest desire was a family, one that wouldn't leave her alone and a child sounded like a good idea. That's why she weeped like a lost soul seeing all the positive tests. Perona knew, from the bottom of her heart, that Mihawk wouldn't be happy. Not as happy as her. Thankfully, even if he didn't express it like her, Mihawk was happy to know about the pregnancy and with time showed her how dedicated and devoted he was as a father.
“Mavis! What happened to you?” The little girl jumped and turned to face her mother, who was floating near the ground with her hands on her hips while holding a wine bottle and a glass, looking down at her with a frown. And as if it wasn't enough, one of the ribbons in her head fell to the ground.
Yassop and Shanks giggled behind the drinks, Makino smiled to prevent her laugh, Mihawk sighed and Benn just chuckled “You’re in trouble, kiddo”.
Perona descended to the ground to march the short distance to her little girl. Crouching in front of her took the ribbon in her hand to start inspecting the Mavis. No scratches, the dirt in her face was no longer there, but the dress didn't have the soft pink tone anymore and the stockings had even bigger spots with dirt.
“Did you go to the forest?” Perona inquired, still frowning because she had explicitly prohibited to play away from the beach.
Mavis made a double take and with her finger pointed to Shanks “Ace made me! and Pez! And Pogo! Even Caiman! They wanted to play there!”.
The redhead coughed startle from the accusation while Makino rubbed his back. They could imagine their son pushing to break the rules and have a short adventure. However, every adult present recognized that Ace was the one with the ideas, Mavis the instigator, and the other kids the willing victims.
The Ghost girl pinched the bridge of her nose sighing, Mavis was lying through her teeth. She eyed Mihawk, who silently agreed with her.
“Mavis” called the girl's mother “You will do the laundry for all of this, without the help of your ‘servants’”. Since Mavis was the youngest of the kids in the Cross Guild and the only girl, she had managed to turn a group of pirates into her so-called ‘servants', for the dislike of Mihawk and Perona.
“And you” Perona continued by pointing to her own ghost that had the task to look over Mavis “You should have told me. You are now relieved from your task” the ghost had a surprised expression but moved next to the ghost that followed their mistress while another one took a place near Mavis, as her new guardian.
“No, Gotti!” the little black haired girl lamented “It’s not fair!” She crossed her arms and pouted while staring at her father in hopes that he would revoke the punishment. Mihawk just shook his head.
Completely recovered from his coughing attack, Shanks smiled devilishly. His old friend wasn't aware of some events that happened while he was at the docks as a self pointed watchman. And this was the best moment to bring it up.
“Little bird” Shanks used his common nickname to call for Mavis' attention “You were looking for your dad to tell him something, right?”
Perona, already sitting next to her lover, was pouring Mihawk a glass of wine when she understood where the redhead was going with his question. Yassop didn't need observation haki to come to the same idea, he nope’d out of the group to find his own son.
Mavis' humor instantly changed to a bright smile “Yes! Daddy, I kissed Ace on the cheek” the little girl announced “I think we’re going to marry, but when we are older. Like you and mommy”
In his almost fifty years of life, Mihawk could say that not too many things could make him freeze in place. Except this. Having your five year old tell you about her first kiss with a boy, doesn't matter if it was on the cheek, and in the same breath tell you that she will marry the boy; this was his number one freeze moment.
After a second to compose himself, Mihawk chose to use this opportunity for a teachable moment “You shouldn't kiss anyone without their consent, Mavis”.
“But I want to kiss Ace. He’s cute” Mavis was getting increasingly annoyed with her parents not letting her do what she wanted.
Makino noticed that the little girl was getting distressed and knew that soon her partner and the hawk-eyed man will start to fight, she extended her arm to gently take Mavis’ hand “Go back to play with the other kids, sweetheart, but stay when we can see all of you”
Mavis nodded and ran back to the group of boys nearby.
“I was thinking” Shanks started “because you already have your spooky castle in Kuraigana and the big house in Karai Bari, you could gift them a house for their wedding, and I will find a ship for them”
Mihawk's hand shook, he wasn't sure what to use: Yoru or Kogatana? Both would do a spectacular job in cutting Shanks. Maybe his boy, too. Perona noticed the dark aura around the hawk eyed man and his hand slightly trembling, she took his hand in hers to stop any possible murderous actions.
“You better keep your boy away from my daughter”
“Oi! Not threatening the children! Besides, it’s not my fault the little bird prefers my son over Buggy’s”
Perona and Mihawk both made an expression of disgust. To be fair, the pink haired woman was fine if, in the future, Mavis and Ace had a relationship, but Pogo was out of the question. She refused to be related with the clown, him being the figurehead of the Cross Guild and her ‘boss’ was enough. Mihawk, on the other hand, would prefer Mavis not to think of boys for the rest of her life. She was only five, not so long ago she needed a diaper change multiple times a day, now she was talking about boys?
“It's just kids being kids, nothing to worry about” Makino, always the voice of reason, commented.
“Yes, it's not like the little bird will change her family name from Dracule to Figarland any time soon,” Benn Beckman added, smirking at his beer.
Perona could feel how the man next to her was stiff like a rock. She understood Mihawk, it was their little girl the main character of the conversation but, also, Mavis was a kid and this was kid stuff, she didn't even understand the meaning of kissing a boy or marriage.
The pink haired woman stared at her hands that were restraining Mihawk's left hand. Unknowingly, Perona’s lips curled in a tiny smile. She had always liked Mihawk's hands, they were so… manly. Most of her life she liked cute things or people, she could even call herself a fan of Cavendish due to finding him cute. Never in her life she thought someone like Mihawk would be her undoing but she loved every second. They had different personalities, but without question, even in silence, Mihawk was her biggest cheerleader and protector.
Now that the teasing was over and the men were having a friendly conversation, Perona got closer to her lover to rest her head on the arm, the difference in height didn't let her use his shoulder but his arm was enough to get comfortable. Mihawk didn't move, however gave her a light squeeze to her hand as an expression of affection. She loved these moments when they could be in silence or in the middle of a conversation with someone else and at the same time, they were showing the care they felt for each other. And, it was a plus Perona had a good view of their daughter's doings.
The kids were almost at the center of the celebration, sparing each other with wood sticks they got from their short trip to the woods. After her talk with her dad, Mavis had ran to her friends to spar first against Caiman, and after winning, against Ace. The little girl moved the sword expertly, as much expert as a five year old was, Mavis was keeping Ace on a permanent defensive stand. What Shank’s son didn’t know was that his opponent knew every moment he was thinking of doing. At the age of two, Mavis had developed observation haki, advanced enough to predict the future for a few seconds and sometimes through dreams Mavis had been able to see situations that would happen in days, months or years.
Ace, a seven year old boy, son of Shanks and Makino, was an adventurous kid with, unfortunately for his mother, the same hobby of wandering his father had. Hobby most of the time got him in trouble with the people of their village or the animals from the woods. He had even gotten thrown away from Dadan’s house. Shanks was the only one capable of managing the immense amount of energy Ace had, by teaching him the art of sword.
Ace blocked one of Mavis' attacks with his makeshift wooden sword and used the momentum to start attacking one step forward at a time. First, he didn’t apply too much force but when Mavis countered with her own, Ace had to go all in. Nonetheless, she had learned from her father, the girl returned each attack with a smile, which angered her opponent. Mavis holded his sword with her own analyzing his posture, pushed him with her wooden stick which caused Ace to lose his balance, with her stick punched him in the leg to send him back first to the floor.
The adults around laughed at the sight of the kid on the floor. The other three kids were close holding their own bellies while laughing.
“A little girl beat you!” a pink haired boy with a 5 o'clock stubble pointed at Ace mocking him.
“That's how strong you are, Ace?” the younger blue haired boy with a round red nose added to the mockery.
“Shut up!” Ace got up shouting at them.
Meanwhile, Mavis laughed happily at them “You are such little rabbits”.
Shanks laughed from a distance and shouted “she is definitely your daughter, Hawkeyes!”. Mihawk smirked proudly, he had taught his daughter very well but that dishonorable move had come from the pink haired woman next to him that was face palming.
From another side of the party, the current Strongest Swordsman of the world, Roronoa Zoro was smiling at the scene of the kids sparring. “You are training her to kill me, Hawkeyes?” he didn't shout or speak loudly but he noticed from the distance the golden eyes watching him.
“I beat him because I have the best teacher, my daddy!” Mavis pointed the stick at Ace like she was challenging him.
“No way! My dad is the best teacher and stronger swordsman!” Ace proclaimed.
“Right! That's why you got your ass kicked!” Pez, Capone Bege and Charlotte Chiffon’s son, combed his pink hair.
The little girl couldn't keep herself to respond to Ace's previous statement “Your dad is not stronger than my daddy!”
“He is!”
“He’s not!” Mavis stomped her feet.
“If we are talking of being strong” the little kid with brown skin and glasses interrupted their exchange “My dad was strong enough to have his own country” Caiman, Crocodile’s six year old son added to the competition.
Ace rolled his eyes “Your dad is just good at planning”
“At least my dad is strong and intelligent!” Caiman countered and clashed foreheads with Ace.
“You are so childish” Pez shook his head.
“You are a child too!” Mavis yelled at him.
At this point most of the party was concentrated on the kids' fight, some with smiles or lightly laughing. All enjoyed how each kid proclaimed how each of their fathers was stronger or smarter. While the related fathers smiled proudly to hear how each of their kids did their best to protect their honor.
“Enough!” Pogo, Buggy and Alvida’s six year old son, stopped the other kids with his yell “Your dad's sure are strong and smart” he walked in front of the other four kids with his red round nose up to the sky “But there is no smarter or stronger pirate in the world than my dad, Buggy” the four kids eyed Pogo “He united the strongest Warlords, he’s a brother to Yonko Redhead Shanks, he can't be touch by any sword. You should prize my dad”
Ace and Pez looked at the younger boy with a raised eyebrow, Caiman rolled his eyes over Pogo’s words and Mavis had an expression of disgust.
“Sure, the clown that lets others fight his battles” the little girl commented keeping her disgust expression intact.
Ace sighed turning to the others “As I was saying, my dad is a Yonko, his in another level”
“So? Daddy could have been a Yonko, if he wanted!”
“Yeah, everyone knows it is Crocodile and Mihawk's fault we are stock with the clown” Pez crossed his arms.
“Hey / Shut up!” Pogo, Mavis and Caiman shouted at the same time.
“My dad created an empire!, what did yours!? Join a former Yonko to not get killed!?” Caiman fixed his glasses again.
“Don't talk about my grandma!” Pez pointed threatening at the younger boy.
Mavis was watching the boys go on with their discussion with her little fits closed at each side of her body and her cheeks red with rage, the ghost assigned to her by Perona still lurking near, had a surprised expression.
“My daddy will always be the greatest swordsman in the world! He fought uncle Shanks many times and won! And the Marines were so afraid of him that they had to make him a Warlord!” The four boys stared at Mavis with surprise, it was the first time they had seen her so mad.
Pez, with courage, cleared his throat to speak in the calmest voice he could find “Mavis, Roronoa Zoro beat your dad years ago”
Sadly, the boy’s words only made the little girl more furious. “Uncle Zoro was only able to beat daddy because he trained him for two years! He begged daddy to train him to be better!”
For a second the party went still, no one expected to learn that type of information. Roronoa Zoro had created his own reputation as a deadly and skillful swordsman at the young age of nineteen, it was almost unbelievable that such a person begged Dracule Mihawk for training. Though, at the same time, it was possible the current Greatest swordsman would seek help from the former Greatest swordsman. The student should always surpass the teacher.
Sanji, who was near Zoro and the rest of the Straw Hats, didn't lose a second to mock the swordsman. Which caused a fight to develop between the Pirate King’s wings.
As for the little girl, she and her friends had stood still after her words, as if such information could cause an explosion. It was the reaction of the adults that had them anxious and confused, but when the green haired man and the blonde started to fight, the attention was shifted to them.
Except for one. “Mavis” the hair on the back of her neck stood from the tone of voice Mihawk used. He would never harm his little girl but his tone was enough to tell her she was in big trouble. This was worse than getting on Perona's nerves. The little girl turned to march to her parents without looking at them, she was unable to hold Mihawk’s intimidating gaze. Normally, that gaze was reserved for his enemies or battle but this time his daughter had disrespected another swordsman and, in some way, himself.
Mihawk lifted her daughter up when she was in his reach and sat her on his left leg. Even knowing that puppy eyes wouldn't work on her dad, she was sporting the best example of it, in the possibility that her punishment was something like doing her laundry. Mavis tried to search for her mother's eyes, but Perona shook her head. She wouldn't disregard Mihawk's authority in public and even less in front of their child.
The hawk-eyed man lowered his head to the little girl’s so she would be the only one to hear him. Mihawk didn't need his companions to know what he was saying to his daughter. At some point Mavis lifted her head with displeasure, to which Mihawk responded with a raised brow as a clear challenge. The girl pouted and jumped back to the ground to strode to the green haired man she had indirectly insulted.
“Uncle Zoro” Mavis mumbled from below. The older one stared at her with a sharp eye and his arms crossed, Hiyori caressed his arm in a way to calm him and plead to be nice to the girl. “I'm sorry for talking bad about you, it wasn't my intention”
Zoro kept his eye on her, noticing how uncomfortable and fearful she was under it “You want to be a swordswoman?”. The question shocked Mavis to silence that she could only nod.
“Then, grow up and when the old man is done teaching you, come find me” Zoro took back his sake to drink from it, effectively dismissing the little girl with somewhat of an accepted apology. Hiyori giggled, patting Mavis' head to later suggest she go back to her parents. Which she did, running straight to her mom's arms.
Perona received her daughter in her arms, while the little girl hugged her around the neck to hide her face between Perona's neck and her little arms. Perona rubbed her back, laughing at Mavis' embarrassment.
“Oi, Hawkeyes” the man turned from seeing his lover and daughter to the redhead who called him “you know what is funny?” Shanks didn't wait for an answer, he knew his old friend wouldn't give it “We got the opportunity to settle our children debate”
Mihawk kept his silence but looked at the sea to find only the blue waves shining under the sun. But Shanks wouldn't say that just because, or Benn Beckman wouldn't fix his weapons for fun. He expanded his vision with haki to find what the redhead was referring to, and there they were, multiple Marines ships coming their way.
His eyes came back to Perona and Mavis, his daughter's eyes fixed on the sea. She was seeing the same ships “I wanna fight” Mavis uttered without traces of her previous embarrassment.
“Not yet” Mihawk patted her head to subdue her. Perona wasn't following anything, suddenly Shanks had sent Makino and Ace with Benn Beckman to their ship, Mavis was asking to fight and Mihawk was caressing her cheek “Take Mavis to the ship and keep your ghost around. Marines are coming”
“And Shamrock is paying a visit” Shanks added.
Now understanding, Perona nodded, gave a quick peck to Mihawk's palm and flew away to the Cross Guild ship.
“Let's show everyone who is the strongest father, Hawkeyes”
“Good luck doing it with one arm”