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Red,
I never thought myself to be the lonely sort, but the desolate sounds of the island now fill me with a sort of homesickness despite the fact that I am currently sitting at the desk in my study as I write to you.
It’s been six months since the boy returned to his crew, and while he was never the most verbose, I had grown used to the sounds of him working out in the room down the hall, and the sounds of steel clashing echoing through my open windows as he fought against the humandrills near the tomb.
The ghost girl’s departure was even more surprising to me- I hadn’t expected Moria to still be drawing breath. I do admire her dedication to her captain; perhaps that was why, despite all their bickering, she and the boy got along so well. Her absence has been more profound. I’d never thought I would admit to enjoying her constant yammering, but the castle is too quiet without it.
She reminds me a lot of you, if I may be vulnerable for a moment.
I find myself yearning for a future where the halls are filled with the sounds of your laughter. Of you humming as you try and fail at making us breakfast, your bare feet padding across the stone to join me in the library for a day of relaxing in front of the fire.
Perhaps the children are there, perhaps they are off adventuring with their crews, leaving us old men to our retirement.
It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. I am grateful that you sought me out, and I was able to comfort you after the loss of your brother, but I regret that we only had a few days together.
I miss you.
Endlessly Yours,
M
My love,
I miss you more than I have the words to describe.
Your last letter to me had me close to turning my ship around and heading back to you. Unfortunately this world must be cruel to us a little longer.
The things Roger told me about will happen soon, I can feel it in the air. Vegapunk’s broadcast, which occurred hours prior to me writing this, confirmed that.
I hope Buggy and Crocodile are treating you well. It makes me happy to know that you’re not alone in your castle anymore. We’ll take it back from the Navy once this is all over, I promise. I’ve grown very attached to the idea of retirement that you wrote about.
If anything, I suppose you can count on Buggy to ensure things are never quiet. Tell him hello for me; he never returns my letters.
We’re currently heading to Lodestar Island, after that to Laughtale. I have a hopeful feeling Luffy may get there first, and an unsettling one that Teach and his crew are close as well. My scars ache. Perhaps we can take him out together before Anchor beats me as well- not that I plan on going easy on him, but we both know it is no longer our era.
I hope to be there when he becomes King.
And I hope to be there for you when your boy becomes the greatest as well.
It may take some time still, but we will be together again. And once this is all over, nothing can take me away from you. That I promise.
I think I’d like to marry you again, if you’re willing.
All my heart,
Red
Red,
I’m not sure our first marriage even counts. You may be captain of a ship, but I do not think the rules apply to you officiating your own wedding.
Nonetheless, I have considered you my husband for 22 years now, and would gladly do it all over again. Maybe the new Pirate King can officiate.
While I am glad that monster Teach is dead, I am extremely envious that I was not able to do it myself after all the pain that he has caused you. I am glad to know that your brother has been avenged, and I’m glad your boy was able to get that closure as well.
If you are still with them, let Roronora know that I am awaiting him, ready for his challenge.
If you still wish it, I would also be glad to have you there as well. The defeat won’t be as bitter if you are there by my side through it. I know that to you, I will always be the strongest. As you are the strongest to me.
Luffy may have gotten the One Piece, but you have my heart.
Always,
M
My Darling,
I know it’s only been days, but with what lays ahead, I find my thoughts constantly wandering back to you.
I hope your injuries are healing well. It pains me to not be there for you as you were for me when I lost my arm. Though I suppose I should be grateful that Zoro did not take more than an eye.
I wish we had more time, but it seems the final fight is upon us.
I could never ask you to sit this one out, and you wouldn’t be the man I fell in love with if you listened, but I can’t help but fear the worst. This world has not been kind to us, and I’m afraid that it will be cruel to the end.
If I were to lose you in this upcoming battle I would lose myself as well. I see no future in which I can continue on without you.
In the same breath, I must ask something very selfish of you.
If I am to lose to my brother, or Nika forbid my father, I need you to live your life without me. You’ve become such an amazing man in all these years that I’ve known you, you deserve to see the new future Luffy will bring.
You have Perona and Zoro now, Crocodile, maybe even Buggy. My fate has always been to bring about this new world, but I fear I am not meant to see it for myself.
Don’t think this is me giving up though my love. I am going to do everything I can to come back to you. I haven’t forgotten our wedding.
Either way, this will likely be the last letter that we need exchange.
‘Til we’re together again,
Shanks
On the far edge of what remains of the Holy Land, Mihawk sat with his back resting against a half collapsed stone column, cradling Shanks’ head in his lap, brushing his red hair out of his face with the gentlest of movements.
“You picked a hell of a spot to pass out darling,” he whispered, watching as the man’s chest slowly rose and fell. It hadn’t taken Mihawk long to find him, despite his distance from where most of the action had occurred. He could see someone laying nearby, someone with an eerily similar head of hair, but he could not bring himself to care whether that man lived or died.
Only the man in his arms mattered to him. As it’s always been.
He felt a presence next to them suddenly and he startled, unsure how anyone else had been able to find him so easily. It made sense once he finally managed to tear his gaze away from Shanks.
He was met with an upside down grin, Luffy in his Nika form floating nearby, watching the two of them with a knowing look in his eyes. Mihawk thought back to the first time he saw the boy, watching as Zoro challenged him at the Baratie. He had a similar look in his eyes then, unwavering confidence in his crew mate.
“Shanks always doubted himself. But I knew he’d do it.”
Mihawk smiled himself, letting out a soft hum of agreement as he glanced back down at the redhead.
“I can send Chopper over if you need, or Hongo. We’re going to party, join us when you want. Zoro will be wanting to drink with you.”
Turning back to the God before him, Mihawk’s smile grew. “I believe we’re fine for now, he just needs to rest. Once he wakes up we’ll join you. Tell Roronora not to get too drunk in the meantime if he plans on besting me.”
Luffy was about to leave before Mihawk spoke up once more, feeling uncharacteristically enthusiastic about the future. “One more thing, if I may request something from you.” Luffy tilted his head in question, and Mihawk continued. “Would you be willing to marry us? A blessing from the King of the Pirates would mean a lot to him.”
The kid was so much more than the King of the Pirates, he was the liberator of the world, but Mihawk knew what mattered most to him. Shanks had told him endless stories of the small child he first met in Foosha. The child he sacrificed his arm for- the child that freed Shanks himself without even knowing it. He owed so much to Luffy, but here he was asking for something from him instead.
Luckily, he knew the boy would do anything for Shanks.
“Of course! I’ll tell Robin, she’ll know what I need to do, just find me when you need me.” With that, the boy ran across the sky, back to where the rest of the wounded were being treated and those still conscious were beginning the celebrations.
It was a few hours before Shanks stirred, and Mihawk had fallen asleep himself, exhausted from his own fights against the Holy Knights. The feeling of a warm hand brushing over his cheek woke him, and when he opened his eye he was met with Shanks’ red eyes staring up at him, tears already spilling over.
“We did it, Hawky.” His voice was hoarse, full of emotion. Mihawk knew he would have pleaded with his brother, done everything he could to convince him to join their side instead. He hadn’t gotten up to see if Shamrock was still breathing, so it was unclear whether he was successful.
His questions could wait. Shanks was here in his arms, alive, smiling.
Shanks groaned as he pushed himself up, settling himself more comfortable in Mihawk’s lap, hand pressing to his cheek once again as his thumb brushed against the still-healing wound that Zoro had left over his left eye.
There were no more words that needed to be said between the two of them. They had survived, and now they had the rest of their lives to be free. Their destinies were now their own to mold, and Mihawk wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of eternity loving the man before him.
Mihawk brought their lips together, feeling his own tears fall at the realization that he would never be alone again.
It was another day before the two men made their way back to the group, the celebrations still in full swing. As Shanks went to check on the rest of his crew, Mihawk checked in with Crocodile and Buggy, ensuring that they were both alive and well before settling in at a makeshift table across from Zoro. The other man wordlessly slid him a mug, greeting him with nothing more than a smirk and a nod.
Mihawk gave him a nod back. He knew Zoro could interpret the meaning behind it. I’m glad you’re alive. Good job.
He was glad the ghost girl wasn’t there for the fight, but now with it all over, he couldn’t help but wish she was there as well. Again, Zoro seemed to know what he was thinking and let out a chuckle before finally speaking.
“I called her, she’s on the way. We’d never hear the end of it if she missed your wedding.”
Mihawk startled, he hadn’t even thought of that. Zoro had saved him from disaster.
Shanks found him again a few hours later. He and Zoro had given up on their competition, both men unable to get more than a generous buzz, and had now switched from beer to their drinks of choice- sake for Zoro and wine for Mihawk.
The redhead curled into Mihawk’s side, throwing his legs over his lap and grabbing one of the abandoned mugs for himself. “I hear we’re getting married, I asked Beck to be my best man.” He shot a pointed look to Zoro, which Mihawk picked up on immediately and sighed, accepting his fate.
“Roronora, I would like you to be mine.” Zoro grunted, which Mihawk took as agreement, and Shanks laughed at the blush that spread across the young man’s face.
Shanks didn’t leave his side again, and the celebrations continued on for a week.
They were married (again) on the fourth day. Perona had arrived just in time, already sobbing as she flew over to embrace the two older men. Mihawk reluctantly accepted the affection. Shanks, who had been crying for hours at that point, happily accepted it.
Their union was blessed by the Sun God, and seeing Shanks smile at him from across the makeshift altar, Mihawk realized he had everything he had ever wanted.