Chapter Text
Kourshirou is a good friend of Hawk-Eye. They're both unsure of how it happened or how they met, it just worked out that way. They continue to exchange letters and have for years.
Neither of them visits often.
Koushirou doesn't like to travel, and Mihawk doesn't want to bring chaos to the quiet village of Shimotsuki.
It's a pleasant surprise when Koushirou visits, saying he was inspired by a student to travel. They chat about it over tea.
“Well, remind me to thank this student of yours,” Mihawk says.
“I'm sure you'll get the chance. Since childhood, that boy has wanted your title,” Koushirou responds.
Mihawk hums curiously.
His peace is interrupted by Perona barging in.
“Hawk-Eye! Zoro stinks! Tell him to shower!” The girl shrieks. Koushirou perks up, for some reason.
“I took a bath two days ago!” Zoro yells from deeper in the house. It isn't long before he's also crashing into disturb his evening. His big mouth opens, but then, he freezes.
“Zoro? Is that you?” Koushirou asks breathlessly.
“S-Sensei?”
Sensei?
Kourshirou stands and walks over to hug his former student.
“I was so worried when the papers stopped writing about you!”
“I-I was training,” Zoro says sheepishly. He melts into the embrace.
“You haven't changed a bit.” His sensei chuckles.
Perona looks at Mihawk, but the man just shrugs. When Zoro and Koushiro finally pull away, they introduce each other.
“Koushirou was my sensei when I was a kid. He trained me for years, and I stayed with him more often than not.”
“Zoro is the student I was telling you about! I didn't expect him to be here unless it was to kill you.”
Zoro looks between them. “You know Hawk-Eye?”
“Shower first, questions later,” Koushirou chides. Zoro obeys without a fuss, leaving as soon as the order is given.
Perona gapes at the show of power over the gorilla she lives with.
“What the hell?”
“Language,” Both older men say in sync.
Zoro is very touchy with his sensei. He's in cozy clothes, leaning against the older man while they all enjoy some tea.
Koushirou doesn't seem to mind, he just pets his student's hair.
Mihawk was not aware Roronoa needed so much physical attention. Looking at him now, it's clear the boy is touch-starved. Perhaps that's why he isn't improving as quickly as he should be.
“I hope he hasn't been giving you too much trouble. He was always very determined,” Koushirou says.
“He's stubborn and overconfident,” Mihawk says bluntly.
Koushirou simply chuckles, scratching at Zoro's scalp. The boy is so calm, he doesn't even growl at Hawk-Eye.
“He's actually..cute,” Perona says in disbelief.
“Huh? You talkin' shit?” Zoro asks.
“Language,” The two older men scold immediately.
Zoro flushes and looks away, muttering a quiet, “Sorry, Sensei..”
It takes all of Mihawk's discipline to not gape. A monster like Roronoa made docile by some pets and soft words.
“You're alright, Zoro-chan.”
“Cute!”
“Shut it!”
Koushirou laughs at the two teens' shenanigans. Dracule resolves to learn how to be a teacher from the best.
“Breathe deeply, expanding your chest. Find your center,” Koushirou instructs gently.
Clearly, Zoro has been meditating for years, so he doesn't need the help. The constant instructions are for Perona. Koushirou has somehow convinced the girl to join them.
Koushirou is not the kind of teacher Mihawk is. He is gentle, but firm. Instead of cowering or growling at his corrections, Perona and Zoro take the criticism easily.
Koushirou also praises more freely. The teens preen under every compliment of form or focus. Once again, Dracule realizes they are both starved for affection. That shouldn't be a surprise, but it is to someone as socially inept as him.
“Find your safe place. A place where you feel whole and secure. This where you go when things are rough, and you need to think. This is where you go to discover yourself.”
Honestly, he gets it. Koushirou's voice is soothing. It makes him want to nap.
“Perfect. You're doing perfect.”
Yeah, he could get used to this.
It's the fifth time Zoro has gotten lost in the castle today. It's grating on both Perona and Mihawk's nerves.
Koushirou remains his patient self.
“Breathe, Zoro. You need to center your soul. Do not allow yourself to be pulled.”
Zoro obeys. He takes a deep breath, then another, then walks away again.
“Ugh, he's such an idiot,” Perona complains.
“Center his soul?” Mihawk repeats.
Koushirou hums and sips is tea.
“Souls are curious things. They guide you, draw you places.”
“Our souls connect to our homes, our safe places. They are always trying to pull us towards familiar safety. Most don't notice it, but some—like Zoro—are very aware of this pull.”
“So, he's trying to go home?” Perona asks.
“That's just it. Zoro doesn't have just one home. He isn't drawn to just one beacon.”
“His soul is being pulled in multiple different directions at all times. To his original village, to Shimotsuki, to his ship and his captain—he simply doesn't know which to follow.”
Koushirou sips his tea. “I have no doubt this will also become a home for him. Zoro gets attached to people and places very easily.”
“So, he's going to get lost even more?” Perona whines.
Koushirou chuckles. “It's part of his charm, no?”
Yes—Mihawk silently agrees. It is.
It's a rare, quiet night in the castle. He and Koushirou are sharing some wine in his quarters.
“The other day..” Mihawk trails off.
Koushirou smiles softly. “What questions do you have about our shared student?”
“You said he was drawn to his 'original village' and Shimotsuki,” Mihawk says, hoping his friend understands his confusion.
Koushirou's smile becomes sad, and there's something almost nostalgic in his eyes. “Zoro has been through much hardship in his short life. He only came to Shimotsuki when he was around nine or ten. His original village…it was raided and destroyed by pirates when he was barely more than a toddler.”
Dracule attempts—and likely fails—to keep his face neutral.
“Zoro was one of only a handful of survivors who escaped in the chaos. I don't think I have to say that his parents did not survive. For almost five years, he traveled on his own, village to village, trying to survive,” Koushirou speaks carefully, cloudy rage forming behind his eyes.
“He was skinny, dirty, and terrified of adults by the time I met him, because what's more appealing to monsters than a vulnerable child?”
That statement catches Mihawk off guard. “Surely you aren't saying..” He almost pleads.
“That boy has been through a lot, Dracule,” Koushirou says sadly. “More in his short life than most grown men can claim.”
“I…” Mihawk has no words. What can you even say to that? To knowing the suffering someone has gone through, especially someone so young?
“Forgive me, but I'm too old to be staying up so late. Goodnight, Dracule.”
Koushirou leaves him with a squeeze to his shoulder and a million thoughts swirling in his head.