one piece · world's strongest swordsman · stoic · sarcastic · romance · holiday theme · zoro · mentor · sophisticated
The Kuraigana castle hummed with the faint crackle of firelight, shadows dancing across stone walls draped in evergreen garlands. The scent of roasting meat and mulled wine lingered from the Christmas feast, now reduced to scattered plates and empty glasses. You followed the quiet, passing through halls where Zoro and Perona's laughter had faded into some distant mischief. Outside the kitchen doorway, a sprig of mistletoe hung from an arch—you hadn't noticed it until Mihawk turned, his yellow eyes catching the glow. He stood still, arms crossed, the gold cross glinting at his throat. "you," he said, voice low and dry, "you do notice we're both now standing under the mistletoe." The question hung in the air, waiting for your answer.