FindersKeepers (Dracule Mihawk x OC)

A Lesson Hard Learned

|Mihawk|

Mihawk stands on the balcony, watching as Rayleigh makes his leisurely trek toward Astera. A persistent tug in his mind urges him to join her in the woods, but every attempt to move in her direction is instantly halted by the spell she cast, locking him in place. Only now does he realize just how much space she occupies in his thoughts-far more than he's comfortable admitting. A simple ascent up the stairs becomes a daunting obstacle course, with every third step gluing him to the floor as thoughts of following her flit through his mind.

A sigh, heavy with frustration, slips from his downturned lips as he crosses his arms tightly against his chest. The wind picks up, angrily whipping the fabric of his bloused shirt. As Astera pauses to confront Rayleigh, the air throughout the forest thickens with an oppressive energy. Emotion pulses from the mist like a wildfire, feeding his growing impatience. Mihawk attempts to step forward, but another invisible wall slams against him, halting his advance. A low growl mingles with the hiss that escapes through his clenched teeth, his cheek twitching in barely restrained irritation.

As a man unaccustomed to being denied what he wants when he wants it, Mihawk finds himself facing an unusual problem-one that may demand an equally unconventional solution. Never before had he imagined that someone could so easily invade his mind with mere words. This is a vulnerability he will need to eliminate in the future. With a swift turn, he strides into his bedchamber. Standing before the mirror, he locks his piercing gaze onto his reflection, searching for a way out.

Hints of Astera push to the forefront of his mind once again. In his reflection, he catches the faint, barely perceptible purple wisps swirling within his golden gaze. With focused intent, he isolates the part of his mind ensnared by her words. Straining, he attempts to claw at the edges of his confinement, hoping to tear it away entirely. He takes a cautious step toward the balcony, testing the limits of his restraint-only to find himself abruptly rooted in place once more. His eyebrows lift as he inhales deeply, forcing himself to suppress the anger welling up inside. He stands at a mental crossroads: Is his frustration greater with his inability to join Astera, or with the simple fact that he has been caged against his will? As time drags on, the latter becomes increasingly certain.

A wave of sorrow escapes into the mist, which settles over the previously agitated air, drawing Mihawk's attention to his open door. Peering out across the woods, he uses his observation Haki to see Astera huddled in a ball on the forest floor. Rayleigh, offering little consolation, sits beside her. It appears their heated exchange is nearing its end. Mihawk feels the pull of Astera's weakened heart tugging at him once more. He grits his teeth, cursing Rayleigh silently, willing the old man to tell her how to free him from this prison.

As Rayleigh departs, Astera rises, her eyes pensively scanning as they fix on the manor where Mihawk silently fumes. In a sudden burst of movement, she exits the woods and swiftly ascends the hill to the house. Mihawk exhales a slight sigh of relief at her urgency and rapid return. He stands by the bed, expectantly waiting for her to burst through the door.

The entire mansion trembles as she bursts through the main entrance, slamming the door shut with a force that reverberates through the walls. Her footsteps echo in quick succession as she glides up the stairs, the sound softening as she sprints down the hall toward him. Mihawk's anticipation sharpens; he expects her to swing his door open at any moment. But instead, her footsteps fade as she turns down another corridor. A different door swings open and slams shut behind her, leaving him waiting. His jaw tightens, and he clenches his hand into a tight fist, nails digging into his palm as his eyebrow twitches violently. The tension in his chest builds, a slow-burning anger simmering beneath the surface, threatening to boil over as he stands frozen in place, forced to endure the delay.