Irreplaceable

Part 17: New Year

There was clattering and shuffling of feet. Nothing too loud, but every sound felt ten times more loud to Mihawk. He tried to rise but instinctively held his head and groaned. He had a strong headache. He shouldn't have drank so much no matter how bad he felt.

- "Mr Dracule, time to wake up."

One of the other guests doctor Hogback was shaking him. The round man offered Mihawk a glass of water sizzling with medicine. He took it and poured it down his throat way too quickly, causing another painful throb in his head. Drowsily he rubbed his face trying to figure out what time it was. He was groggy and his vision was blurred, but when it cleared he could see Perona opposite to him. She was holding Zoro who was curiously looking around following the people moving in the room.

- "What time?" He couldn't look at her directly for he was feeling ashamed to have been found like this. He didn't want to loose control like this with her around.
- "You ate all the chocolate." She burrowed her brow and Mihawk looked to see the chocolate box mostly empty or the chocolates half bitten.
- "Sorry." He stared blankly at the empty wine bottle and his glass now toppled over, content having stained the red tablecloth. "Sorry, I'll clean it."

Moria walked in and held out Zoros milk bottle which Perona took and started to feed Zoro. Judging by the lights it must be between eight or nine.

- "You're up early. Even though you stayed up so late."
- "Hmm. I guess it's out of habit." Perona answered.

He looked on as Zoro quickly emptied his bottle. He wiggled lightly and Perona set him down so he could toddle around. She herself left the room and Zoro followed her grabbing onto anyone's legs he passed by. He grabbed onto Mihawks legs too and Mihawk smiled lightly and petted his head.

- "Morning, Zoro."

Zoro grinned and babbled something back before toddling to grab onto Peronas legs who was carrying trays of yesterdays left overs. She waited for Zoro to wrap his arms and legs tightly around her leg before continuing her task. She took Mihawks glass and the wine bottle and returned to the kitchen. Hogback sat on the table as did Moria and they started picking what to eat. Mihawk looked on and Perona returned with two cups of coffee. She set one for Mihawk and Hogback. Once again she moved back to the kitchen, Zoro still clutching onto her leg enjoying the ride.

- "Aren't you going to eat, Mihawk?" Moria asked him.
- "No, I'm feeling pretty bad right now."
- "Kishishiihishi! I can imagine. I didn't drink as much as you and I felt horrible rising up."

Mihawk smiled a little and took a sip of his coffee. Perona returned with two plates. She pulled Zoros high chair to the table and placed him in it. She went back to the kitchen and came back with a colourful plastic plate in her hand. She gathered some of the food and gave it to Zoro who started nibbling on a piece of ham. Next she gathered some of the plainer dishes and gave the plate to Mihawk.

- "I'm not hungry."
- "You should still eat. So you'll feel better." She looked tired, gentle and careful.

He didn't really protest after that. The way Perona was looking at him made him feel ashamed. It wasn't for her to fix what was wrong with him, he knew all too well his drinking could get out of hand. Ashamed he slowly ate the food Perona had picked for him. A few other people joined them to eat before leaving for their homes. Some still had to go working between Christmas and New Year. Mihawk himself had taken some vacation.

Moria had taken Zoro and was playing with him in the living room as Mihawk still sat at the table while Perona was gathering what was left of the food. Finally she sat next to him and scratched a bit on the wine stain.

- "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked and kept on poking at the stain. "Whatever caused you to drink like that?
- "Not really."
- "You sure? Maybe you'll feel better if you tell someone."
- "I doubt it."