onepieceyaoi100 | (no subject)

Title: The Ocean Can Be a Lonely Place
Pairing: Ben/Shanks/Mihawk
Word Count: 273
Rating: G

There were several key concepts by which Shanks lived his life. Loyalty for one. Fidelity. He was faithful to his crew, his dreams, and his ocean. But, as Ben learned very quickly, the idea of monogamy didn’t have the same hold. The tavern wenches he got over very quickly. While Shanks was polite and charming to each and every one, they were completely interchangeable. A way to get out of his enormous bar tabs in a manner that happened to be fun. Plus there was always the off chance of a free breakfast.

The man who came to visit occasionally was another matter. Mihawk certainly didn’t save the ship any money. The first few years he’d spent sulking in the hold. In hindsight his actions were pretty pathetic. Then there were two years of snarky comments, dark glances, and near fights. Shanks had finally taken him aside and told him off. Humiliated didn’t even begin to cover how he felt. Jealousy was an ugly beast, and it had him tight within its jaws. It was the swordsman who ultimately made him understand.

The seas were wide and empty. Lonely for a man, even one who purposely chose to sail alone. Shanks had a way of canceling months of isolation with his mere presence. And he was kind enough to accommodate a solitary old friend when he needed it. Rivalry was not his intention. Besides, there wasn’t anyone else. It was just Shanks’ way.

Mihawk had been right. And as the years went by, Ben found there was extra room in his heart, too, and started wishing the swordsman’s visits came with more frequency.