The room was thick with tension, as always when the Warlords gathered. Power hung in the air, and the atmosphere was charged with silent rivalries and oversized egos. You stood near Crocodile, sipping your drink as the two of you exchanged quiet remarks.

“Whatever this is about,” Crocodile muttered, swirling his glass, “it had better be worth the waste of time.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” you replied, your gaze flicking across the room to Mihawk. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, exuding his usual air of calm detachment.

Crocodile noticed your attention and smirked. “You’re staring. Try to be subtle about it.”

“I’m not staring,” you said quickly, though your eyes betrayed you as they drifted back to Mihawk.

Crocodile chuckled. “If you say so.”

Before you could respond, a deep, familiar voice cut through the buzz of conversation behind you. “Enjoying the view?”

You turned to find Mihawk standing closer than expected, his golden eyes locked on yours with a quiet intensity.

“Mihawk,” you greeted, a small smile tugging at your lips. “How long have you been lurking back there?”

“Long enough,” he replied smoothly, his gaze unwavering. “You always make these meetings less tedious.”

“Is that your way of saying you missed me?” you teased, masking the quickened beat of your heart.

A faint smirk crossed his lips. “Perhaps.”

Crocodile took a step back, clearly amused. “I’ll leave you two to… reconnect.”

You rolled your eyes at Crocodile’s retreating figure before turning your attention back to Mihawk.

“How long are you going to pretend you don’t enjoy my company?” Mihawk asked, his voice low and deliberate.

You raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference. “Who says I’m pretending?”

“Your eyes do,” he countered. “You’re not very good at hiding it.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you. “And you’re insufferably confident.”

“It’s part of my charm,” he replied, his smirk returning. “Admit it—you wouldn’t want me any other way.”