surprise breaks the perpetual stoicism of his features, even if he's the one at her door knocking. maybe he expected that she wouldn't open the door. it wasn't her day with the children and he hadn't called beforehand to ask whether it was all right to drop by.

truthfully, mihawk debated it all day, bouncing the decision back and forth in his mind. perona had mentioned after her discussion with @counterspll over the phone earlier that she sounded under the weather despite any reassurances. she may also have suggested that someone bring her soup or some other comfort food to quell whatever ailment plagued her.

he could easily reason he was making dinner for all of them anyways. but, to venture out to her and hand deliver it ... well, they were still ... civil, yes ? it wasn't too far-fetched a gesture.

- ever traveled anywhere interesting?

- favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)?

Munday // Accepting!

- what and/or who do you consider near and dear to you?: Well for starters, it's not cheating if I say my friends and partner (who all are on tumblr but not in OP, however my partner is @hxbiris <3) so that's a simple one~

- ever traveled anywhere interesting?: I thiiink a few years ago my family & I traveled to NYC (Make a wish kid here oop-), other than that I don't do traveling unless it's to my bed after work :')

verbal barbs shoot forth from his mouth effortlessly, usually without a single thought of whether or not he should rethink what he wants to say. perhaps 'distraction' was a cruel word to use, but it was also exactly what he meant.

more accustomed to solitude, he's had to contend with the disruptions in his daily routine. sunlight peeked through the ever swirling gloom of kuraigana in brief intervals, so preparing the garden now would allow his new seedlings time to flourish in the sun. during which he could focus on hanging the clothes out to dry. everyday chores that were much more easily completed without the constant interruptions and distractions.

her paws pushed indents into the soft soil, trampling a few of the budding sprouts from earlier in the week. lips set into a deep frown, brows pushing together -- she was goading him, mihawk knew that much. jaw tightened then relaxed as he settled his temper.

they’re sitting across from one another in the bath. the steady drip drop from the faucet echoing in the quiet. it’s not an uncomfortable silence,  but one that comfortably blankets over them. 

his keen gaze remains steady on her,  as if trying to spot the small differences in her appearance, though failing as nothing has changed at all. maybe more freckles,  maybe the length of her hair but nothing so discernible that denotes time having passed.  a few months isn’t too long anyways. 

the water ripples as his hand surfaces, calloused fingers wrapping around her wrist and bringing her hand to his lips,  pressing softly against her knuckles.  his eyes slip shut briefly,  savoring the feeling of her skin on his lips,  to be able to be this close once more and bask in the warmth of her presence.  then, golden irises once again reveal themselves and this time, they don’t hide away but remain gazing up at her as his lips venture over her wrist and up to the crook of her elbow. 

there’s a firm tug,  an invitation to come closer, and closer still until her knees are framing either side of his hips. his head tips back, and his hand rests now on the nape of her neck,  drawing her lower until his lips meld completely against hers.  there is no hesitation in exploring the depths of her,  tongue dragging against the roof of her mouth as soon as the seam of her lips part.  he kisses her like a man parched,  a passion that only she’s grown to know.  when the inevitable break for breath separates them, their foreheads bump and the tip of his nose glides along the bridge of hers. it’s not long till his mouth seeks hers again.  he missed the taste of her.  he missed her.  

mihawk has rarely allowed another person close enough that their absence made him ache.  not in the same way that hers etched a profound emptiness in him. 

now,  he allows @counterspll to come and go as she pleases.  not that he ever had any real control over a spirit as free as her own. or, maybe he did,  proven by how long she stayed in the first place.

he gratefully accepts her offer, digging into the rest of the meal. it was much different from the varieties of crops available on wano -- manners of cooking he wasn't accustomed to, but enjoyed nonetheless. though, he didn't care for the alcohol she ordered and had him taste. it left a trail of burning heat down his throat and into the pits of his stomach that didn't feel pleasurable in the least. he nearly expelled the liquid all over the table, resulting in his question.

"i have always wanted to travel, to see past the shores of wano. i am eager." but, uneasy, he doesn't add. there are many details about why he left and what he was searching for that he didn't share, as he's sure that there are details about drucilla's own motivations and life that she doesn't freely give up. he gets the sense they are two people who play things close to the vest. but, that's not exactly a bad choice. trusting anyone was a gamble.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐖𝐀𝐘? : 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍-𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

“a nightmare?”  the drow asked flatly.  there was no other word for it.  there was no other word for the flux of unpleasant and new sensations foisted upon them by the illithid infection.  each time the newborn worm processed something anew,  it twinged just behind his left eye like the beginnings of a headache.  it was an unpleasant sensation that sent some part of the otherwise impassive drow,  some part of him that he desperately clawed to remain hidden,  into an unpleasant,   howling frenzy.  the creature buried behind the cage of a drow's flesh and bone clawed even more desperately than the parasite's squirming.  he was uncertain how long he could keep it muzzled.