He turns it over in his hands, feeling its scars and worn places one last time. The hat was never properly his, not really, but it's still surprisingly hard to give up. It's not the same hat the scarred pirate gave the loudmouthed boy all those years ago- it's different now, older.

He looks up now, at the man he chased for all those years. He's different now as well— older, the younger man supposes—but also the same, the unchanging rock and guiding light the pirate always knew was somewhere out there.

The older man smiles at him comfortingly, reassuringly, knowing how hard it is for him, knowing so much it makes the younger man want to cry like the child he is not.

Finally, he thrusts it out, hands trembling with the effort. Gently, it is lifted from his hands, and gently, fingers run along the wounds and fraying edges. Strong, restless fingers that twitch with barely-contained energy- the other man remembers those fingers well. The hat is lifted, set upon the crimson hair the other man is known far and wide for.

It fits- that's what breaks his heart. The hat was always a little too big for him, never the perfect shape no matter ho long he wore it. But on that man's head, it is perfect. The hat would never be blown off that man's head by an errant gust of wind.

The two give each other long looks, one tear-filled, the other searching. Suddenly, the older pirate lifts it back up. With one last, fond look, he places it gently on the other's head, as he did so long before.

In a moment, the Pirate King understands, but the Emperor says it anyway.

"Keep it. Where would Straw Hat Luffy be without his straw hat?"