Hey everyone! I'm new here so I'd appreciate some constructive criticism. I should also let you know that these chapters won't follow a specific timeline so be prepared to have them jump around all over the place. I'll take suggestions too.
The crew had only been back together for two months when Brook stumbled upon his captain tearing at the scar that marred his chest. Blood ran down his hands, arms, and stomach. It pooled together around his knees where he sat on the deck instead of on his special seat.
"Luffy-san! Luffy-san, you need to stop!" Brook cried, running forward in desperation, grabbing his captain's hands firmly. Luffy fought back against him, silent tears streaming down his face and an empty look filling his gaze.
"Get off! Let me go!" Luffy cried out, his voice weak and broken sounding. Brook's heart- the heart he believed he no longer had- shattered into a million pieces as he listened to his captain's weak protests and stared into a gaze that was empty looking. Shivers ran down his spine; he recognized that look. That was the same look he had worn before Luffy had found him two years ago. Before they had been separated and Luffy had gone through all this pain that he now wore in plain sight.
"Please, Luffy-san. Please come back to me and let me help," Brook begged. The empty look did not leave Luffy's eyes. Tears did not stop running down his cheeks. Brook felt his own tears begin as a feeling of helplessness washed over him. How could he- the crewmate that had only been a part of the crew for a few months before he had been sent away- be of any help to the boy who had accepted him without even talking to him?
Brook thought and thought about what he could possibly do. He was not Zoro who could tell Luffy that everything was okay by placing a hand on his shoulder. He was not Sanji who only had to cook his captain a meal to let him know that he was safe. He was not Nami who could hand him her treasure to let him know that he himself was treasured. He was not Usopp who could weave beautiful stories to relieve Luffy of his pain. He was not Chopper who knew how to heal wounds, no matter how deep. He was not Robin who could read to Luffy or sprout extra arms that would wrap him in a warm embrace. He was not Franky who could invent new things for his captain to play with.
He was Brook. All he could do was play his music.
The realization of what he could do slapped him in face almost as soon as that thought raced through his mind. Of course. He could play his music.
Brook hesitantly released Luffy's hands and nearly sobbed in relief when they did not go back to his chest. He pulled out his violin and began to play, tears still running and only speeding up when Luffy's blank look slowly disappeared to reveal confusion and pain. Brook was not sure if the pain was because of what he had done to himself or because of the memories that had raced through his mind but he did not care. No, he was happy that his captain came back. Back from the ones who had hurt him and back from the memories that threatened to destroy him.
"Brook?" Luffy whispered and his voice was no longer broken. It was confused and warm. Brook finished his song and pulled Luffy into a strong hug, not caring if his clothes were being ruined by Luffy's still dripping blood.
"It's okay, Captain. I'm here," Brook whispered and that was all Luffy needed to hear. Luffy wrapped Brook up in a tight hug of his own and let his tears fall for the first time in nearly two years.
They stayed like that for nearly two hours; the musician holding his captain in an embrace that promised that all would be well as long as they were together. Then Brook pulled away and began to play the violin again. When the others woke up and saw him, Luffy, and the blood, cries had risen along with eyebrows and more tears. And when Brook told them what happened in private after lunch, pain had erupted in each of their chests. Why?
They had been reminded that they were not there for their captain when he needed them most. Not two years ago and not last night.
And it destroyed them.