This is for mad100141! Sorry this took so long, I was having a bit of a writer's block. At first, I was all like, oh! ok! This prompt doesn't seem so bad! I bet I can make something really cute out of this! Then a quarter of the way through, I was like, crap. I dunno what to write from here. ^.^'
Well here you go! I'm really sorry, if I ruined your image of Shanks for you. I really tried!
I don't think this was my best nor my worst, yet I'm still not completely satisfied with it. But oh, ignore my ramblings, please, enjoy!
Btw, this is AU and Shanks has both his arms. It's just easier that way, haha.
Idols/Role Models – prompt from mad100141
Shanks, Ace, and Luffy
Rated K
Ace glared at Shanks from behind a bush out of sight.
"Shanks, Shanks! Pick me up!" Four-year-old Luffy yelled happily, jumping up and down arms outstretched.
Shanks laughed, "Energetic today, aren't we, Anchor?" Still, the older man obliged and swung Luffy up in his arms.
As Luffy laughed happily, Ace glared harder, trying and failing to bore holes in the back of Shanks's skull.
A few months ago, Shanks came to the orphanage and adopted the both of them. Luffy instantly grew attached, while Ace, the older of the two brothers was wary of the man and kept his distance.
No matter how hard Shanks tried, Ace was dead set on avoiding his adoptive father, and nothing even Luffy said could change his mind.
Now, as he watched Luffy smiling and thoroughly enjoying Shanks's company, he was conflicted.
A part of him wanted a father, one that would love him and play with him, almost exactly what Shanks was offering. Another part of him though, was stubborn, and insistently denied needing anybody else. Wasn't Luffy enough?
Since Luffy was born and delivered to the orphanage, Ace had always taken care of and loved his little brother. He hadn't had anybody else; he hadn't needed anybody else. The two of them alone kept each other afloat.
Lost in his own musings, Ace failed to notice Shanks set Luffy back down on the grass, and carefully make his way towards the very bush Ace was hiding behind.
"Boo!" Shanks laughed childishly, sticking his tongue out at Ace as he stuck his head over the top of the bush.
"Arrghh!" Ace screeched, stumbling backwards and landing awkwardly on his butt. "Shanks!" Ace yelled right after, before flushing red in both anger and embarrassment, "What are you doing?"
Shanks straightened his back and chuckled, reaching over and easily lifting Ace back up on his feet. "That's my question to you. What were you doing behind a bush?"
Ace kept his eyes trained to the ground, mumbling out a non-answer.
Behind Shanks, Luffy laughed loudly, delighted at the effect Shanks caused Ace. "Shishishi! Ace-nii fell on his butt!"
"Shut it, Lu!" Ace yelled, his blush getting darker and darker the longer Luffy laughed.
"Alright, that's enough, boys," Shanks cut in, before either one of them could start a fight. "I made some strawberry shortcakes! Who wants?"
"Ooh! Me! Me! I want! I want!" Luffy cried, jumping up and down in excitement.
Shanks chuckled at Luffy's antics, extending a hand to Luffy. Luffy immediately latched onto his father, gripping on tightly yet still jittery with excitement.
"Ace? You coming?" Shanks asked, smiling down at his older son.
Ace looked from the outstretched hand to Shanks's smiling face to Luffy's excited one. He hesitantly took the much larger hand in his own, feeling the strong fingers curl around his petite hand. Looking into Shanks's brilliant smile not completely unlike Luffy's, he offered a small smile in return.
As the small family made its way to the house's kitchen, Ace couldn't help but think:
Yes, it was nice to have a father.
