freerangeemma asked: I loved Whitebeard's reaction to Leith announcing the baby. Would you write a story about Skylar and her grandpa?


"W'dat one?"

Newgate swiveled his head, careful not to jostle his little passenger too much with the movement as his eyes followed to where the finger was pointing. She'd spent the last fifteen minutes barking out questions about all the new things she was seeing and the game hadn't quite become old yet… content as he was to let the child be curious to her heart's desire. He gargled a laugh when he spotted a small primate staring at the pair with wary eyes, its tawny fur bristling about. "That's a monkey," he explained, raising a hand to steady Skylar as he ducked around another branch.

"Mun-key…" she parroted, tiny fists clenched into his bandanna while she balanced on his shoulder. An excited series of huffs sounded as she bounced in place, apparently realizing something. "Unky Poopy!"

He chortled, both proud and amused she made the connection all on her own. "Yes, that's right, just like your Uncle Luffy, the little scamp. Even resembles him a bit, don't you think?"

"Yea…" Skylar agreed in that distracted manner most children used when they weren't sure about something. She patted his cheekbone in reassurance, though whether it was for him or for her he wasn't sure. The child did that sometimes, gently caressing the faces of certain people around her in a emphatic manner, her eyes distant… like she was making sure they were still there.

Bizarre. But utterly harmless.

"Pappi, wan' down," she said, tugging on the bandanna impatiently, clearly tired of being carried.

Newgate grunted, but didn't break his stride in the least, following the trail around the bend. "In a bit, Sweetheart, we're almost out of the trees. Pappi can't see you as well in here and doesn't want to accidentally hurt you if he puts you down now," he told her, feeling his breath coming out a bit more heavy than before, its been a long while since the last time he'd taken this route. Damn lungs–getting too damn old… He grumbled to himself, while out loud added,"Once we get to the grove, I'll let you down so you can play. I promise."

She made a whining noise in disagreement, but didn't throw a fuss… Merely touched his cheekbone again. "Pappi not hurted me," she said firmly, putting a bit more of her weight against his head and pushing like it'd lend more importance to her words, "Pappi a… Pappi a–" she fumbled for a minute, scratching through her limited vocabulary before blurting, "Pappi nice!"

"Pappi's also old and clumsy," Newgate retorted with a short chuckle, tilting his head so he could see her expression. There it was, there was her parents' stubbornness showing through–though it was more of a pout than a scowl with that baby fat.

Skylar's nose wrinkled–just like her mother did when displeased–and puffed out her cheeks a little more. "Pappi strong."

He grinned at that, heartened by her faith in him and gently patted her back. "I'm glad you think so, My Dear."

They broke through the treeline, and Newgate had the distinct honor of hearing his granddaughter gasp in surprise, her little hands clenching against his face as she gazed upon the scene. The trees were in eternal bloom, the soft petals of cherry blossoms falling in a gentle rain, carpeting the ground in swaths of pink and white. A waterfall roared down the cliff in the distance, the mist creating the pastel arc of a rainbow in the midday light.

It was the same place, years ago… the very same grove he'd last seen Gol D. Roger alive and learned the secret of the Will of D.

And now Newgate had returned, bringing Roger's legacy with him.

He knelt down, balancing a majority of his weight upon his bisento as he eased Skylar to the ground, careful not to move too quickly. The toddler squeaked in excitement, bolting away the moment her feet touched ground, her arms thrown wide as she shouted, "PAPPI LOOK'IT FLOWER!"

"I see that," Newgate remarked amiably, righting himself with only a minor protest from his knees, the joints popping as he hoisted himself back to his feet with a grunt, "Play where I can see you, Skylar. Don't wander too far!"

"Kay!" she called back, already sticking her hands into a grubby patch of dirt and twigs, clearly something having caught her eye, her gaze following the wiggling body of a lizard as she scrabbled after it. Newgate left her to it, knowing there was very little the child could get herself into trouble with in this grove. She'd have to take a flying leap off a tree or into the river to be in any real danger, and gods know Newgate was thankful for her lack of ability in that regard.

Though it was only ever a matter of time… Kids grew up too damn fast.

Ambling his way over to a familiar tree, Newgate bent to sit at its base, easing himself down into a memorable spot among the cherry trees. The fragrance was nostalgic and he yearned to crack open a bottle at the memory.

But he resisted, amber eyes tracking his granddaughter's movements as she upturned some rocks along the riverbank. Already he could spy a smudge of dirt on her cheek and he had to chuckle at the sight, he could almost see Leith and Ace doing much the same even as adults. Ever curious. Ever full of wonder for the world.

He sighed. "I'm getting old, Roger," Newgate murmured, keeping his voice low so Skylar couldn't overhear, "Soon my time as ruler of these seas will come to an end and a new age of strife will rise from the ashes. It will be hard… a test of will for all my children and my heart aches knowing the hardships they'll face."

A wane smile stretched across his lips, his chest heavy as he watched Skylar. She was a good child. "But the next generation," he said, his smile growing into a full grin as her eyes met his, her look one of adoration, "I have such high hopes for and the legacy you've left behind… I just wish I could be here to see it."

Newgate had to chuckle at himself, he was getting melancholy in his old age–If Roger were here now, there was little doubt in his mind that the man would make fun of him for it. He'd died with a smile after all…

"Pappi! Fiss!" Skylar shouted, breaking the man out of his grim thoughts to focus on his granddaughter.

A laugh startled out of him at the sight of the girl running towards him, holding a disgruntled looking bullfrog to her chest, the poor creature nearly the size of her head. "No, that's not a fish, Sweety," he explained, still shaking with mirth as she held the amphibian up, "That there is called a 'Frog.'"

"Frok?" she wondered, cuddling the bulbous critter close when it tried to wiggle free of her grasp, its webbed feet kicking ineffectively.

"That's right, Fro-g," he enunciated, making sure to put emphasis on the 'g,' and leaning down to gently pry her arms off the struggling beast, "Now don't hold him too tight, Skylar, you'll hurt him if you squeeze…"

She startled when the frog jumped out of her loosened grip, a surprised look on her face as it hopped away. "Whoa, Boom!" she exclaimed with a laugh, clearly unaffected by the loss of her catch and more entertained by how it was moving than anything, "Frok go faaaast!"

"It sure does," Newgate agreed, chortling as the girl hopped around in an attempt at imitation, though of course with all the grace and coordination of a two year old, "Maybe someday you can go fast like the frog too."

"Yea!" she cheered, bending her knees and hopping repeatedly until she reached his leg, clutching the fabric of his pants to steady herself.

He observed carefully as she climbed, cradling a hand beneath her in the case that she lost her grip and fell. According to Ace, she was already beginning to exhibit the same strength he displayed as a child, lifting objects far beyond what any other two year old would be able to feasibly move. It was unanimously agreed by his crew, that the child would have to be watched at all times and taught about the necessary application of her strength.

It was going to be a learning process for everyone, that's for sure.

Finally making it to his knee and a little out of breath, Skylar plunked herself down, her legs dangling a bit as she looked out to the river, clearly taking a rest from all her exploring. Newgate's heart warmed at the sight, glad that this little ray of sunshine took such comfort in being in his presence… Without thinking much of it, he reached up into the branches above him and plucked a single flower, taking a moment to delicately place the bundle in her hair.

"S'ank you," Skylar said with a sweet smile, tilting her head to rest against his hand as she regarded him fondly, "I love you, Pappi…"

Newgate choked up a little at that, surprised at the admission. He hadn't heard verbal confirmation of affection in… well… many years now. It was something that was always just implied from his crew to him, an understanding that had never needed words before now. He was admittedly stunned by how much it affected him, his heart warming to near bursting.

He beamed and let out a booming laugh–joy and a little bit of embarrassment dancing in his chest with every guffaw. Truly this child was a wonder, a treasure he was honored to have the opportunity to meet in his lifetime–with only a few words she was able to chase away the dark clouds plaguing his mind, his hopes for the future blooming in full.

"I love you too, little one," he replied in kind, meaning every word. He wiped away a smudge of dirt with his thumb and Skylar giggled as she let him dote on her.

Truly, this old man is blessed… he thought, his cheeks pinching with how hard he smiled–feeling lighter than he had in days… weeks.

The future is looking bright… old friend.