They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I'm so happy you guys are enjoying the fic and thanks so much for your comments/kudos/etc! They mean a lot to me even if I don't reply (sometimes I don't know how but I'm grinning anyway xD). I have more ideas going with this family dynamic for other fics cause apparently that's how my brain works. This chapter does pick up immediately after the closure of the last chapter.
Additional Notes: I do want to say that when I read your comments, I do take into account of what you might want to see! So if there is something you want to see, don't be afraid to put it in the comments! I thoroughly enjoy seeing your comments as well as ideas that might have popped into your head! I dunno, I think it makes it fun to write and also be able to incorporate ideas you guys might have!
I have two different fics coming out that I'm working on. You may have seen "Now that You're Not Around, Baby I Can't Think" that is pretty much an introduction to the main fic. That oneshot is specifically Whumptober but IT WILL BE A FIC. Second, I'm doing another Alternate Marineford where Shanks did not arrive before Akainu's attack landed because I got an idea and I'm rolling with it cause lowkey putting together three of my ideas. This one is going to be fun. Both will most likely just pick up right where they are placed in the Marineford timeline, so I don't have to either pull over the same events I've already written or rewrite them.
Just before I forget cause I can't remember if I put it in the main fic: Nash is the Red Force cook. I named him in We Are (Family).
I want to ask you a question: How did you like the Rayleigh thing? I debated it for a while with a friend if I should do it cause I personally could NOT see Sengoku or the others allowing Shanks and them to walk away if they knew Roger was indeed Shanks' father. I wanted the end of Marineford to end similar to canon, even if it wasn't exactly the same. I keep having the feeling of wanting to go back and just rewrite all the chapters and take it out xD. Opinions? Anyway, enough of my rambling and on with the fic!
Chapter Warnings: None
Chapter Twenty One: Just Hold On (by Louis Tomlinson)
Chapter Summary: The ASL brothers move forward with their plans for a surprise wedding for Shanks and Mihawk after Ace's encounter with Mihawk. Meanwhile, Law thinks he might know a way to help Ace after a talk with Luffy. Later, the boys put their plan into action.
Ace had all but hung onto Mihawk as they made it to the dining hall. His fists balled up in Mihawk's jacket. Allowing his Alpha father to guide him towards the table where the others had already moved too. Eyes were lingering on them that had Ace wanting to shrink away from their gazes. After a few seconds, they all quickly looked away. Which he was thankful for as he took a seat down next to Mihawk and Luffy on his other side. Plates were already set out for them curtesy of the Fourth Division.
Conversations quickly started picking up around them as Ace picked at his food. His stomach churning as he looked down at it. The food in front of him was his favorite meal, yet he couldn't bring himself to eat it. The smell of it alone making his stomach turn.
He knew he needed to eat. He needed the nutrients now. He had already messed up so much, he could at least start doing things right now. It wasn't just him anymore.
He decided to attempt to eat the meal. It was made by Thatch after all. It was the least he could do. To ignore the twist in his gut, he focused on Luffy instead. Well, Luffy attempting to talk to Law. Sabo was across from him, talking to a girl that he found out was named Koala. Luffy was grinning at Law, who was – with the lack of better words to describe it – fussing over his Alpha brother. Once again talking about how Luffy was overexerting himself trying to train at the moment. Ace shook his head, a smile lingering on his face. Law would learn one day that Luffy was not a person who could be swayed away from what he wanted to do.
"I'm fine, Traffy." Luffy stated. "You act like you're my wife."
Ace snorted as he watched Law choke on his food. Face turning beet red as he slapped at his chest. "Captain?! Are you okay?!" Bepo, who was to the other side of Law, questioned. Paws hovering over his Captain's shoulders as Law attempted to catch his breath.
"What?" Luffy blinked as eyes turned to him.
"I am not!" Law replied once he had finally managed to catch his breath. "Don't just say shit like that. Say it to the wrong person and they might actually kill you." Luffy flashed him a smile, ignoring whatever critique had been thrown his way.
Sabo laughed, shaking his head as he looked back over to Koala. Ace let his gaze turn over towards Mihawk. Mihawk was eating in silence, but his attention was on Shanks who was talking to Benn. Just a little bit ago had been what he could only call an emotional rollercoaster. Everything he had ever had in his head as a child coming out, and Mihawk vowing to become a better father. To learn to be his father. Not trying to invalidate the relationship that Ace held with Whitebeard or try and tell him he was being childish. He had actually taken Ace's words into account. Now only time would tell if he actually followed through with it.
Mihawk had a wine glass in front of him. Which he always tended to have one, even if it was just one glass. Mihawk really loved his wine. Enjoying sipping on the drink and sitting in silence. Ace couldn't help but wonder how Shanks and Mihawk could even coexist together with such clashing personalities.
Still, one thing bugged him over everything.
He had spent so long questioning why Shanks remained with Mihawk. Especially after the incident. It had been the turning point into denying any relationship to Mihawk. Part of the reason he had been so angry. The thought had crossed his mind that it wasn't the first time that it had happened. Now he was helping his brother plan an impromptu wedding for them.
His eyes fell on the wine bottle that Mihawk's wine had came from. It was the same color as the one from that night. Even the liquor itself was the same color. He growled as his grip tightened on his fork. Shanks' tear-stricken face coming back to mind. The wine drenched shirt he had been wearing. Hearing the bottle break. The night that had changed his entire perception of the man that was his Alpha father.
Eyes started turning to him. He could feel their eyes practically burning a hole into him at that point. He hadn't taken his own off of the bottle. "Ace?" Shanks' voice cut through the fog, snapping Ace's attention over to his Omega father.
"Mom, why do you stay with him when he threw a bottle at your head?"
The entire room went silent as Shanks gaped at him. He looked over to Mihawk stunned for a second before realization came to his face. "You saw all that?"
Ace nodded, looking over to Mihawk. "I didn't just see it. I heard it." Ace stated.
"What are you talking about, Ace?" Luffy asked from behind him.
"Remember when you asked me what was going on between me and him?" Ace questioned back, turning his head to see the thinking face on his brother.
Luffy hummed before smiling and nodding. "It was the day Jules was attacked."
"That's why." The Omega stated. "I still remember it. One second, I hear Mom talking and the next… I heard a bottle break." He looked back over to his parents, leaning against the table as the anger continued to flare through him. He wanted answers. "Was that the only time? Or were there more?"
"Ace, maybe you shouldn't be accusing Mihawk of abuse." Sabo stated. "It could just be a misunderstanding."
Ace glared at his sworn brother, watching as the blonde paused. "You weren't there." The Omega snapped. Sabo sighed, leaning back in his chair as he also looked at Mihawk.
Mihawk exhaled, turning his head just enough that he was looking at Ace now. "I already explained this to you that night."
"You just told me you two were fine and that was it." Ace stated. "How can I fully believe that you want to try and be my father if you can't even tell me what happened?"
"That isn't what happened, Ace." Shanks stated.
"Is it?" Ace shot back.
Shanks smiled softly, grabbing ahold of the wine bottle off of the table and handing it over to Mihawk. The Alpha man casting him a look before taking it. "Ace, what is one thing that you know for certain about Mihawk?"
Ace narrowed his eyes on his Omega father as he watched Shanks stand up and start around the table. "He's precision." He stated without a second thought. It was a rarity for Mihawk to miss anything. Not with his eyes and his Observation haki added in.
Shanks stood by the wall, looking back over to Mihawk. "Dracule, I want you to do exactly what you did that night."
Mihawk's face warped into disbelief as he placed the bottle back down. Standing up as he growled out, "I'm not throwing a bottle at you."
Shanks shrugged. "Not at me. Just what you actually did." The red head replied. "I could always go get Marco. I'm sure you'd have a little fun then. Or maybe, Buggy. Since you couldn't cut him."
Ace watched as Mihawk's body language changed to annoyance. Mihawk's back was to Shanks as he rubbed his palm over his eyes. Mumbling to himself.
"What?" Shanks continued. "Is that Warlord title making you soft?"
"Shanks, stop being so ridiculous." Mihawk growled.
The annoyance was spiking more into the range of anger as Shanks continued. Making snide remarks about different things. Not sticking to one topic. "You're supposed to be the World's Greatest and couldn't even take down a man with a big red nose."
"How much have you had to drink, Shay?" Mihawk hissed. "You say nonsense when you do."
Shanks hummed. "What was it I said that night?" He paused, overexaggerating the sound of thinking. "I believe I said that I wondered if you even cared about us?"
Mihawk growled again, clutching his fists. He could feel the drop in the room as the tension followed. "Damnit, Shanks. You know the answer to that!"
"Do you care enough to show what actually happened?"
It had happened quickly. Mihawk's hand was around the bottle. Not even looking, he cast it to the side. Ace's eyes widened as it crashed into the wall, right above Shanks' shoulder. The same shoulder that had been drenched the night Ace had seen it. The glass falling to the floor and a puddle of liquid mixing in.
Mihawk's head snapped over in the direction of his mate, eyes wide and mouth dropped open. "Shanks—"
"I'm pretty sure I yelled at you to get the hell out after that." Shanks cut him off. A smile on his face as he looked down at his shirt. "I do love the smell of this wine though."
Ace blinked at the wall. Mihawk should have hit him with that throw. He had seen Mihawk in action countless times. Especially during their training. Mihawk could do it blindfolded and from yards away and never missed.
That didn't answer the fact that he had still thrown a bottle at him. "What was the point of that?" Mihawk hissed. "Become such an annoyance that I would do it again? How would that help a thing?"
Shanks grinned, slipping his hands into his pockets, and crossing his ankles as he looked over to Ace. "Don't you see?" He paused, sighing, "I was more spooked that night than anything. We had been drinking and next thing I knew we were fighting, but your father has never laid a hand on me. Not even a bottle. If he wanted to hit me, it wouldn't matter how angry he was. He would have, but he didn't."
"Pointless arguments." Mihawk grumbled. "Every time alcohol is involved." Ace watched as Mihawk glared, not at Shanks but at the bottle itself. "Stupid liquor. I'm glad I destroyed it."
Ace sat back in his chair. Blinking as he looked at Shanks. Shanks looked completely relaxed, kneeling down to pick up the broken bottle, grabbing a nearby rag to soak up the spilt alcohol. "You had him throw a bottle to prove a point?" Ace questioned.
Shanks made a noise of confirmation. "I don't think you would have believed anything we said. Wanting to paint your own narrative to what truly happened." Shanks stated. "He wasn't throwing it at me. He threw it cause he was angry we fought. Angry about the fact we only have fights whenever we have had something to drink. He wasn't the only one that night angry enough to start throwing things around. He just kind of beat me to it."
Before Ace could say anything, he heard Mihawk say, "Something that never should have happened in the first place. I would never intentionally hurt him."
"So, it was just an… accident?" Ace muttered.
Shanks rounded the table again, getting back to his spot as if nothing had happened. "That's exactly what it was."
Mihawk took his seat. "Couldn't find something better?"
Shanks shrugged, returning back to his meal.
"You know Papa, Ace! He wouldn't miss if he actually wanted to harm dad!" Luffy beamed.
Ace nodded. "Yeah, I guess so." He whispered, looking back down to his own food. The conversations in the room picking back up quickly after that. "You were right, Sabo."
Sabo smiled. "I dunno. I guess I just had a gut feeling. I never would have guessed Mihawk-san would do anything like that to Shanks-san. I was only assuming based off of what I saw."
Ace hummed, looking back to his own plate. Well, he supposed that answered that. A part of him felt a bit better knowing there was no ill will in the middle of the two. He could possibly get behind this surprise wedding. Just from seeing Mihawk's reluctance to do it again. Shanks had pushed Mihawk's buttons just right that he reacted in the way that he had wanted. Shanks wasn't wrong either with his reasoning to why he wanted Mihawk to do it. Ace didn't want to believe the word coming from Mihawk. From his own resentment, Mihawk's words never had much power. Even if it wasn't the exact scenario, it was enough to show Ace that Mihawk never intentionally meant for it to happen.
Ace peered over his shoulder, seeing Marco sitting with the Commanders. The blonde's eyes were on him despite the conversation he was having with Vista. He had been avoiding Marco almost completely. The last time he had been within arm's length was when Law passed out. Marco didn't seem to be pushing anything either. If Shanks and Mihawk could get passed something such as that, could he get passed his own guilt that he felt?
He wondered if he had truly made the mistake and Marco didn't want to talk to him. At the same time, he felt like it wasn't true because Marco had sought him out once they left Marineford. Even after that, it was a thought that screamed at him. His pup belonged to Marco, and he could have taken that from him.
Ace really wished he could get out of his head.
He turned back to his plate, another churn of his stomach as he took another bite. He paused, the feeling returning to his stomach as he felt the bile coming up his throat. He dropped his fork down as he turned in his chair. Hand over his mouth as he breathed deeply through his nose to try and combat the sudden nausea.
"Ace, are you okay?" Sabo questioned.
Ace shook his head quickly, pushing himself up and off of the table before dashing out of the dining hall. He barely made it to the rail in time before he was releasing his stomach into the ocean. Coughing as his throat burned. Tears stinging his eyes.
Why did he keep making mistakes? He couldn't keep doing that. Not to Marco.
X
Marco watched as Ace all but ran from the room. A hand over his mouth. He looked over to Shanks and the others just long enough to see the knowing look on Shanks and Mihawk's faces. Shanks had turned his head to speak to his doctor before he was looking over his shoulder towards Marco and nodded. Marco excused himself from the table, using the side door to exit from the dining hall and onto the deck.
He saw Ace almost immediately. Pulled over the rail, forehead leaned against his arms as his shoulders shook. He could hear how heavy Ace was breathing. Which was a safe assumption from the fact he had just purged what was on his stomach.
The Alpha walked over, hands in his pockets until he was leaning against the rail. Ace didn't acknowledge him. He wasn't even sure if Ace knew that he was there or not. This might be the only good chance to actually talk to the Omega. They were completely alone now. "Ace—"
"Marco, I can't do this." Ace stated, lifted his head up and looking over to Marco. There were so many emotions flowing through those eyes that Marco could just get lost in. "I can't keep wondering about it."
"Ace, you have nothing to wonder about. We're here for you." Marco stated.
The Omega wiped his mouth off on his shirt, getting back down until his feet were back on the deck, placing the hat back on his head. "It's not that." Ace sighed, reaching up and fingers touching the necklace that was around his neck. "I can't keep wondering about if I've been doing the right thing. Until then…"
Marco felt like his entire world started to shatter as Ace reached around his neck, unclasping it. "Ace, you're overflowing with emotions right now. Just think about it."
Ace smiled, sniffling as he looked down at the pendant. Toying with it. "I… I have. This isn't fair to you. This might not be the best choice for now, but it's what I feel like I have to do. I have to… I have a lot to think about and I can't." He said, reaching out and grabbing ahold of Marco's hand, placing the necklace into his palm. "I love you, Marco. I don't think I ever will stop. Just for now…" Ace's sentence trailed as he took a step forward. Stepping up onto his tip toes and placing a kiss directly to Marco's cheek.
The same spark was there that Marco always felt whenever he touched the Omega. The heat against his body from where Ace was close enough that Marco could feel it radiating off of him.
Ace pulled away, looking down before he was walking away.
Marco felt his mind go blank as he looked down at his hand. The pendant almost mocking him.
What had happened for Ace to decide he didn't want this anymore?
X
Luffy was intrigued with the Omega that was Trafalgar Law – well, Trafalgar D. Water Law – and everything that he could do. From his personality down to his skills as a doctor. He almost couldn't ever take his eyes off of him. He didn't quite understand the wave of protectiveness that he was feeling whenever he took one look at Law. It had happened at Marineford. Ever since he had seen him at Sabaody, it had bubbled. Boiled until it spewed over the second Law had fought against the Flamingo guy. How Law might have been killed if Luffy hadn't intervened.
Luffy still couldn't explain how he was able to push himself up off of the ground. Being able to stand long enough to block the attack from the Warlord towards Law.
Law was absolutely beautiful in his eyes.
Luffy found the more time he spent around the Omega, the more he wanted Law to stay around longer. He wanted to get to know him better. All around just wanted him with him. Even his scent was one that he absolutely loved. Scents was one of his favorite things. His Omega father had a very fruity floral type scent. His brother fell into the same category as Shanks. His Alpha father smelt a lot like a vineyard. Law was right there with Shanks and Ace. A scent that Luffy could breathe in all day. He loved it.
In all, Luffy just wanted to spend time with him.
Law stuck close to him, making sure that he didn't overdo it when he decided that he wanted to train. He was deadest on getting stronger. Strengthening his haki as well as his Gomu Gomu abilities. He needed too. All the events of the past few weeks had proved as much. With dinner time over, he was currently sitting in the medical wing, being taken away from his wedding planning by Law to change out his bandages and look at his wound on his chest. It was clear that the mark was going to scar. It would be one wicked scar. It looked more in the shape of an X than the first time Luffy had actually taken a good look at it now that the skin was started to be less inflamed and starting to slowly heal.
He sat on one of the beds, Law standing in front of him and starting on the bandages on his arms. Surveying each wound. One of Law's rooms were around them, which Luffy guessed is how he was able to act as if he was looking straight through him. He watched Law's eyes. They were a captivating mixture of silver and gold. Swirling together that Luffy couldn't tell what color they truly were.
His hands were delicate in the way that they moved, despite how the tattoos on his fingers read out DEATH. Luffy wanted to know more about the tattoos littering the Omega's body. He was curious to know if there were more.
With Law completing his hands, he moved on to the bandages on Luffy's head, face, and neck. The Alpha shuddering as Law's fingers grazed over his bond gland. The gland practically throbbing. A feeling that he had never had before.
"Straw Hat-ya, stop moving around." Law ordered, hands clasping on either side of Luffy's face, pinning the Alpha's head in place. "I can't bandage you if you keep moving like that."
Luffy grinned, letting out a small laugh. "Sorry, Traffy."
Law snorted. "If you're really sorry, you'll stop moving."
Luffy grumbled as Law removed his hands from his face, going back to situating the bandages around his head. The Alpha instead chose to watch Law's movements. The way his hands felt when he was securing the bandages into place. The Omega moved on from his head, moving to his torso, starting at his shoulders before moving down his chest. Luffy watched his face. Seeing the way that Law's face had a small smile settled on his lips. His face warped with concentration. Smoothing out the gauze on his chest, the Omega went to pull away, only for Luffy to reach out and grab his head.
Law looked at him for a moment, eyeing their hands. "I'm finished, Straw Hat-ya."
Luffy smiled. "Thank you." He stated, tightening his grip around Law's hand. Enjoying the warmth that radiated off of his skin. "For everything." Law gave him a soft smile and nodded. Luffy sighed softly, leaning back against his hands as he watched the Omega gather up the soiled bandages and move them over to the skin to get washed. Law's focus was on the bandages now, almost avoiding eye contact with him now. "Traffy… could I ask you something?"
Law hummed as his response.
"Do you know anything about pregnancy?"
Law stopped what he was doing, turning, and leaning against the sink. "I'm a doctor and a surgeon. I spend quite a bit of my free time studying medicine. That includes pregnancies. It's better to understand them in the case if I ever came across it… or it happened to me."
Luffy nodded, a smile coming to his face. "Ace… he's—"
"I'm aware that Freckles-ya is pregnant." Law interjected.
Luffy shook his head. "It's not just that. Ace, well, he's been having nightmares at night. He's doesn't know that I know about them. The first thing he does is touch his stomach. I think he's dreaming about losing the pup." He paused, looking down at his bandaged hands. "I think I might have been wrong before. Not about the actions, but how we can help."
Law walked around the medical bay, taking a seat across from Luffy on the other bed, elbows resting on his legs as he leaned forward. "From what I can tell, Freckles-ya is experiencing post traumatic stress disorder. He has yet to talk about any of the events. He's avoiding those involved in the war. If he's having nightmares as well, that's just another sign. It won't be easy." Law stated. "PTSD can be tricky. From what I can see, he's holding onto the little control he has left. Your actions with the hat seem to be helping a little. It got him to start facing reality a bit more. He's in shock for sure. Over everything. He'll probably start reacting to small things in a broader aspect."
"Like leaving the Whitebeard Pirates?" Luffy questioned.
Law nodded. "By leaving the crew, he is ultimately trying to avoid memories without realizing. He's riddled with so much guilt that it's literally tearing him apart. It could affect relationships he has. His reactions to others. His decision making. He'll try to grasp onto anything that he can control himself." He explained. "I think that's only the tip of the iceberg. Actions made by others seem to be helping, though I want to monitor him some more to see if he is truly experiencing PTSD or not. From what I'm seeing, I don't really have a doubt."
"I don't really understand all of that." Luffy sighed, leaning back on his arms. "I have an idea, but it's not something I can do."
X
Wedding preparations were going exactly as planned, picking right back up after dinner. Though it was hard to do much with Shanks and Mihawk being everywhere they turned. Thankfully, the Commanders being in on it were good distractions. Ace had managed to talk Benn, Yasopp, and Lucky into helping keep Shanks distracted. It was easy and hard at the same time.
They had gotten Thatch, Sanji, and Nash to agree to cook for all the respective crews involved. Sanji had decided he was going to make a wedding cake, but only would reveal it if Shanks and Mihawk agreed. If not, they would just eat the cake anyway without telling the two it was a wedding cake.
Luffy had been banned from the kitchen area, instead taking up residence with the musicians. Brook leading the assembly of musicians from all three crews. Ace was helping Izou with clothes for most of them. Since most of them didn't have any where near formal wear. Ace almost regretted joining Izou. Izou was taking great pride in dressing Ace up.
Ace really missed his shorts already.
Izou was a comforting force for him. A silent, reassuring force that just worked and let Ace sit there. He was silently thankful that Izou didn't bring anything up through the course of being in the room with him as he sat there just watching Izou get to work on some clothes that Ace had stolen from Shanks' quarters.
He couldn't help the thought that came to mind. If Marineford had played out any differently, Ace might not be here to see this. See the possibility that his parents might finally get married after all these years. A sat there, a hand on his stomach. The lurking thought probing his mind. He would have missed this. He didn't even know how to feel about it. About having a pup of his own. He wanted to be happy about it. Wanted to feel exactly what Shanks felt when he found out he was pregnant with Luffy. He was terrified. He almost got his pup killed once, the unsettling feeling lurked through the corners of his mind that he might not be cut out for the life of a parent.
He was still wearing a shirt, still feeling too ashamed to take it off. He had thought about it at one point but stopped the second he remembered he wasn't a Whitebeard Pirate anymore. He had disgraced the Whitebeard Pirates with his actions. A blemish on the pride and joy that he felt with the mark.
Even with clothes on, he felt naked without the courting necklace around his neck. It was the only decision that he could come too when it came to his relationship with Marco. He loved the Alpha. Wanted to be with him. It only made him feel more guilty returning the pendant back to him. He thought that maybe by doing so he could clear his head. Figure out what he should feel regarding their pup. How could he ever become the mate to someone he almost got their pup killed?
Now, he felt numb.
"You need to get out of your head, Ace." Izou's voice cut through all the thoughts that were clouding over his mind. Ace looked over to him, pushing up the brim of the straw hat. The slight smile coming to his face as Shanks and Luffy came to mind for a split second. Izou was still looking at what he was doing, not once looking up as he moved around the room. "I can smell your distress."
"Sorry." Ace muttered.
Izou paused, looking over to him with a smile on his painted lips. "Don't be. You are allowed to feel. No one can fault you for that."
Ace shrugged. "I dunno. I guess… I guess I feel like I just can't." He started, sighing as he leaned his head back. "Izou… I messed up."
Izou sighed, placing down his tools before he was walking over and kneeling down directly in front of Ace. "Why do you think that?" He questioned.
Ace sniffled, feeling the prickle of tears that he quickly blinked away. He refused to allow himself to break down again. He has had enough of crying. "I made a fatal mistake. I didn't listen to anyone. I resigned from… I could have…" He couldn't even form a full sentence before arms were wrapping around his shoulders and his forehead was leaning against Izou's collarbone. Fingers twisting in the bottom of his hair.
"Ace, you don't have to talk about it until you're ready. We will all be here when you are." Izou stated. "We all make mistakes. Life isn't perfect. We understand why you did what you did. We know who you are. You wouldn't purposely put your life at risk without good reason. We can only move forward. This family will be here no matter what decision you make."
Ace nodded as Izou let him go, giving him a soft smile before he was heading back over to finish up his work. "Thank you, Izou."
Izou paused for a second, his smile getting bigger as he went back to work.
Ace took in a deep breath as he picked up the flower crown that had been sitting on the desk and went back to weaving it. Deciding to use it as an escape from the lingering thoughts.
X
It was after night fall. Everyone was in bed from what Marco could tell. Roaming the halls of the Moby Dick never felt more empty. The pendant in his pocket feeling like a weight. He had been trying to understand what Ace was going through in his own mind. Though, he had his own fears about what had happened.
The fierce protectiveness that he had to push down for the time being after learning about Ace's pregnancy. Ace had essentially left him. Giving him back the courting necklace. Ace's words also didn't make much sense to him. It was hard to understand.
Marco wasn't sure if he wanted to understand. He wanted to be with Ace, and Ace with him. He wanted them to raise their pup together. Become a true family together. He loved his found family with everything he had. Ace is and always would be special to him.
His conversation with Shanks also weighed on him. Actions are what spoke to Ace. Not words. He had seen that pretty quickly after Ace had joined the Whitebeard Pirates. Though, he had originally agreed to become their nakama after their conversation that evening. It was the only time Marco could recall words working on Ace. Ace would always be someone of action.
This almost seemed like a cry for help to him. Ace treasured that necklace with everything. It never left his sight. He rarely ever took it off unless if he had too and even than most of the time he wouldn't.
Marco sighed, sitting down on the deck of the Moby. He had an idea of what he could do, but if Ace didn't even want his courting necklace. It wouldn't be much use to do what he had planned.
"So, my son has returned his necklace to you." Marco looked up to see Mihawk standing before him. The Swordsman without his hat, sword, and jacket. In just a button up, ruffled shirt and a different pair of pants.
"Shouldn't you be rejoicing?" Marco questioned. "You do want to cut me up." Mihawk remained silent, just eyeing him as he stood there staring down at him. The blonde sighed, leaning back against the wall and looking up at the sky. "I don't even know what happened… I just know that I love him, and I don't want to lose him."
"You know, I approved of this relationship." Mihawk stated.
Marco's eyes went wide as he looked back to Mihawk. The same emotionless mask on the other Alpha' face. "What? You wanted to cut me up though."
"That… that was for knocking my son up, but still allowing him to go out on his own. Even if you didn't know. Your instincts should have been enough to know that he should have never left that ship." Mihawk replied.
"How long have you known?" Marco questioned.
Mihawk crossed his arms over his chest, a quirk of a smile coming to his face. "Since our last duel. I saw it then." Mihawk said. "I assure you, this had less to do with you compared to what it has to do with him."
The Commander frowned. "What about him?"
"Don't you get it? It's the pup." Marco choked on the air in his throat. "Unlike you, I understand more about being a parent. I have firsthand experience with pups. I know the feeling of wanting to do absolutely everything to protect them. Ace, he doesn't have that right now. He's spiraling over his own guilt over the war. If you truly care for him, you won't allow him to slip away from you." Without another word, Mihawk turned on his heel and was gone.
Marco looked away and back at the sky.
He wouldn't give up on Ace. On their pup. That had never been his intention in the first place.
Marco had his own nightmares about Marineford. Watching Ace die before his eyes if Shanks had been just a second too late. Losing their pup that they didn't even know they had created. Hearing and seeing his nakama fall. He had seen battles enough and lost many over the years that he had grown accustomed to being able to move on from it easily. He hadn't been helpless in those situations. Even if he never forgot it, he could get past it.
Ace was different. He was still so young. Still relatively new on the seas as a pirate himself. He had been in his fair share of battles but had never truly lost anyone. At Marineford, he had been chained and helpless to do anything as they all fought for him. He had been warned about the new hormones that Ace had flooding through him. He couldn't say it was just that. There was more too it.
He could only be there. Prove to Ace that he had nothing to ever be sorry for in his eyes. Prove just how much Ace and their pup meant to him.
X
Ace was tense. Sabo could see it clear as day. The three of them were lounging on the bed that had belonged to Ace back when he was on the Red Force. Luffy's hat was sitting on the bedside table as they laid there. Ace was between the two of them. Ace's torso leaning back against Sabo, and his legs thrown over Luffy's.
Sabo noticed almost immediately that Ace's courting necklace was gone. He wasn't even sure where to begin on asking about what had happened. He had missed so much with his brothers. The last ten years he had been without his memories. Making new ones along the way. All he could do was be here for them now. They had both gotten so much stronger. They all have.
So much has changed since then.
Now only time will tell for the wounds that they all had. It wasn't the physical injuries. It was the emotional scars they all now held. They had lost so much and gain just as much in return.
Sabo could only be happy that he remembered his brothers now and could spend the rest of his life knowing that they were living out their dreams. Even though Luffy wasn't quite there yet, Sabo knew he would get there. He would see to it himself that Luffy made it there. He would see to it that Ace healed from his own traumas of this war and lived a life that he wants.
Ace had been oddly silent since they returned back to the room. Sabo knew it was connected with Marco. While within the confines of the room, Ace spoke about his time with the Whitebeard Pirates. About his first crew, the Spades. He always spoke with a fond smile on his face and light in his eyes when he spoke about them. Ace wanted to return back to his nakama, Sabo could see it and he would. Sabo had no doubt. Ace would have his answers soon enough.
His brothers were fast asleep. Luffy's nose buried in Ace's neck. Ace's head was resting on Sabo's upper chest as the blonde carded his fingers through both of his brothers' hair. Rubbing soothing circles as he just stared at the ceiling. His brothers had gone through hell back at Marineford. Both in their own ways. Luffy in a more physical manner, compared to Ace who could only sit back and watch the chaos break out. The war that had been for his life. He wondered what would have happened if it wasn't for Roger's trump card. One that no one but Rayleigh and Rouge had known about. He couldn't imagine what it was like. Sure, his parents were pieces of shit that he could careless about. But he couldn't imagine what it would be like to learn that your father had given up his rights to you before his death.
Just how confusing the situation was in general. Sengoku had made it clear that Ace wouldn't have left there alive if they could prove he was actually related to Gold Roger. Rayleigh ultimately opened a gate that made the world believe the Marines had lied about the connection. Even in reality that they weren't that far off. From what he could tell, Roger covered his tracks and bases before he ever turned himself into the World Government. Ensuring the safety of his family. Even if it meant giving them up.
There had been many times since the second he had regained his memories that things would have played out differently for him. That he wouldn't have lost his time with his brothers. The memories they could have made. He had made a choice that day ten years ago. He had lost so much that he had going for him but gained the man who became his father and many friends through the Revolutionary Army.
A smile came to his face. No matter where they all went, they would still have this. Their unbreakable bond. A bond that had brought his memories back to him. A brotherhood that can survive anything. No matter where they went, they would be just this. Brothers.
He would see to it that their dreams can be achieved. Luffy will be become Pirate King. Ace will live a life of freedom. Lives with no regrets. Sabo had already gotten everything he could ever wish for. Now he could make sure his brothers got the same thing.
His gaze moved away from the ceiling as he heard the small whimper. Quiet enough that he had barely heard it. Ace started to curl in on himself. Luffy's arm stretching within his slip to wrap his arm around them both. After a moment, Ace seemed to calm down. His face turning back into one that was peaceful.
Sabo sighed softly.
His brothers were safe. That's all that mattered right now. They would all get past what happened. They had each other. That's all he needed.
X
Law was curious about these pirates. More so the younger ones. Ace. Luffy. The Strawhats. He hadn't been this busy with his Devil Fruit in a long time. He had stayed up half the night looking into the medical files between the Whitebeard Pirates, Red-Hair Pirates, and the Strawhats. Many of them were showing signs of PTSD. Which was only reasonable considering they had just came out of a devastating war. Even if they had won, they could carry that with them for the unforeseeable future. He could see PTSD within Ace, Luffy, and the Strawhats. All exhibiting signs that he could see pointed to such. The most surprising one had came in the form of Red-Haired Shanks himself. The Omega Captain was excellent at masking it, but Law could read it almost like an open book. Seeing right through the mask that Shanks had put on.
Law had chosen to stick close by to the alliance, though he was now technically part of the Whitebeard Allied Fleet with his alliance created at Marineford with the yonko. Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates were also among that group. Shanks had approached him right after Luffy's surgery, offering him the same deal. Law wasn't even sure why he had accepted in the first place. Being the ally of two yonkos put reassurances into him. Something that he could use in the future if he needed it. Shanks had told him that he would one day repay the favor that Law had extended in assisting Luffy. Law believed him.
Luffy absolutely infuriated him. The Alpha constantly putting himself into a place that could ultimately lead to his death if he wasn't careful. Even though the Alpha did whatever he wanted, he did seem to take Law's words into account. He really wanted to punch that stupidly handsome face in. The one thing that bugged him most about Luffy was what happened at Marineford. Luffy didn't even know him and still was able to get a high enough adrenaline rush that he saved Law from the hand – foot? – of Doflamingo. He wanted to write if off as some sort of fluke, but Law didn't even have a viable answer for it. Luffy shouldn't have even been able to move. Like he refused to back down until the second the cease fire had finally been called.
Never once in his twenty-four years of life did he wish to know more about someone like Straw Hat Luffy. The Alpha was definitely someone he wanted to know about. Just his actions at Sabaody had proved as much. The Alpha was crazy and didn't care about any rules. He was too trusting and couldn't lie worth a damn.
He hated the way that his stomach would twist whenever Luffy looked in his direction. The large grin the Alpha got on his face. The way that his face would heat up whenever Luffy would aim a senseless comment at him.
And that stupid intoxicating scent. Cherry blossoms and forest. It was like walking straight into a flower field in the middle of the woods. Just a perfect enough mixture of something floral but musky like the woods. It was irritating. He hated the way that he actually wanted to be around it more. Missing how freely it would radiate through the air since his scent gland was currently covered in medical bandages.
Law was screwed. He knew as much.
He absolutely would not fall for a person he had just met.
Even if that Alpha did save his life back at Marineford when Law had fallen right into Doflamingo's trap.
Instead, he chose to keep himself busy with other priorities. Watching and monitoring Whitebeard until he was certain that Whitebeard's illness had been taken care of. Whitebeard now could go without his oxygen line which was an extremely good sign. He didn't have many worries. He kept a check on his vitals mostly to make sure they stayed in the normal range without the previously needed oxygen.
Jinbei was doing great following his surgery and would be back at whatever he normally did soon enough. Jinbei had actually taken his advice and was resting as much as he could on the Moby Dick.
Injuries on the others were minimal. He did monitor Little Oars Jr. Having First Division Commander Marco fly him over to Oars' ship so he could check in on him. The Giant was on bed rest until Law cleared him. The giant should be dead. Saving him had zapped most of Law's energy at Marineford. He barely had enough to work on Luffy and Jinbei following Marineford. Pushing himself to his limit that he had collapsed in exhaustion the second he had put his scalpel down.
Most of them were out of their bandages now. Their injuries only bruises at this point except for those who had cuts or bullet wounds. Those would take longer. Marco helped with those, making sure that Law didn't overexert himself.
The one who concerned him most was Ace. After reading Ace's file, he wanted to monitor him closer than anyone else. His narcolepsy would definitely turn into an issue in the future and further along in his pregnancy. His pregnancy alone was a miracle that his baby had never died long before his execution. He was malnourished. Dehydrated. Suffering from sea prism stone poisoning. Cuts and bruises littering his body that were starting to fade. Law was down right stumped with it all. He had seen the bouts of narcolepsy getting worse each day. Ace still wasn't back on any medication, which in hindsight was better than placing him back on it. Pregnancy and narcolepsy medication could have adverse effects they didn't want. They needed to find a good alternative for him. Maybe even a lower dosage. He would still suffer the episodes, but his pup wouldn't be affected by it. Ace didn't necessarily have a physical injury. It was his mental state that had Law concerned. Ace was a bomb waiting to explode. Ticking until the second that he would destruct.
He could only wonder if Luffy's idea would actually work or not.
First, he wanted to know if Ace's logia abilities would affect the fetus or if he was safe to be able to use them. His nakama would need to know. Ace already should be taken out of any situations that could put him into a risky situation. Even if it would infuriate the Omega Commander.
The next morning is when he put his own plan into action. Waiting until after breakfast to approach Ace. The Omega standing with his brothers and Shanks on the deck of the Red Force when he walked over. "Hey, Freckles-ya. I need you to do something." Ace turned to look at him, eyeing him for a second before he nodded. "Blondie-ya, you too."
Sabo and Ace walked after him as Law moved to the middle of the deck. Motioning for where each brother should stand. He held his hand out, activating a room around them. "What do you want us to do?" Ace questioned.
Law smirked. "I want you to fight."
Ace got a smirk on his face as he looked over to Sabo. Sabo looked hesitant as he side-eyed Law. "Are you sure?"
Law hummed. "Don't worry, I'll be monitoring everything. That's actually what I want."
X
Ace actually felt the excitement flooding through him as Sabo finally agreed. The two of them getting into a fighting stance. "Just like old times, right, Sabo?" Ace questioned.
Sabo smiled right back at him. "Let's do this."
The Omega set his shoulders and arms on fire, pausing for a second as he let the flames go out. What if his flames harmed the pup? "Freckles-ya, it's alright. Keep going. Use your fire."
Ace wasn't sure what Law was looking for, but he complied. Setting himself back on fire and activating haki in his legs and lunging forward. Sabo smirked right back at him, catching his wrist, and flipping Ace over his shoulder. Ace landed back on his feet, swiping a flame covered leg. Swiping out Sabo's legs from underneath him. The blonde Beta managed to catch himself on his hands. Flipping himself back over and landing on his feet. "That all you got, Ace? C'mon. You can do better than that." Sabo stated.
Ace smiled, sending out a burst of flames in Sabo's direction. His sworn brother jumping out of the way just in the nick of time. The Beta reached around him, grabbing the metal pipe on his back. Ace grinned, reaching behind him and pausing once his hand grabbed nothing. The feeling back in the pit of his stomach. He didn't have his sword anymore. He hadn't seen it since he lost to Teach. His back suddenly felt very naked.
Sabo didn't take advantage of Ace's sudden hesitance like he thought he would. Instead aiming for Ace's legs. Making him jump up so Sabo would miss.
A laugh erupted from him as he flipped over. Landing back on his feet. Lighting his palms into flames. After spending a month imprisoned and the little bit of fighting, he was able to do at Marineford, he finally was having a good fight. It was just like it was before. Ace almost felt like a little kid again back on Dawn Island. He missed this.
He started releasing all his pint up frustrations. His anger. His hatred. Letting it flow into his flames and haki as him and Sabo changed to hand-to-hand combat. He did notice that Sabo was careful with his movements. Avoiding any hits to the abdomen.
Ace didn't even care that Sabo was holding back. All the emotions that he had been holding in were flooding out of him within his moves. The smile on his face as the two engaged in their battle. The Omega watched Sabo's movements. The grin got bigger as he managed to get Sabo around the wrist, twisting his arm back behind his back and kicking him square in the back. Kneeling down to keep him pinned to the ground. Grinning like a mad man as Sabo couldn't move.
"You win." Sabo muttered.
Ace laughed, getting back to his feet and holding a hand out for Sabo. The Beta took it, letting Ace pull him up as Ace dusted himself off despite no dirt being on him. Law released the room from around them a smile on his face as he walked over. Ace paused as he noticed his own medical file in Law's hand. "That was a good fight." Law stated. "You looked like you were having fun, Freckles-ya."
Ace smiled, shrugging his shoulders.
"What was the point of that, Law?" Sabo questioned, putting his pipe back where it belonged on his back.
Ace looked back over to Law. Shanks and Luffy had walked over at this point. The deck had filled up during the fight. The Omega now noticing that mostly everyone were on either the Moby Dick's deck or the Red Force's. All just watching as the fight took place. "I've been curious ever since we left Marineford," Law paused, looking down at the file in his hands. Ace choked in the air in his throat. His heart pounding against his chest as the sweat built up on his palm. Marineford was the last thing he wanted to hear about. "How did the pup manage to survive? Through everything Freckles-ya had gone through within the past month including Marineford itself." Ace felt like he couldn't breathe as his eyes widened. Looking down at his still flat stomach, hands moving to cover it. Curling his arms around his waist as he forced himself to look back to Law. "I thought of many theories. It couldn't be through sheer will power for the pup to live since its very existence wasn't known until Akainu mentioned it. So, I thought maybe it was the Will of D. Since Freckles-ya carries that name."
"You think being a D saved it?" Luffy questioned, quirking his head to the side. "That's so cool!"
Law hummed. "Partially. Shanks-ya is also a D and to know more, I looked into his file as well when I was adding my notes to it." The Surgeon stated. "It gave me a bit more insight. Omegas… our bodies are built to do anything and everything to protect their unborn pups. Instincts that know just what to do when the need arises. According to Shanks-ya's medical history, I was able to decipher what I believe really made it possible. With the blood loss that Shanks-ya sustained… in reality, he should have died but I noticed a note within the file. Shanks' haki had dropped deathly low before it had spiked during his surgery to fix the hemorrhage." Ace's eyes widened as he looked over to Shanks. The Red-haired Omega looking down to the ground for a moment. "The entire fight I was monitoring the pup's vitals and oxygen intake. To my amazement, it was like Freckles-ya's own haki had created a barrier. With Freckles-ya in particular, I also noticed how his Logia powers were fluctuating. Putting more power into his abdomen compared to the output on other parts of his body. I think these two reasons are why the pup managed to survive. Seastone has no known effects on haki users unlike Devil Fruit users so his seastone poisoning wouldn't affect the pup. Which at this point, it's not in his system anymore."
"So, it was his haki and Logia abilities?" Robin questioned from where she had been leaning against the rail of the Red Force. "That certainly is something unheard of."
"Not impossible though. I firmly believe his instincts knew just… say like a pack suddenly becoming more protective. The same could be said for a pregnant Omega. They start subconsciously doing things without realizing it." Law further explained. "Shanks-ya's file made me question it. It does bug the question on peer willpower. I wasn't there when Ace was born so I can't be for sure, but I believe Shanks-ya subconsciously started to overflow his haki into keeping his body running. He had just given birth so his instincts would have been heightened. Freckles-ya's haki had kept diverging back into his abdomen the entire time. It was like he was feeding his own haki into the fetus."
"Ain't that something." Sabo muttered. "That's why you wanted us to fight. You wanted to see exactly what was happening at Marineford after Ace got freed."
Law nodded. "He had been cut directly through his stomach. Though it had happened right above where his womb would be. It would have and no effect to the pup. I can say without a doubt that Freckles-ya protected his own pup. He is the very reason his pup survived." Ace felt the tears prickle his eyes as his grip on his stomach tightened. "Freckles-ya?" Ace forced himself to look up to see Law smiling at him. A familiar den den mushi in his hand. It was one that could transmit the sounds of a heartbeat. He had seen one in both Aki's office and the medical bay of the Moby Dick. More often than not used to monitor someone's heart. "Do you mind?" Ace sucked in a deep breath, dropping his arms, and letting Law step into his space. The tattooed Omega reached out, lifting up his shirt enough that it revealed the flat surface. His abs were gone. Leaving just flat skin. His muscle tone practically gone now. It was strange not seeing his usual muscles there. He held his breath as Law placed the den den against his skin and seconds later a small, fast heartbeat followed.
His eyes widened as he covered his mouth with his hand. That heartbeat definitely wasn't his. "Is that…"
"Your pup's." Law confirmed. "Nice and strong. Healthy."
Ace stood there stunned. Listening to the heartbeat as the entire deck remained quiet. No one uttering a sound as the heartbeat flooded the area around them.
It was his pup. His and Marco's pup. Their heartbeat.
They were alive.
It was real.
He felt like he could breathe again.
"You're okay." Ace muttered, "You're actually okay."
X
When lunch time finally rolled around, Shanks had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach as he looked around. No one was in sight. He frowned as he walked around the cabins of the ship, still unable to find anyone until he ran into Mihawk. Who also apparently couldn't find anyone. The two only shared a look as they started off towards the deck together. Only stopping when at the entrance, they came straight up to Ace and Luffy.
Ace was dressed in a white button up shirt and black pants compared to his short sleeved –usually yellow – button up shirt and black shorts. His belt was still added in. Shanks blinked when he noticed the orange hibiscus flower tucked behind his ear. Luffy was also dressed in a white button up shirt, but he had a black vest similar to the shirts he normally wears on over it and a pair of black pants. A red rose was tucked into the pocket of Luffy's vest. Neither of them were wearing hats. Their hair was neat and perfectly placed. This was odd.
Both were wearing smiles. Luffy's being more of a toothy grin as they stood there blocking the door. "Boys?" Shanks started, looking over to Mihawk, who looked just as confused as he was.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk questioned next.
Ace and Luffy just looked at each other, side stepping as Luffy reached for the handle and opened up the door. Shanks could only stand stunned as he stepped outside. Noticing the entire deck was filled with very finely dressed pirates. Tables from the Moby Dick's dining hall placed over the deck. The tables were decorated. Actual table clothes over them and flowers sitting in pots in the middle. The rails were lined with twisted vines, giving an almost forest look to the deck as Shanks looked around.
"What is all of this?" Shanks muttered. He had only been in his quarters for an hour going over plans for the upcoming trip through Fishman Island to get back to the New World. How did they do this, and Shanks never noticed?!
"Either of you boys going to explain this?" Mihawk questioned their sons directly.
Luffy snickered, bouncing on the balls of his feet as Shanks looked away from him. Noticing that the females of the crews, Rouge included, were all dressed in beautiful dresses. Rouge had her normal pink hibiscus flower behind her ear. The Strawhats were also dressed nicely. Sanji had on a nicer suit compared to the one he been wearing. Even Zoro was dressed up. Looking at his own crew, they were all cleaned up and dressed in button up shirts and long pants.
Shanks felt oddly underdressed.
What the hell was going on?
"It's your wedding!" Luffy exclaimed.
Shanks' head snapped in his direction. "Our what?"
"Told you they would react well." Ace muttered.
"You just decided for us to get married? Without even knowing if we wanted too?" Shanks questioned, the disbelief in his voice as he looked at his youngest. Why couldn't he be surprised. This was definitely something Luffy would do.
Luffy just grinned at him, laughing as he placed his hands behind his head. "Why wouldn't you? You've been together for like… forever. So, why not?"
Shanks let out a short laugh as he looked over to Mihawk. Mihawk had been strangely silent. Not even a remark about it. Instead, he was staring straight at Shanks. The same mask on his face, but his eyes were calculating. A hidden message lingering within his beautiful golden eyes. Not once over the twenty one years that they have been together had the topic ever been brought up. Shanks had everything that he could ever want. His had his crew. He was a Captain. He had his pups. A loving mate. Everything he could ever want was already right at his fingertips. Already living his dream of seeing the world and taking his time doing so. Sure, the thought had crossed his mind. He had always just thought that Mihawk didn't want too. He reached up to the mating necklace around his neck. Taking the pendant into his fingers and curling them around it as he looked back to his sons.
They really were planning for this? This entire time?
Ace kind of shocked him. His oldest had always been so resentful towards Mihawk. Towards Shanks' relationship with him in general.
"Luffy, this isn't necessarily how it works." Shanks started. "You can't just force someone to get married."
Luffy blinked at him, though the smile never left. "Do you not want too?"
"It's not that—of course, I do… damnit, I don't know." Shanks mumbled.
He wanted to marry Mihawk. He had ever since he found out he was pregnant with Ace. He just never thought that Mihawk wanted to take that step. No one necessarily had to get married. Not with bonding that tied people together until they either broke that bond or died. Marriage was more traditional and formal instead of instinctual. Even his own parents weren't even married. He didn't need to get married to know that he loved Mihawk. Even if he wanted too. Mihawk had his own way of showing his affection. Gentle touches and small gestures. He never had to put it into words for Shanks to know that Mihawk felt the same towards him. Though the idea of actually being able to say Mihawk was his husband was appealing. He did always like the traditional views.
"Shanks." Mihawk's voice cut through all the thoughts that were flowing through Shanks' mind. The Omega paused, turning to face his mate. Mihawk was smiling at him. The same gentle smile that he had seen when their pups were born. Whenever Mihawk would tell him that he loved him. The Alpha reached out, grabbing ahold of his hand, pulling him forward and until they were flushed together. Reaching up with his freehand to push some of the misplaced strands of red out of his face. "I know what's going through your head."
"Mihawk—"
"I've wanted to marry you since the second you told me you were pregnant with Ace." Shanks felt the air catch in his throat as Mihawk's fingers moved from behind his ear and down his jaw. His thumb running over his bottom lip. "I asked your mother back on Baterilla if I could have your hand in marriage, and what did she tell me? Yes. The only thing I wanted to do before I wanted to ask you, was find the one thing I know that's been haunting you." Shanks gave him a confused look. Not exactly knowing where Mihawk was taking this. "Back in Loguetown… the time that we spent there, the one thing you said you wished you knew was what happened to Roger's body." Shanks' eyes widened. Roger's body had been taken away that day. Shanks never knew what happened to him. Anytime he was in Loguetown, he would pay his respects to his father at the scaffold because that was the last place he had seen him. "Traditionally, you ask both parents for their child's hand in marriage."
"Mihawk… what are you saying?" Shanks whispered.
"I found his final resting place." Mihawk stated. Shanks could only stare at him in disbelief. For twenty-two years, Shanks didn't know, and Mihawk had found it. He had really been searching that long? Just so Shanks could have come closure? "The last time I had seen him, he approved of you and me, but I just knew I had to do this one thing for you. With that being done…" Shanks felt the tears stinging his eyes as he watched Mihawk kneel down. Getting down on one knee. He bit his lip as he felt the small laugh escape him. Mihawk reached into his jacket pocket and the Omega paused when he grabbed out a small golden band. "I got this on Baterilla. I've carried it with me for all these years. Gol D. Shanks, will you marry me?"
Shanks felt the smile getting bigger as he nodded, muttering out a quick, "Of course, I will." Mihawk's face had broken out into a smile not even a second later as the ring was slipped onto his finger. Fitting perfectly. The Alpha stood up as his arms wrapped around Shanks' waist, connecting their lips together.
"You heard him! We have a wedding to throw!" Luffy exclaimed.
Shanks and Mihawk broke apart as the Omega leaned his head against Mihawk's shoulder. Ace and Luffy rushed forward, their arms wrapping around their parents as the cheers erupted around them.
Well, he guessed he had a wedding to attend. He just never thought it would be his own.
Author's Note: Alright, before you come for my head. Don't worry about Ace and Marco. I have plans for them. Don't give up hope. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I will see you next time!