They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I do hope you are enjoying the fic! I know I've gone kind of dark with this one, when originally I was trying not to do (cause I am literally writing a dark version of this – why do it here?), but a plot bunny hit a while back (another reason Teach is still alive) and a moment to have Ace be a complete badass. Cause he deserves his moment to shine after being put through hell the entire fic. I will eventually have to end this fic at some point. Don't know when that will be. I could honestly just keep going and going with it. I know y'all are screaming at me for Ace running off on his own again xD trust me when I say, it's worth it.
I do want to thank you all for all your comments and kudos! They absolutely mean a lot to me! I get so giddy whenever I read your comments. Tells me for sure what exactly is sticking out to you and what you liked from the chapter. Some of them can get so funny to read and I absolutely adore it. So, thank you so much to those who bring smiles to my face! Thank you again!
I think it's a common occurrence across all my fics at this point that I let people be happy for a moment before I ruin it all over again xD Working on the alternate versions of this, I've been going back and re-reading and adjusting the backstories. I have made so many mistakes that bug me within them xD at some point, I will go back and fix the errors within this fic probably add a few things. I can't take anything out because of the fact – it would change the fic. This dynamic is just really fun to write. I enjoy it so much. I never expected so many people to like it so much. Let alone seeing the subscriptions to the fic, the comments, the kudos, the bookmarks. It's overwhelming honestly xD thanks for sticking by this shitshow of a fic!
Thank you all for reading this fic and I'm so happy that you are enjoying it!
Chapter Warnings: Teach is just his own warning
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Blackbird (Cover by Chris Colfer)
Chapter Summary: Mihawk realizes something is wrong as the ships depart to head after Teach. Marco and Thatch come to a realization about Teach. Later, Shanks puts his own plan into action.
The ships were ready. Coated and prepared to go as the separate teams boarded each of their own. Preparing for the battle ahead. Luffy stared at Ace's vivre card in his hand. Ace just had to go and run off on his own again.
Ace wasn't stupid. In reality, he was incredibly smart and calculating. He could be naïve just like Luffy could be. He could be reckless. Not thinking of the consequences of his actions, but this wasn't something that Ace would take lightly.
Luffy was sure that Ace had came up with some sort of plan before he decided to head out. He had taken the time to make sure that he had his sword. His bag. Ace faced Teach before. So had Luffy.
One thing Luffy knew about his brother was just how adaptable he was. Taking his experiences and learning from them.
Well, sometimes.
It really depended.
The only issue that Ace would have was in his inability to run away from a fight. If they didn't hurry and Ace got into a fight before they got there, they could only hope that Ace could hold off long enough to get back up. If Ace engaged in a fight, nothing would stop him. Nothing short of knocking the Omega clear out and carrying him off of the battlefield.
Luffy couldn't even call this a mistake on Ace's part. If Luffy was in his position, he would have done the exact same thing. Nothing would have ever stopped him from going after Shanks.
This time, they had numbers on their side against Teach's men. Even with only a portion of the pirates going, they still greatly outnumbered the Blackbeard Pirates. The biggest issue they faced was Blackbeard's Devil Fruit. He had been able to take Ace down with that power.
"C'mon, Luffy! Let's go!" Rouge yelled after him. He looked up to see his grandmother boarding the ship they would be on. He nodded in her direction, sighing as he looked at Ace's vivre card one last time before putting it into his pocket.
Here it goes.
X
He felt completely lightheaded as he opened his eyes. The blur within his eyes that he blinked away. His body was sore. Screaming at him as he pushed himself up. Pausing once he realized that he was no longer shackled like he had been before. His wrists were wrapped in bandages. His clothes were sticking uncomfortably to his body.
He did notice that he was completely alone again. Why would Teach leave him unshackled? Shanks groaned as he reached for the connection on his neck. He winced as his hand touched it, the sensitive skin underneath his palm.
What the hell happened?
He could vaguely recall Teach drugging him with something before he went into a euphoric type state. He felt exhausted. His entire body tired. He leaned back on his legs, looking down at his clothes. His shirt was rebuttoned. Back up most of his chest. Underneath were bandages peeking out slightly. His sash was sitting on the bed, neatly folded up and sitting there.
Flashes of what happened just before he had lost consciousness came back to the forefront of his mind. Teach had been so gentle. Playing on the fact that Shanks had been lost within his own mind. It had been the perfect opportunity for him to do anything, but he didn't. It only worked to confuse him.
After everything that Teach had ever said or done, including what he had said all those years ago, why not take the chance? Why not take advantage of the fact that he had been chained up and at his mercy?
Willing. Compliant.
That's what Teach wanted from him.
Surely he must know that would never happen. As if Shanks would ever bend to Teach's will. He would be better off chained and locked away. Teach left him free of restraints. What was the point of it. He could still feel the gentle rocking of the ship on the ocean. The room around him was dark. The lantern out and no windows to tell him if it was day or night. He couldn't be exactly positive of how long he had been with Teach for.
How did he not notice Teach sneaking up on him that night? Was it because he had been so focused on Buggy?
He sighed, placing his hands on his lap as he looked around the room more. He couldn't hardly see anything. All he knew for sure was that he was sitting on a bed. He didn't even trust his legs enough to actually stand. Not with how weak he felt.
He just had to figure out exactly how he could get off of this ship. If he could get to the deck, he could jump overboard. Teach wouldn't be able to follow him, but he didn't know enough about the man's crewmates. From what he could tell is that they were powerful. He could fight them with no problem. He had knocked them all out before, but with how exhausted he felt, his attempts would leave him too weak to actually make a getaway.
It was probably why Teach took the risk of leaving him unshackled. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to gather enough strength to fight them all off. His stomach rumbled. Twisting in pain from the lack of food he's had. He also noticed the familiar wind that came along, pooling in his stomach. The flare of his pheromones. His scent spiking throughout the air around him.
He had to come up with something quickly. Just because Teach was being uncharacteristically gentle with him, that would switch very quickly. He had to get off of this ship.
He jumped as the door opened, light hitting his eyes harshly causing him to wince from the pain that shot through his eyes. Teach stood there cackling for a second before he came into the room, kicking the door closed with his foot. Leaving them in darkness again. A second later, the lantern on the bedside table was lit again as the bed dipped down as Teach took a seat. Shanks eyed the tray in his hands. The food settled on the tray that Teach placed in front of him.
Shanks looked between the food and Teach. "There's nothing in it." Teach stated. "Eat if you want to have any strength. You must be starving." The Omega narrowed his gaze. Teach smirked at him, motioning for the food again. "If I was going to drug you again, I would just give it to you."
Fair point.
Teach had already once.
The Alpha seemed to catch on to Shanks' remaining hesitance as he reached out and grabbed the sandwich, taking a bite from it before swallowing it. "See." He said, placing it back down on the tray. "You have to put some trust in me."
Shanks snorted, placing his back against the bed frame, pulling his legs closer to himself as he glared at the Alpha. "As if I would trust you."
Teach shrugged. "Fair."
"What do you want from me?" Shanks questioned. "You want revenge? You haven't done anything."
The Omega gasped as Teach grabbed ahold of his wrist, pulling him down. A hand on his shoulder forcing his back onto the bed as Teach loomed over him again. The snickering that followed as Teach's hand grasped at his jaw. The other hand keeping Shanks' hand pinned down by his head. "I could take my revenge in any way that I want." Teach stated. "I want to break you. Shattering everything you've ever done. That's the best way to settle the score."
Shanks inhaled sharply as his head was forced to the side, revealing the glands that were there. "Teach—" He shuddered as Teach's tongue moved over his bond gland again, moving up until it was right behind his ear.
"It's a shame." Teach whispered. "You haven't even noticed yet. I've already taken my revenge on you."
X
Rouge chewed on the end of her nail; eyes locked to her son's vivre card. The dread in the pit of her stomach. She absolutely hated this. They just got Ace out of Marineford and brought him home. Now Shanks was at the hands of Teach, and Ace so foolishly took off on his own.
Did Ace really learn nothing?
No. That couldn't be it.
Not with how Ace had been acting ever since he left Marineford. This was foolish, yes. There was something she was missing. That they all were. It didn't surprise her in the slightest when Luffy ran up to them to tell them that Ace had taken off. They all should have seen this coming.
Though, she guessed it surprised her more that Teach was able to abduct Shanks in the first place. She had been so content with how strong Shanks had gotten. Ever since he was little, he had always displayed a great deal of power. His haki was always exceptional. The fear always remained, of course. She was his mother. Any parent would still have concerns over their children's wellbeing. No matter how old they got. How powerful they became.
She had always had a feeling about Teach. Ever since she met the boy. Seeing the way that he never slept had been off putting. She could never grasp the concept that revolved around her former subordinate. That feeling only got worse the second she had seen those blades touch her son's skin. That look that had been on his face. She understood now. Just like the rest of the Whitebeard Pirates, she had remained blissfully unaware of Teach's true intentions. She had always had that inkling feeling that there was more than met the eye with him.
She couldn't bear the thought of something happening to Shanks. He was still her little boy. No matter if he had his own family now or not.
"We'll find him, Rouge." Dragon's voice had cut straight through his thoughts.
Rouge nodded, exhaling the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. "I know we will."
"Pure luck is on our side. That bastard most likely doesn't know Shanks has a vivre card." Dragon stated.
"Even with that, I still wouldn't put it past Teach to think he has something sinister planned." Rouge muttered. "How did we not see this coming?"
"We thought he was dead." Dragon replied.
Rouge shook her head, sighing as she placed her head into her hands, "I should have known."
"You couldn't have."
"I've always known something was wrong with that boy." Rouge muttered. "Dragon, I think we are falling into a trap, but I can't bring myself to care."
X
Marco sighed, gripping the rail of the ship as he stared out at the ocean. He knew he would never be able to see Ace from where he was. Not with Ace on Striker. Ace was long gone by this point. Sneaking off from them while they were still planning out exactly how they were going to take Teach by surprise.
He should have known the second he had seen the glim in Ace's eyes the second that the Omega was told he would be staying in Sabaody that it would never be the case. Ace had this planned from the start. Ace did know exactly how to keep him on his toes. If he was being honest, if he was Ace, he would have done the exact same thing.
Ace had already up and left on them once. Going after Teach the first time and defying orders. Even if in the eyes of the world, it had been Whitebeard's orders. It was just common knowledge that the Commander of the Division, would go after the traitor.
Ace had showed regret for leaving the first time. That he would have gotten himself killed. Their baby.
This time felt different.
Teach had made this far more personal than when it was just Thatch who was attacked. Thatch was a friend and a packmate. A nakama.
Shanks was Ace's Omega father.
Blood.
Marco could understand exactly why Ace felt like he had no choice but to take off without even a word. Marco knew Ace would find Teach long before any of them did. This could go one of two ways.
Either it would end the same as Banaro Island. Though, this time, Teach didn't need someone to hand off to the World Government to get what he wanted. Besides, Ace was in all technicalities safe from the World Government. In which he gets defeated again, or in the worst case scenario ends up dead.
Or,
Ace had thought a game plan through. Came up with some way to combat Teach's Devil Fruit abilities. Ace knew better than any of them just what Teach could do. Teach didn't have a chance at Marineford to show off all of his power back at Marineford to them.
Even through all of his concern, he knew Ace could take care of himself. He just hoped that Ace actually thought this one through. He didn't display the anger that he had when he departed from the Moby.
You better have a plan, Ace.
Marco crossed his arms, a new sense of determination. There was no way of knowing exactly when Ace left. How far ahead of them he was. For all they knew, he could have already reached Teach by now. Teach had maybe a day at most on them, but with the size of the ships they took, they would move faster than Teach's ship would.
If they could get there quick enough, they would be able to get there in time to give Ace some back up. He had no doubts that Ace would engage with Teach the second that he was able to. Teach had powerful allies now. Level Six inmates that he had released from Impel Down. Shanks had knocked them out back at Marineford, so they didn't once have to fight them.
He was counting on the fact that Teach wouldn't be at full power. Not with the damage that was done to him during the war. Not only the attack from Whitebeard, himself, but also those he sustained from Shanks and Mihawk. Teach has definitely shown that he is a lot smarter than he was ever letting on. More than just that orphaned boy that they came across that fateful day.
This entire time. Shanks had been correct, and they didn't listen to him on the mere fact that they viewed Teach as family.
All their warnings were laid out in front of them, and they just remained blissfully unaware.
Marco hated this catch up game.
Always being two steps behind Teach.
"He'll be fine, Marco." Thatch stated, coming up and placing his hand on Marco's shoulder.
Marco peered over his shoulder, eyeing his brother for the moment. "I know he will be." Marco stated, looking back out to the ocean waters. "Ace can be reckless, but he's not stupid. He won't underestimate Teach this time." At least, Marco hoped so. Ace wore his emotions out in the open.
He looked away from the ocean, only long enough to look at Shanks' vivre card. It was still complete intact, still fighting to get out of the confines of the glass it was in. For now, Shanks remained unharmed. Though, Teach had the perfect blackmail to keep Shanks from fighting against him. If he were Teach, he would use a sedative to keep Shanks from fighting back. Shanks was on the same level as Whitebeard. He was sure Teach was trying to capitalize on the fact that Whitebeard had been in a war, knowing he wasn't in his prime. He probably didn't even realize that by that point that Trafalgar Law had intervened. Whitebeard had rested since that moment. Sure, he probably still wasn't in his prime, but he wasn't sick anymore. He was perfectly healthy all thanks to that young pirate.
"Do you think Hawkeyes is right?" Thatch questioned, "That Teach might not try to kill Ace?"
Marco hummed. "It's possible. Unless Ace attacks him first." He replied. "If Hawkeyes is correct, and Teach is using Ace and Luffy as leverage, he would want Ace alive. If Ace dies, I don't even think having Shanks weakened or drugged could stop him from retaliating. We all know Shanks doesn't fight unless provoked. That would be the best way to provoke him, and I don't think Teach would be able to defeat Red-Hair."
Thatch nodded, leaning against the rail next to Marco. An almost knowing smile coming to his face. "We know Ace though. I don't think anything will stop him from attacked Teach."
"We just have to hope that he actually made a plan before he decided to take off." Marco said, he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Despite the fact that I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs at him… I understand why he left. Why he did it."
Thatch hummed. "As if Ace would allow himself to be sidelined. We all should have seen this coming."
"I should have known the second that Ace said he was sick and didn't come back." Marco agreed. "Ace refused to back down when we kept telling him not to go, and that was for you. This is his mother."
"Teach is going to regret the second that he decided to kidnap Shanks." Thatch laughed. "Does he not realize that the same people who went to save Ace at Marineford, will just come after Shanks?" There was disbelief ringing in his voice. "I thought Teach was supposed to be smart."
Marco snorted. "This feels different. Like there's something more that Teach wants that we just aren't seeing yet." Marco sighed. "We all knew that Teach had some sort of infatuation with Red-Hair. Obsessive even. We missed all the signs."
"Do you think Teach will…" Thatch's sentences trailed off. It made Marco sick to his stomach at the thought. Especially after hearing what Mihawk had to say about what Teach told Shanks when Teach attacked the red-haired Omega back then. He didn't even want to phantom the thought.
"We just have to hope he won't." Marco replied. "At this point, I don't think we ever knew Teach at all."
"Something bugs me about all of this." The Fourth Division Commander said, looking away from the ocean and back over to Marco. Marco turned to look at his packmate, showing that he had his full attention. "Remember back at Marineford… when Teach ended up getting ahold of Ace?" Marco nodded. "There was this look in Ace's eye when they came back. Like something was weighing on him."
"Well, we've seen how he's been since the war happened." Marco said.
"Well, yeah… and no." Thatch stated, shaking his head. "It was that same look that Shanks had on his face when Teach scarred him."
Marco's eyes widened. "You think?"
"I think Ace knows something that we don't."
"You think Teach told him something." Marco said, gaining a nod from Thatch.
"I don't think Ace would take off like this, pregnant and with how he kept apologizing to us for leaving in the first place… without knowing that he had some form of security on him." Thatch replied. "After the war… you know how we all commented on how much Ace looked like Shanks did back then?"
Marco's eyes widened. That's right. When Ace finally came out of Shanks' room, dressed similarly to what Shanks used to wear when he was a teenager, the more they looked at him, the more they realized just how much he did look like Shanks. It did make sense. Though, none of them knew exactly why Teach even had his infatuation with Shanks in the first place. Just that he had it. It could have projected onto Ace. Teach did admit at Marineford that he had known the entire time who Ace's family was. Having figured it out completely on his own. "You think Teach might have a thing for Ace."
Thatch made a noise of agreement. "Yeah. Though, he never made his move before." Thatch said. "I don't think Teach will try and attack Ace…"
"You think he'll try and capture him." Thatch nodded again. "And you believe Ace knows this."
"We both know that nothing would have stopped Ace from actually going after Teach this time." Thatch stated, shaking his hand as he stood back up to his full height. A harsh grip on the rail. "But… I just think he does know more than about this than we know."
Marco turned back towards the ocean, hands on the rail as he inhaled sharply.
Ace better know what he got himself into again. He would hope that Ace wouldn't make the same mistake twice. This was starting to look more and more like it wasn't just the heat of the moment.
X
He had been on edge ever since the moment that they had discovered Shanks had been taken. He should have known this wasn't over. Not with a man like Teach. That man wasn't normal. He couldn't dwell on what happened at Marineford or the lack of what had been done. All he could do is make sure that he brought his mate home safely.
Mihawk wanted to scream at the world, but nothing good would come out of that. Shanks was abducted. Ace took off on his own. The only solace came in the form of seeing their vivre cards completely intact. He could only hope that Ace had learned from his previous encounter against Teach. That they might catch up to him before he could reach Teach. He couldn't stop Ace from getting involved at this point, but he would be better off with them instead of alone.
He couldn't stop the feeling that came to his gut that there was more to this.
He wanted to get angry at Ace for leaving. Sure, he was definitely going to give his foolish son an earful the second he laid his eyes on him, but there was something there that he wasn't seeing. He couldn't place the gut feeling and exactly why he was sure that this wasn't completely a bad thing. Ace wouldn't take off like this completely if he wasn't confident there was something he could do. Out of all of them, Ace now understand everything that Shanks and Mihawk had been warning him about for years. He could only hope that Ace took everything that he had been through and calculated into some way that he could get out of this without disastrous results. Ace had a pup to think about, though it looked like he might not exactly be thinking clearly. It was something Mihawk could relate too. His mind had been clouded since the second they had realized Shanks was missing.
He hadn't thought to check for him that night. Something he could only fault himself for. He had been drunk at that point, almost black out so. Still, he never once had the thought of checking in on Shanks. He never had to. Shanks always had the power to back anything that he did up. Never had to worry that something would happen to the Omega.
How could he let something like this happen?
He grimaced as he rubbed at his shoulder. The twinge of pain still there. A pain that he had been fighting throughout the night. It came at an annoying time. He didn't need any type of sore muscles, not when he had fighting to do.
Black dots danced over his vision that he tried to blink away. The blur only getting worse by the second as he tried to focus on the task ahead of them. He reached out towards the nearby table, bracing his hand on it as his head swam.
Something was wrong.
Really wrong.
He gritted his teeth as another wave of pain ran through his shoulder. "Mihawk-san?" He barely caught Sabo's voice. It sounded distant despite the hand that settled on the center of his chest. He reached out, his hand going to Sabo's shoulder as he looked over to see the blonde Beta looking at him in concern. "Mihawk-san, what's wrong?"
For some reason he couldn't find it in himself to talk.
"Hawkeyes?" That one came from Izou. The Wano native coming up on his other side. "He looks like he's about to faint."
"LAW!" Sabo shouted.
It was too late as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and world around him went dark.
X
It had taken most of the night, but he had finally set his eyes on Teach's ship. He kept a good enough distance between the two of them. Stopping the use of his powers to keep from being seen. Keeping just far enough to keep his eyes on the ship, but far enough away that he shouldn't be seen. Striker was small enough to stay concealed. Using his haki, he could determine that they were all inside of the cabins of the ship. He caught Shanks' haki already, his haki fluctuating strangely.
Ace could only assume that Teach had drugged Shanks with something to keep him compliant. It would be the smartest choice if he were Teach. Ace paused as he looked back out to the ocean. The others would be coming from underwater. He could wait for them as backup, but that would mean waiting. Leaving Shanks with that bastard that much longer. At the earliest, they would be here by morning time if they left not long after Ace left. He was sure by now they knew he had left.
Boy, would he get an earful once he saw them again.
Though, he wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.
He wasn't going to underestimate Teach. He had been cocky before. So sure that he could defeat Teach that even when it was clear that he had lost, that he stayed and continued to fight.
He couldn't regret his decision. He was already here.
He had a plan up his sleeve. He had seen Teach's power. Felt it. He now understood why Shanks was so concerned when it came to Teach. Teach's words at Marineford. Kidnapping Shanks. Ace knew that Teach wouldn't kill Shanks, but that didn't take out the possibility that something more wouldn't happen.
Ace had never wanted to kill someone as much as he wanted to kill Teach.
The urge was even more there compared to when he left the Moby.
Forgive me, guys. I didn't have a choice.
He couldn't just sit back and wait. Not when it was Shanks. Not when this was his family once again being targeted by this bastard.
Ace placed a hand over his stomach, letting the small smile dance on his face. "You just keep being stubborn for me, alright?" He muttered. Rather or not his pup could actually hear him or not. It felt good to know that possibly they could. If Law was right when he spoke about his haki working to protect his pup, it gave him some reassurance. He didn't necessarily plan on attacking Teach. Only if it came down to it. Though, he was sure he would end up encountering the man. There was no way he could get in and out with Shanks without being spotted somehow. He felt the slight flip of his stomach. His smile only getting bigger. "Yeah, your momma is stupid, but don't worry. We'll be fine."
They weren't far from an island, from the direction that Teach's ship was heading, he could safely assume that's where Teach was heading. His guess, Teach knew they were coming for him and planned on keeping the fight off of the ships. Though on an island, he could stash Shanks somewhere while he did the fighting, making sure that they wouldn't be able to find him. Though, they had Shanks' vivre card, so they could always be able to find him. He would wait just long enough to reach the island before he would make a move. He would be out of his mind if he went onto Teach's ship. He would never be able to get the upper hand if he did so.
He was prepared to fight. He couldn't rely on his fire this time. It wouldn't work against Teach. Not with that stupid power he had. He would just end up in the same position he was before. Though, Teach wouldn't be able to hand him over to the Government this time if he were to face defeat. Teach would either have to capture him or kill him and Ace wasn't going to let that happen. Not this time.
This was going to end once and for all. With him standing on the top.
"Well, little one… just hang on a little bit longer. We'll have him back soon."
X
"What the hell did you do to me?" Shanks questioned, his voice coming out shaky as Teach cackled. The Alpha leaning back up, leaving Shanks to lay there. Teach's hand moved away from his jaw, settling over the connection of his neck and shoulder again. The twist coming to Shanks' stomach as Teach's nails dug into his bond gland.
"Aside from your children, there is one thing you treasure." Teach drawled.
Shanks' eyes widened as Teach's hand moved away from the gland and to the back of his neck, the almost gravitational pull happening before Teach was pulling his arm up, bringing Shanks up with him. The same force that Shanks had felt back at Marineford when he had been swept off of his feet.
He was almost nose to nose with Teach. The hand twisting in his hair in a violent grip that had him wincing. Shanks reached out, putting his hands on Teach's chest to force himself back slightly. Attempting to put some distance between the two of them.
"What did you give me?" Shanks whispered.
Teach smirked, the twist of his lips as his eyes hardened. "A nice little concoction that I made." Teach hummed. "It was easy. Take away the one thing that means the world to you. Something you've had since you were sixteen, wasn't it? Hawkeyes should be feeling it right about now."
"Teach, what did you do?" Shanks tried again.
"I took your bond away." Teach stated, cackling as the horror came to Shanks' face.
Teach did what?
The Alpha let him go as Shanks fell back onto his back, staring up to the ceiling with almost a blank look. A hand moving up to his neck again. So, that's what was happening to him.
"I kept thinking… what would tear you down?" Teach mused, standing up from the bed as his cackling continued. "Your pups could be used as leverage to keep you in line. Physical pain would do nothing to you. Taking you would do nothing… I hit you exactly where it hurts. Something that linked you to the father of your pups. Your husband. A man who didn't even care enough to stay around his family. Taking on the responsibility of a Warlord instead of staying with his mate and children."
Shanks felt numb as Teach continued to talk. The tears welled up in his eyes as he bit down on his lip. Wincing slightly from hitting the cut that was there.
He paused as he heard the next words leave Teach's mouth, "I've known ever since that moment…" He turned his gaze back towards the Alpha. Teach no longer looking at him, instead his back was to him. "That moment all those years ago when I saw the admiration in your eyes at the mention of my uncanny abilities. I had found someone who didn't see me as a monster. Just as someone who was human."
It clicked. His mind flashing back to the moment Buggy had told him the rumors surrounding Teach, and what he had said. He could remember the glare that Teach sent towards Buggy, but the complete shocked look that he had received after denying that.
"That bastard stopped me from getting you once." Teach said, "Back in Loguetown… seeing you sitting at that bar. Lonely and hurting. It was such a pretty sight, but then he came in" Teach laughed, shaking his head, "What better way to show dominance than to threaten the one thing cared about. Putting my mark on your face. A constant reminder that I would and can have you at any time. Of course, I had to tell you that I could keep you at any time, but I wanted you to be willing in it. What is the fun of winning if I take it by force?" The Alpha paused for a moment before he was continuing with, "Even Commander Ace had my respect. I hold respect for him, you know. His power. His strength. Something he gained directly from his mother. It was noble that he refused to back down when he knew that he had lost. Just to make sure I wouldn't go after his brother. Putting himself on the line. Just like you, he believed every word I said." Teach was cackling again, holding his hands out to the side of him as he shook his head. "He looks just like his mother. For a moment, I thought maybe I could have him and it would be the same. No… it would never be completely the same. Though, having a complete set is intriguing. Having you both by my side. Ruling the seas alongside me! Commander Ace will come after me again. I just know it."
Shanks choked for a second. "Leave Ace out of this." Shanks whispered.
"Even Straw Hat Luffy is a lot like you." Teach stated. "He never realized that he had spoken directly with the man who his brother had been searching for until we came face to face in Impel Down. He managed to hit me. Got so angry to see me. All of you are so loyal to each other. If one is in danger, the other will come to defend them." Teach stopped, reaching down, and picking up the tray that had fallen into the floor. Looking at it for a moment before he was placing it onto the table that was there. "You did good raising your pups, Red-Hair. You raised your boys to be strong just like you are. That Hawkeyes would never be able to take care of you or Commander Ace the way that I could. Join me and we will rule these seas together."
Shanks took in a sharp breath, sitting up as he stared at Teach's back. It was all starting to make sense to him now.
He knew how to get Teach to let his guard down.
I'm sorry, Dracule.
Shanks pushed himself up, swallowing the lump in his throat as he pushed himself off of the bed. His legs shaking slightly as he stumbled onto his feet. His eyes still locked to Teach's back. He was careful with his movements. He could only hope that this worked.
If he could at least get Teach out of the equation, the others shouldn't be much difficulty. His main issue was his strength was depleted. Just trying to use his haki could knock him clear out. Then anything he could do would be in vain.
The Omega raised a shaky hand, placing it directly on Teach's back. Feeling the way that Teach paused for a second. "You're right, Teach." Shanks whispered, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "I was drunk and lonely… and Mihawk was there." He curled his fist into the back of Teach's shirt, taking another breath to even out his breathing. His heart pounding against his chest. He froze, the air catching in his throat as Teach turned to face him. He released his grip, looking up to see Teach looking at him with a wide eye. Teach's height reminding him a lot of Whitebeard's tremendous size. Shanks almost forgot just how large this man was. He towered over him being practically twice his height. The Omega reached out again, placing his palm flat against the Alpha's torso despite the lingering twist of his stomach. "It's always been you."
Shanks didn't miss the way that Teach made a choked sound before a smile came to the Alpha's face. Teach's hand coming up to cradle the side of Shanks' face that had the Omega's stomach flipping again with just how intimate it felt. "I've known all along." The Alpha practically purred.
Shanks forced the smile to come to his face as he leaned his head against Teach's hand, looking up to the Alpha through the flutter of his eyelashes. "You set me free." Shanks whispered.
This wasn't just some infatuation or obsession that Teach had with him.
The Alpha was in love with him.
X
Law sat in the chair, his eyes lingering over Mihawk's unconscious form. Sabo standing not far from them with his arms crossed. It shouldn't be much longer before Mihawk would wake up, but Law's gut was twisted from his discovery. A den den mushi sitting in front of him that gave him an open line of communication to the other ships.
"So, you're saying…" Rouge's voice came over the speaker.
"Yeah." Law confirmed. "Hawkeyes-ya's bond with Shanks-ya had been severed."
"That bastard." Marco's voice growled.
"What does this mean, Traffy?" Luffy's came next. "How did this happen?"
Law sighed. "My deduction is that Blackbeard gave Shanks-ya medication." He paused, looking up to Sabo to see the distain clear on the Beta's face before he was looking back to the den den. "It's simple enough to make and in just about every medical book there is. Doctors put it in all the books because of when there was a rise in unwanted bonds or accidental bonding."
"Just like that? He could do this?" Izou questioned.
"Yeah. The most common form would send whoever took it into a type of blissful state. They would be so out of it that they wouldn't even recognize their surroundings." Law explained. "That is the combat the pain that they are in. That way they don't even realize what is happening until after the drug wears off."
"How did this effect, Hawkeyes?" Thatch asked next.
"Since the two marked each other, Hawkeyes-ya would have felt the entire thing." Law replied. "His extremely high pain tolerance overshadowed it until it literally knocked him clear out. Breaking a bond is not a simple task. It's taxing on the body. Symptoms can range from anything from fatigue to fainting spells." He sighed as he rubbed a palm over his face. That sick feeling returning seconds later. "That's not the worst of it."
"How could it get worse than that?" Luffy questioned.
"It sends the person who took the medication into their heats or ruts within twenty-four hours after the bond is successfully broken." Law stated. "Since it's an unnatural way of breaking a bond with someone, it's the body's response to taking it."
"That sick son of a bitch." Marco hissed. "Thanks, Law."
"It might have been a good thing that Freckles-ya took off when he did." Law added. "Even if he went alone. If Teach is really trying to keep Shanks-ya in line for himself, he won't lay a hand on him, but he will try to use Freckles-ya."
"I'm not quite understanding what is going on with that, but if it's good Ace went then that means he can get to Dad before his heat starts." Luffy said, his voice seemingly farther from the den den than before.
"I can't guarantee what Blackbeard will do, but most likely he's threatening Freckles-ya and yourself Straw Hat-ya." Law stated. "If he's being smart about it, he'll use the two of you to make sure that Shanks-ya stays cooperative because he knows he can defeat the two of you. He targeted the bond. That was a personal move."
"You think Teach won't hurt Ace." Rouge said.
Law made a noise. "No, but I don't doubt that Freckles-ya won't attack him. Really, Freckles-ya might just be able to capitalize on the fact that Blackbeard would do anything to keep Shanks-ya."