He woke to his brother's distinct laughter, the sound soothing his tense muscles even as he squinted against the light. Sabo raised a hand to his marred face to block out the harsh light, trying to open his eyes which seemed to be stuck together. Ace's soft voice drew his attention, it was a low timber and even though Sabo couldn't make out what he was saying, he knew it was directed at Luffy. He flexed his muscles, forcing his eyes to finally open only to squint against the sun and groan. A weight was then at his side, helping him up and blocking the light. He smiled, grateful and opened his eyes once more to see Luffy's grinning face and Ace's annoyed scowl.
"You know," Ace drawled as he wrapped an arm around him and helped him sit up. "If you're going to try to sneak around the other way you should at least make sure you don't get caught." His voice was dry and he scowled down at Sabo like it had been his fault everything went to shit.
While he had tried to sneak off and get Luffy back another way, he hadn't expected to be hit on the back of his head and knocked out instantly. Sabo winced and gripped his skuyll at the memory, giving Ace an apologetic look. "Yeah, I know, not like I planned it."
Ace rolled his eyes and scoffed but Sabo could see how his shoulders relaxed more, some of the tension leaving his body. Luffy drew his attention when we crawled forward and sprawled in his lap, eyes shining with relief and fingers playing with his hat. "We're glad you're okay Sabo!"
He laughed, ruffling Luffy's hair and pretending not to notice Ace's melting scowl. "Of course Lu, though it looks like we're in quite the situation now huh?" Sabo looked around as he spoke, gazing at the small cabin they were in and the single door that led to the outside. He was on what was clearly a medical bed and the room was plain besides a countertop across from him. It had an array of bandages on it and some scattered medicine, none of which he recognized.
"Yeah," Ace cut through, arms crossed as he leaned back against the wall from his position at the end of the bed. His silver eyes slid over to the door and a frown tugged at his lips. "Didn't have much of a choice, and..." Ace hesitated, meeting his gaze before pointedly looking at Luffy. "Lu said it was okay."
Sabo hummed and glanced down at Luffy. He knew what Ace really meant to say and he was glad he managed to beat some tact into his other sibling. He ran his hand though Luffy's black hair, ruffling the locks and smiling down at his baby brother. Luffy had the ability to read people well, like their souls were bared open before him and not a single thing could be hidden. Sabo still remembered the first time that look had been directed at him, and he knew it wasn't all just Luffy's doing. He still felt it sometimes when those dark eyes gazed into him, and if he looked too hard, he could almost see something besides Luffy staring right back. He swallowed and tugged lightly at his baby brother's soft, black hair. He felt like he was failing, he knew Luffy's secret was slowly starting to unravel and it made Sabo's gut twist with anxiety. Well, it was more his and Ace's secret, Luffy never intended to hide until they asked him to.
"Luffy," he started, making sure Luffy met his gaze before continuing. "You can't go into the water until we're far away from here." He lowered his voice and spoke in his ear, drawing back to see the frown on Luffy's face. Dark eyes were wide and begging, small hands stilling from their fidgeting. Sabo continued, trying to explain his harsh decision, "Lu, people who eat devil fruits can't swim. Just try to blend in okay?" He placed a gentle hand on a round cheek, thumb softly rubbing the flesh.
Large eyes blinked at Sabo and Luffy cocked his head to the side, confusion twisting his face. "But Sabo," Luffy began with furrowed brows. "I can't swim."
Sabo's thoughts grinded to a halt and Ace let out a snort of disbelief.
"What do you mean you can't swim? You sure as fuck aren't drowning." Ace crossed his arms across his bread chest, scowl deepening in his own confusion.
"Well duh," Luffy rolled his eyes like he was the only one making perfect sense. "Oh course mom won't let me drown. That's why I never learned to swim!"
Ace bared his teeth, knuckles raised and ready to give Luffy a nuggie before it dawned on Sabo. His eyes widened and he smacked an indignant Ace away, grabbing Luffy's attention.
"You mean you never learned because you ask her to carry you around where you want instead?" Sabo hummed at Luffy's excited nod of confirmation, a smile on his lips. That… actually made sense. If something was done for Luffy his entire life, he wouldn't need to learn how to do it. Sabo leaned back and watched as Ace's face contorted in concentration, waiting for the moment his other brother would understand. Just as it seemed like steam would come out his ears his silver eyes widened in realization.
"Oh," he breathed, blinking away his confusion. Sabo nodded; proud he didn't have to spell it out for him before he went back to the topic at hand. "Be that as it may, Luffy people are supposed to drown when they can't swim. And we both know your mom wouldn't let that happen, so for now you're just going to have to talk to her a little less. Well, in the water anyways." Sabo spoke gently and tried to get Luffy to see reason, frowning at how his little brother's face fell.
"But," Luffy began, voice soft and eyes casting down. "But she's important to me too." Sabo hated how small Luffy's voice sounded, hated that he had to ask a child of the sea to stay out of the water. Still, Sabo was the responsible one and sometimes he had to make decisions he didn't like to protect his brothers. He looked over Luffy's head, meeting Ace's eyes and steeling his resolve before looking back down to the prepubescent boy partially in his lap.
"I'm sorry, Lu." And he meant it, mentally kicking himself for even asking. But it was required, and he knew Luffy would listen, after all he and Ace had made Luffy promise. This was his and Ace's adventure, and Luffy only came along because they didn't trust anyone but Makino back on Dawn. They had made Luffy promise that he had to wait to be a full pirate, and that he had to listen to them both no matter what. And right now Luffy had the designation of cabin boy, no matter how wrong it felt to keep Luffy so restricted. So when his first bounty came out they were angry and worried for a reason, but it could have been far worse.
Sabo sighed when Luffy didn't answer, only nod his head and grip at the crisp blankets harshly. "C'mere Lu," Sabo leaned forward and was relieved when Luffy was still pliant in his arms, letting himself be hugged and coddled. Ace shifted, scooting forward and wrapping his arms around them both so Luffy was smushed in the middle. Ace was warmer now that he was made of fire, but it was a warmth that Sabo knew wouldn't hurt him. At least intentionally.
A knock on the door made them all jump and Sabo was harshly reminded that they were on an enemy ship. Approved by Luffy or not, they had still kidnapped their baby brother. Ace was the first up, a scowl back on his face and fists clenched, fire licking and dying on his knuckles. Sabo scrambled off the bed, shoving Luffy behind him and backing Ace up.
"What do you want now!?" Ace snarled at the door, anger at their capture quickly returning.
"Woah no need to be so mad!" The voice was muffled through the door, but it seemed friendly enough. "I brought food! I promised that little bro of yours some meat!"
Sabo sighed when Luffy ran forward, prior conversation apparently completely forgotten. The door slammed open and Luffy launched himself at the man, his arms looping around and climbing up the surprised pirate. Ace looked appalled for a second before he sprinted forward, gripping at stretchy limbs and failing miserably at getting Luffy to let go. The tray of food that the man was holding tipped precariously and Sabo decided to pity him, grabbing it out of the man's hands and bracing himself when Luffy turned his attention to him. The impact of his little brother slamming onto his side barely moved him, having gotten used to it long ago. He didn't even mind when rubbery limbs climbed him and a weight settled on his back, rubbery hands taking the entire tray and tipping it back into his mouth in one gulp.
"Luffy!" Ace growled, trying to get Luffy off him and stretching his cheeks wide open. Sabo looked at the man who was gaping at them from the door, he was sure he made a sight with Luffy clinging to him and Ace harassing their younger brother. He pretended that nothing was happening behind him and gave the pompadour wearing man a nod in thanks.
The man blinked and laughed, waving off Sabo's thanks with a grin. "Ah, I forgot he was a 'D', I'll get more! I'm Thatch by the way, sorry about how my siblings got you on board," Sabo narrowed his eyes at that, analyzing the resigned face Thatch had. "They mean well they're just stupid about this kind of thing sometimes."
Ace snorted from behind him and Luffy giggled, face coming up over Sabo's shoulder and smiling at Thatch.
"Shishishi, that's okay bread man! Mama says your nice!"
Sabo cringed but before he could do anything about it Ace had smacked Luffy on the head and covered his mouth with his hand. He swallowed, trying to remain calm and hoped Thatch didn't catch what Luffy had said. He glanced back and internally sighed when he saw the confusion on the pirate's face. It didn't seem like he was so lucky.
"Well thank you, we will stay here and wait," Sabo nodded towards him and abruptly slammed the door shut, cutting off whatever the man was about to say.
"Luffy what did I tell you!" Ace hissed and he turned to see Luffy's cheeks puff out in a pout, bottom lip quivering. He mumbled something under his breath and Ace raised a hand to his own ear, pretending not to hear.
"What was that?" He hissed, leaning closer. Luffy swallowed and repeated what he said.
"That I can't say stuff like that."
Ace nodded, lowering his hand and gripping Luffy's chin to make him meet his gaze. "And what did you just do?"
Sabo winced at the anger Ace showed but knew it was necessary, Luffy was as dense as seastone and there was no other way to get him to understand.
"I tawked about ewt" His words came out muffled with how hard Ace was gripping his cheeks.
Ace removed his hand and smacked the back of Luffy's head again, scowl deepening. "Idiot."
Sabo sighed and sat back down on the bed, resigned to come up with contingency plans for whatever might slip from Luffy's mouth.
xxx
Ace frowned and tugged harder on Luffy's hand, making sure he didn't get too distracted looking around the giant ship. Ace was on his left and Sabo on his right, boxing him in and making sure no one could sneak in an attack just in case. He and Sabo had both agreed that they were probably relatively safe with this crew from what they had heard about them, but Ace was still reluctant to open up to them about anything. In fact, they were lucky he wasn't blasting them with fire for their earlier transgressions. His grip on his brother's smaller hand tightened and Ace pretended not to notice the worried look Luffy gave him. The man in front of him, Thatch was talking and gesturing with his hands, pointing at different spots on the ship and explaining the going ons in every day life. Luffy and Sabo were both eating it up, each darting their eyes in the direction the man gestured. Ace supposed he was nice enough, he had come back and fed them heaps worth of food and only smiled when they said they wanted more. He had to begrudgingly admit that it was a nice change of pace to be offered food rather than having to steal it.
"And here we are! We usually hold all of our meetings here with pops, the other commanders should be in there too. It's not that many of us, we don't really want to overwhelm you by forcing you to meet everyone just yet but we hoped you'd hear us out." Thatch gave them a warm smile and Ace scowled in the face of it, scoffing and turning his head away in annoyance.
"Whatever, just get on with it." Luffy's hand tightened in his and Ace squeezed back, unwilling to worry his brother over his own insecurities. The smile fell off Thatch's face momentarily before he perked back up, shifting to open his door while announcing their presence.
"I got the little black holes, pops!"
Luffy laughed, bounding forward with a skip in his step, fingers slipping through his. "Bread man fed us lots!" Luffy smiled wide as Thatch sputtered and from inside Ace could hear a roar of laughter.
He sighed and followed Luffy in, glancing around the room and taking in all the commanders on either side of the long table. At the head sat Whitebeard, comfortable in his massive chair with a bottle of sake in his hands.
"Come in and shut the door, can't let my daughters see me drinking!" He laughed loudly while Luffy nodded seriously, grabbing him and Sabo to shove them inside before slamming the door shut. As they stood awkwardly near the entrance Luffy stretched out his arms towards Whitebeard and Ace had a terrible feeling of where this was going. A few of the commanders shouted in surprise but held themselves back when Whitebeard shooed them away with a wave of his hand, grin forming on his face.
"Luffy!" Ace yelled, stunned, because surly Luffy wouldn't-
He did. Rubbery arms gripped at the man's shoulders and Luffy shrieked in delight as he was launched forward with a shout of 'banana mustache man!'.
Sabo groaned next to him and practically shoved his head into his hands at Luffy's antics, his usual composure dissolving under their brother's odd tendencies. They knew Luffy would probably be safe given that Garp had asked these pirates specifically to find them, but it still didn't make them feel good about the situation.
Luffy was about to slam into Whitebeard's chest before two massive hands caught him, tossing him into the air slightly before bringing him down enough to see Whitebeard's grin. Luffy flopped like a fish in the man's giant hands, laughter bubbling out of him continuously even as he was settled onto large shoulders.
"Mustache man!" Luffy's energy was in full swing, legs dangling over Whitebeard's chest and large grin firmly in place. Ace was shocked into stillness, his mouth moving but words refused to come out. At least it didn't seem like he was the only one, most of the other commanders in the room were wearing various looks of bewilderment. They were all vastly different, showing at the diversity in the crew with just a handful of people. Sabo recovered first and stepped forward, worry in his gaze and an apology already forming on his mouth.
"I-I'm sorry about him." Sabo stuttered out and Ace didn't blame him for it one bit. After all, he still couldn't even manage to speak. He should have known that Luffy would immediately forget the very important conversation they just had about him behaving himself and listening to them. And for a solid five seconds Ace contemplated on punching the ocean for giving him such a dimwitted brother to deal with.
"Gurarararara! Don't fret it boy! He's such a pleasure to have. Reminds me of Garp when he was younger!" Several of the commanders paled at their captain's words and one Ace recognized, Izou spluttered.
"You can't mean that!" The well dressed man slammed his hands on the table as he stood up, facing Luffy with growing dread. Luffy blinked from Whitebeard's shoulders and leaned forward far enough that the captain had to hold him upright least he fall.
"Oooh! You're the pretty person! You made yourself pretty again!"
Ace mimicked Sabo and slapped a hand over his face, dragging it down harshly and counting backwards from one hundred.
Izou blinked rapidly for a moment before flushing and narrowing his eyes. "I did, does that bother you?"
Luffy tilted his head to the side cutely and Ace didn't miss how Thatch let out a soft coo. "Huh? No." Luffy blinked and his eyes focused on the kimono that he wore. "Oh you look comfortable! Can I try one of those on!" Ace restarted his backwards count.
Izou stood straight, his hands falling away from where he had slammed them onto the table and calmly looked from Luffy to meet Whitebeard's amused gaze.
"We're keeping him and you can't argue." Whitebeard let out a roar of laughter and to Ace's horror, he nodded in agreement.
"No wait!" He started forward, feet slamming against the wood as he approached Whitebeard with a glare. "You can't keep our baby brother!" He felt Sabo's presence behind him and he was glad his sibling knew when to cover his back. Everyone settled down immediately at Ace's words and Marco, who was sitting to Whitebeard's right, held his hands up in surrender.
"You both can stay too obviously. We would never separate you, yoi." Ace hated how his shoulders relaxed slightly at the thought and he bit his lip, looking at them all. His gaze was especially weary of those there that he hadn't officially met. He was torn from his thoughts when Luffy gasped and turned towards Sabo.
"Wait! We can't stay!" His brother flailed like he had just remembered something and bounced from the captain's shoulder right towards Sabo's waiting arms. Whitebeard didn't seem too bothered at the loss and Ace hoped that they wouldn't be kept as prisoners on this ship.
"Oh, why's that?" It was Thatch who asked and Ace already knew Luffy would answer him, he had fed them after all, and to Luffy, that was the highest honor.
"We're going to Sabaody" Sabo cut in quickly and Luffy nodded in agreement, eyes blazing in determination.
"Mhm! Sababodie!" Sabo frowned and twisted Luffy in his grip.
"No Lu, Sa-ba-ody" his blonde brows were drawn down and Ace could hardly believe Sabo was giving Luffy a literature lesson at a time like this. Though, Luffy's eyes glazed over and Sabo sighed in defeat, knowing he wouldn't get through to him any time soon.
"What's there?" Thatch pressed and Ace sent him a scowl, hating that the other pirates were apparently content with Thatch asking all the questions, obviously seeing that Luffy was fond of him.
Luffy's grin grew impossibly wider. "Dad of course!"
Ace's scowl deepened and he had half a mind to scold Luffy and tell him that he should learn to keep his mouth shut, but the innocent look his brother held made the thought die on his lips. He knew exactly who Luffy looked up to as a father, and maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the Whitebeard's knew not to hurt Luffy unless they wanted to face a rival pirate crew. He glanced over at Sabo and his brother seemingly read his mind, nodding in agreement. Just this once they would let Luffy talk.
Thatch's face fell and he twisted his hands in his lap, "Luffy, the marines are after you. Your grandfather asked us to keep you safe. Your dad might not be able to hold them off…"
Luffy blinked and he looked at Thatch like he was the idiot. "Ehhh? But he's so strong! I'm sure dad can fight off some measly marines! Besides, I know he's super worried right now." Luffy frowned and Sabo ran a gentle hand through black hair, eyes softening.
Izou, who had taken a seat again, straightened from his relaxed position, back stiff as he looked at Luffy with dawning horror. His dark eyes flickering to the straw hat resting on Luffy's back. "Luffy," he started, eyes trailing back up to meet a smiling face. "What is your father's name?"
Ace braced himself and Sabo subtly gripped Luffy tighter.
"Shanks!"
Blood drained from Izou's face and Ace watched the infallible Marco choke on his own spit, eyes widening and a thousand different emotions flickering across his expression. Abruptly, shouts filled the air, declaring the impossibility of that statement. Ace noted that several of them looked immensely stressed, eyes flickering to his baby brother like he was made of expensive glass that had been shattered. Luffy just laughed, attention turning back to Thatch who had nearly fallen out of his seat. "See, I told you dad was strong! You guys sound like you know him!"
The man who had knocked Sabo out earlier, Jozu, leveled Luffy with an intense stare, eyes disbelieving. "You? You're the son of an emperor?"
Ace blinked, mind freezing. He turned to Sabo and stared at his baby brother before the words managed to settle in his brain. His baby brother's prized father was not only a pirate, but an emperor of the sea. Ace wanted to blame his little brother, but it seemed that Luffy didn't even know, if his confused face was anything to go by. Ace swallowed and pinched the bridge of his nose, no longer caring that he shut his eyes surrounded by possible enemies. And because of that, he didn't notice Whitebeard's intense stare boring into Luffy.
xxx
When Shanks arrived at Sabaody his tension doesn't ease. The constant sound of resin bubbles popping in the distance made him twitch, subtle but there. They stood as a reminder, a reminder that they seemed far too loud in a place that's too peaceful when it shouldn't be. Not if Luffy was there. If Luffy was there he would have heard his laughter and the angry grumblings of adults, would have heard the sounds of the sea that always followed him, would have-
He swallowed, red eyes scanning the trees that loomed over them before flicking back down to the expanse of green grass and the quiet shopping district. People are mingling and smiling, talking among each other and laughing. But their laugh was all wrong, there's too much shyness in some and not enough life in others. They're all wrong. He remembers Luffy's laugh, full and boisterous, filled with a need for adventure and the will to show his true self. It was bright, like the sun had twisted its rays into sound and graced Shanks with its melody. Grass crunched under his feet as he stalked forward, each step bringing him further away from his ship and his weary crew. They could feel his tension mounting and Shanks knew his hold had to be ironclad. His will was strong and some of his crew, the newer ones he had obtained over the years, hardly ever saw him loose his control. But that was different, they hadn't had a need to see his anger. Not when Shanks had known his precious baby boy was safe on that island in the East blue.
Shanks paused in the middle of a random clearing, uncaring of the whispers that swept across the suddenly hushed crowd. Benn was at his right, silent and waiting, supportive as he always was. Anxiety twisted and settled in his gut, knowing the answer to his own question even as he used his observation haki to feel across the whole island. Everyone was a dull pinprick of light in his mind's eye, all crowded together and painfully ordinary. More like blemishes across his senses rather than the people they represented. His fists clenched, eyes falling closed to look further, further…
He ground his teeth together, his will slipping for a moment too fast for anyone but Benn to notice. Luffy wasn't there. His little boy that still had so much growing up to do and shone like a beacon of light, who would have a painfully hard time hiding his presence from those who could use observation haki-
He wasn't there.
He took a calming breath, trying to gather his anger, worry and other slew of emotions that threatened to overcome him.
"How ridiculous" Hawkeye's voice was dry with an undercurrent of amusement. "You actually thought he would be here." He approached from his left, only the sound of grass and wind breaking the deadly silence. He could practically feel the thoughts of the civilians and rookie pirates, could hear them hold their breath and wonder how he, an emperor, would react to such a statement.
Shanks could feel his crew freeze in their spots, unsure of what to do and how to proceed. Only his generals shifted, their stances still forcibly relaxed despite his sour mood. Shanks could appreciate Mihawk, his rival and friend for speaking his mind, but now wasn't the time. The swordsman didn't seem to care though, his unwillingness to worry over other's emotions finally starting to pull at the edges of Shanks' already frayed nerves. He watched as Mihawk glanced around, hat tipped up as he stared at those gathered in disdain.
"Unless you claim some of this riffraff." He gestured broadly to those gathered, sunlight gleaming off the precious jewels embedded in his sword. Golden rimmed eyes uncaring at the bristle of offense some took to his words.
He ignored the man, flexing his hands in an effort to stay calm, the easy smile on his face tightening until it didn't resemble a smile at all. Benn shifted next to him and he tried to ignore the growing unease he felt from his first mate, the man that knew him best.
Mihawk tilted his nose up in disdain, a taunting smirk etching itself on his lips. "How disappointing, to place such a bet on someone who wouldn't even show."
Shanks' will broke free and his haki flared, anger lining his red eyes with a fierce light. All around civilians and pirates alike fell, eyes rolling back and foaming at their mouths. His own crew wasn't spared, and Shanks had no time to confront those with weak wills. He glared at the smiling Mihawk, teeth bared with a fist clenched tightly over Gryphon's hilt. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and Shanks fought the urge to shake Benn's heavy palm off. Because he knew, knew that Luffy had heard him. Knew that his little boy would have fought to hell and high water to find him, knew that something must have been holding him back. Shanks bared his teeth and forcefully reigned in his will, each tug of haki a battle to hold back into his body. Mihawk was a stark contrast to everyone else, his eyes lit up from their usual boredom and his fingers twitched as if to grab his blade.
"Hit a nerve did I?" Golden eyes widened when Shanks' hard-fought control slipped like a rope between his hands, his haki lashing out once more. Mihawk laughed, the sound low and echoing, but still so empty.
"Enough of that," Benn stepped up from his right, left hand still firmly on his shoulder and cigarette between his lips. "Anchor can't come to Sabaody if there's nothing left of the island." Benn always knew what to say, how to make him remember why his anger shouldn't be so easily shown.
Shanks loosened his grip on his sword and Mihawk didn't hide his disappointment, frown tugging at the edges of his lips. It was easy for Shanks to paste on his fake smile in the face of it, satisfied at denying the man the fight he obviously wanted. But Benn was right, just because Luffy wasn't here now didn't mean he wasn't going to be ever. It was possible he had come too early, though a part of Shanks doubted it. After all, Luffy was a sea child and that entailed many perks that Shanks was sure he hadn't seen yet. If anything, travel should have been easy for him. The smile fell from his lips in an instant at the thought, but Benn's grip on his shoulder tightened in reassurance. He would give Luffy three days, and if he didn't show, Shanks would tear the world apart to find him.