XXX
By the time they came back for him Luffy had stopped trembling. They had left him alone in that room for hours slowly freezing. When someone finally came back for him they didn't bother to check if he was still awake, instead they just slung him over their shoulder and carried him back down the hall.
"If you learn one thing before you die," The man told him as he stopped in front of their cell, "I hope it's to keep your mouth shut." When Luffy ignored him the man just scoffed at him, as if he had disappointed him somehow.
"Your funeral kid," He said opening the cell and dropping him from his shoulder back into his cell.
Luffy's knees buckled as soon as he touched the floor. He was so cold and all he wanted was for everyone to leave him alone so he could sleep, even if that meant more time on the freezing floor. But before he could fully hit the ground a pair of arms caught him, stopping his fall. The cell door slammed behind them and he heard the lock click into place as it did. He hated that sound.
"Luffy your freezing!" A hand moved to brush his hair out of his eyes and feel his forehead. And despite everything Luffy smiled. There was only one person in this entire place who cared when he was hurting and he had begun to think he had gotten him killed.
"Y-your al-alright." He reached up without any specific goal in mind other than the vague thought of making absolute sure Thatch was still there.
The other male caught his hand giving it a tight squeeze of reassurance. "I'm fine," He promised. "Look at you though, what have they done to you this time."
"B-but you're okay?"
Thatch worked his arms under Luffy, lifting him off of the floor and placing him back on the bed.
"I'm really fine Luffy. I'm no stranger to a good beating trust me it come with the territory." He wrapped their blanket around him rubbing his arms and shoulders in effort to get the blood flowing again.
"I-I- th-thought…"
"Shh-, It's okay Luffy. Everything's going to be okay." He covered his small frozen hands in his larger ones trying to warm them up along with the rest of him. "I know this sucks, and they suck and everything is awful right now but Ace is going to come and save you, just like you said he would."
Luffy smiled. He missed Ace.
"I k-now," He said flexing his fingers back and forth grateful to be able to move them again. They fell into silence for a few minutes. Luffy lost in his own thoughts while Thatch tried his best to warm him back up
"T-hatch?"
"Hmm?" He was only half paying attention now, set on taking care of him. Thatch was just like that. He seemed to think it was his job to take care of Luffy. He didn't really know why. At first it had surprised him. He wasn't use to adults, especially ones he didn't really know caring for him. He could look after himself after all. But the more time they spent together made Luffy think that Thatch was just that nice. It felt good that someone here, in what felt like a hellish place of pain, cared about him. at the very least Luffy wasn't…
Alone.
"Thatch," He said again, trying to get his attention.
"Yea?"
"Y-you guys, your crew and cap-tain… y-your all really close. Right?"
The man paused for a second unsure where this was going. Finally he answered, "Yea I'd say we are."
"You guys l-look after each other?" Luffy pried.
He nodded. "Yea kid. That's how it works." Or at least that was how it was supposed to work before Teach.
"If-f someone is sad or hurting, you'll loo-k after them?"
"Luffy," Thatch said finally catching on to what he was saying. "Don't say things like that."
"You would though!"
"Luffy!"
But Luffy refused to drop it. Not when it was this important. "Say You Would!" He pushed away from the older man still trembling, putting himself just out of arms reach. But this was more important than that. This was more important than anything.
Thatch looked back at the glaring eyes, taking a calming breath before he spoke again.
"Yes." He told him finally. His voice was harder than Luffy had heard it before.
But still Luffy pressed. This was important. More important than Thatch's feelings.
"Promise?"
"Come here," Thatch gestured him to come back towards him.
Reluctantly Luffy scooted forward. Putting himself within his reach once more.
"I promise we'll look after Ace." And strong arms closed around him pulling Luffy into a bear hug. It was tight enough to hurt a little bit. But Luffy was so cold and shaky and Thatch was warm and solid.
"Nothing's going to happen to you," He told him resting his chin on the fluffy hair.
XXX
After the intrusive pirate left Sengoku cleared his chamber to speak with his two admirals and gage their opinions. He already knew what each of them thought about this matter, the conference was more of a formality. Sakazuki was strongly in support of any chance of gaining the upper hand against the Revolutionaries or the Whitebeards, both groups having been a thorn in their side for years. Aokiji on the other hand did not believe the trouble it would bring would be worthwhile. There was no denying that going through with this and partnering with wild card pirates would be like sticking a loaded gun into the hornet's nest of both the Whitebeards and the Revolutionaries. Two groups that were exceedingly powerful in their own right.
"That fool wants to start a three-way war and he is trying to drag us strait into the middle of it."
"We've always been at the middle of it," Sakazuki told him.
Choosing his words with more care Aokiji interjected, "Using civilian hostages to antagonize pirates into fights isn't the way the world government usually conducts itself sir."
"Civilian! That kid is the flesh and blood of one of the most notorious criminals we have ever seen. There is no doubt in my mind that if given time he will grow into a worthless criminal just like his father. Not to mention the son of Roger. Not only has he survived to become a powerful criminal, but he was managed to align himself with one of the most prominent threats to us to date. We should take this as an offense of the highest order. Firefist can not be allowed to continue his partnership with the Whitebeards nor continue on the seas. We must deal with this quickly and quietly. And these pirates, lowly as they are have given us the perfect opportunity.
"Partnering with them may come back to haunt us," The other warned.
"I am well aware," Sengoku said turning to look out the window at the glimmering sea below. "Acts of violence carried out in the name of justice have revealed themselves to be personal ghosts of mine sent to haunt me for those decisions." Knowing you've done wrong and being wiling to do wrong again was one of the most important parts of leadership. There was no world in which people could not be hurt and boundaries could remain intact. He knew that then and he knew that now.
"Admirable Akainu, pending approval from the council I am authorizing you to accompany the pirate to their base and verify the situation for yourself."
"Sir." The man accepted obviously pleased his viewpoint had been chosen over Aokiji's caution.
"If everything is as they say then we will use Dragons son against him. If he does not comply to our demands we will be forced to apply some pressure."
"Pressures sir… what does that entail."
"That is up to you, under the conditions that you do not kill the hostage."
The man saluted. "I understand."
XXX
Ace,
You NEED to go look for Sabo! I saw Sabo. I'm starting to think it was just a Sabo ghost now. But it gave me his goggles. If you find him tell him I am so sorry for running away like that. I didn't mean to, I really am as dumb as you guys said after all huh. But if you find him and he wants his googles back he has to come get them, they make me feel better for loosing Boshi…
Whatever you do! Don't listen to Teach. I know he was your crewmates and all but he is awful. Hopefully your other ones are better. They must be for Thatch to be so cool.
I promise I know you're coming to save me. You always save me, your Ace. But whatever happens from now on don't be upset okay. And don't be mad at me I tried my best. I just wasn't strong enough to stop them. I'm sorry.
I don't know if I am going to get to be pirate king or not. But I do know I would have been kickass at it, the best one yet. But either way it's okay. As long as you are living freely and without regrets I'm happy. You only have one life so you have to make it a good one. Be happy and don't be alone. No matter what you decide to do you will be amazing. You're my big brother after all, and you're going to show the whole world how amazing you are.
But most of all thank you for being my brother. Since I met the two of you I haven't been alone, not even for one moment. And even if I have to die here I'm not unhappy. How could I be anything less than grateful when I was loved by so many people? How could I possibly be sad when I was so lucky. And I wouldn't give up a minute of it, even when things were painful.
One way or another we'll see each other again.
Love ya oceans and oceans
Lu
…
When Thatch woke up and realized Luffy was gone he nearly had a panic attack. It took another moment for him to realize the kid wasn't gone gone, he had just moved off the bed.
The cell was dark. Well it was always dark but the candles in the hallway had burned themselves out hours ago and the base had fallen into silence so he suspected it was very late in deed as most everyone was asleep. That was all well and fine if it meant there was no one left to pick on Luffy anymore.
Minding his broken knee Thatch slid himself off the bed to join Luffy on the floor. If there was one good thing to come out of this it was that he had gotten much better at seeing in the dark. Enough so that he could pick out the kids clothes in the back corner. From what he could make out Luffy was sitting on his knees, his cheek pressed to the wall of the cell.
"Luffy?" Thatch said gently sitting beside him, a little worried he was having a breakdown. Either that or he was a weird kid. But that wasn't anything new.
"Hmm," Luffy hummed in response.
"Are you feeling better?" The man felt his forehead, glad that he seemed to be warming up.
"Hmm-hmm," He agreed. Pressing off the wall to look at Thatch.
"What are you doing?"
"Just thinking."
Well now he was really worried. In his experience Luffy wasn't much of a thinker. Maybe that's why he was doing it wrong.
"Thinking about this wall?" He asked gently a bit worried he had cracked after today.
Luffy laughed, his voice hoarse. It had been a little weak all day, even after the stuttered tremors had disappeared. "You can hear the ocean through the wall." He told Thatch. The man leaned into the wall as well, happy to find he was right. It was soft but there was the ever constant lull of the waves on the rocks outside.
God he missed that sound. He missed the ocean. Luffy must have as well.
"It helps me think," He told Thatch.
"What do you have to think about?" He asked feeling the worry creep back into him. He didn't like the way Luffy had been talking earlier. There was no universe in which he would be ready to have that conversation again. Not with one of the sweetest and kindest people Thatch had ever known. If anyone deserved their life it was this kid. He had so much excitement for this world, even though he knew the darkness it held, that did nothing to damper this overwhelming need he had to be part of it, to live in it. Luffy wanted to see everything, meet everybody, he wanted endless adventures and laughter. He wanted every bit of treasure the world had to offer. Fifteen years old and he already knew the difference between real wealth and the trifles that most got hung up on. Something Teach hadn't figured out yet.
Somebody like him should never have ended locked up here in this cage, with the walls creeper closer and closer each day. He deserved so much better.
"A letter." Luffy told him brightly. He sounded better than he had in days. Not his voice, it was as shaky as ever. But he seemed calmer now somehow.
"You were thinking about letters?"
"I was thinking about a letter," He corrected resting his back against the ocean wall so he could look at Thatch. "My bro- Sabo, My Sabo wrote us a letter once."
Thatch faltered for a moment. Luffy didn't talk about Sabo. Not really. You could fill books with the people Luffy didn't talk about. But something about saying the others name seemed to hurt him so he didn't bring it up on his own. Maybe Thatch should be worrying more.
"What did it say?" He asked a bit unsurely.
Luffy shrugged, "You have to ask Ace, I didn't read it."
"Luffy!"
"He wanted to say goodbye! I hate goodbyes!"
And despite everything Thatch laughed at that. Luffy really was just a kid. He patted his hair in apology. "He wanted to tell you he loved you," Thatch told him. "He wanted to make sure you two would be okay without him."
Luffy tilted his head a bit. "Now I think you might be right. Maybe I should have read it."
"Finally curious about what he said?"
"Nah, I still don't really care."
"You're an enigma kid."
"I think he wanted me to read it though. So I guess I should have huh?"
"You're just realizing this now?" Thatch asked.
"People say that I'm not very smart," He told him. "Guess it's why it took me so long to figure that out." The corner of his mouth turned upward a bit at the thought. Here, taken away from his home and his family by people who wanted to hurt him and those he loved. Blackmailing those he couldn't live without. Luffy clutched the broken googles closer to him. This must be how Sabo felt… and it was an awful feeling. He never wanted his brothers to suffer. Not when they deserved all the happiness in the world.
Luffy understood his brother's letter now because he knew what it felt like to have things he needed to say but no one to say them too. "I wish I could write a letter too."
Thatch fixed him with a look of sympathy. "-But you don't know how to write," He finished for him. "It's okay kid I kind of figured. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Tons of people struggle with it, writing is really har-"
"No," Luffy cut him off nearly laughing. Nearly. How dumb did Thatch think he really was? Pinning hours away thinking about a letter he once received and wishing he too could write. Maybe the man was as stupid as he was.
"I can write Thatch!" He wasn't great at it but he was in deed literate.
"Ah," The man said a bit awkwardly. Both of them fully aware of how quickly he jumped on that idea. Maybe Luffy shouldn't tell him any more stories about home. It might be sending the wrong message about his little island.
"I just want," Luffy started. He just wanted to say the things to people who weren't here. He wanted to know the people he loved would be okay. He wanted to make sure Ace would be okay. That his brother wouldn't be angry with him. Maybe he could be a little angry. The same way Luffy was a little angry at everyone who had left him. But not so angry he didn't listen to his little brother. He needed his brothers to know that just because he might not get the freedom he wanted as long as they had their dreams he would be free in his own right.
He knew exactly what he wanted to say. He had thought it over for hours and hours, listening to the sea crash outside. He had each line burned into his memory by now. He could write it all down, Ace could read it. And even if Luffy never saw him again things would somehow be okay in the end. Maybe not at first but in time.
His brothers would forgive him. They always forgave his weakness. Others would carry his dream with them. Ace would have to carry Luffy's dream, Sabo too. Luffy hoped more than anything Sabo could too. Otherwise Ace would have to shoulder both of his brother's unrealized promises. It would be hard. But Ace was one of the strongest people Luffy knew. He could do it. And by chasing his own dream he could give Luffy his endless freedom and Sabo his fantastical adventure and it would be enough for them. Luffy was no expert at family but he was pretty sure that was how it worked if you were lucky enough to have some.
That was what he had been thinking about.
But the same way Luffy knew everything was going to be alright, he also knew his words would never reach Ace. He had no paper to write on nor any possible way to get it to Ace. Worse Teach could take it from him and use it to hurt Ace more than he already had. And Sabo. No, the man wouldn't get to learn about the brother they may or may not still have. Luffy would protect him.
But maybe just thinking it was just as good as writing it. After all long emotional letters weren't really Luffy's style. He would either tell someone what he wanted to say to their face or nothing.
He turned back to Thatch who was staring at him.
"I think I was right the first time," He said finally.
"Are you sure?" He didn't sound convinced but Luffy was.
"Everything he wanted to tell me, I already know." It was Sabo after all, of course he knew.
…And so would Ace. He might not know everything Luffy wanted to tell him, the same way Luffy didn't know everything Ace would have said if he were here. But the really important stuff-
That was beyond words.
XXX
You guys are all pretty split on if this story needs to lighten up a bit or stay dark. There is a torture scene coming either next chapter or the one after that but since things are already kind of sad I am still debating if I am actually going to write it or not. It might be more implied so I don't have to write/ you guys don't have to read something kind of unpleasant. Feel free to chime in on the matter.
Thanks for sticking with me guys! I know it doesn't seem like it now but everything's really close to coming together (another few chapters). Then everyone is going to stuff cake into Luffy's mouth and give him cuddles.
Hope you guys liked it!
XXX
yuzukikuran476 : I promise neither of them are giving up! Even if their out look turned a little more bleak. Don't cry for them yet they still have each other! Don't worry they are tough little fluffs, as is Ace. Thank you for reading and sticking with me!
Guest #1: Ugh he is ugly right. Dumb teach haha. Thank you for commenting.
Guest #2: Aw thanks. I'm really glad you liked the story. Too bad this chapter probably wasn't the one you were looking forwards too. That is so sweet of you to say though thank you. Teach will get what is coming soon enough!
DemonKittyAngel: Marco… who is that?
I really appreciate your review as always (thank you) I can't answer any of it yet but hopefully the next few chapters start to clear things up- and ASLwill start to get their lives back. I promise there will be a happy ending for everyone who deserves it.
Glad to hear it. Sorry to upset you (and probably upset you more with this one). In my defense it's not my fault, it's that dumb Sign of The Times song, it compels me to write sad stuff haha. Thank you for the compliment! : )
And that sounds awesome. Marco and Ace are so cute together. I love them both, and all of the characters even if I am mean to them. And Luffy isn't going to be alone. I'm not sure about the last one. I think he is out of range right now somewhere in the new world. He will probably come into play later though.
OtamaOP: Thank you for the support! Don't worry I don't plan on giving it up. Next up is more WB shenanigans!
Wandering-Mind 95 : Anyone but GARY!
Haha I'm sorry I know it was a typo but it made me laugh so hard. I am sorry to end on a cliffhanger and not explain it later. I promise Gary will be back in a few chapters to try and help, at least any way he can. I think it is a little bit like the Marine ford war when he wanted to help Ace but there was nothing he could do and he was caught between his responsibilities and his family.
And yes! Luffy did unlock his haki, sorry I wasn't super clear with it. But like in the anime the first few times he uses it are kind of ambiguous before he starts to use it on a large scale (which will happen). Poor Thatch indeed. He tries so hard.
Thank you! That is so nice to say. Hopefully this chapter wasn't too cliff hangery. Thank you for the review!
badwolffor3ver:
Thank you!
Sophia Mendes-Coruja: Aw that's so sweet, thank you. I'm glad you like it. Luffy is going to be a bit more fed up soon for better or worse. Both Thatch and Luffy do deserve better, but writing their friendship was a lot of fun! Thank you for the kind words that was so nice! (Poor everyone, no one but Teach is having fun right now). I wish you the best as well.
SoulMore: Thanks!
The-Duchess: Send the cavalry where? They don't know where Teach is. I think if the team saw all those huge ships approaching they would try to use Luffy and Thatch.
MelodiofHope: Thank you! They are thinking something up right now. There is just only so much they can do at the moment without giving themselves away.
Phoenix's death: Maybe just a little bit.
Jordansdevil :They are kind of dumb I guess. This is not going to go their way.
Mel72000: I don't know how much of a choice he will have unfortunately. But he will do his best.
Shadow the Ranger: Aw I'm sorry. I know it's sad. I promise it won't stay like this forever. Everyone will get the ending they deserve.
xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: Yea, it is a little bit. But things are going to get better for him in a little bit.
Kitsune Foxfire: Thank you! Sorry to make you sad. This one too a little bit. But Luffy is tough he will be alright.
yukino76: Not well! They are angry.
SakuraKoi: Thanks I think.