Beckman watched with an aching heart as Luffy ran from him angrily. 'Then you both suck!' the words ringing heavily in his ears, the pain hidden beneath the anger. He and Shanks both knew how attached Uta and Luffy were, they knew that Luffy wouldn't accept their reason and lies… but they had to lie anyway, because it was safer for them both.

Even though it hurt them all, it was a necessary pain because Uta's fruit was dangerous, and if she in her thrall of Tot Musica somehow hurt Luffy, she would never forgive herself.

And everyone knew Luffy would look for Uta, no matter the consequences and in doing so would risk them both.

Something neither of them could accept.

Neither one could risk their kids like that.

So, after Luffy's screaming for Uta ended, after he renounced Shanks and fled with tears in his eyes, not noticing the utter devastation he left in his wake… Benn went to find the kid, his kid because fuck if he didn't adopt Luffy straight after Shanks on their second day here.

He tried to explain it, tried to get Luffy to see reason and why talking about it would be hurtful, why he was kept in the dark in a way he would understand. But he forgot one thing, Luffy was a Monkey D and that family was a stubborn bunch, headstrong and Benn really should have just told him the truth.

"Fuck," He muttered as he got to his feet, eyes trained still in the direction Luffy ran off in, no longer able to see the child as he raced towards the mountain forest.

Beckman decided he'd give Luffy till the afternoon to calm down and then go find him, and try explaining again. A sigh escaped his lips as he lit another cigarette and made his way back towards the Red Force, shoulders slumped a little.

"I take it the talk didn't go well?" Yasopp asked the moment he came into view, eyes flicking behind him for what usually was their little shadow and seeing nothing.

"He's angry, can tell we're lying to him," Benn replied tiredly, leaning against the crates Yasopp was set up against while he cleaned his guns. "He ran off up the path, I'll give him the day to calm down."

Yasopp nodded and sighed, leaning back to look up at Benn, his usual smile was gone, he too like the rest of them felt the loss of Uta and Luffy's angry reaction. "That's a good idea, he'll come to realise what's happened and he'll be our Anchor again."

There was something else that Yasopp wished to say, Benn could tell. "Spit it out."

"I don't think the others have noticed but… Luffy's lonely." Yasopp started slow, tongue fumbling over the words as he tried to explain it. "I've seen it since we've been here, the other kids avoid him, and Makino has stated that Uta was his first friend."

Understanding lit up in Beckman's eyes followed by grief because Benn didn't even notice. It was something that he and Shanks didn't consider because Luffy was charismatic even under all that rage… they had assumed he would have other people, friends, his own age besides Uta. Fuck, okay, that just changes the conversation he needs to have entirely.

"Fuck, right." He replied once he shook the thoughts free. "Where's the Captain?"

"In his cabin, he's looking over everything we have and need," Yasopp replied with a raised brow before going back to cleaning his guns, eyes flickering towards the village every now and then.

"I better go and help him then, knowing him he'll make Lucky buy more booze than fruit if I let him." Benn chuckled as he made his way up the gangplank, pausing slightly and casting his gaze back at the sharpshooter. "If you see Luffy."

"I'll give you a shout or send him to you," Yasopp replied seriously, dark eyes pinning Benn briefly with the intensity of his Haki.

Nodding Benn continued onwards. "Good man."

The entire ship was quiet, devoid of cheer and he couldn't help but frown heavily at it. The Red Force was never quiet, not like this, there were always people talking and laughing, snippets of song filtering the air. Luffy's familiar sunshine laughter a new addition but notable absent, leaving the ship to feel bereft like they all were.

He paused briefly before their shared cabin and pushed the door open to see Shanks with his head in his hands at their desk. Hat haphazardly tossed on the table, red locks sticking everywhere, a bottle of Sake by his elbow half drunk already.

"We overlooked something." He stated, breaking the silence, and causing Shanks to look up. His red eyes dark and watery. "Uta was Luffy's first friend, it's his first loss too."

Shanks closed his eyes and slumped further. "I hoped that wasn't the case, but it explains so much."

Explained why he was so adamant about joining their crew, and why he was the way he was when it came to people. Always trigger happy and completely missing social cues like when Shanks or the others were joking with him… because what kid wanted to be a pirate that desperately? What kid would latch on to a stranger who treated them with kindness? Or a kid who stayed still when another tried to scare him away because they were her family, and she didn't like sharing?

"Where is he?" Shanks asked tiredly, mind churning.

"He ran off up towards the forest, his usual place," Beckman replied and grabbed a few of the papers from Shanks to read them over. Surprisingly everything was in order and it told Beckman more than words ever could about Shanks's current mental state.

Usually, Benn did the paperwork as Shanks had very little patience for it and always made errors that drove Benn mad, oh he knew it was on purpose because in Shanks's words 'All work and no play makes Shanks a sad Captain.' The only time Shanks ever does it was when he is too far into his head, where the aches of the past have crept up on him and well, after the last month it doesn't surprise him that his husband's mind would be chaos.

"He'll come around," Benn stated softly, knowing exactly where Shanks's mind drifted to when he saw his gaze flick towards the location Luffy was in. Eyes dilating with Observation Haki.

Shanks sighed and snapped his gaze back to Benn. "I know, but fuck Beck… he meant it in that moment and how did I become so attached to this kid so fast? With Uta she… she knew what we were like and loved us anyway."

"We all did," Benn replied. "That kid is sunshine incarnate even if he's angry, makes you smile and love him. I question the sanity of whoever left him."

Humming Shanks grabbed the bottle of sake and downed it all in one go, letting the bottle drop to the floor with a clatter, hands covering his face. "Did we do the right thing with Uta?"

Benn's heart ached at the question, sighing sadly. "Probably but it was what was best for her. Gordon was a master of his work, and he will be able to help Uta, will be able to train her fruit and resist Tot Musica. We made sure the world knew that we were to blame for Elegia and none will return there so she will be safe."

He didn't know if the words he said were working; if they were truly believable or not. He didn't know who he was saying it for more, himself or Shanks. Perhaps it was denial if he repeated it enough then they all would believe it.

But god damn was there a Uta shaped hole in his heart that was mimicked in the entire crew.

Just like there will be a Luffy shaped hole in their life when they finally have to leave.

"Makino's should be open by now." Shanks sighed and got to his feet, hat taking its place easily upon his head. "We can wait for Luffy there, say goodnight and…"

A pained grimace flickered across Shanks's face, pained, and grieved which Benn only saw when it came to their daughter, and something had gone wrong. Benn hummed and stood, pulling Shanks in close, tipping the hat back enough for him to press his lips to his crown.

"I need to finish my own paperwork before I join you and check over the ship." He murmured. "Bonk Punch needs me to look over the supplies for the repairs that are needed to be done before we set out again, we took a few hits in Elegia. I'll join you later, love."

Benn watched as Shanks left with tired eyes and a slump, but Benn knew that by the time he reached Makino's bar that would be gone and in its place is the partier he lets the world see, the Shanks that this island knows.

With another exhausted sigh, Benn lit a cigarette and got to work, keeping his eyes trained on the path that led to the docs for the familiar mop of black hair and to the sky when it began to change from sky blue to the warm hues of sunset.

Something unsettling begins to gnaw at the back of Benn's mind, taking his attention away from his work on deck to the island once more, gaze never wavering from the rolling hills of the calm port town and to the forest beyond.

The feeling grew with each passing moment, and when the sun dipped further into the sea. Something told him that there was something wrong with Luffy, that niggle turning into a snarling beast as he stepped foot off the ship and down the path that Luffy left by hours ago.

Idiot! He cursed himself as he realised that he had let his observation slip while doing his duties, but now as he cast it out he could see two strangers fleeing from the familiar spark of Luffy… Luffy who felt beaten and broken in spirit.

He pushed his feet faster, taking off it a sprint the moment Luffy's choked sobs reached his ears. His eyes scanned every nook and cranny he passed for any sign of him even though his Haki told him he was further ahead.

He should have looked for Luffy hours ago, he should have done a lot of things… he really shouldn't have allowed the kid to wander off so angry, he could have hurt himself and no one would have known until it was…

The thought died in his head as he rounded the bend and came face to face with a nightmare.

Luffy was curled tight into a ball crying, face beaten and blue, flecks of blood coating the ground, the rockface and everything on his person. His little hands were pulling his hair sharply as he sobbed.

Beck rushed forward, knees sliding across the harsh ground as he dropped to the ground, sliding with the force. "Luffy!"

"B–Beckman." Luffy cried harder, curling away from Beck's reach and oh did that burn.

"Luffy, what happened?!" He asked desperately, his voice as soft as he could make it. He didn't want Luffy to think he was mad. "Who did this?"

Luffy sniffled and rubbed at his eye, wincing at the pain. "It doesn't matter."

"Of course, it matters Anchor," Benn whispered shocked at the words. "It will always matter because you matter."

Dark eyes stared into grey, one swollen shut but still, it felt like Luffy was staring deep into his soul. It was rare that Luffy looked at anyone with that intense gaze, it unnerved Beckman the first time it happened, and it still does to this day, always made him curious about what Luffy saw… but now was not the time for that.

"The bandits from last time Uta and I played… they found me," Luffy explained, looking down, fingers picking at the tattered edge of his shirt. "They didn't like that we beat them when they tried to hurt us… but… but I wasn't strong enough…"

Fury surged through Beckman at that, his eyes snapping towards the direction those two strange sparks in his Haki had fled. He memorised their Haki Signature for later, for when he could inform the others and especially inform Shanks.

Because there was no way in hell and all the seas that they would let this injustice go.

They hurt their Anchor, they hurt his kid so close after losing Uta?

Everyone was itching for a fight.

"Oh Luffy," Benn uttered softly, hand coming up to brush his fingers through the matted strands. "You're young still, they shouldn't have even touched you. Come on Anchor, let's get you back to Foosha. Hongo will fix you right up."

This time when Benn went to pick him up Anchor didn't flinch away. He pulled him close, taking note of every wound the kid had. Fear churned as he took note of the purpling that peaked out from the kid's stretched collar, he hoped it wasn't a broken bone, because if it was this island would be raised to find those bastards.

Benn would lead the charge personally himself, and let Shanks deal with the clean-up for a change.

Remind people why Beckman was the First Mate of the Agakami Pirates to begin with.

"Home is closer," Luffy murmured into his chest, little body trembling.

Beckman's frown deepened, eyes taking note of the sparse countryside to the edge of the forest with confusion. He didn't think there were houses out this far, this close to what he was told was barely liveable. The terrain was too rocky for crops, the wind perfect for the mills though, the forest too dense in this section and inhabited by a tribe of fighting Monkeys.

"What do you mean Anchor? I thought you lived with Makino?" Beckman asked.

Luffy shook his head. "No, Gramps says it would distract me from training, only been staying at the bar when Shanks is here cause closer."

Oh… something churns in Beckman's stomach at the admission, a worry and a fear. It also adds fuel to the fire of his rage, what kind of guardian refuses to allow a child to stay with another caregiver? What kind of person leaves a kid all alone?

He ignores the voice in the back of his head about how hypocritical that sounded as they routinely left Luffy alone on Dawn for safety purposes… but… His frown turned sad as he gazed at the small child who was sniffling quietly in his arms.

It ached fiercely when they had to leave, tears always escaping as they sailed away on their next adventure and watched Luffy wave them off at the docks.

But if they had any say, Luffy would join them, if it was safe and though Uta had sailed with them from the time she was a babe, she understood the risks and listened to when they said to hide or stay… all knew Luffy wouldn't, not if he thought it was an adventure and they couldn't risk that.

Shanks couldn't risk Luffy being traumatised like he was growing up, Benn couldn't risk Luffy's spark dying. None could risk their little Anchor seeing their monstrous ways if they had to defend and protect and watch that awe turn into fear.

Shaking his head of his thoughts he turned his gaze down to Luffy. "Where am I going, Anchor?"

"That way, little path." Luffy pointed out a small game path that led to the edge of the forest that butted up against a cliff face. He knew this path well because it was the cliff that Shanks and Luffy had enjoyed going to, it overlooked the whole of Foosha and the ocean. "Right."

Benn blinked and corrected his automatic turn of left that led to the top of the cliff and turned right, squinting slightly at the dark. He could feel eyes on him, many of them and with his Observation, he could tell they were monkeys. He pulled Luffy closer to him, securing him in his non-dominant arm while his now free hand went to his gun.

He would not allow Luffy to be harmed again, especially by monkeys.

"Here," Luffy mumbled as he squirmed out of Benn's arms and towards a shabby little hut, it was lived in and old, semi-maintained and no place for a kid.

He followed Luffy into the small house, taking note of everything with a critical eye. It was a big enough two-room hut, a small bedroom and a kitchen that was also the eating area. It was surprisingly clean except for a few items of clothing scattered about, toys that Benn recognised as things they had given Luffy and nothing else.

There was scarcely any food and what food there was, it was barely edible.

"Let me do this Anchor." Benn quickly picked the boy up and sat him on the table, taking the haphazard medikit from him.

A frown pulled at Luffy's face, making the cut on his brow weep. "No, I gotsta. No one else will."

"Anchor, let me please," Benn pleaded as he dropped into the chair. "I'm right here."

Tears pooled in Luffy's eyes as he looked away, fingers fiddling with the hem of his pants. "You won't always be! You always leave! Shanks always leaves! I have no one to help me, to fix my ouches! So, I gotsta!"

"No one?" Benn whispered, voice cracking slightly.

"Makino can't always help, sometimes when Gramps throws me into the jungle or down the ravine or in the monkey pit or ties me to balloons no one can help." Luffy sobs more and throws himself into Benn's arms. "No one else cares, no one cares I'm alone or hurting and... and… it's always hurting!... no one wants me! I'm alone!"

Oh. Fuck this. Benn snarled in his head as he listened to the heartbreak in his kids voice, at the agony that none of them knew about. But first.

"We want you Anchor, all of us," Benn confessed as he pulled Luffy close, hand coming up to comb through his hair. "You're our kid, our Anchor. We all want you; Shanks and I adopted you. You won't be alone again."

"Promise?" Luffy sniffled brokenly.

Benn closed his eyes and sighed. Plans forming in his head, Luffy couldn't permanently stay with them for long periods, it was too dangerous, and the New World was not safe for them let alone a six-year-old. Perhaps he can stay with Rayleigh and Ace in Sabaody, something he'll have to talk with Shanks about. "Promise kid, let's get you cleaned up and back home, okay?"

He carefully pulled Luffy away from him and got him bandaged, noting every bruise and laceration that he could tell Hongo and so he could deal back threefold on the bastards who did it. Once he was freshly bandaged and changed, a smile pulling at his lips as he pulled the anchor shirt over Luffy's head, he gathered what little belongings he had.

It was scarcely anything. It all fit into a small satchel that was secured around his waist.

"Come on, let's go." He urged, turning, and crouching for Luffy to hop on, a smile pulling at his lips as the familiar shishishi of Anchor's laugh reached his ears.

The sun was low in the sky, and night was fast approaching as he made his way back to Foosha. There was a list in his mind and plans forming for what was to happen next, but no matter what, Luffy was leaving with them. They'll deal with the consequences and woe be on whoever tried to take him back, they lost one kid already, and they definitely won't lose this one without a fight.

Both Shanks and Beckman were selfish men, greedy like all pirates were when it came to their treasure and by the seven seas, was Luffy a treasure.

"Beckman?" Luffy murmured, voice thick with sleep. He had fallen asleep the moment Beck left that ramshackle place.

"Finally awake I see." Beck chuckled turning his head slightly to knock it gently against Luffy's.

Luffy squirmed a little before settling, "What's adopted?"

"Means that Shanks and I claim you as our kid," Benn replied instantly. "Could take my name officially if you wanted to and be Benn Luffy like me and Captain."

"Oh… so I don't have an annicial name anymore? I will have a different name?" Luffy asked, butchering the word Initial but still Benn understood.

He slowed to a stop and thought for a moment, not once did anyone think to ask if Luffy had a family name or not, if he was asking about an initial… something began to prickle at the back of Beckman's mind, and he prayed to Davy Jones that it wasn't true but if it was? If his thought was true, it would explain so much.

"You can be called anything you want; take any name you want but what name do you currently have Anchor?" Benn asked slowly. "

"Monkey D. Luffy!" The name was said with a wide grin that Benn could see out of the corner of his eye, a slight giggle. "So, if you and Shanks adopted me… I can be called Benn D. Luffy, right?"

Benn felt his cigarette fall to the ground as the name hit him fully, and oh by the seas was the Captain going to lose his ever-loving mind at the news. Not only was their Anchor hurt but living alone and uncared for, the things Garp the Fist did to his grandson in the name of training!? There will be no truce with Garp now, it would be war on sight and frankly, Beckman hoped for a chance to see the Vice Admiral.

"Of course, Anchor," Benn replied after a beat, swinging the kid around carefully to look at him. "I'd be honoured if you took my name."

The grin that grew on Luffy's face could rival the sun with how bright it was, not even diminishing with the cuts and bruises that were stark against his tanned flesh as he nodded. It lasted a moment more before Luffy frowned, face turning red as he stared at Beckman seriously, brain ticking over in thought.

"Does… Does that mean you and Shanks are my... uh… pair-ents?" The voice was small and unsure and by the seas did Beckman hate it.

He hated how insecure Luffy was, how unsure he was around him now. There should have been no doubt in the kid's mind that he was loved and wanted, he should have known all along. It burned fiercely at Benn how they didn't notice this, that because of this incident, their giggle son was replaced by despair and loneliness.

"Parents? Yes." He stated firmly, resolutely. "You've been our son since the second day we stepped foot on this island. We should have told you long ago how much we love you."

The tears in Luffy's eyes were of a different kind, one of happiness and disbelief than sadness. Luffy snuggled deeper into Beckman's embrace, a grin on his lips still as he fell back asleep, he was loved… a new thing…

Cause he knew what parents were from watching the children in town, they looked after their kids loved them, and played with them. Maybe he won't be alone anymore, not with Beckman calling him son and saying Shanks loved him too.

Beckman cradled Luffy in his arms the moment the little snores reached his ears, he took note of the soft smile on his face and laughed low. This day started off so badly, this day could have also gone so very wrong but here he was. His son, his son – it was official now, Luffy took his name – was in his arms fast asleep where he belonged.

"I promise you'll never doubt my love Anchor, nor will you ever doubt Shanks." He whispered as he quickened his pace. He could sense Shanks waiting for him back at the Red Force anxiously. "Just wait and see."

X

The Red Force was quiet when Benn made his way up the gangplank, the deck void of life and only the moon's glow giving him enough light to navigate, not that he needed it really.

He really should go and get Hongo, but the man would be well within his cups at this point and despite the beating Luffy got, nothing was broken thankfully.

"Beck!" Shanks loudly greeted the moment he stepped into their cabin causing Benn to shush him as Luffy stirred in his arms.

He watched as Shanks's panicked-filled eyes dipped down to Luffy and in an instant, there was rage, the face of Akagami no Shanks, the fourth Emperor and captain of the Red-Haired Pirates.

"What happened?" Haki was thick in his voice as he stepped closer. "Who dared?"

"Bandits, the ones he and Uta fought off last time," Benn replied darkly. "I have their Haki signature memorised; we can find them later. But first."

He waited until his husband's attention was on him, he needed his undivided attention first. It took a beat or two for that to happen, could see the struggle it was for Shanks to not reach out and rip Luffy from his arms or tear his eyes away but in the end, he was able to look up.

"He's ours now," Benn stated firmly, watching as Shanks's brows rose. "He lived in a shack by himself Shanks. Like hell am I leaving him there with no food or comforts, he thinks himself unwanted and I'm not ever letting that happen."

A broken keen escaped Shanks's lips at that, the anger dropping into one of desperation, begging Benn with his eyes that what he said wasn't true. Luffy deserved the world not to believe he was unwanted. He followed his husband to their bed and turned it down, letting Benn settle into the far side, making sure Luffy was in between them like they had done with Uta when she was a baby. Before she thought herself too old to sleep between her dads.

"We won't allow that," Shanks whispered fiercely, snuggling close to his kid.

Benn smiled softly and fondly. "He took my name, just like you. Benn D Luffy."

"What!?" Shanks spluttered, hand coming up to smother his snickers as Luffy stirred once more.

"Oh yeah, it's funny but he was worried about losing his initial, didn't show it but I could see. It's going to be chaos with a D on board." Benn chuckled briefly before letting the anger drip into the next sentence. "Also, it's war on sight with Garp."

Shanks blinked and snapped his head up to stare at his husband, it wasn't often that Beckman used that tone. "Oh?"

"Turns out our little Anchor is Monkey D Luffy and Luffy told me everything Garp did to him. Throwing him into the jungle, down ravines, making him fight the monkeys!?" Benn managed to get out through gritted teeth, body curling slightly over Luffy as Shanks's Haki dropped heavily in the air, rage wafting off him briefly. "He's ours now, he's coming with us."

"We'll let the crew know tomorrow." The resolution in Shanks's voice was firm, unrelenting. "I can tell you have plans made, we'll talk about them tomorrow, for now, we should sleep. Anchor will surely wake us bright and early like he usually does."

Chuckles escaped both men as they curled around their kid, their Luffy, fingers intertwined and resting protectively over his little chest.

Tomorrow was another day, a new day and both couldn't wait to see the joy on Anchor's face when they told him.

Author Note: This was not how I planned this fic from going, but here you go. Parent Beck focused.