Shanks and Beckman laughed softly to one another as they made their way to Party's Bar, the crew not far behind them cheering for a few days of respite before they made their way back to the Grand Line. It had been a long two weeks, and the two men missed their kid, though neither would dare say a word to how worried they were that their little Anchor wasn't at the harbour waiting for them.
A shattering bang from up ahead had everyone pausing, their eyes snapping to Makino's as the door swung open and cracked off against the wall. Luffy stormed out with tears in his eyes but anger twisting his little face, something they hadn't seen since the two had claimed him.
"Luffy!" Makino's cry was heard next as the barmaid dashed out the door. "Luffy, come back, it'll be okay!"
Shanks and Benn shared a look before picking up their pace, practically running towards their son and Makino's and wondering just what in the hell was going on. They couldn't hear Luffy's reply, only to see that he was crying out something towards the barmaid who had dropped to her knees before him, trying to keep him in that one spot.
"Anchor!" Shanks called as he pushed himself faster, only staggering to a stop as Luffy turned his angry eyes on him.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Luffy screamed gaze whipping between everyone that was around him, little chest heaving as tears continued to spill down his cheeks. He ripped his hand free from Makino's grasp, snapping back to him thanks to his devil fruit. "Everyone always leaves, why is this any different? I'm never enough."
Shanks felt his heart break as he watched his kid run off, his feet instantly going to chase after him only to stop when Makino shook her head. Her eyes were wet, cheeks glinting in the afternoon sun from her own tears but oh, there was anger in those eyes, anger that every Pirate knew to avoid at the risk of being cut off and dealt with swiftly.
"What caused this?" Beckman asked, voice low, cigarette falling apart from his clenched teeth.
Makino looked around before gesturing them into the bar behind her, Shanks quickly followed suit while Beckman gestured for the crew to head back to the ship, to break out the booze in the cargo hold for now. There were minimal grumbles, but none protested too much, more for show than anything else because like he and Shanks, they too loved Anchor.
Both men raised their brows as Makino poured them all a drink, throwing hers back with a grimace. "Luffy's birthday is in a week and a half."
Shanks startled, body straightened at the news, gaze shifting towards his husband who was just as bewildered as him. "And no one was going to tell us?"
"Luffy didn't want to, he knew you were leaving on another adventure just before and Garp was supposed to be coming back for it, he promised," Makino stated but before Shanks could talk he saw the tightening of her mouth and decided to wait. "We just called him on the Den Den to see when exactly he was arriving so we could tell you, but it seems he's too busy in Paradise on marine business to attend Luffy's seventh birthday."
Shanks felt anger churning in him at the news, what kind of grandparent didn't come to their own grandson's birthday, especially when they're the only blood family he had left? Shanks shared a look with his husband, seeing the glint in his eyes that indicated they would be talking about this at length later but would do whatever Shanks decided on the matter.
"When is Anchor's birthday?" Beckman asked calmly.
Makino sighed. "It's Children's Day. Before you ask no, he doesn't get to celebrate that either as I can't leave because it's a busy holiday and no other family will take him… the village kids don't like Luffy, they think he's… well."
She didn't really need to explain, both men had heard whispers of what others thought of their son and it displeased them.
Plans began to form, and an idea struck, Shanks would have to make a call to see if it could work but that was easy enough to do. His crew might be a little unhappy but once they get told what and who it's for Shanks knew those arguments would stop, he'd even be willing to break his most sacred rule just this once.
"Is it alright if I make a den den call Makino?" Shanks asked the barmaid quickly, eyes flickering to the tucked away white den den briefly with surprise.
Makino stared at the red-haired captain with critical eyes, assessing him. It hadn't been a long time since he and his crew had first arrived at the island, she was wary of them at first like all the villagers were until they saw him and his crew fall head over heels in love with Luffy. There weren't many kids in the village his age and those that were tended to avoid him, oh, she knew what they called her little charge, and it infuriated her. She knew Luffy was lonely just like half of the elders did too, but they couldn't do anything, no one wanted to go against Garp.
Then Shanks came along and suddenly Luffy was laughing again, grinning brightly as a summer's day the likes he hadn't since he was 'old enough' to look after himself and Garp left him. She watched him and his first mate – husband – be completely besotted by him and she knew in time they would officially adopt him as theirs.
And oh, she was far from disappointed when they finally did. It was a horrible night, Luffy sobbing loudly till his entire frame shook after they told him he was loved and wanted because every single person who had told that boy he was loved, left.
No matter how happy it made her to know that Luffy was loved. Makino also knew that a day would come when Shanks and his crew left for good, and she still wasn't sure what state Luffy would be left in when they did.
"You may, you can use the storeroom for privacy if you need it." She informed, gesturing to the small room off to the side which Shanks accepted with a nod of his head.
Getting to his feet he cast a look at his husband, tapping quick on the table to tell him what he was about to do and who he was about to call. It would be enough to appease his husband for now, but first, there was just one thing he needed to know before he could begin putting his idea and plans into motion.
'This better be good you flashy idiot, I am in no mood to deal with your childish taunts today!' Blue's voice rang out over the den den, his brother's familiar scowl and make-up reflecting back at him.
It had been so long since he had seen his brother, years in fact before he jumped from sea to sea and island to island before returning to East Blue. He had tried to stay in contact, but Buggy was still angry, always angry at him for their fight in Loguetown.
" Blue," Shanks replied, stilling the rant like he knew it would.
'What's happened?' There was concern now, the high-pitched screech his brother spoke with dropping to the tone Shanks coveted when he was younger. 'Are you hurt? Did something happen to Beckman? Red, do I need to brave the seas of the New World to come get you?'
"Blue, no, nothing bad has happened… well not like you are thinking. I'm in East Blue." Shanks reassured quickly, chest lurching at his brother's last question. Buggy swore he'd never return to the Grand Line, couldn't because of the agony it would cause. Shanks understood, it ached the first time Shanks sailed the New World with his crew and his Captain and family weren't there to see it. "Do you still do that show on Children's Day?"
The silence on the other end was alarming, even more so when the frown on the Den Den shifted into something deeper, something more confused. ' East Blue? Red, what… yes you Flashy idiot, I still do the show for the kids in my territories… Red… Shanks you better not be planning to disrupt that, because I will…'
"I have a son, he's nearly seven." Shanks blurted out, stilling the rant once more. "I want you to meet him and well… Blue, he doesn't have anyone to celebrate his birthday with, his own grandfather, the last of his blood won't even come and visit him for it. Beck and I can't always be here and with you in East Blue…"
'When is it? I can try and find some time to come visit him, Mohji won't mind watching my idiots with Cabaji.' Blue stated seriously, eyes wide and Shanks couldn't help but smile.
"Actually, his birthday is Children's Day," Shanks informed. "He deserves to be celebrated himself and I wanted to take him somewhere special."
'And you want to bring him to my show?' Blue choked out tears forming in his eyes. ' Where in the East is he? There's not much time till Children's Day, Red. If you are bringing him to see my show then I need to make this the best show yet! Nothing less than perfect for my nephew!"
A wide smile pulled at Shanks' lips as he heard the excited calculating pitch in his brother's voice. It was one he had used when scheming, when they were planning on breaking into the fridge at midnight for a bite of chocolate, or when they were planning an elaborate prank on their parents.
It was a tone he hadn't heard in a very long time and Shanks couldn't help but laugh. "I'm on Dawn Island, he lives in a small village by the sea."
'Wait your kid is on Dawn? On Garp the Fist's home island!? Are you wanting to die flashily!? Red what is wrong with you!?" Buggy screeched going into another familiar rant that just made Shanks laugh and laugh.
"Oh, it gets better," Shanks giggled softly, feeling like he was young again. "But I don't think my son would allow his Gramps to take me without the biggest tantrum known to man. You know the rules just as well as I do Blue, you just do not piss off a Monkey D even if you are a Monkey D."
Shanks watched as the snail before him reflected his brother's shocked face, paling and eyes tearing up at the implications and he could see his brother clear as day in his memory, knew exactly what expression that would be on his face right now.
' … you didn't… of course you did.' Buggy whimpered and sighed. ' Very well, I'm only three maybe four days from there in Orange Town. You should have enough time to get here if you leave tomorrow at the latest. Can you do that?'
"For Anchor, yes," Shanks replied firmly. "Thank you Blue, I really can't wait for you to meet him."
' I can feel myself turning flashily grey if he's anything like you, let alone the fact that he's a Monkey D.' Blue replied before pausing, a heavy silence settling over them that caused Shanks to straighten. ' Have you told Rayleigh?'
"No, I haven't seen the old man in a few years, nor spoken with him." Shanks sighed, watching the tension drain out his brother's face through the den den. "I'll see you soon Blue."
Shanks sighed once Buggy hung up, his hand running through his hair briefly as he thought over everything that needed to be done. Though, there was one thing that he didn't think about in his hastiness and that was if Luffy would even be allowed to come. Makino may not let them take their son and if she did, then the mayor may not, the last thing he needed was to take Luffy and someone telling Garp and Marine business be damned. Shanks knew exactly what Garp was like, he had experienced that anger and ferocity firsthand.
Ah well, it'll be worth it to see the smile on his son's face and the sparkles in his eyes that he gets to go on an adventure… Shanks thought as he got to his feet and went back out to the main part of the bar and faced his husband head-on. Ah, yes, that was another thing he would have to deal with as he took in the glint in Beckman's eyes. The teasing.
"Makino, on a scale of one to ten how likely would it be that someone will report that Luffy is no longer on the island if we were to take him on an adventure somewhere?" Shanks asked the barmaid, ignoring the sharp inhale from his husband.
A slow sharp smile pulled at Makino's lips. "Very little once I get my hands on them. The only one who would tell would be the Mayor and you leave him to me. When are you expecting to leave and for how long?"
"Tomorrow at the latest," Shanks replied, holding his hand up at Benn as he went to remark. "My brother resides in Orange Town, so a week or two tops. I think that Luffy would like the circus that he runs."
"Buggy's Circus?" She asked laughing as both men raised their brows at her in surprise. "What you don't think we lowly villagers on this tiny island would know about it? Buggy's Circus is a big thing around this time of year, he's famous in the East Blue and all know he resides in Orange Town. Luffy would love the idea, but he would have loved just being able to sail with you regardless of where you were going . I'll go pack Luffy a bag, you both better go find him."
Benn turned to his husband the moment she walked out of the room, his brow raising. "Really? The boys aren't going to be happy but that's beside the point because we both know they'll agree with the reason why."
"But?" Shanks asked waiting for it.
"But I thought ' Children don't belong on Pirate ships'?" Benn quoted with a laugh, dodging out of the half-hearted slap his captain aimed at him. "I think he will like it, Luffy hasn't been very happy lately and I think this is why. Love, this explains why he thought we were going to leave when we told him he was loved."
A scowl pulled at Shanks' face at the reminder. "Don't remind me, but no more being on friendly terms with Garp, fuck the consequences. Now, we need to get the ship loaded back up before tomorrow, I know, I know it's going to take forever but Beck, it's Anchor's birthday and no one was going to celebrate that."
"I'll go tell the boys; you go find our son," Benn replied as he got to his feet, placing a kiss on his husband's brow. "Don't get eaten or lost, I do not want to have to do the entirety of the paperwork if you die."
"Offended, I am offended." Shanks laughed as Benn shoved him out the door. "I have never gotten lost in my life, nor eaten thank you."
"Captain, you cause chaos wherever you go when alone, now go before it gets too late," Benn replied firmly but with a smile.
Shanks shook his head and began to make his way up to where his son was, his observation out far but even then, that may not have been needed. Shanks had a feeling he knew where his son was going and made haste towards the cliff they had always ventured to when he was here. He could tell that Anchor was upset, hard not to with the way he raced out of the bar and the quiet sobs he could hear as he grew closer confirmed it.
"Oh Anchor," He whispered as he picked up his son in his arms and held him close, wiping away the tears. "I'm sorry my little Anchor, you should have told us and we would have stayed for your birthday."
"But your adventure was imper– important ." Luffy sniffled as he burrowed into Shanks' chest.
Shanks pulled Luffy back enough to stare at him sternly, "Not more important than you Anchor. The boys would love to celebrate with you, Beckman and I would give up all our treasure to celebrate your birthday."
"But what about gramps? He would have chased you away if he had come." Luffy replied meekly and it broke Shanks' heart at the sound because Luffy was anything but quiet or meek.
"Wouldn't have mattered and been worth the risk." He replied instantly without a hint of hesitation. He didn't like Luffy being so upset, it felt wrong but thankfully he knew exactly what would cheer him up. "Now, I have a surprise for you Anchor."
As expected Luffy snapped back, eyes wide and full of disbelief, that was another thing that Shanks and Benn were trying to fix, the surprise at getting something from someone without the expectation of needing to earn it or repay it back. He clenched his jaw briefly before forcing through a smile to not alarm his kid because it didn't take long for everyone to realise how easily Luffy could read them.
"A surprise? For me? What is it, what is it!?" Luffy asked with little stars in his eyes, the tears mainly forgotten.
A laugh pulled from Shanks' lips as he ruffled his son's hair. "How about I take you on an adventure of your own huh?"
"REALLY!?" Luffy screamed happily, and excitedly while he jumped to his feet and accidentally kicked Shanks in the stomach. "Where are we going? To Goa? Camping?"
Shanks shook his head, hand rubbing at the sore spot for a moment as he stood, ruffling Anchor's hair. His son had monstrous strength for someone his size and age, he really couldn't wait to see what he would be like when he was older, what strength he would have and the chaos he would bring being a Monkey D. "Somewhere better."
"Somewhere better than camping? Then Goa?" Luffy asked with a gasp, eyes bright.
"I think you'll like it, but there will be rules you understand, if you can't agree to follow them exactly then we will have to come up with something else," Shanks stated firmly as he knelt before his kid, hands coming up to rest on his shoulders. "Promise me if Beck, myself or one of the others tell you to do something then you'll do it without argument and if you can do that, then I'll tell you."
Luffy nodded vigorously, a serious look on his face. He would promise Shanks anything if it meant that he would be here for his birthday, if he could go on an adventure. Gramps had the same deal when he visited, though that was more for his own survival than out of whatever this was. "Yes, I promise."
"Swear on it," Shanks stated as he took off his hat and held it before him, a little ritual between the two when they always pranked Beckman or the crew and showed Luffy how serious this truly was.
"I swear," Luffy stated firmly as he placed his hand on the hat. "Can you tell me now, please Shanks, please, please, pleaaaase…"
Laughing softly Shanks got to his feet again and smiled wide. "Well, I figured you would like to meet my brother, we were cabin boys on the same crew and every year he and his crew put on a show for the children on his island and those close to it for Children's Day."
A loud gasp escaped Luffy as he realised what Shanks was telling him, tears pooling in his eyes as he launched himself at Shanks with ease, causing the man to hastily catch him with a stumble, pulling Anchor to his chest with bewilderment. "Hey what's this now, I thought you would be excited to go on an adventure with me, Anchor. Isn't that what you wanted? To sail with us even if it's for a short time?"
"Yes," Luffy mumbled as he squeezed Shanks into a hug, limbs slowly wrapping several times around Shanks and refusing to let go. "Can't take it back now, won't let you, this will be the best birthday ever!"
"I'm glad you will think so Anchor, I can't wait till you meet Buggy, it'll be hilarious. My brother is very wild and crazy." Shanks giggled as he began to make his way back down to the village from their little cliffside hideaway.
Nothing else was really said between the two, nothing really had to be said. Shanks just enjoyed the fact he could hold his kid close, savouring the moment and committing it to his memory the best he could. There will come a time when he would have to leave permanently and if and when he got to see his son again, Luffy would be far too big for him to carry like this.
He could see Beckman waiting for them at the beginning of the path, a smile pulling at his lips as his eyes finally caught sight of them. "I see you found him without getting lost or eaten, Captain. Good, I wasn't cut out to be Captain material."
Shanks laughed as he felt Luffy giggle into his chest, "Like you don't run the ship yourself anyway Beck, how many times have you committed mutiny towards me this year?"
"Mutiny, me? Never." Benn replied with a chuckle as he stepped close to the two and tickled Anchor's side, smiling softly at the squirming and loud giggles he got in return.
Gasping, Shanks pressed his hand to his heart. "Don't lie in front of our son, Beck! It was just the other week you turned the men and Anchor against me and sent me stumbling into the ocean!"
Luffy giggled louder as he turned to snuggle into Benn's awaiting arms, casting Shanks a mischievous grin. "But Papai needed a bath, so we gave you one, shishishi."
The offended look on Shanks' face had Benn roaring with laughter, his arms tightening as he pivoted on his foot and took off in a run because he knew what was going to come next and Benn wasn't going to waste the opportunity to give their son even more happy memories.
"Beckman get back here! Luffy! Wait till I get my hands on you both!" Shanks yelled as he raced after them, laughing following not far behind as they wove in and out of the village, dodging Shanks with ease.
"Nanana-na, cant catch us!" Luffy taunted over Benn's shoulder, thumb to his nose as he wiggled his fingers and stuck out his tongue only to yelp as Shanks pushed himself faster. "Run Da! He's gaining on us!"
Benn tossed a look back over his shoulder to see Shanks was indeed very close to them, both of them using soru to outmanoeuvre one another. There was no way in all the seas a chance that Benn would ever be able to outrun his husband, but it was all part of their little game with Anchor, especially when he called Beckman Da for the first time.
"Someone stop them!" Shanks shouted with a laugh as they grew close to the Red Force, the men instantly dropping the cargo to join in on the fun, mockingly swiping half-heartedly at them as they raced down the docks, smiles on their faces at the giggles of their Anchor.
They came to a sliding stop as Benn kicked up and landed on the deck, nearly colliding with the mast. Luffy instantly jumped down out of Beck's arms with a cheer, his arms up in celebration only to yelp as Shanks swooped in and tossed him up in the air.
"Everything is ready to depart when you are, Captain," Lucky exclaimed with a grin, tearing a bite out of the meat in his hand.
Shanks grinned as he cast a look at his crew, all of them laughing and smiling as they mingled around the deck. "We'll leave first thing in the morning, sleep on land tonight, and drain Makino's dry if you must as a thanks just be back before mid-morning."
Cheers left the crew as they scampered off the ship and back onto land, their voices loud as they made their way towards Makino's. Shanks quickly nabbed his son by the back of his shirt and pulled him back. "Where do you think you're going, Anchor?"
"To Makino's?" Luffy asked confused, turning his head around a little further than what he possibly should be able to, thanks to his devil fruit. It still caught Shanks and Benn off guard most of the time when Anchor stretched.
"And miss out on building a blanket fort in my cabin for our trip Anchor?" Shanks teased, watching as Anchor's face slackened and then lit up like a small sun before he bolted towards the door that led down to the sleeping areas.
Benn and Shanks followed with matching wide smiles, blanket forts were not something they had done often as they had minimal blankets but on the last island they stopped at both men had acquired two more each by accident, and now they had enough to build one right over their bed if needed. When they finally made it to their cabin, Luffy had already dragged off the bedding over to their desks where they usually built the fort, the mass of material nearly dwarfing him in the process.
"We have enough to build a blanket fort over the bed, there is no way we will be able to sleep on the floor till we reach Orange Town, which is three whole days away, have some mercy on Beckman's poor old bones," Shanks exclaimed, laughing as his husband shoved at him sending him into the pile on the floor.
Luffy paused, face going blank and the blanket dropping from his arms as he whipped his head around to face Shanks and Benn, both men watched as awe slowly lit up their son's face. "Three days? I'll get to be with you on the Red Force for three whole days?"
"Yes Anchor, it'll take three days to reach Orange Town," Shanks laughed but there was warmth pooling in his chest at how easy it was to cheer up their son, how just spending time with them was all he needed. Both men though were going to ignore the whys behind it till a later date. "But that's on the way there, we'll stay for your birthday and the day after before coming right back to Dawn, so nearly two weeks of travel if the weather turns."
"YOSH!" Luffy cheered happily.
Benn shook his head with a smile as he gathered all the blankets and took them over to the bed, his eyes catching all the little hooks they had already placed on their way back. They had planned to make a fort when they got back to Dawn and planned accordingly but now it will be a thing set up for longer than a night.
"Are you going to help me Anchor or laze about like Shanks?" Benn laughed over his shoulder and caught the offended look on his husband's face from his seat on the floor. "I'm not sure I remember which blanket to use, must be my old age."
Luffy scrambled over quickly, dragging the main blanket with him. "I'm coming Da! We gotta use the big one first!"
That night the three of them cuddled up under the blankets, Benn and Shanks curled tight around their son as he slept between them, the gentle waves rocking the ship. Both couldn't help but smile and commit their son's little face to memory as they too fell asleep, tomorrow was going to be hectic.
XX
They were two days into their trip and should be reaching Orange Town sometime tomorrow afternoon. It had been a whirlwind of chaos since the moment they left the shores of Foosha but Luffy kept to his word, when he, Beckman or one of the crew told him to do something he had. Especially the day after they left and had come across a low East Blue crew that didn't recognise their Jolly Roger and tried to attack.
Shanks didn't even allow them to get close enough before unleashing his Haki, shooting his men a look when they went to pout at missing out on a fight, his eyes flicking to the galley where their most precious treasure was helping Lucky Roux. It was an interesting and surprising day when Shanks and Benn went to check on their son and saw he was still up and running around, not even affected by Shanks' haki.
Watching Luffy run around on the decks of the Red Force though was both bittersweet and agony, reminding Shanks of the reason why he says no to having kids on the ship, reminding him of the good times when he and Blue were Luffy's age before something disastrous struck.
"Anchor, there you are," Shanks murmured as he made his way up to the figurehead to see his son sitting near the railings, his little rope tied around him and the railing after the near accident of him sliding off the deck after a rather big wave. "Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes, but that's okay! I saw some big fish and pretty patterns in the sea foam!" Luffy replied with a wide grin. "I'm not in trouble am I for coming here without you?"
"No Anchor, you are wearing the rope and are firmly in a spot where someone can see you," Shanks reassured, swooping down to pick up his son. "If you were on the figurehead without me on the other hand…"
Luffy shook his head. "I swore I would do as you tell me to, swore on your most precious treasure and you told me not to go up there without you, even if it's my favourite spot!"
"That you did and it's mine too!" Shanks laughed as he carefully made his way up the figurehead and lay down against the dragon's head, back resting on the little backrest he had commissioned long ago after falling off the damn thing one too many times. "You can see the ocean and the horizon as far as your eye can see without interruptions. Freeing isn't it."
"Uhuh!" Luffy murmured as he snuggled into Shanks' arms, a little yawn pulling at his lips.
This was Shanks' favourite time of day when he and Luffy would come and cuddle up on the figurehead to watch the sunset. It was the only time when Luffy would be still, would accept being held without wriggling away to go and causing chaos amongst his crew. Some days he'd point out the constellations to him, telling the stories his Captain told him, others he would tell him stories of his own adventures made kid-friendly. No matter what though, Luffy always fell asleep and Shanks would lay there till it grew too chilly before making his way back to their cabin where Benn would be waiting. Be it on the sea or back at Foosha safely secured to the docks.
"Shanks?" Luffy murmured tired as he nuzzled close.
"Yeah, Anchor?" He murmured into the dark hair waiting, only to snort as soft little snores reached his ears. "Sleep well, son. Dream good dreams."
XX
True to Building Snakes' prediction they managed to reach Orange Town by mid-afternoon much to the excitement of their little Anchor who had woken up to the entire crew crowding around the bed singing happy birthday loudly and offkey. Benn and Shanks were surprised themselves when several of the crew managed to procure a gift for their little Anchor, who had gasped and cheered in awe at it all.
"We had presents in general, but what better time to give them to him than his birthday?" Hongo had replied with a laugh once Luffy had run out of the room at the cheer for breakfast and saw the look on their faces.
"Wow!" Luffy cheered as he threw himself at the railing in excitement, eyes wide and full of stars. Shanks couldn't help but agree, it had been a very long time since he had been to an island of Buggys when there was a celebration and it seemed that his brother went all out.
He could see the Big Top where it normally was, a space near it for the Red Force but it was decked out in more ribbons and lights than he had ever seen it. The entire village was a mass of colour and lights, laughter and music drifted up in the wind like a chaotic harmony.
"Shanks! You were nearly late you flashy idiot!" His brother's voice screeched across the open sea, drawing his and everyone's attention. "Lucky you got here in time and that I let the village know you were coming, many nearly passed out when they saw your Jolly Roger!"
Laughter tore from Shanks' lips as he pulled his brother into a hug, or tried to if he didn't separate and form behind him, a scowl still on his face. Buggy was missing his feet, but that was usual when he flew across somewhere, dressed more flashily than he had ever seen and his blue hair was pulled up high into a bun with half-done make-up.
It was only when a gasp reached their ears that Shanks and Buggy both froze, their eyes snapping down to Anchor who was standing by Shanks' side slightly behind his leg and peering up at Buggy with wide eyes. Buggy on the other hand blanched and reassembled himself properly, shooting his brother a look that Shanks knew he was going to be scolded later.
Shanks winced at that, remembering that kids were usually terrified when they first see Buggy separate and Shanks had indeed forgotten to tell his son that Buggy had a devil fruit.
"You're just like me! That's so cool! I've never met someone like me before!" Luffy giggled as he scampered out from behind Shanks' leg and grinned up at Buggy, little finger hooking into his mouth and pulling before letting it go with a snap. "I ate the Gum Gum fruit!"
Buggy blinked with wide eyes, mouth dropping slightly as he stared at the kid, nephew? Here he was preparing for the tears, for his nephew to run screaming or even flinch away from him, not this, no, he never expected to be greeted with excitement after seeing him basically split into pieces.
But as Buggy looked, he could see a glint in the kids' eyes, could feel the underlying emotion hidden by that, the relief. That was something Buggy could understand and oh, fuck, he never expected to relate to a child so much before.
"Anchor, meet my brother Buggy, Buggy, this is my son Luffy." Shanks introduced with a proud grin, ruffling his son's hair and ignoring the sharp scowl across Buggy's face for the name. He had forgotten how his brother took to names when becoming a devil fruit user, how many people had used it as an insult and Shanks knew this was another thing that would be discussed later.
Shanks just knew he was going to be smacked for a lot of things once Luffy was fast asleep and his husband would stand by and let it happen, the traitor.
"Nice to meet you Luffy," Buggy smiled, sitting cross-legged in front of the kid considering it was the only way he could reach the kid's level without splitting while his feet were still on Big Top. "I ate the Chop Chop fruit, though to be truthful, that flashy idiot you call a father was the reason I did so."
Luffy giggled and completely missed the widening of Shanks' eyes, but Buggy didn't. "Shishishi, I ate the gum gum fruit 'cause I was mad at Shanks."
"Oh really?" Buggy drawled, shooting his brother a look who had looked away mock whistling in innocence. "Well, then we have something in common then! Now, Red said today is your birthday and I have a surprise for you!"
"A surprise for me!? Really!?" Luffy gasped excitedly, launching himself at Buggy with a cheer, wrapping his limbs around him several times. "Show me, show me, please Tio!"
There was a feeling that washed over Buggy as the kid latched on, at the way his face lit up in excitement and the sheer weight that was in the word Tio. Buggy wasn't sure that he would be able to live up to that honour, to be the family Shanks wanted him to be towards his son, to this child of sunshine and unexpectedness. Yet, Buggy also knew that he would try his hardest to make the kid proud, to be someone to look up to and confide in, and to be classed as family once again.
Buggy grinned wide, a smile he hadn't shown since he was younger, not since the Edd war, probably not since before he swallowed his fruit and watched his dreams being ripped away from him by an ill-timed call of his name. With a laugh he shot back towards the Big Top, leaving Red and his crew in the dust, arms curled tight around his nephew over the sea till they were safe back on his ship.
They both continued to laugh as he dashed forward, feet connecting and sliding across the rails as he made his way down to the main tent of the show, ignoring the bewildered look of the crew at seeing him so free and with a child in his arms. He could hear his brothers yell and the wave of worry that touched him, but Buggy was not going to stop now, nor apologise, not when the kid in his arms was laughing brightly.
He skidded around the corner, ducked, and wove under highwires and the chaos of his crew preparing for the show tonight, splitting when he got to the fire rings and dove through them much to his nephews' joy and surprise of his crew till he got to his tent.
Luffy gasped in awe as he came face to face with a gigantic lion plushy. He snapped his head to his Tio and then to the plushy and back. "Is this… is this for me?"
Buggy heart ached at the sheer amount of disbelief in the kid's eyes and added that to the list of things he was going to be talking to his brother about, but there was one thing that was now cemented firmly in surety was the fact he was going to be in this kids life, fear of dying flashily by Garp the Fist be damned. " Yeah kid, this is for you. I had my crew help me make it for you. Special material so it won't ever get wet too and it has little pouches for you to sleep in."
"Really!? Thank you, Tio!" Luffy gasped as he rushed forward and pulled Buggy into a bone-breaking hug before diving into the soft fur of the lion, a replica of Richie. Buggy watched with a fond smile as the kid dove into one of the hidden pockets with an excited yell, worming his way in till he popped out on the other side. A plushy with a hidden maze of fun, the gift that would provide safety and endless amusement as well as making his brother find a way to take the giant New World-sized lion plush back.
"I see how it is now, bribing the kid so you're the favourite, Blue." Shanks piped up from the door, a smile on his face.
"Papai! Look what Tio got me!" Luffy cheered as he launched himself towards Shanks and Benn who were smiling, well one was, and the other was trying to calculate how they were going to get this monster back to Dawn. "This is the best birthday ever! Come, come look! It has pockets I can hide in!"
Shanks laughed as he held firm, watching as Luffy stretched all the way back to the plushy before he realised that Shanks was still and let himself be flung back towards Shanks' embrace with a pout. "Now, don't pout Anchor, we got to go get some dinner and let Buggy get ready for the show, your birthday gifts aren't done yet!"
"Plus! This is going to be my most Flashiest show yet! Nothing but the best for my nephew and his birthday!" Buggy exclaimed with a wide grin. "Go see the festivities, enjoy the food, there should be enough to satisfy even your D stomach. Your gift will be here after the show if Beckman can't figure out how to get the Lion on the Red Force."
Benn shot his brother-in-law a look. "Not me, this will be Limejuice and Yasopp's problem, I'm going to be spending my well-earned day off celebrating our son's seventh birthday. Come on Anchor, I saw some really delicious-looking pastries on my way in, let's go see if we can find them again."
Shanks and Buggy watched them go with warm, fond smiles.
"That kid of yours is somethin' else Red, not what I was expecting at all." Buggy stated as he began to gather everything he needed to get ready. "But there is something that's bothering me."
"He's lived alone since the time he could look after himself, four I believe Makino told me. She lends a hand, the village too but they call him weird and none of the other kids want to play with him. He's lonely and I can't always be in the East," Shanks replied, never taking his eyes away from the spot where his husband and son vanished. "I didn't expect this from you and that's a shame on my part, thank you Blue, for giving my son something he will treasure, for the memories you're helping us make for him tonight."
Buggy shot his brother a look in the mirror, "We may have had our differences and I may have to keep up my act that I hate you, but you are my brother and that kid's your son . I will spoil him rotten, tell him all the embarrassing stories and be the best damn Uncle that kid deserves. Now get out, let me get ready you flashy fool and go spend time with your treasures."
Shanks rushed and pulled his brother into a hug from behind, laughing harder as he squawked and slapped him, muttering with curses that would get them smacked up the back of their head by Rayleigh and mouths washed out with soap by their mama even though they learned half of them from her and dashed back out the room in search of his husband and son .
It wasn't till later, when Shanks was carrying his little Anchor back to the Red Force, straw hat resting wobbly on his little head that was tucked into the crook of his neck that Luffy murmured.
"Shanks?" Luffy sleepily murmured, causing Shanks to blink back the deja vu from the other night.
"Yeah, Anchor?" He whispered, waiting to see if Luffy would finish or fall back asleep.
Luffy nuzzled closer, arms tightening, the little tiny Monkey plushy they had won for him in one of the games smacking Shanks in the back with every step. "This is the best birthday ever, thank you, Papai, for celebrating it with me, for loving me. Love you and Da."
Shanks' arms spasmed around Luffy's frame, holding him tighter, heart aching and soaring at the same time. "We love you too, Anchor, so much, thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you. Rest now, tomorrow's another day, dream sweet dreams, my little Anchor. Happy Birthday."
Happy Birthday Luffy!