Chapter One: The Birth of Sun and Song

Chapter Summary: Shanks is an angry omega, more of a boy than a man, who longs for freedom while trying to ignore the anger and unprocessed emotions regarding the loss of his former crew/pack. Running from said emotions bites him in the ass in the least expected way.

AN: Full disclosure, I have not watched the entire anime or read all the manga. I have more attachment to the live action than anything else, so most characterizations are based on that as well as my surface knowledge. Some characters may seem OOC as a result and others are intentionally mostly retconned due to the nature of this AU, such as Uta. Also, the timeline is wonky.

When Shanks looked back on all the chapters of his life, he found that Roger seemed to unerringly have a hand in it, even after his death.

In the beginning, that was a blessing. Being an infant found abandoned in a treasure chest, he couldn't have hoped for a better outcome than for Roger to have found him. If it had been any other alpha, he didn't think he would've faired quite so well. He had been thankful and looked up to Roger as a father. He had had a pack in his captain, Rayleigh, Buggy and the rest of the crew on the Oro Jackson. Later on, he had had Rouge as well when she and the captain became mates and she left her crew to join theirs. Sure, there had been times when he had seen and experienced things no child should have and he wondered if Roger had done the right thing raising him on a pirate ship, knowing the risks, but he wouldn't trade his pack for anything.

He had foolishly thought that family would last forever but it shattered the moment those swords went into Roger's back in Loguetown. No, it was destroyed even before that when Roger disbanded the crew and resolved to give himself up to the Marines for execution. He would've died anyway, whether it was at the end of a Marine's blade or at the cold hands of an incurable disease. Still, Shanks had been angry with his choice. Heartbroken, but angry most of all.

During those last few months, he had been ignoring reality, refusing to think that the man he knew to be a bright inferno of ambition, joy and an insatiable thirst for adventure could die like any other man. But Crocus had been sure and the captain was steadily declining. He did not want to waste away, he wanted to die in as grand a fashion as he had lived. He felt like he had accomplished everything he had set out to and was ready to go. Whatever he had found in Laugh Tale convinced him that it was his time.

Shanks and Buggy hadn't gone with him. Buggy had gotten sick and Shanks stayed with him and Rouge in some nondescript town, waiting for the crew to come back. Only Roger had returned, blithely announcing that the crew had disbanded and then began spouting nonsense about the next generation and prophecies and gods. Half of it sounded like madness and they weren't totally convinced it wasn't a result of his illness twisting his mind, but whether he was sane or not, they did not want to let him go so easily. He was their family, he was the only father Shanks knew, the only alpha he had any intention of belonging to, he didn't understand why that hadn't clicked for the captain, why Roger was so set on dying and leaving them behind like nothing they had been through meant anything anymore.

It was Rouge that managed to convince him to hold off on his decision to surrender, to give them all a chance to say goodbye. She whisked Roger, Buggy and Shanks to her home island of Baterilla where they could live out Roger's final days in peace. They lived like a civilian family, as much as they could with Roger's fame. No one questioned them. To the public eye, they were simply a mother, a father and their two sons. An eccentric bunch perhaps, but just a family nonetheless. No more noteworthy than any other. Their time in Baterilla was normal, mundane, boring even. Shanks wanted it to last forever, but then Roger's condition worsened, and Rouge got pregnant, and the World Government wanted Roger and anyone connected to him eliminated. They had stayed in one place for too long, the Marines came for them, and Roger surrendered like he had originally wanted. It was an action that gave Buggy, Shanks and Rouge time to escape but it still left Shanks feeling angry and hurt.

He was 15 years old, had spent all his life as a pirate, looking to Roger for guidance, letting the passionate man lead him on the wildest and, often times, most dangerous adventures. It was those adventures that shaped the man he had grown into and then Roger just walked away. Rouge had tried to assure him that it was much more complicated than that. There was everything that had happened at Laugh Tale, and beyond that, Shanks wouldn't have much luck trying to understand the actions of a dying man. Rouge was his mate, had been for years, and she could barely understand it herself. That didn't make him feel any less raw about it. That feeling only worsened as he was left on his own.

The Roger Pirates had to scatter during the Marines' blood hunt for them. Shanks couldn't see the men who were like uncles to him. He and Buggy fell out quickly after the execution and went their separate ways. He even had to leave Rouge, the only mother he knew, as his presence would attract unwanted attention, especially since she was the hunt's number one target as Roger's omega mate who had rumors of her pregnancy floating around Baterilla and beyond. Rouge had given him her treasured New World log pose, the one she cherished with the band made from the wood of Baterilla's palm trees and a hibiscus imprinted into it so she could have a piece of her home island with her wherever she went. It was useless outside the Grand Line as a compass, but it had as much value to him as Roger's hat did. It was all he had of his parents now that he could no longer be with them. He was alone, abandoned. He went right back to being that unwanted child left inside a treasure chest, an insignificant speck in an indifferent world that only abandoned that apathy in exchange for cruelty.

He didn't like dwelling on those maudlin feelings, didn't like the way they twisted and curled in his chest, clutched his heart in a vice grip and wouldn't let go. It was a feeling that had led to sleepless nights and restless wandering. He had found it better to hide those feelings behind a smile and a joke. People reacted better to that and it was easier to lie to himself that way. If ever it became difficult, alcohol proved a big help, as did ambition.

He knew that Roger's death would put him in a precarious place. He was a young, unbonded omega after all. The number of truly powerful omegas on the sea was depressingly low. Rouge could count herself among their number but none of note had gained the title of captain and Shanks had his sights set on something so much more than just that. One thing that living with Roger had given him, other than a family, was freedom. True freedom. It hadn't mattered much when he began presenting as an omega. No one thought less of him, everyone on the Jackson was his pack.

It was the outside world that saw him differently, that saw him as less. They decided his lot in life was no longer to be a captain of his own crew, no longer to be strong and brave, no longer to be unrestricted. No, they decided that as an omega, he had nothing better to do than find an alpha and be their bedwarmer and broodmare. He'd be a pirate in nothing more than name, only gracing a ship for the pleasure of his alpha captain. Freedom would be a distant dream, personally, physically, in all the ways that mattered.

"Why fight the inevitable, Shanks? The world won't forget what you are. You can ignore it all you want, but it won't just go away. Roger had us living in a bubble on the Jackson. That bubble burst with his last breath. Now, we need to accept reality. You're an omega, you will never be safe as a captain on the seas. The World Government can't have you rising up and showing out, putting ideas in other omegas' heads. Every alpha and a good number of betas that hear your exploits will come after you, trying to put you back in your place. Why don't you just save yourself the trouble? At least you know you'll be safe with me," Buggy had said when he tried to convince Shanks to join his crew.

Buggy, a beta, had always claimed to understand where Shanks was coming from. He had often complained about the fact he would always be seen as inferior compared to alphas, be viewed as a lackey or nature's stress ball, only around to let his calming scent be a balm to alphas and omegas alike. Sometimes, they argued over who had it worse, something that drove Rayleigh up a wall. Other times, it had been nice to have someone his age to commiserate with. He had thought his brother understood what Shanks wanted until he asked him to join his crew. He hadn't meant for that argument to spiral, nor for Buggy to get so upset he accidentally ate the Chop Chop Fruit, not that Buggy ever believed him or forgave him. Besides which, the Fruit chose Buggy, so one way or another, he would've eaten it, it just so happened to coincide with their argument which made him an easy target for blame.

Still, Shanks knew what he wanted. He was raised by Hibiscus Rouge, former captain of the Red and Black Pirates, after all. She had taught him to never cower before any alpha, to never submit himself to their influence, to never be ashamed of his designation. Being an omega did not mean he could not be strong, that he did not have choice or that he had to be what people thought an omega should be. He was a pirate before he was anything else and so long as he was, he was a free man. To be truly free, he had to be in control of his destiny, he had to show that he could be great, like Roger was, like Rayleigh was, like Rouge was, like Gaban and Crocus and Spencer and Oden and all the rest. He could do it without pillaging and plundering from the innocent or raiding and raping undeserving villages. He ultimately only needed to do one thing. Once he found the One Piece, no one would ever question him or his capabilities again.

So, with Roger's hat to ground him and Rouge's log pose to remind him of what kind of omega he wanted to be, he set out, gathering his crew, a collection of omegas, betas and alphas who were like-minded and had no issue sailing under an omega. He set out to build his reputation and power while also searching for Roger's treasure, the thing that would make him free once and for all.

Little did he know the path would take him to something even sweeter than freedom.

Shakky's Rip-Off Bar was full tonight.

Perhaps it was on account of Shakky's sale on sake. Well, sale was a strong word. The sake was just finally priced reasonably. Shanks took a sip, a part of him missing the sake in the West Blue, but he wasn't particularly picky. He just needed something to ease his mind.

Five years. It had been five years since Roger's death and Shanks still felt raw on every anniversary. He'd been feeling particularly nostalgic this time around, which found him sailing to Sabaody and meeting up with Rayleigh for the first time since the execution. Despite lingering resentment he felt about being left on his own following Roger's death, he still sat down and reminisced with the older man about better times and caught him up on all of the Red Hair Pirates' exploits. He had not found the One Piece yet but his adventures with his crew had gained attention, both good and bad. He had been chased by Marines, not least of all Garp the Fist and other officers who were still seeking to wipe out Roger's old crew members.

A few boneheaded alphas had challenged him out of ego or indignation, arrogantly proclaiming their intent to tame him, blithely demanding that he submit to them, attempting to overpower him both physically and with their scents. He and his crew always got a good laugh out of those little skirmishes before they made short work of his would-be "suitors". Word had quickly spread of the futility of such an idea. Attempts had lessened over the years but still occurred with annoying regularity. The upside was that it had helped him gain even more notoriety (that and fighting the so-called World's Greatest Swordsman to a stalemate on more than one occasion).

All that he had accomplished seemed to get stripped away from him on this day. He could bury all the things he felt about Roger any other time, lock it up in a chest and throw away the key as he focused on chasing his dreams and freedom. Without fail, on the anniversary of Roger's demise, the chest would open all on its own and Shanks could do nothing but ride out the wave of emotion to its inevitable, bitter end. That didn't mean he had to ride it out sober, or alone.

He was fairly certain that he noticed the green-cloaked alpha with the red facial tattoo and dark spiky hair across the bar before the man noticed him. It would be hard not to notice the leader of the Revolutionary Army standing in the same bar as you. He'd seen his face on enough wanted posters by now to be familiar. He was sure the man could say the same of him at this point. Not that it mattered because regardless of any nebulous awareness of the others' existence, they were both now aware of the others' presence. In this room full of the clashing scents of alphas and betas and omegas all getting sauced on sake, Shanks could distinctly make out Dragon's earthy musk. He wasn't using his scent to overpower Shanks, wasn't trying to influence him, force him to submit. It wasn't intrusive. The scent was an invitation, passively enticing. He could smell the desire wafting towards him and he was sure his scent was just as receptive.

That was something of a surprise. Alphas were decidedly not his preference. He had never laid with one and didn't want to. He heard enough stories about how alphas and omegas mated to know that to do so would be abdicating his freedom over his own body. His hormones and nature would take control and he wouldn't have a say until it was too late. Maybe it was the sake or the grief. Maybe it was the anger at Roger who didn't have to leave him that way, who didn't have to blow up Shanks' pack in the way he did, who had no right to be the wonderful, impossible man that he was, to do the things he did, to singlehandedly reshape the world as he had done and then just leave without even trying to put up a fight. It would've been a losing battle, but he still could've tried, for Rouge, who was his loyal mate and now could be dead because of it. For his crew, who were more family than friends and had his back through all his hare-brained adventures. For Buggy and Shanks, the closest things he had to children in his living years. They were 15 years old, young by normal standards but hardened by their life on the sea. They had long abandoned the status of child by then, but they still needed him and he left them.

He remembered how protective Roger was over him whenever Shanks was around other alphas, even before the younger man ended up understanding why in the worst way possible. He had been standoffish with alphas just based on Roger and Rouge's response to them, the change in them both whenever another alpha challenged Roger was tangible. But then one had tried to take Shanks by force, to claim him as their omega. Roger had gotten feral. He was more brutal than Shanks had ever seen him, merciless in how he had killed the man. Shanks had never seen so much blood. It had taken him two weeks to be able to look Roger in the eye again and even longer than that to sleep without nightmares of those events.

If Roger had been alive to notice this interaction, he would've shot Dragon the meanest glare he could muster at the very least and made sure his scent overpowered the room to warn Dragon away from any attempt to court Shanks, whether reciprocated or not. Maybe that was why he kept looking Dragon's way. A bit of teenage rebellion, late though it was now that he was 20 years old.

Lustful eyes met, an inviting smile was exchanged, a drink Shanks didn't buy was placed in front of him. They didn't talk for long, there wasn't much that needed to be said and Shanks certainly didn't want to do too much thinking. All of his thoughts would lead straight back to Roger and he couldn't dwell on him at the moment, couldn't deal with the loss.

Dragon had a room close to Shakky's bar, which was just as well. Shanks spent the whole weekend with Dragon in that room, the alpha's scent having induced Shanks to go into heat. He wasn't pleased about that but there was no reason to seek another alpha when there was already one present. He used few words and did little else besides let Dragon do as he wanted with his body. It was all a blur after a while, Shanks barely remembered most of it. It wasn't the kind of forgetfulness that happened after a weekend of drinking. That was fun. This was the kind of lost memory that happened after being on the business end of a blunted weapon. It must've been good for the alpha because by the end of it, he had asked Shanks if he wanted to bond with him. The offer threw him for multiple reasons.

That it was an offer, not a demand. Dragon could've forcibly tried to bite him and initiate a bond between them while Shanks was in heat but he hadn't. In his hormone-induced delirium, the omega might've even agreed. He respected that Dragon had more integrity than to try such an underhanded tactic. There were too many omegas whose freedom had been taken in that way.

With the formal offer came Dragon's full name and the revelation that he was related to Garp the Fist. How many other Monkey D's could there be in the world after all? When Shanks looked for it, he could see the resemblance despite the old man's graying features. He tried to imagine Garp as a father but he quickly abandoned that train of thought. Shanks' imagination could only stretch so far. Garp must be up a wall that his son was the leader of the Revs. Somehow, he thought that probably rankled him even worse than if he had chosen to be a pirate. The thought of Garp's ire brought Shanks a sense of satisfaction. Roger had made his choice but Garp stood on that platform next to him and gave the order for his execution. A part of Shanks would never forgive him for that.

Along with the offer of mateship came an offer to join his army, not simply as his bedmate but as a contributing member, a fighter on equal standing with everyone else. Genders, first or second, didn't matter in the Revolutionary Army. Everyone was fighting for the same cause, everyone was due the same respect. A person was judged on their actions, not their family name or second gender or even their pasts. It was a surprise and sounded too good to be true. Shanks would be lying if he said his curiosity wasn't piqued. Dragon wasn't a bad guy as far as he could tell, but as he reflected on their time together, he almost immediately decided that it wasn't an experience he would repeat. Throughout their mating, it didn't feel like his body was his own, instead beholden to the pheromones of the alpha he was sleeping with. His mind was hardly his own to command either, clouded as it was with loss, anger, sake and hormone-driven desire.

It hadn't felt this way with Mihawk. His emotions had gotten the better of him then too. His blood was hot with adrenaline and slight fear on that day, which marked the fifth duel he'd had with the swordsman. They had both come close to doing irrevocable damage to one another. They had been vicious, both with something to prove, with opposing ambitions, with dreams that were aligned and clashing at the same time and a truer understanding of where the other was coming from than Shanks had with anyone else. Mihawk was a beta and though he wore the same chip on his shoulder about it that Buggy did, the swordsman was channeling that indignation into something much more productive, something astounding and undeniably his own. Shanks would be lying if he said he didn't find him admirable. He didn't know just how deep his appreciation went until the two found themselves sparring not with swords but with bodies and it had been just as gratifying as every other tussle they'd had, not that either would admit it.

He would much rather sex be fun, not just a desperate sprint towards completion or a repeated climax until his body had finally reached its equilibrium again. It was nothing against Dragon, there was nothing he did or could've done. Shanks appreciated the honest offer, the room left for denial and the amicable parting that followed.

He had never been overly interested in alphas in the first place and the encounter just reminded him why. He had thought he would be able to push it out of his mind but it soon became clear that that would not be possible.

He had sat frozen for entirely longer than he wanted to upon receiving the news of his pregnancy. Hongo and Benn were just as frozen, the omega and alpha clearly not sure what to say and not wanting to make a move until Shanks did, not that he could. His body hadn't caught up with his mind yet.

He wanted to deny the possibility, he didn't sleep with alphas and biologically that was the only way he could be pregnant. Except, he had slept with one alpha. Apparently, that one time had been enough (well, one weekend, there was certainly more than one time).

Oh, you're such a damn fool. You're the highest grade of idiot, he thought to himself, resisting the urge to smack his forehead.

One of many benefits of shying away from sexual encounters with alphas was that he did not run the risk of pregnancy by betas or other omegas. Now here he was, in the last position he wanted to be in. He was in the middle of his campaign across the seas, searching for the One Piece. He had already amassed a healthy reputation and a decent amount of power in a short time considering he'd spent most of those years as a teenager, underestimated and scoffed at for his age, his second gender, his inexperience, his refusal to engage in wanton violence for no good reason. What would being pregnant do to that reputation?

Not that he could let anyone outside his crew know that he was pregnant. With Shanks as their father, this child would be born with a target on their back. The seas forbid anyone were to learn their alpha father was the World's Worst Criminal. That made it all the worse. The World Government would not shy away from putting a bounty on a child or sanctioning the murder of a pregnant person. What happened to Baterilla was fresh in his mind. He felt palpable disgust and anger to this day as he thought of the countless men, women and children who were killed there after it was discovered Roger, Rouge and the boys had made a home on the island for a few months and had not been turned in, not to mention the suspicion that Roger sired a living child. The people were punished and Rouge was likely now dead because an unborn child who would never know their father was deemed too dangerous to let live. Even more recently, they had placed a bounty on young Nico Robin, though the true reason for that was still murky as far as Shanks knew. They had wanted Buggy and Shanks' heads since they were barely old enough to know why. Why would the Marines, or anyone else, hesitate to threaten the child of an infamous pirate and the leader of the Revolutionary Army?

Shanks felt bile rising in his throat.

Somehow, someway, he knew this was all Roger's fault.

The pregnancy was not an easy one, especially considering he was at sea for most of it. He had made big waves in the early months of his pregnancy and hoped it would have Marines chasing after him for long enough that he could pass off his absence in the later months as him lying low from them. It was a risky plan, but everything he did from this point on was risky.

He still didn't have a solid idea of what he would do after the pups were born.

(Twins, which was another shock, but Red-Haired Shanks never did things by halves.)

He couldn't keep them on the ship with him. His children would be in danger wherever they were, but it'd be all the worse if they were with him. He was a pirate, constantly butting heads with other pirates and the Marines. He did most of his business in the New World where the heights of danger were highest. What kind of life could he offer a child? They would never know safety, never know peace. Their entire lives would be one bloody battle after another. They may get a few glimpses of beauty. After all, life on the sea offered views and experiences that were singular. But it would not be enough to offset the brutality of the world he inhabited. It was no world for a child. Shanks would know that better than most. He wanted his children to hang on to their innocence as long as possible, so staying with him on the Red Force was ruled out.

He didn't think he would be able to find a remote island and stay with them there either. He had already gotten himself enough of a reputation that he'd always have a target on his back, always have to look over his shoulders for an impending threat. Staying in one place for too long would be signing his own death certificate and possibly those around him as well. He learned that well enough in Baterilla. His enemies would find him in no time and they'd slaughter him and his children if given the chance. Besides, he doubted he would ever be capable of living the life of a civilian. He didn't know how to slow down long enough to settle in one place. His entire life had been all about constant movement with the barest breaks in between. The adventure, and the danger, he could find in the New World would call to him eventually. The freedom he longed for would be a lure too strong for him to resist. He wouldn't be able to stop himself from answering the call. He would not insert himself in his children's lives only to abandon them.

Dragon wasn't a better option for the children. He would invite just as much danger in their lives as Shanks would and they'd have no less of a target on their backs growing up around Revolutionaries, nor would they be any less exposed to the horrors that could exist in the world. Shanks would not willingly offer them up to such a fate. Besides, he had to deliver them safely into the world before he worried about what would come after. Not that the delivery part of things seemed to be going swimmingly.

The Red Force rocked violently once more, knocking the breath from Shanks' lungs as another contraction ripped through him. He didn't know if the ship's movements were on account of his uncontrollable Haki reacting to his labor, the storm raging around them or the cannons being fired from the Marine ship pursuing them.

He gritted his teeth and clutched onto the bedsheets as he felt like his insides were being violently rearranged.

"Breathe, Captain. Breathe through it," Yasopp encouraged at his side.

"I am bloody breathing!" He snapped back, gripping the sheets tighter as the pain ratcheted higher. There was a boom outside that nearly drowned out his shout at another wave of pain. He wasn't sure if that was thunder, a cannonball or both.

Yasopp spared a worried look to the window. It looked dark as night out there even though it was midday. The storm had swallowed up the sun, leaving them in the dark to weather a torrential downpour and a Marine pursuit. It was so dark they couldn't even make out the sails or figurehead of their pursuers. That was a shame. Shanks would've liked to know who was brazen enough to chase and attack them through this squall.

The ship rocked again as his contraction started to subside. Dust from the ceiling floated down onto his head. He shot the wood above him a concerned look. It'd be just his luck that it caved in and crushed him, rendering him a failure of a parent before he even gave birth, not that he thought he was going to be winning any parent of the year awards in his lifetime.

Yasopp patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Captain. Benn and the boys will take care of things upstairs. You focus on yourself and the little ones."

Yasopp was the only one on the ship other than Hongo with any experience in childbirth as he had been there to witness the birth of his son. Earlier in the day, when Shanks first started having contractions and Hongo confirmed it was not a false alarm, most of the crew suddenly had rather convenient excuses to be anywhere else. Not that Shanks wanted a roomful of his friends watching him push two babies out of his body. Just having Yasopp and Hongo was embarrassing enough. He was happier knowing that the crew were taking care of the Red Force while their captain was indisposed. His friends had been invaluable during this time, keeping him safe, hidden, protected and supported. They had all come together and taken on the role that a family would for a pregnant omega. It was during this time that Shanks realized that he didn't just have a crew, he had a pack. He knew he chose the right men to sail with. Then, the storm had swept over them and the Marine ship came not far behind.

A crash of thunder echoed outside followed by a crack of lightning. The air was buzzing with electricity, telling him the strike was worryingly close to the ship.

"The twins picked a hell of a time to come into the world, eh," Yasopp joked.

"They're gonna be little hellions for sure," Hongo added with a smirk.

Shanks hoped this chaos was no indication of what their lives would be. Then again, they were going to be born with the Will of D from Dragon and Shanks' genes to boot. His hope was likely a futile one.

"Aye, they probably will be," he agreed begrudgingly before turning to Hongo.

"How close am I?"

"Damn close. When the next contraction comes, I need you to push, hard as you can. It'll hurt like hell, worse than even, but I need you to push and keep pushing unless I tell you otherwise."

Shanks nodded, mentally preparing himself for the pain. He was no stranger to it, but this was a totally different experience, not one he was eager to repeat. He looked over as Yasopp took his hand and squeezed it, his beta scent just noticeable and helping Shanks relax a bit.

"You've got this, captain."

"I might break your hand," he warned.

"It's just a hand. I'll survive."

He gave his friend a smile before he felt his insides tighten and flip again, the wave of pain starting to wash over him. He tensed up in reply and grit his teeth, though a pained moan still escaped him.

"Now, captain. Push," Hongo ordered.

Shanks did as he was told, bearing down and pushing as hard as he could. The pain was blinding, causing white flashes to take over his vision, though that could've been the storm. The noise from the tempest was still strong, the wind howling almost like it was a living entity. He could hear cannonballs and pistols being fired back and forth. Curiously, he could also hear birdsong. He would've thought all the commotion would've scared them away, but they stuck around close enough that he could hear their melodious chirping.

"Stop, captain. Take a second, then we go again."

Shanks nodded and took a few seconds to breathe before he started pushing again. He gritted his teeth and clenched his eyes shut as every cell in his body felt lit up and fried, all alight with the same pain, unrelentingly coursing through him before he finally felt a hint of release. He didn't understand what it meant for a moment until he finally heard it, the wails of a baby.

His eyes popped open, and he looked in shock at Hongo holding a squalling, flailing thing in his hands. It was covered in viscera and blood. It took Shanks entirely too long to realize that thing was a child, his child, his baby. He had known that he was going to give birth of course, but somehow seeing the actual result of his labor made a new sense of reality crash into him.

"It's a girl. Ten fingers, ten toes and a good set of lungs. Her hair color's interesting but nothing to be worried over," Hongo relayed as he cut the cord and quickly examined the child, Shanks' child, Shanks' daughter.

"Can I see her? I need… can I…" he stuttered out, his voice cracking on the words.

Hongo gave him an understanding look as he brought the small wriggling infant over and laid her on Shanks' chest. The moment their skin touched, the loud cries ebbed away into gentle snuffling. Her small body jolted at a particularly loud burst of cannon fire before she let out a disgruntled cry. Shanks couldn't stop himself from instinctually allowing his scent to become more pronounced, to provide his daughter with reassurance and comfort in her first moments of life. She snuggled deeper into his chest in reply, drawing a smile from the omega captain.

"Hello Luta."

Luta's hair was interesting. She had inherited Shanks' crimson red hair, but only on one half of her head. The other half was what he supposed was white or light pink, it was hard to tell in this dim lighting and without her being clean first. Her eyes opened then, showing that she had soft brown orbs, likely inherited from Dragon. She stared at Shanks in a manner he interpreted as inquisitive, before she let out a yawn and closed her eyes again, making contented humming noises as she snuggled into the warmth of his chest.

He could've stayed like that forever, but he shifted uncomfortably and let out a grunt of pain as another contraction hit him.

"It's not over yet, captain. Luta's not the only one," Hongo reminded him as Yasopp took his daughter off his chest and went to fetch a blanket to wrap her in.

This time it was a little easier. The pain was still intense but now that Shanks knew what was on the other side of it, he was all too eager to get to the finish line, to meet his second child.

"Slower, slower. Don't overdo it and hurt yourself," Hongo cautioned.

Shanks heeded the advice, knowing that the birthing bed brought many close to death or took their lives outright. He needed to live. He needed to lay his eyes on both his children, cradle them together in his arms.

The storm was raging even worse than before. The ship rocked hard, shifting Shanks on the bed by a few inches before the Red Force righted herself. The wind howled through the room as the rain battered the ship, sounding as loud as gunshots and cannons as it beat down on them. It drowned out the sounds of his pain but even the ferocious storm could not drown out the sounds of another child's wailing.

Shanks watched vigilantly as Hongo brought up his second child, cut the cord and examined them before wrapping them in a blanket Yasopp offered.

"It's a boy. Ten fingers, ten toes, and a healthy set of lungs I'd say."

Shanks wordlessly held out his hands for his son and pulled him close to his chest, resting the child's ear over his heart as he cradled him gently.

"Hello Luffy."

"Luffy and Luta? I like it. Do they have any special meaning," Yasopp commented from the side where he was rocking Luta.

"The names are from the language my home island used before the World Government made them switch to the universal language. There were some books that were preserved in our original language in the treasure chest my captain found me in. My Uncle Ray taught me as much of the language as he could. Luffy means 'sun' or 'light'. Luta has a few different meanings. It can mean 'song' or 'instrument' but also 'beautiful' and 'red'. I think those all sum up Luta perfectly."

His breath caught as Luffy opened his eyes and stared at him. The big brown orbs seemed to look into him and through him. It was only a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity before the baby closed his eyes again and went back to snuggling into his chest.

Shanks felt his heart warm at the adorable sight and a smile quickly overtook his face. It only widened when Yasopp gently laid Luta down beside her brother.

Once Shanks had them both in hand, the storm outside seemed to recede almost immediately. The rain dimmed to a drizzle rather than a torrent, the thunder sounded more distant and there was actual sunlight, however slight, coming through the window. It was as if the storm had been there only to herald the birth of his children. Realistically, he knew that was ridiculous, it was more likely they had either entered the eye or had made it out of the storm's path, but he let himself be fanciful and believe that the world had conspired to give his twins a grand entrance into life.

The two pups fussed and flailed around a bit until their little hands found each other's and held on.

"They're going to be two peas in a pod," Yasopp said, giving the display a doting smile.

Shanks held the twins closer, taking in the weight of them in his arms, uncaring for whatever Hongo was doing to manipulate his body post-birth. He only had eyes for them.

He had sailed the seas his entire life. He had seen wonders and things most people only dreamed of, but he had never seen a sweeter or more beautiful sight than his children. Maybe he was a bit biased about that, but he knew immediately that Luffy and Luta were worth more than all the treasure in the world.

He wasn't sure how long he laid there, staring at his twins, captivated by their mere existence. He briefly had to relinquish them to Hongo to clean them off and do a more thorough exam. Every second he wasn't holding them was like a physical ache and he clutched them all the tighter when they were back in his arms again. He felt a deep sense of tranquility as he lay embracing his children. It was like the world was finally balanced again, all things existing in a harmonious accord. Nothing outside of this bubble mattered or even existed as far as he was concerned. The universe shrunk down to the size of two slumbering newborns and an exhausted yet blissful father.

However, the wider world decided to make itself known then as a knock came at the door.

He reluctantly glanced over as Benn stepped into the room, a conflicted look on his face. His alpha scent was stronger than usual, giving off the smell most alphas did when they wanted to ward off other alphas from an omega under their protection. Benn had never tried to claim Shanks, had never made any inclinations or untoward gestures, not even when Shanks was in heat. He was his first mate and, other than Yasopp, he was the first friend he made after Roger's execution. He hadn't been expecting to befriend an alpha or sail with one, he didn't think any would want to be under his command, but Benn had and he had been a loyal companion. He was protective of Shanks at times and had some reactions an alpha might towards an omega they had claimed, but Shanks always saw it as more familial than anything else, much like how Roger and Rayleigh were with him. Other people might try to fit their relationship into the standard alpha/omega dynamic but Benn was pack. He was his brother, and in that way, Shanks belonged to him but Benn belonged to Shanks in equal measure, as did the rest of the crew. That was what it meant to be a pack.

The overbearing alpha scent lessened a bit as Benn took in the sight of his captain.

"Is that…?"

Shanks nodded in reply.

"Unless you're expecting some other newborns to have magically appeared," Hongo quipped.

Benn rolled his eyes in response.

"Can I see them?"

"Of course you can. I'm sure they'll want to meet their godfather," Shanks answered.

A smile split Benn's face as he approached the bed and leaned over to peer at the twins. They were asleep by now, having been fed and lulled to sleep by the birds singing at the window. They were still clutching each other's hands.

"Fuck, they're cute."

"I know, right? Who in their right mind is going to be able to say no to those faces," Hongo replied.

"They remind me of Usopp. I bet they'd all get along," Yasopp commented, a wistful look on his face.

"I bet they would," Shanks agreed.

Benn's smile dimmed then.

"There's a reason I'm here and it's not to see the pups, much as I'm glad to meet them."

"What is it?"

"Now that the storm's let up, we've been able to make out which Marine ship is chasing us."

"And?"

"It's the HQ3."

Shanks stared for a moment before letting out a sigh. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised by that. Who other than Garp the Fist would be crazy enough to chase them through that devil of a storm?

"He's gaining on us. I don't think he'll stop until there's a fight, hand-to-hand. The men are ready for it. As soon as you give the order, we'll prepare for a battle," Benn continued, though he spared a worried look towards the sleeping twins.

Shanks looked down at them as well. They looked so peaceful and innocent, unblemished by the world and its cruelty, and yet still they would have to suffer for their fathers' mistakes, for their choices and their sins. The World Government wouldn't see the precious souls that Shanks saw, they would see an enemy that needed to be destroyed. The Marines would carry out those orders. At least, most of them would. Garp had a certain moral code that Roger had recognized and respected, it was why he liked fighting with him so much. Shanks may not agree with everything the man did or his allegiances, but Garp wasn't like the rest. Plus, he'd have a vested interest in keeping the twins safe. He was the only one that he could trust would have both the motive and the means to do it.

"What's the closest bit of land to us and how soon could we get there?"

"Bliss Isle. We could make it in 20 minutes."

"Hail Garp. Tell him I want to parley with him there. Alone."

"Captain, that isn't—"

"You can't possibly—"

"You shouldn't be—"

"I understand the risks," Shanks cut in, speaking over the three protesting voices.

"The twins can't stay with me. I always knew that and now that I've seen them, felt them, held them, the choice is even more obvious to me. They need to live, not merely survive. They need safety and peace."

"We can protect them. We're their pack, their family. We're strong and only getting stronger the longer we operate. You're already gaining respect for your deeds and exploits regardless of being an omega. Soon, no one will doubt our capabilities or your leadership," Yasopp protested hesitantly.

"Soon is not soon enough. I won't risk their lives on what-ifs. They're not ready for the life we lead and I won't force it upon them before it's time or before they've even had a choice in the matter. I thought you of all people would've understood that. You had the same reasoning when you left Usopp in Syrup Village."

"I know that, and there isn't a day that passes where I don't miss him and Banchina more fiercely than any storm on the seas. Maybe I just want to save you that same pain and spare them from growing up without a father. The separation is a lot for me to handle and I'm a beta. As an omega, it'll be even worse for you and for them."

"I'd rather they be away from me and survive than stay with me and die. Garp will understand that. He'll have no choice but to help me. What happens to them affects him too."

"You trust him?"

"With this? Yes. I have to."

Yasopp didn't look convinced and Benn didn't appear to be pleased either but the latter nodded all the same.

"I'll give the orders."

"Thank you. To all of you. I don't take all you've done for me these past few months lightly."

"It's like I said, captain. We're a pack. We'll always have your back, straight up until the end," Yasopp reassured, Benn and Hongo nodding at his side.

Shanks felt an embarrassing burn at the back of his eyes but he resisted the urge to cry at the declaration.

"I'd like to spend these last minutes alone with them."

"Sure, captain. If you need anything or if the pain gets too great, holler and I'll come running," Hongo told him.

"Will you leave some clean clothes out and bring a bowl of water? I'd like to freshen up for when we hit land."

"Are you sure you can make that trip? You've just given birth, Shanks. You should take it easy," Benn advised.

"I'd rather meet him there than have him aboard the Red Force. I won't risk the crew. I can handle it."

The trio still looked worried and uncertain but nodded, however reluctantly.

Shanks watched them file out, Hongo off to fetch water and the others to carry out his orders.

He looked down at the two slumbering infants in his arms, neither aware of the messy world they were born into nor the danger that they were in. Shanks would rather they stay blissfully unaware for as long as possible. He hoped they lived a quiet life, the kind of life he would've found boring as a child. They were better off that way. And if they did have his adventurous streak, he hoped that wanderlust didn't hit them until they were much older and able to defend themselves.

"Luffy, Luta" he started, pressing a kiss to each child's head.

"You are so precious to me. I love you both more than words could say. It pains me that I have to let you go. I'll miss you every second of every day, but I can't keep you. You deserve every good thing in the world and I'm ashamed to admit that all I can give you is a life full of danger and constant threats upon your head. I've brought you into this world with chains around your legs. I will forever regret that because I know better than most that everyone deserves a life of true, honest freedom. So long as I'm your father, you'll never get that. So you can't be mine, not as far as the world is aware, but know this: I will always be yours. You will always own my heart and soul. You will carry a piece of me with you no matter where you are, no matter how far you are from me. There isn't anything anyone could do to change that. It won't always be like this. I'll grow stronger, fiercer. I'll make sure everyone knows my name and that my enemies fear it. When the time is right, I will find you again. We will be together and no one will dare try to get in our way, because if they do, I won't show them a shred of mercy. I swear it."

The vow rooted itself deep in Shanks' soul. He would cement his place in the Great Pirate Era as a man of power. He wouldn't be a novelty, an omega playing at being a captain, he would be someone to be feared and respected and when the time came to be with his children again, he would dare anyone to try and hurt a hair on their heads. He'd be strong enough that everyone would fear to tread near his twins. The World Government, the Marines, other pirates, none would be a threat to Luffy and Luta because they would know better than to incur the wrath of Red-Haired Shanks.

But they weren't there yet.

For now, they were safest with their grandfather but Shanks had something to look forward to now. This was going to be a new kind of loss, he didn't know how he'd react to it, likely with the aid of a lot of alcohol. But he'd cross that bridge when he got to it, for now, he focused on savoring these final moments with Luffy and Luta before he had to walk out of their lives.

Monkey D. Garp was not a hard man to read. Shanks wondered if that was a feature of men in his generation or maybe it was just an alpha thing. Roger had been the same way as had Rayleigh and Whitebeard. Shanks saw better wisdom in keeping some things closer to the chest, but Garp apparently wouldn't agree. Shanks could make out every emotion he felt written all over his face. There was disdain for Shanks, displeasure and annoyance for Dragon, reluctance and disbelief as he glanced at the twins and overarching skepticism and aggravation at the situation.

"Why should I believe those two brats are my grandchildren?"

Both Shanks and Garp's gazes turned down to the pups in Shanks' hold. Each twin was set in a crook of his elbow, staring up at the sky and making quiet cooing noises, totally oblivious as to what was about to happen.

"What reason would I have to come up with such an asinine lie? How would I have known that you and Dragon were related in the first place if he hadn't told me? It's not exactly something either of you are advertising."

"Where would you have met Dragon anyway?"

"Are you keeping tabs on him," Shanks shot back, shifting uncomfortably at the ache below his waist. His body felt about ready to collapse. He barely had strength to stand but he was going to see this through. He could rest once he knew his children were safe.

"Hardly. He made his choices, he can live or die by them, no matter where he is in the world. You made your own choices too, same as him."

"That I did. Luffy and Luta, however, didn't make any choices. I think that means something to you."

"Oh, do you now?"

"I remember how you were with Buggy and I when we were still kids on the Oro Jackson. You never went after us, never tried to hurt us like the other Marines did. You respected that we were children and likely didn't have a choice of whether we grew up around a pirate crew or not. I never saw you chasing my ship during the heights of the blood hunt for Roger's crew. You've only come after me for what I've done, choices I've made. You won't place the sins of the father on the child."

Shanks rose a challenging eyebrow, daring the older man to deny it. Garp rolled his eyes and looked out at the sea. The HQ3 and the Red Force were drifting not too far from the shore of Bliss Isle, a small spit of land in the West Blue. Shanks had wanted his children to be born in the same sea that he was, even if not the same island. Regardless of his rough beginnings, the West would always have a place in his heart that was immovable no matter where he roamed. He hoped somehow it was the same for them. It was something they could share despite the distance between them.

"Let's say I believe you, and I take them with me, hide them away. How do I know you won't change your mind in a few months and destroy any hope of keeping them safe?"

"I understand who I am in this world, Vice Admiral. I'm a pirate. I'm a thief and a murderer. I'm an unbonded omega who has no plans to change that. My life is a series of battles and dangers that no child should endure. I know what it is to experience the dark side of what I am, the life I live, before you're old enough to handle it. I might be selfish but I'm not that selfish."

Garp studied him hard, his face serious and set in an assessing frown. It took a minute before he nodded in approval.

"Then you have more of a clue than that old captain of yours."

Shanks didn't take offense to that. He tended to agree with Garp on that assessment.

"Why leave them with me? Dragon—"

"Is a Revolutionary. He's in no better position than I am."

"Why not let him decide where they go? Whether you two are bonded or not, he's their alpha father."

"I don't care if he's an alpha or not. They're my children. I carried them. I birthed them. I will see to it personally that they are in safe hands. Loathe as I am to admit it, the only hands I know of are yours. Are the two of you so hopelessly estranged that he'd disagree?"

Garp's lips pursed at that, but he didn't comment.

"If I take them, it's with conditions and a promise from you."

Shanks' eyes narrowed suspiciously at that.

"They go where I decide is best and that place, wherever it is in the world, is not one that I will share with you."

"You can't—"

"A parent's temptation is a stronger urge than most, brat. Beyond that, you're an omega. Don't underestimate how painful it will be for you to be separated from them this early after their birth. Not just emotionally, but physically. They'll be feeling it too and you'll know it, that'll make it all the worse. That pain will fade with time but if you know where they are, you won't wait. No parent would. You'll swoop in and bring chaos into their lives."

"I wouldn't—"

"You're strong in your resolve now, but a few weeks or months from now, when you've had time to dwell on the loss, to dream about them, to fantasize and wonder, do you truly believe it will be as strong as it is now?"

Shanks wished that he could honestly and unequivocally say yes, but it would be a lie.

"You're giving them to me because you know I'll make the choices that will keep them safe from the World Government. So, let me make those choices. You go on with your life, knowing that somewhere they're safe. That will have to be enough for you."

It wasn't, not even close, but Shanks was willing to make the sacrifice for them.

"I swore a vow to them before I set foot on this island that one day, when they and I were strong enough to weather the storm the world would throw at us, we'd be together again. I promised them I'd find them or they would find me and when that happens, I won't let anyone stand in our way. I don't intend to break that promise, so listen well, Vice Admiral. You may think you understand what I'm asking but you don't. I am not just entrusting you with my children but with a piece of my soul. I don't know that anyone could know just how precious they are to me, I don't think I understood it myself until they were born and I saw them and held them, but I know now that I would do unspeakable things for them. I would raze this world to the ground for them. I would turn my back on every moral that I have if it meant their safety and happiness. I know that now and there isn't any unknowing it. You need to know it too, because one day, they'll be back with me. It doesn't matter whether you tell me where they are or not, it doesn't matter what sea they're in or what island they call home, I will find them again when the time is right. When that happens, do yourself a favor. Don't get in the way."

Garp studied him for another long moment before he let out a loud laugh.

"We'll see, boy," he replied but there was an air of respect about him that Shanks didn't miss.

Garp held his arms out towards the twins. Shanks looked down at them. They were looking back at him, their innocent eyes locked on his face and reflecting nothing less than complete and absolute trust in the only protector they had known from the moment of their conception. Now, he was relinquishing them to another and wouldn't see them for an indefinite period of time. He pressed a kiss to both of their foreheads before he reluctantly handed them over to their grandfather.

Garp took the twins in his arms, his large frame making the small infants look even smaller. They both let out noises of displeasure at being separated from their father. Garp looked down at them, inspecting them as if he were surveying a new ship and not his grandchildren. The pair of pups returned the look, almost as skeptical of this new person as he appeared to be of them. The twins' hands flailed around for a moment outside their respective blankets before they managed to latch onto each other again, which seemed to soothe them enough to not begin full-on crying at the separation. Garp's face softened at the display and Shanks could almost make out a smile upon his lips. Not one of those crazed grins he was used to seeing on men such as the Vice Admiral and Roger and, admittedly, Shanks himself. Instead, it was a genuine smile of care and he dared say affection, though it was so small it might not have existed at all.

"They'll do. They're going to make fine Marines."

Shanks rolled his eyes in response.

"They'll be whatever they want to be. No matter who their fathers are or what their second gender will turn out to be, they'll be free to make that choice themselves. You'll make sure of it."

Garp gave him a wordless look in response before speaking.

"This doesn't change anything between us, brat. I won't be giving you any special treatment just because you've seen fit to dump these little urchins on me."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

"I'll be seeing you on the seas."

With that, Garp turned and walked away towards the small raft he'd used to sail from the HQ3 to Bliss Isle's shores.

As Garp walked away with his children, Shanks felt as if there was a string tethered on one end to his heart and theirs on the other. It pulled taut as they got further and further away from him. Every fiber of his being rebelled in silent protest, it shouted at him that this was wrongwrongwrong. They were his flesh, his blood, his children. They belonged with him and he had just handed them over to an alpha who was not his pack, not his crew, who was his sworn enemy, so much so that just 30 minutes prior he had been trying to sink Shanks' ship and kill him. Now, he had handed his most prized treasures over to that same man.

The urge to call out to Garp and take his children back was strong, so strong he even found himself taking steps towards the man. A surge of pain stopped him in his tracks as his body, still not recovered from giving birth, made all those aches and pains known. It almost brought him to his knees, but he made himself remain standing through sheer force of will and rooted himself to the spot.

I have to let them go, it's the right thing to do. I'd rather them be gone and alive than with me and dead.

He couldn't risk their lives just because he felt sad about losing them. He wondered if this was the way Roger felt at the idea of letting Shanks and Buggy go. It would've been more responsible to find a nice island and let them live out their days there. Instead, he kept them because he cared about them, loved them, and the two boys suffered the consequences of that choice in ways Roger couldn't foresee. Shanks couldn't do that to his children. He'd rather die first before hurting them in any way.

That might not be too far off.

As he watched Garp leave with Luffy and Luta, it felt like a piece of him was dying. His heart stuttered in his chest the farther they got and his eyes grew misty. His chest was heavy and his breath came shakily. He could feel waves of panic sweeping over him. Usually, it would've had him running around like a headless chicken until one of the crew, usually Benn, calmed him down. But this was a different kind of panic. It was cold with icy fingers that held him still, frozen in a spiral of impending doom.

They were gone, gone. He would have no way of knowing if and when they needed him, whether they were loved and cared for properly, whether they would think the same of Shanks that he did of his birth parents: that he'd been abandoned, unloved, unwanted, unworthy. He wouldn't get to tell them that that couldn't be further from the truth, at least not for a long time.

The string tethering him to his children stretched tighter, painfully tugging on Shanks' heart in the direction where the twins were now no longer visible, having made it to the HQ3 while Shanks was in his own head.

He felt a lump form in his throat as he realized Garp's ship was sailing away with his children while the Red Force crept closer to the shore. All at once, all the will and adrenaline left his body, leaving him unable to stand. He fell to his knees and let out a grunt at the flare of pain that washed over him. He couldn't tell what was from the birth and what was from the separation, not that it mattered in the end.

He closed his eyes as a tear slipped down his face, unable to watch the HQ3 get smaller and smaller on the horizon.

He felt a hand on his shoulder after a moment and looked up to see Benn staring down at him mournfully, Yasopp and Hongo not too far behind him.

Shanks opened his mouth to say something, maybe a reassurance that he was alright, but no words left him. Benn squeezed his shoulder but said nothing either, no words of comfort or chastisement. Shanks didn't think there was anything more to say.

He reluctantly glanced back to the sea. The HQ3 was now just a small speck in the distance but Shanks could still feel the twins, their bond like a physical entity that told him that they were as distressed at the separation as he was. There was nothing he could do about it now. He had made his choice and like Garp said, now he had to live or die by it.