Luffy was annoyed and bored. He had been all ready to have a good fight and was practically vibrating with energy but stupid Dads had to ruin it. Now he was being forced to walk away and listen to Lucky berating him and it was BORING.
He had just been facing Magellan and knew that he needed to survive, no matter what. And it had looked promising at first. His armour from 3 was working and he had knocked Magellan back several times, buying his allies time. But then he had erupted into an even more poisonous noxious creature and Luffy had known he was outclassed. Still it wasn't in him to give up so he had dived in with a defiant battle cry. He had made impact but instead of the man falling away from the force, Luffy had felt his foot get sucked in like he had jumped in mud and he was falling forward.
Or he had been, until something yanked on his vest and sent him flying backwards through the air and straight into solid arms. Stupid people, interrupting his fight. He had struggled and tried to get back on his feet when the person snapped his name. The shock when he realized that it was Benn and Shanks who had arrived was enough to make him freeze while he was carted away like a kid. He couldn't have that! What if Shanks got hurt again because of him or worse… thought that Luffy was still a baby who wasn't ready to be a pirate. He was strong now, he had to prove he didn't need their help anymore and damn it that was his fight!
But then Benn gave him the glare that meant do what I say NOW or you will regret it and Luffy shuddered as he flashed back to the few times he had ignored that warning in his childhood. Reluctantly he let Lucky march him away from his father figures, wincing at the scolding the jolly man was giving him and knowing it was going to get worse when the rest of his uncles got ahold of him.
Luffy was dragging his feet, longing to stay close to his dads and their fight but Lucky kept a firm grip on his scruff. "Come on brat. The captain and Benn will be fine without you, and if they catch you hanging back you'll just get in more trouble." Luffy whined softly but obediently picked up his pace with a terrified Mr. 3 glued to his side. "There we go. We don't need to give them any more reason to panic. Why your dad almost sunk the ship when Ace told him you were here."
"Ace? You guys talked to Ace!" Luffy yelped loudly in Lucky's ear.
"Oy!" Scolded Lucky. "Yes, we intercepted his transfer and he's currently being treated by Hongo on the ship."
"Why didn't you say so! We're going tooooo sloooooow! Let's go! I'm coming Ace!" Luffy said smiling widely and turning to run through the prison.
"Nope." Lucky said, lifting the running kid off the ground and shaking him lightly. Luffy ran in his grip for a few seconds before deflating. "You are injured and exhausted. You are getting a full exam from Hongo before doing anything more strenuous than walking." Noticing the familiar gleam appear in Luffy's eyes and the arm snaking around his waist, Lucky shook his finger sternly in front of Luffy's face. "If you dare use your powers right now, I will ensure you get no meat for the next month."
Luffy stared at his uncle horrified. "But meat?!" Lucky just stared at him firmly and Luffy whimpered in defeat, dropping his arm off Lucky's waist and drooping in his hold. That was too cruel of a punishment and Luffy knew he couldn't risk it.
Finally they arrived at the gate and Luffy perked up at the sound of fighting. Excellent, he would be able to beat up some more guards and show his uncles how strong he was now. Then the world spun and he found himself draped over Lucky's shoulder. "Hey! Put me down, I wanna walk." Luffy pushed his upper body up so he could see and kicked a couple times in protest but Lucky ignored him, keeping him pinned easily.
A loud chuckle next to them made Luffy yelp in shock and he turned to see Bonk Punch and Gab covering their sides. Behind them he could see sinking ships and marines swimming desperately for the shore with an occasional splash of a sea monster's tail. Gab casually shot one of the marines that managed to reach the dock as they tried to pull themselves out before he poked Luffy's exposed side, grinning as Luffy's ticklish body bent away automatically.
"Hey little anchor! I see you are still picking fights that you aren't ready for." Gab teased.
"Good thing we are around to save your hide again eh Kid?" Bonk Punch smirked, tousling Luffy's hair before blocking a bullet with a haki covered arm.
"I didn't need your help!" Squawked Luffy. "I was doing fine and almost got out before you guys got here."
Lucky snorted. "Sure kid. Whatever you say." With that he carried Luffy through the destroyed gate, quick stepping into the air and landing lightly on deck. He checked they were clear before letting Luffy slide back down to his feet. "Keep your head down and let's get you below deck."
Luffy glanced around the ship, smiling as he picked out his dad's crew members and his new found allies. He hesitated when he only saw Jinbe, Crocodile and Buggy mixed in with the other prisoners. Thankfully Mr. 3 was tossed up beside them by Gab and he promised to make sure the rest got there before they left so Luffy reluctantly let Lucky prod him away from the slowing battle and into the infirmary where he was promptly passed over to Hongo.
"ACE!" Belted out Luffy as he flung himself at his brother. "I saved you!" He crowed bursting into tears and wrapping his limbs tightly around his relieved brother. He made sure to safely contain Ace's hands in his grip so that he didn't get any fists of love and so he couldn't escape.
"You didn't save me you idiot. I saved you! What the hell were you thinking? I'm going to kick your ass! Breaking into Impel Down! What made you think I needed your help, my pathetic little brother? Thats embarrassing, and if you ever do it again I'm going to knock you out and leave you with Makino! Idiot!" Ace ranted as he tried not to burst into tears himself.
Luffy meanwhile was sobbing out gibberish as he tightened his grip even further. "You're my brother! I had to save you!"
Both boys ignored the annoyed doctor who was trying to pull them apart, desperate to feel their brother was alive and safely in reach. Then someone stole his hat and Luffy quickly sprung into fighting mode. Luffy froze when he saw his dad lying on the ground, holding his precious hat. What if he was taking it back because he had decided that Luffy wasn't strong enough to keep his treasure. "You can't have it back yet! I'm not pirate king." Stupid Shanks but he couldn't help the excitement and joy at seeing his dad again after so long. Or at least he was excited until suddenly Shanks switched from fun teasing to stern parent.
Luffy was trying to tell them all about how cool his new friends were and how they helped kick everyones ass but Shanks interrupted the story only to practically smother him. Which was silly cause he hadn't even got to the best part yet . Worse still, Ace had run off without warning. He wanted to follow after him but Hongo refused to let him go so he had to watch as Shanks went to find him instead.
It was only moments later when there was a knock and Iva burst in striking a pose. "Straw Boy! You survived thankfully or I wouldn't be able to look Dragon in the face again. Now why didn't you tell me that you knew a yonko, you naughty boy."
"Iva! Shishishishi, you are ok!" Cheered Luffy, happy to see his new friend.
"Ah you are Iva." Hongo said, "Luffy here has been telling me all about how you saved him with your miracle powers but unfortunately he is not very clear on details. So can you tell me exactly what was wrong with him and what you did? Oh and why a simple injection looks like he was violently impaled multiple times?"
"Impaled! How's that for ungrateful. We don't all have access to fancy little needles when we are deep in a prison! I used what I had" with that Iva flexed his fingers and snapped out his nails. "These glorious nails. And I had to make sure I injected enough into his bloodstream to purge all the poison! It takes some pain to work a miracle you know." Iva began the boring process of explaining about the poison, and cure, and the whole lost 10 years of his life… blah blah blah and Luffy happily zoned out and started daydreaming of food. When he heard his name said, he looked up at the horrified face of Hongo. "See, mystery power. Can I go now?" He whined.
"Go?" Gasped Hongo. "Kid you aren't leaving that bed for days, if not weeks."
"No way!" Yelled Luffy outraged, jumping to his feet. "I'm not staying in here. I wanna go explore!"
"Luffy when that adrenaline shot wears off, you are going to feel like death so just lay down and let me finish bandaging you up."
"I don't want to." Pouted Luffy, turning on his puppy eyes and staring up at the doctor.
"Don't make eye contact Doc, the idiot can break the strongest will with that move." Ace said dryly from where he had snuck into the room holding a tray of food. "Luckily I have built up my tolerance." Luffy glared at his older brother who simply raised an eyebrow in return, smacking the hand reaching for the food platter and pointing at the bed. "Lie down Lu."
Luffy grumbled but gave in deciding that the food was a good bribe. Hongo looked him over and soon the doctor had bundled him up in enough bandages to make a mummy jealous. Hongo had then moved back to Ace, making sure he didn't exacerbate any of his injuries when he ran out. Finally Hongo sighed and studied the two boys. "I have to go and check in with the others and make sure no one was injured in the fights and that your fellow escapees are able to wait for another doctor. Shanks will also need an update, though I honestly don't know how to tell him everything and have the ship survive. Ace, you will need to watch your brother and make sure he behaves. If he tries to leave the bed or if his condition worsens, use this to call me." He handed Ace a baby Den Den and turned to go. "I swear on the seas boys, if you don't behave and stay in bed I will make you regret it." He glared at them once more and then shut the door firmly.
Finally alone Luffy looked up at his brother who was glaring at him from his own bed. "You don't ever do something like this again Luffy. Not for me or for your crew or anyone else. Promise me!"
Luffy shook his head in response. "I won't promise, you can't make me."
"Like hell I can't. I'm your big brother and you gotta do what I tell you. If you don't I'm going to kick your ass." Ace snarled back as he rushed at his stupidly self sacrificing brother, grabbing his collar and pulling him out of the bed.
Luffy glared stubbornly back at his brother and didn't struggle despite the fist Ace was making. "Don't care! Don't care if you kick my ass, or if you get mad. Being alone is worse so I'm gonna save you. Cause you're my brother and I love you!"
Ace pulled back his fist and slammed it hard into the wall beside them before dropping Luffy back in the bed and collapsing next to him. He ignored the tears escaping his eyes and curled around his brother protectively. "Hell I hate you, you know. You're the best thing in my life Luffy, I can't lose you. I'd rather you let me die."
"Ace is stupid. You promised me you would never die and I'm not gonna let you break your word."
"I'm the big brother Lu, it's my job to keep you alive and safe. You're the annoying little bratty brother, your job is to stay safe and not do stupid shit. We're just lucky that Shanks came to get me."
Luffy smiled widely. "Shanks is awesome."
Ace hummed in agreement. "He's beyond strong. You know he took out 5 ships to get me. Just jumped on board and knocked out th-" Luffy glanced up and looked at the passed out Ace. Then he looked around the empty room and at the door before smiling. Well if Ace was going to sleep, he should leave him in peace. He carefully weaselled out of Ace's grip and slipped out of the door.