Sabo was horrified. I mean he knew warlords were cruel and deadly- a requirement to work for marines- but even he hadn't foreseen this torture. Zoro still stood tall and at attention, but Ace had fallen to his knees and Luffy, true to form was on the verge of tears, sniffing and flashing puppy eyes - and they weren't working! The swordsman really was heartless.

And he just kept on going. Despite the clear defeat on all their faces. "-reckless endangerment. I find your lack of any common sense appalling and I refuse to allow any more of your destructive and feral behaviour. Do you understand the crimes-"

Sabo bit back a whimper. They weren't going to survive this. Even Shanks had begged for mercy to no avail. He made eye contact with Ace, desperate for a plan and flickers of their past played in his mind. How did they get out of trouble as kids? His eyes shot to Luffy and he remembered the wide tearful eyes and clingy hugs that had Dadan melting. But Mihawk had already ignored that. They needed more…

Sabo elbowed Ace to get his attention, using their old hand signals to ask for a distraction. Ace winced but trusted his conniving brother and carefully shot a flame at the stuffed bear held by a smirking Perona. Perona shrieked loudly, throwing her toy to the ground and stomping on it and Zoro helpfully grabbed a cup off the table, throwing it on the flames. The alcohol caused the flames to shoot up higher and Mihawk and Benn cursed as they pulled the unconsolable girl away and tried to regain order. Rayleigh started to tell off Ace and Sabo grabbed Luffy, whispering in his ear. He knew that Robin and Shanks were both eyeing them suspiciously but hoped that they would keep quiet.

Luffy whined a bit but nodded his agreement, getting to work as Rayleigh insisted Ace stop the fire. Everyone was relieved to see the doll was untouched by the flames and Perona got her revenge, knocking both Ace and Zoro to the ground in despair.

"Enough!" Roared Mihawk. "Portgas D. Ace, that little stunt is exactly what I was talking about. I can't believe you would dare use your powers to try and get out of a much deserved lecture- well guess what? You're grounding is being extended and -"

Mihawk jumped in surprise when there was a loud gasp and a red blur shot past him. He swore and turned to kick his friend's ass when his eyes settled on the miniature form of Luffy that was peaking over the mans shoulder. Luffy's eyes glistened and seemed to fill his face and Mihawk faltered. "Oh shit." He whispered as Luffy made gimme motions at him and he gently poked at the chubby cheek.

"We are very sorry and ashamed of our actions. Do we have permission to go and think about what we've done?" Sabo spoke up from behind him and Mihawk mindlessly mumbled assent as he stared at the ball of cuteness in front of him. Luffy looked imploringly at the other boys but after listening to that long and severe tongue lashing, the older boys were desperate. They fled from the room, abandoning Luffy to his fate, knowing that he would avoid the worst of the glares and scolding, despite the fact that he was the main culprit. The last they saw was a wide eyed Luffy trying to climb over Shanks as the adults swarmed him.

Shanks smiled at the sight of his kid curled up half asleep. His head resting on Robin's lap as she read aloud and played with his hair. The other boys had disappeared while they were distracted, probably destroying something else he would be blamed for but Luffy seemed content to just bask in his family's presence now that he had grown back to his normal size and wasn't being squished by the adults.

Shanks heart had melted at the sight of a tiny Luffy. Seas, he hated the fact that he had missed the years where that was how Luffy had actually looked. He yearned to go back and watch that little munchkin grow into the young man who was his greatest treasure. Shanks sadly drank his tea while the other adults sipped their wine, knowing better than to try and sneak the bottle from a still annoyed Mihawk, despite the fact that he really, really needed a drink. But he had to accept that his past choices couldn't be changed. He had to look to the future.

Now the adults were all catching up on their week apart. Shanks finished sharing the details of the island Hancock had chosen with the group and he was loathe to admit it but it was a good choice for Luffy. Lots of different creatures and weather patterns, solitude and an uninhabited location. If it wasn't for the fact that it was near Amazon lily, he would have to say it was pretty damn perfect.

"I ran into your brother in the South Blue. Helped him in a fight with some marines." Mihawk informed him after discussing his 'mission' from the marines.

Shanks glared at his friend. "I don't care. He is free to do what he wants as long as it's far away from me and Anchor."

"He's working with Crocodile and somehow managed to convince the Marines that he's in charge. Which is a miracle to anyone who has met them both. There was a bloody path carved through the marines of the East Blue before he ventured to the South and all the news seems focused on him and your relationship." Shanks said nothing and Mihawk's gaze went steely. "His bounty has gone up and he's become a high profile target. I know you're angry but he is risking his life for you right now. The least you could do is listen to his progress."

Shanks fought with himself for a second and then flashed a small grin. "Blue must be beside himself. For all his flair and dramatics, he hates to be noticed." He thought back to when they were kids and Buggy would cause a commotion and then use him as a shield, only to complain afterwards that Shanks always stole the limelight.

"Uncle Blue!" Came an excited yell, and Shanks instinctively braced himself as two arms shot across the room, followed by his son.

"Anchor. We've talked about the whole running over people thing." He said tiredly, glad that he had put his tea down before being torpedoed.

"Shishishi. Sorry." Luffy said innocently.

"Unfortunately Emperor Shanks that lesson never seems to stick." Robin called across the room, growing an arm out of Luffy's shoulder to flick his nose and straighten his hat.

"You were talking about Uncle Blue!" Luffy protested. "He ran off without saying bye to me and I wanna hear about his adventures."

Shanks silently bemoaned the brat's lack of self preservation. "Luffy, he definitely doesn't deserve to be called Uncle."

"Heh?" Luffy said, titling his head in confusion. "But he's your brother, and you're my dad. Or is he supposed to be my brother cause he's Ace's brother. But that would make you my brother - can you be my dad and my brother?"

"What? No, I'm not your brother, Anchor." Shanks said horrified. "And just because Buggy was my brother doesn't mean he gets to be your uncle. He tried to kill you."

"So did Ace and Sabo when they met me!" Luffy said beaming.

"Wait what?" Shanks said horrified.

"Yeah, Ace tried for months but then I got beaten up cause I wouldn't tell the stupid fake pirate their secret and we became brothers." Shanks gaped wordlessly. "Buggy is your family?" Shanks slowly nodded. "Well then he's my family too. 'Sides, I like having uncles and grandpa's. Family are people who are with you forever" Luffy said adamantly and Shanks' heart melted.

"Yeah kid. Forever." Shanks blinked a few times and hugged his brat, nodding at his father. Good to know Luffy has been turning enemies into allies since he was a kid. "Alright Mihawk. Tell us what Blue has been up to."