Chapter 4: Baths are the Worst

Baths are the worst. Blue was certain he was going to die. Either from fear or from drowning, he wasn't certain; but he knew he was going to die. After the Roger guy had grabbed him and the boy Shanks up, Rayleigh had given chase. The crew had chased them even. In the end Roger had a lump on his head thanks to a guy Shanks called Uncle Gaban and Rayleigh had tossed both him and Shanks into the tub after realizing how dirty Blue was and how much had gotten onto Shanks because of him. Poor Roger would suffer the same fate later.

As bucket of soapy water was dumped onto his head, Blue groaned inwardly as his bright blue hair was now on full display for all to see and as Rayleigh dumped another bucket onto his head, Blue wanted to shrink and die. Next the muck and mud was washed from his nose and face. The red monstrosity shone as brightly as the sun. Blue's face showed his displeasure at the two evil's of his being having been discovered.

Shanks' head spun towards Rayleigh's gasp of surprise. "Oh?" Rayleigh said sounding amused. "I suppose your name fits now."

Blue's anger flared. A growl sounding from his throat. Here it comes. The jokes and snide remarks. His frown deepened. He suddenly jumped when he felt a small hand touch him.

"I like Blue's hair." Shanks stated. "It's like the sea!"

Blue blinked in surprise as his shoulders began loosening from the lack of defense he had for this compliment. "Huh?" He asked when Shanks tumbled out of the tub with an Oof sound. A naked backend was Blue's view which had the blue hair boy laughing. It started with a snort, but increased as Shanks tried and failed to stand up when the redhead slipped and did the splits. Blue tried not to laugh by slapping a hand over his mouth but then Rayleigh began laughing and it was a losing battle after that when Shanks tried a third time only to land on his back. Blue's laughter echoed in the room and became the loudest. When Shanks sat up, his face was as red as his hair from embarrassment but instead of being angry he just stared at Blue for a moment before giving in and laughing at his own misfortune.

"You-" Blue said as his giggles continued. "And then bam!" He grasped at his middle and continued to laugh until he farted. "Oh shit!" He gasped as his side cramped only for him to have his chin grasped by Rayleigh.

"No cursing kid." He warned the boy. "Next time there will be a punishment." Blue gave him a look that asked really? "I'm serious. We might be pirates but it doesn't mean we have to lose ourselves to moronic words. There are other words that hurt more painfully than any curse word can."

Blue's eyes widened. "Truly?" He asked. "I've only ever heard curses, so it's all I've known."

"What kind of place were you raised in?" Rayleigh inquired as he picked the boy up and out of the water.

Once Blue knew he wouldn't fall he looked up at the older man with a frown. "Ever been on the east side of Loguetown?" He asked. Rayleigh raised a single blonde eyebrow at him. "It's where orphans and gypsies live." He explained. "The place raisin' kids had an officer there who like ta touch us, in the don't tell none kinda way or yer dead."

Rayleigh slapped a hand to his head. "Lanti." He muttered under his breath.

Blue may not have heard that word before but he was certain it was a curse that just left the older man's mouth. He raised a brow at it. "Hehehehe." Shanks giggled, having heard that word before. His second father was from the South Blue and that was his native language that had just slipped out.

Rayleigh pointed at the two. "Don't ever repeat that." He shuddered. If Rogue had heard me say that word. He cleared his voice. "Then you're lucky to be here." He stated as he grabbed another towel and wrapped Shanks in it. The younger boy squirmed and giggled even more.

The five year old blue haired boy felt a pang of jealousy for the other boy. The redhead may have claimed him, whatever that meant, but this guy seemed to find him annoying. He knew when someone didn't like him, as he'd been disliked his entire life. He pulled the towel closer to himself and looked for his clothes but found that they had gone missing. He felt a tug on his towel and turned towards Shanks who was holding up a too big of a shirt for the redhead. It was a red and white striped shirt. "This is yers." The four year old told him a huge smile plastered on his face. "It's too big fer me."

Rayleigh just stood there with a small smile on his face as he crossed his arms over his chest. "There's some pants there too kid." He muttered. Truthfully he was proud of his boy, who called him a second father, for caring so much for the dirty orphan boy. He also knew Shanks had been so lonely before Blue had showed up. Perhaps this is a blessing from Calypso. He thought. Surely this boy can't be as impossible as Shanks when it comes to his stubbornness. Little did he realize that he'd be cursing Calypso's name soon enough for delivering to them this boy who would turn out to be more stubborn than Shanks ever could be.

That night as the boys laid in Shanks' bed, Blue found himself staring up at the moon that he could see in the porthole. He thanked whatever God or Goddess for bringing him to these people; even if they were weird. Maybe, maybe he would have a home here.

Pulling the blanket closer to his chin, Blue was about to fall asleep when he felt a small arm wrap around him and press a tiny body against his side. Blue eyes snapped open and looked at the redhead with a look of annoyance. The other boy was unaware of his new friend being so uncomfortable with touching and all. Shanks had grown up with love, hugs and gentle pats to the head and had never experienced true fear before.

Blue groaned inwardly. Fine. I'll let it slide; but just for tonight. It would in fact not be for the last time that Shanks would snuggle him at night; instead, they'd be sharing the same bed until the embarrassing age of twelve when puberty would set itself upon them both.

M-Angel: I know, I know! I should be updating my other one but my mind decided let's do this one instead for me. I've been sick and finally decided that needed to update something for everyone.

Persian - Lanti (Fuck)