Shanks couldn't believe it, but seas he missed having a bed ridden Luffy. Even though it had been a struggle to keep the kid inactive, he'd had no idea how much danger Luffy could find on a ship. It was barely noon and Luffy had needed to be fished from the sea four ti- five times, today alone. He sighed as Yasopp dove in to retrieve him.
He made his way over to where the two of them were collapsed on the deck. "Anchor, the name was cute but I didn't intend for you to take it seriously. Please, please, please stay away from the edge. One more swim and you're being restricted to below deck." He whistled loudly and waved over Sabo. "You are officially on Luffy watch. Maybe you have a chance of keeping him on the ship. Yasopp, since baby sitting is beyond you, you're going to help Lucky with the dinner rush."
He watched as Sabo dragged Luffy across the ship to Ace and plopped on top of him. Maybe now he could relax for a bit. He pushed into his room and collapsed face first into his bed, groaning in relief. How did Anchor's crew keep him alive? He was just beginning to doze when his haki flared, sensing Luffy drop and he tensed, checking that someone was following him in the water again. Damn it, apparently he owed Zoro more than he had realized because this was ridiculous.
"Right," He muttered to himself, storming back onto deck. He hoisted his soaked brat up and stormed below deck, where he promptly shoved him at Benn. "Keep him here." He growled. He then went to the communication room and grabbed the Den Den.
"Red Hair?" Came the concerned voice of Mihawk.
"I need to talk to Zoro." He responded.
"Is something wrong?"
"Aw Hawky, I didn't know you cared." He said dryly.
"It's more that I'm concerned you're going to come back. I just got rid of you."
"Haha asshole. Just grab the kid for me will you?"
"What did you do? Where's Luffy?" Snarled Zoro though the line.
"He's fine." Shanks tried to interrupt.
"Then where is he?"
"Hey! Luffy is fine. He's with Benn. Its just-" he trailed off and there was a moment of silence.
"He keeps falling off the ship." Zoro said exasperated.
"So many times." Shanks groaned.
"Yeah he does that." Zoro said fondly.
"How do you stop him?" Shanks begged.
"I just keep pulling him out. Nap on deck, if he's goofing around, we make sure someones watching."
"I've got men watching! We've still had to fetch him 6 times today!"
Zoro snorted. "Well that might be a new record. Obviously you guys aren't watching him closely enough. Or he's avoiding dealing with his feelings by being reckless."
"Can you talk to him?"
"It's not me you want. When Luffy's being crazy, there's only one person who can get him to listen. You need Nami."
Luffy was sitting on Benn's bed and pouting as the man lectured him on fooling around. He didn't mean to make everyone worry about him. He just couldn't sit still. Every time he tried, he started thinking and started twitching. He missed Usopp and Chopper playing games with him. He missed how Brook and Frankie would show him what they were working on. He missed sneaking around the kitchen and dodging Sanji. He missed helping Nami with her trees and the way Zoro just knew what he needed. He was glad that Robin was around. But she'd be leaving soon, along with Sabo and he'd be truly alone. Seas he needed to do something before his brain exploded.
Just then the door opened and Shanks stepped through, shoving the Den Den in his hand. Luffy looked at it curious and then it began to yell. Luffy fumbled the snail in shock as Nami's voice came belting out.
"Luffy! How many times have I told you to stop fooling around on deck! You are lucky that I am stuck up on this cloud or I would knock you senseless. You're not on the Sunny right now with Zoro enabling your idiocy. So stop being a moron before I find a way to make you."
Luffy yelped and looked at Shank in betrayal. "But Nami,."
"Oh don't even try it! You did not survive fighting warlords and admirals and a prison break to die from something as stupid as falling off the ship."
Shanks and Benn stared wide eyed at the snail as it continued to spit out a long tirade. Shanks almost felt guilty as he watched the boy wince and mumble apologies. Benn meanwhile was taking notes. Finally the line went quiet and Luffy flashed a desperate face at the snail. "I'll behave Nami. Really."
"Good. Now tell me all about Mihawk's castle. Someone with his expensive taste must have some treasure hidden away."
Ace grinned at Sabo. It was the day that Robin and Sabo were departing and the boys decided to have one last round of training. They had carefully cleared off part of the deck and Robin was watching nearby, ready to form a barricade if anyone got too close to the edge.
Luffy was pouting, having finished his rounds of fighting all ready. And while he had managed to actually win a few, his brothers still had majority. Luffy had tried to complain that his fighting style took more space but Ace had shut that down, saying he couldn't fully use his power on a wooden ship either. Now he sat in front of Robin while she played with his hair.
"You're going to be alright with the revolutionaries?" Luffy asked her quietly. "You could stay with me if you'd rather."
"I'll be fine Captain. We both know I'm more suited to gathering information and subterfuge then fighting and brute power. It's only a little while and just think of all the knowledge and contacts I can make it that time."
"Just don't forget that you are my archeologist." Luffy said possessively. "And they better treat you well and keep you safe until we're back together. Cause I promised you that you'd never have to be alone again."
Robin laughed. "Yes captain. Your brother and I have already discussed having me work with his group. Apparently I have experience handling their kind of team. Or in his exact words- if I can manage to keep up with your brand of crazy, they'll be a breeze."
They turned back to look at the brothers to see a grinning Sabo sitting on top of a struggling Ace. "Say it." He said, tightening his grip.
"Never." Spat Ace as he tried to desperately free himself. "Get off me, you brute."
Sabo let him struggle helplessly for a few minutes. "Say it." He sang.
"Fine!" Ace said through grit teeth. "You're the best."
"And?"
"No."
"Luffy?" Sabo said smirking. Luffy happily bound over and Ace paled.
"Ok, ok! You're the best… and" he glared unhappily. "And I deserve to live."
Sabo cooed at him. "Yes, you do. Luffy." Luffy giggled and gave the blushing Ace an eskimo kiss before Sabo released him.
"You both suck." Ace mumbled, wiping off his clothes.
"And we love you." Sabo said blowing him a kiss. "Now, unfortunately, we do have to go. Dragon lets me get away with a lot but this time I maybe pushed it. Plus Koala may actually murder me if I'm late."
Robin gave a sad Luffy a quick cuddle. "You gave me a reason to want to live captain. Now we're going to get strong enough that no one can make us stop." With that she grew several arms off his side and proceeded to tickle him until he started smiling once again. She then stepped back to say her farewells to their hosts.
Sabo was hugging Ace hard enough that he was struggling to breath. "Thank you for staying alive and keeping Luffy happy. I will never forgive myself for losing those years but knowing you two were together, that you two never gave up your dreams, it helps. Never forget that you deserve to live and that there are so many of us who would die for our love of you."
Ace snorted wetly. "You're the one that came back from the dead Bo. And even though we lost those years, I'm so glad that you survived and found a life that made you happy and free. Just knowing you are out there, living is enough. And seas know it's going to take both of us and Shanks to keep Luffy out of trouble. He really is a handful and more than any one person can manage."
"We'll keep him alive… whatever it takes." Sabo said solemnly and Ace clasped his hand in agreement.
Sabo then turned to his baby brother who immediately flung himself into his arms. "Aw Lu, you know this isn't goodbye. We'll talk all the time and I'll see you again in the New World. Seas knows revolutions seem to follow you and that just so happens to be part of my job description." He teased.
"Stay safe Sabo. I don't want to lose you again." Luffy said, staring into his brother's eyes seriously.
"No matter what happens, I'll always be watching out for you and Ace. And don't worry about me, I just proved that I can still kick both your butts even with your fancy ass powers." Sabo said sticking out his tongue.
"Next time I'm gonna win. Just wait and see." Luffy responded determined.
"Eventually. After all, you're going to be king of the pirates. It would be a little embarrassing if you still got beaten by your big bros."
"Big meanies." Luffy laughed. "Keep Robin safe for me? Don't let her isolate from everyone. She…she feels like Ace sometimes and I can't be there to remind her that she deserves more."
Sabo's chest hurt at the thought of another child growing up with Ace's self hatred but reminded himself that like Ace, she had found Luffy to show her that love exists. Seas he loved his baby brother and his ability to heal everyone.
"Promise Lu. I'll make sure she remembers." With that he plopped his straw hat firmly on his brother's head and tilted it down over his face. "Now no tears this time and I'll be sure to give Dragon a fist of love for leaving you with Gramps. He definitely deserves it."
Luffy laughed, leaning back against Shanks and dragging Ace to him as they watched Sabo and Robin sail away.