Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Approaching Raftel, the wind was dead in their sails yet the ship approached quickly. After the sea and its horde fighting them every step of the way, it now seemed eager for them to make their destination. The island itself was a beauty; multicolored trees sprouting all over, with different shapes and textures that meant no one was like another. It was unnatural yet it was nature itself, thrumming with a power men weren’t meant to understand. This island was precious. It held the world's mysteries, everything it had to offer. Of this Roger was certain, as surely as if it was the one truth of the world.

His men scramble, snapped out of their revelry while they try to cast anchor. The ocean doesn't let them. The anchor unable to find purchase while the currents pull them towards the island. Roger stands on the Oro Jacksons’ figurehead, laughing heartily. Rayleigh calls him to ‘come help, dammit!’ but there was nothing to be done. The ocean wants them here and there was nothing they could do to fight her.

The ship smashes into the shore, burrowing into the land, but there is no impact. Instead it seems as if the hull cuts through, bullying the beach out of the way, a rare possibility with waterlogged sand. Roger peers down at the shore. He can pick out shapes but unsure of what he's seeing from on high.

“Roger, don’t you dare-”

Whatever the rest of the threat was going to be, Roger doesn’t care to hear. He steps off the figurehead, letting himself fall to the beach… No, not a beach, because he doesn’t fall with a thud onto sand but rather with a crunch. His legs sink in deep and jagged edges poke at him through his pants. He looks down. A skull gazes up from a bed of broken bones. Roger glances along the liar’s beach. There isn’t a speck of sand, or shingle, or stone. Instead, wrapping around the island, are piles upon piles of bones. 

All of them are mismatched and sun bleached. The most recognizable bones being the skulls and when he tries to focus on them, he can see they're not all human. Different structures from different types of humans, fishmen and minks. Farther down, what can be mistaken as a boulder is a giant’s skull, buried half way by more bones. They move with the flow of the waves lapping at the shore, small finger bones getting caught up and tumbled around by the gentle movement.

“Is this where the sea sends all those that die on her waves?” Rayleigh breathes, jumping to join him and sinking up to his knees. Roger grabs him. There is nothing solid beneath them, just layers upon layers of packed bone.

“It could be!” Roger laughs. He would bet that the seafloor around them stretched for miles looking much like this. That Raftel’s soil is bone white. “Ready to explore, men?!”

A cheer goes up as they lower ropes and disembarked the Oro Jackson. Roger pats his mighty ship's hull, thanking her for the journey here. He steps through the bones, making his way boldly onto the island proper. Each of the trees is more magnificent up close. Some extend straight up as great trunks before curling at the peak into whimsical spirals. Others have sprawling branches weaving and wiggling through their neighbors. One sprouts up like a fountain, branches curling back over into the ground in different tiers. 

There are shapes engraved into what Roger wouldn’t dare to call wood. It is too bright, too fantastical. Each with unique patterns, some swirling, some jagged, all like a master woodworker had spent centuries chiseling them in excruciating detail. Some were embossed, others engraved, all crowding along every trunk and branch. On any other plant, it would be a horrifying sign of disease, but each of these sprouts tall and strong.

One could have spent a lifetime exploring the forest, categorizing all the differences but unfortunately Roger doesn’t have that luxury. He bulldozes on through the underbrush. The crew is on guard, weapons clutched close while they look this way and that for some sort of danger. Given their journey here, Roger had expected some sort of grand beast, one last big battle, a big hurrah. But the island is strangely peaceful. Silent, even. Not a bird flies over head, no lizards run through the foliage.

And then, as they approach the center of the island; there is laughter.

Some startle at the sound in the silent forest but Roger grins and changes course towards it. Caution falls by the wayside. There weren’t meant to be people here, and as Roger pushes aside the leaves of a long willow-like tree (that stretches up towards the sky higher than a mountain top but almost as narrow as a barrel), he can’t say he’s sure there are.

People that is, because this is certainly someone . They could look almost human if not for part of his brain insisting something is wrong. They don’t look old, nor young, not even somewhere in the middle. It was as if the concept of age, of time, doesn’t touch them. Any features Roger can make out slip away from his awareness as soon as he notices them, as if they are forever shifting; or were they even there to begin with? Was it just his mind playing tricks, trying to make sense of something that was incomprehensible? The only thing he can see for certain is a bright beaming smile.

“Are you ready then?” The voice is warm. It tingles along his skin like that moment before a fight, like a ship on the precipice of a mighty wave. “It’s been awhile.”

The boy? The creature? The spirit? The thing? Reaches out to a branch that comes down in a long spiral. It lowers itself right into their waiting hands. There is a fruit on the end that can't be mistaken for anything else.

“A Devil Fruit.” Roger breathes. 

The purple swirling patterns on the fruit match the tree branches that point each and every way in spring-like coils. Its rounded leaves follow the same spiral, looking like confetti as they dance and flutter around in the breeze.

It was a Devil Fruit tree. They were in a grove of Devil Fruit trees.

The one holding the fruit turns to Roger with a smile. The pirate can do nothing but laugh.

“I always wondered where they came from,” The Captain continues, chuckling. 

“A human, huh?” Undaunted by the Devil Fruit holder's widening smile, Roger steps forward. “It’s also been awhile, since one has been to Laugh Tale!”

So that's the island's true name, huh? Appropriate, considering that was the first thing to greet them here.

“Gol D. Roger,” Introducing himself with his crew behind him, he greets the entity warmly. “And who would you be?”

The smile doesn’t dim. It’s too bright, too all encompassing for a word so dull. But the stretch lessens and for a split second, Roger might have been able to identify (hallucinate?) eyes looking down at the fruit. The entity passes it between their hands, turning the purple leathery thing this way and that.

“You called this a Devil Fruit?” The voice asks consideringly. Roger nods. 

The smile returns full force, innocent, almost sweet. Pure - perhaps not in the way humans would consider it, but as a complete embodiment of something. What that thing is, unfortunately and counter productively is too complex for Roger to name. With a complete lack of malice they say;

“I guess that makes me the Devil then!”

Roger doesn't hesitate to laugh.

“Well then Devil, it’s nice to meet you!”

“Shishishishishi!” It’s a strange sound - it echoes through the grove as if coming from the trees themselves and Roger has no doubt it’s the Devil returning his laugh. “I like you.”

Some would be horrified to receive the Devil’s endorsement. But Roger was a sort of devil himself so his laughter just redoubles, the joy of two gleeful Devils brightening the area. 

“So this is your orchard then?” Roger asks with keen curiosity, “You grow the Devil Fruits?”

“I am the Devil Fruits.” The entity- the God- proclaims proudly, spinning around and gesturing to the trees. “All I am grows here! I send it out there, so now I’m small. Shishishishi!”

Roger doesn’t think they are small. Their presence is too big, like the condensed form of conqueror’s haki with a will no mortal man could hope to achieve. Yet… when you consider each Devil Fruit, every power out there; how one in the hands of a certain person could turn the world off its axis; how the power was so great, if someone dared to eat two their body would perish. All of that, held within one being? He can see how this would feel small to a God.

“What fruit is that?” Roger peers at the harvest held protectively. Not as if cautious someone will take it, but like it is something precious, “Or rather, what part of you?”

“A very special part,” The grin melts into something caring, tender, before going blinding and the Devil turns on a dime, marching off through the grove.

Roger looks back at his crew. Most look more than shell shocked. He tilts his head at Rayleigh, asking his first mate a silent question. Rayleigh simply pinches his brow as if fighting off a headache and waves Roger on. Roger salutes sloppily, hurrying after the Devil.

He runs only for a few minutes before realizing he can’t catch up. He changes to walking but doesn't fall any further behind. So he stays at a casual pace. If the God wants him to catch up, he will. 

Now that he’s looking for it, while passing through the grove he spies the occasional fruit within the tree's branches. One tree has grown around the fruit like a cage; another has it half grown in the center of its trunk as it beats like a heart. Some fruits are the size of a berry. Roger never considered that Devil Fruits would have to grow before. No one had ever found a plant - they just seemingly popped out of the ocean from nowhere.

But now, as he follows the Devil to the beach of bones and watches them gently lower it into the water, he knows how they got there. The fruit fights valiantly against the current. The waves try to push it back but it bobs on, moved by a power all its own.

Roger comes to stand next to the Devil as they look wistfully after the fruit. They stand atop the bones, not sinking at all unlike Roger. The pirate is a man who has many smiles. Those of happiness and pure joy. The rageful snarl that's cold and chilling as the smile turns bloody. The watery smile he gave his cabin boys, his sons , as he left them behind for this journey’s last leg. That is the closest the mortal man can get to relating to a God.

“Why do you tear yourself apart?” Roger asks, it’s not reverent but rather the concerned ask of an old friend. The Devil's smile turns small, watching as the fruit slips completely away from sight, bullying its way to the horizon.

“It’s the only way part of me gets to be free,” They say, and the loneliness of the tone, even humming with the powers of a being that has existed far longer than man, is heartbreakingly human. It has Roger’s hackles rising.

“Are you a prisoner here?” He demands with the same danger in his tone that has preceded nations falling.

The laugh that greets him is loud and bright, echoing along the bones. The Devil turns to him, the sun haloing his head making the smile look impossibly more radiant.

“Nah, my brother is just a worry wart.”

“Your brother?” Roger questions. The Devil grins wider. Then, with a splash, they jump into the ocean.

Roger peers down into the clear water. He was right, there are more bones down there. But the Devil stops moving, freezing up completely as that smile remains on their face. The next moment, a big wave swells and they’re washing up on shore. They don’t cough or splutter- what would a God care of air- but rather giggle, lying amongst the bones.

Oh , Roger thinks, looking upon the many many skeletons, knowing for certain what each one used to be. Why Devil Fruit users can’t swim. How many millennia did it take for the tides to bring their bodies, with powers soaked into their very bones, back here? The ocean is trying to return their brother home . It was said that if you ate a Devil Fruit, the ocean would hate you. Of course a God's scorn and love would look similar.

“The ocean must love you very much,” Roger comes to sit by the Devil, not sinking as far into the bones in this position. The Devil still seemingly floats atop them, turning their head to smile at the pirate.

“Yeah, it’s annoying.” The God beams, reducing the Achille’s heel that's drowned thousands, if not millions over time, to ‘annoying’. 

Roger cannot hope to understand or contextualize what these massive events, the sources of the world’s myth and legend, mean in a God's mind. But his new friend doesn't seem mad at his brother, even if he clearly yearns for a life outside of Laugh Tale. So Roger will take his lead and not hold a grudge against the ocean’s watery depths.

“You know, that’s something I got wrong,” Roger cackles, “I’ve been referring to the seas as a mother for years.”

“Can’t they be?” The Devil sits up and tilts his head to the side, like a curious child.

“You called it your brother,” Roger reminds, getting the God to tilt his head more.

“Isn’t that how you refer to those other humans? Brother-in-arms? Always there, fighting together, against each other too, but always in the fun way? Well, usually .” They pick up a bone and chuck it into the water, the smile taking on a more teasing lilt. “And a mother is warm and caring right? Protective? The ocean is too - also scary and strict.”

“Usually someone can’t be your brother and your mother,” Roger tries to explain, and in all the things he expected to happen on Raf- Laugh Tale, he did not expect giving the Devil the birds and the bees talk to be one. He hadn’t even given his own sons that talk, outsourcing the problem to Rayleigh and jumping ship.

“Relationships are not about feeling?” The God asks and it’s so simple the pirate pauses.

“... I guess you’re right!” Roger guffaws- of course they are- and why would something as petty as gender matter to an all powerful being anyway? Feelings, that was humanity's greatest strength anyway.

“Shishishishi,” The Devil giggles, the sound coming like a quiet choir at their backs, like wind flowing through the trees. “I like your laugh, it feels like freedom.”

“I’m the freest man in the world.” Roger proclaims, and that seems to impress the God more than any show of power could manage. “Do you want to be free?”

“Mmhmm.” The Devil nods enthusiastically. Their smile finally slips off for a pout of all things - a primordial being, pouting. “But I can’t get off the island since they stuck me here. I’ve thought of everything, it’s been forever! ”

Knowing they’re a God, that’s probably not an exaggeration. Roger chuckles and reaches for the body's shoulder. It jolts his arm, power thrumming up his bones, blood pushed back the wrong way. If the Devil was at full power and not scattered in pieces across the world, Roger has no doubt the sheer rush would kill him. As is, he pushes through the instinct to let go to hold his friend as he promises:

“Then I will help you get off Laugh Tale.”

The Devil tilts his head, not mocking or doubting as he curiously asks, “How though? Every piece of me that can be spared is already a fruit, I’m all that’s left.” The Devil crosses his arms, the pout coming full force. “Don’t think the ocean will let your ship leave if I’m on it.”

Roger hums, letting go to rub at his chin. The arm’s sort of numb, like he’s been sleeping on it for awhile. He looks out at the trees. At the remnant of the Devil.

“Can you turn the last part of yourself into a fruit?” He gets a nod and Roger’s grin grows. “Great! Do it then and I’ll eat you!”

The God’s mouth opens. Closes. Turns into a tiny smirk, that grows into a soft smile, and becomes a bright grin that bursts with laughter.

“Yeah, that’ll work! But I don’t have much power left in me, you won't be able to do anything cool.” 

“Hm, that's okay, I’ve got one thing in mind if you think it’s doable?” 

The grin that meets him is a challenge. Roger will have to ask if it’s alright they pick the Devil Fruits that are ready. It’s the last the world is going to get for a while, now that the gardener is going on vacation.

---

Rouge spends much of her time looking out over the ocean. From the house with its sunny windows to brief moments while hanging out the washing while her son plays on the beach. 

People suspected a lover on the sea and they weren’t wrong. Roger had left for his last great adventure and for that Rouge didn’t begrudge him. She had practically kicked his ass out of the house and threatened to burn the dock and cut him off from shore if he tried to return before fulfilling his dream. Yet, it wasn’t her love for him that had her gazing out over the water, but a love for the ocean itself. She can admit privately that she misses the waves, the rush of adventure they brought her once. However, she had run out of people to share it with. The ocean that she loved so much had taken her crew as well. Sometimes, that love was a soul-tearing hate. She hated the waters for so long that she didn’t doubt herself at all when she committed to living on land, raising her son.

Yet, it was telling that she never destroyed her dear old skiff. That she keeps it well tended, tucked in a little cave in the cove where she takes Ace to play.

Her son loves the sea. With his parents, how could he not? Taking the three year old out on the skiff to sail laps around the island is one of her greatest joys. His laughter as he squints against the sea foam make her glad for her decision not to destroy it.

“Mama! Mama!” Ace calls from the rocky outcropping he is climbing. His chubby little arm pointing towards the sea. “Dad’s coming!”

“Mmhmm.” Rouge hums, trying to disguise her laugh. 

Ace thought every boat, piece of driftwood, and shadow was his father returning home. It had only gotten worse since the newspapers came out proclaiming Roger as the Pirate King. It meant he had made it to Raftel, had made it back. He was coming back here, she knew he was. But Rouge knew his prognosis when he left. If it was still true… they had so little time.

“Mama!” Ace huffs, stomping his foot. The little puddles gathered on the rocks splashing. “Come look!”

“I’m coming,” Rouge reassures and this time she does laugh, climbing up the rocks to her little Spitfire.

Ace’s bucket of little treasures has been discarded. She ducks down to pick it up, scooping the bits of seaweed and shells back in place.

“Mama! Not looking!” Ace scowls, tugging on her dress. She pinches his cheek, right over his freckles, making the scowl deepen.

“I’m sorry Spitfire, now where-” She cuts off, spotting in the distance what her son had. 

A small dinghy. Red coat. Wide smile. 

“Roger.” She breathes, scooping her son up and they both wave. The man is visible even if he is still far off, waving both hands with his whole body. The movement almost has the dinghy capsizing and he scrambles not to fall off. Rouge laughs, tittering and soft at her big lovable oaf.

She carries Ace down to the beach. The boy wiggles around to get to the sand. She lets him go and he sprints off across it, sand spraying with each footstep. Rouge is not sure he remembers his father properly, he was all but one when the man left for his final voyage. She’s also not sure how much of what he knows is from stories, heard from her and others and made legend in his young mind. How much from the scarce den-den calls they managed? It had been almost a year since they lost contact as the crew entered the New World, only knowing how they were doing from newspapers and wanted posters. 

But for a selfish moment as Roger’s dinghy reaches the shallows, Rouge doesn't worry about her son's reaction. She walks out into the waves. They lap at her like a greeting, pulling her out to her heart. Roger scrambles off the dingy as he sees her approach. Boots and full coat still on. Although she isn’t any better, her beach dress gets soaked through as she runs through the waves.

“Rouge!” 

“Roger!”

The two collide. She feels her love lift and spin her, her feet dancing along the top of the water, sending sea spray in a circle around them. Their laughter rings across the water, echoes back and forth on the walls of the cove. Roger holds her up and there's a quick peck to her lips but neither can look away from the other's face for too long. She leans her forehead against his, soaking in his bright eyes.

“Welcome home, Pirate King.” She runs her hands through his hair. It’s coarse and straw like, damaged from the salt of years–a lifetime really–at sea.

“Does that make you my Pirate Queen?” He teases back. Rouge huffs, pecking at his lips herself before pulling back.

“I’d sooner earn that title myself, thank you.” The response, predictably, earns her laughter. 

The sound seeps into her bones like a limb she’s been missing. It peters off all too quickly as Roger looks towards the shore. For a man who has seen all the world has to offer, he has never looked more awed.

“Ace…” Roger takes a step forward and Rouge doesn't mind his distraction in the least.

Ace is looking at them, fidgeting where the tides just start to lap at his feet.  Roger shuffles forward, through the waves as Rouge follows behind. Ace looks up and up at his father until the man is right in front of him. Then the King of the Pirates drops to his knees, water splashing up and wet sand coats his pants. 

“Ace.” He repeats like a prayer and her son, contrary to his excitement earlier, scowls and crosses his arms.

“You left.” The boy accuses in his choppy toddler speak; he’d probably say a lot more if he had the vocabulary and ability to. Could probably understand a lot better what about that makes him upset. What stops him from hugging the father he’s waited every day for.

“I know.” Roger hangs his head.

He doesn't apologise. They know he’s not sorry for the adventure he had.

He doesn't promise not to leave. He will, even Ace knows they only have so much time.

“But I love you,” The man says, and that's really all that matters. “I loved you every day I was gone and I’ll love you every day I’m still here, and then everyday after that for whatever comes next.”

Ace frowns and his lip wobbles. Expression all scrunched up and pained, trying to understand all the big feelings. He looks at Rouge over Roger’s shoulder. She gives her son a sad smile. It’s not fair. He was born to two incredibly selfish people who knew their lives, their dreams, were not suited for children. But they wanted this little boy so bad they had him anyway.

“Okay,” Ace nods slowly, “Promise no stopping?”

“I promise.” Roger grins. Whether it’s the words or the smile that's charmed everyone he’s met– one Ace has never properly seen before and is now being faced with the widest yet–their son beams back and there’s so much of Roger in that smile. 

He launches himself at his Dad, little arms not even making it around his big body. But that doesn't matter because Roger’s hug is all encompassing. He rubs his little boy’s back the same way he did when his body was wracked with sobs as a baby, like how it is now.  Rouge folds herself down next to them, hugging her boys, holding onto them as the tide tries to drag them back out. Roger’s hers now - the ocean had its time blessed by him. Ace will have his time with it one day as well. But for now, they’re both here and they’re both hers.

“My love,” Rouge reaches for his face. Her thumb wiping away the tears that trail into his smile. It only grows wider as he leans into her palm. “Your boat is floating away.”

“Huh-” Roger looks behind him to the little dingy getting taken out by the tide. “Dammit!”

He pulls away with a splash of seawater, running out to go retrieve it. Ace giggles at his flailing as does Rouge. That teasing little chuckle is all hers. He reaches the point where she knows the sandy bank drops, that she’s taught Ace to judge and avoid it. Roger suddenly drops down and Rouge only chuckles for a moment before realizing he’s flailing - not swimming, not treading water, flailing .

“Roger?!” She calls out in concern, the man splutters and goes under with a small wave. “Ace, stay here!”

She makes sure the toddler stays put before running, then swimming out to Roger. He’s sinking down, tides pulling at his clothes, trying to drag him out. She dives down and hefts him up. The two break from the water with much coughing on the Pirate King's part. She looks at him incredulously, treading water for the both of them while the man who could once swim between islands does nothing to help. Roger grimaces in that sheepish way he gets on occasion, when shame and self awareness make it through his thick, bullheaded skull.

“So, funny story…”

---

“You made a deal with the Devil.” Rouge says, arms crossed, glaring at Roger on the other side of the dining table. “For me to have its child.”

“Technically, the child will be the Devil.” Roger corrects, bathed in the golden light of evening, He looks sheepish but not enough .

“So you want me to give birth. To the Devil .”

“He’d still be our son,” Roger reassures, gesturing to their other son who had grown bored of this debate some time ago and was now occupying himself on the floor with some toys. “Just with a bit of Devil thrown in there!”

“So he would know he’s the Devil?” Her glare pierces the man as he gives a shrugging gesture, “ Roger .”

“I don’t know? We didn’t really work out any of the details,” Roger rubs the back of his head, but then he smiles and his eyes light up. “But they were a good person, I could tell - you’d love them, Rougie!”

“Don’t Rougie me right now.” She hisses, despite the fact that if Roger deems somebody a good person, they probably are.

Besides, from his story it doesn't sound like the God knew what being the Devil truly meant to humans. Did names matter to a being like that? Did they choose their own names or did they just take on whatever humanity assigned them?

“What happens if we don’t follow through on this deal?” Rouge asks, sitting back in her chair.

“I’m sure we can avoid it.” Roger shrugs, uncaring of potentially invoking a God's wrath, because really, how could it stand up to Rouge’s anger? “It just means you won’t get any of this sweet lovin-”

Rouge reaches over and smacks him upside the head.

With Haki .

Roger groans and rubs the back of his head where the spot is smarting. Rouge tunes out his whining and pouting. She drums her fingers on the table and looks out the window. The sun is returning to the horizon, bathing all of Baterilla in golden light. It’s gorgeous as it reflects on the ocean. Travelers of all sorts have hailed the seas as the ultimate freedom. It had been hers too, her joy, her life. It had been her friends’ graves. One of them was a Devil Fruit user. They sank quicker and deeper than anyone else. Were their bones being washed towards that island now?

All this time, the ocean was hailed as a champion of freedom while keeping a prisoner.

It was just the sort of dichotomy the seas were known for. Calm and cruel. Life giving and taking. Loving and spiteful. Free and chained.

“Ace baby?” She calls while Roger is still nursing his ‘wound’. Her Spitfire looks up and Rouge asks. “Do you want a little brother?”

Ace’s face scrunches up at the question, the way it does when she asks if he wants to play outside more or come in and read a bedtime story - real tales from her and Roger’s adventures, most of the time.

“Will it be cool?” The question gets a full belly laugh out of Roger and a small chuckle from Rouge.

“Yes, they’ll probably be very cool,” She can’t imagine a world where a Devil child doesn't take them by storm. A God walking among mortals.

“Okay then,” Ace shrugs, going back to his play.

“Well, if we’ve got his permission,” Roger cracks his knuckles, looking pointedly towards the bedroom. “We should probably get started.”

Rouge's returning smile is saccharine sweet as her hand coats itself in black.

---

Their time together–as it always is with his family–is too short. Roger is aware that it is entirely his fault. He’s the one that keeps leaving them. Rouge always, the love of his life, left behind over and over again either on different ships or different islands. Ace, only twice now,  but ultimately the time Roger has spent in his life will be little over a year - too short, much too short. Then his cabin boys, his sons , Buggy and Shanks, abandoned. Should he have taken them with him to Rouge? Was it time to start their own stories? Or was it too early?

Then there was his youngest- an eldritch horror he had stolen from the ocean itself. They had decided to name him Luffy. He was still just a bump. The only things he knew, would ever know were thus; Luffy would be a God; the ocean would always be trying to get him back; Rouge had the biggest cravings for smoked ham because of him.

Yes, Roger knew he was selfish because his own desires always trumped his want to stay with them.

He wanted the ocean more than he wanted Rouge.

He wanted a last adventure more than he wanted to raise Ace.

He wanted to avoid his older sons bringing attention to Rouge and his youngest so he left them.

He wanted a flashy exit more than he wanted to see if he could last until Luffy’s birth.

That one was probably for the best. If Luffy came out looking like that ever shifting uncanny being from Laugh Tale Rouge would have killed Roger anyway.

He’s a selfish father, and a selfish friend.

He disbanded his crew because he wanted this last year with Rouge and his son. None of them knew what he was planning, though Rayleigh might have had his suspicions. That was good - he didn’t want any of them seeing his death after they fought so hard to keep each other alive. But he could feel his older sons in the crowd and makes sure to smile wider as he made his march up.

He hadn’t told any of his old allies and friends what he was planning. The only one who knew was Garp, and only because the man was marching him to death row. Roger had turned himself over to the man, selfishly ignoring the way the marine’s face crumpled as he had no choice but to put on those cuffs. He had selfishly used that guilt to make Garp promise to protect his sons. Had turned himself over in the first place because he knew the man wouldn’t gloat over his victory of taking down the Pirate King.

He was selfishly about to make his old friend execute him because he wanted the man that did it to know Roger, to not hate him.

Roger knelt on that platform. He was selfish, more so because he didn’t regret a single action. He’d do it all again and if it weren't for the disease he’d still be out there following his dreams.

Because that's what the Pirate King does.

That's what a free man does.

“Pirate king! Tell us where you’ve hidden your treasure!”

His last words should probably be a declaration of love to his family. To the sons in the crowd about to watch him die. To Rouge looking after their toddler, about to give birth to another one of their children. 

Roger grins.

No, his last words are going to be for himself.

For the era he is about to inspire.

And maybe he selfishly hopes it will inspire his family too.

Chapter Text

Baterilla, her home island, the place where her precious son was born. Is burning. The screams of the island's mothers echo all the way to the far side. Rouge runs in the opposite direction. Leaving the wailing mothers to a fate meant for her. She has Ace on her back and Luffy in her belly. It makes each step a challenge as she runs as fast as she can down the path to their little cove. Her skimmer is there and it’s been packed with provisions since the day she found out she was having Ace.

“Mama?” Ace’s voice is small and scared, still tired after she had yanked him out of bed at the first sign of marines.

“It’s alright Spitfire, we’re going to go for a ride.” She reassures, taking a genuine breath of relief as she notices there's no marines ships this side of the island yet. They always leave gaps and she’s good at finding them.

The skiff helps with that. She pulls the tarp off her old friend, bundling it up and stuffing it in a storage container as she starts pushing it out towards the water. Ace, with his kind heart, jumps down to help. She picks him up when they reach the water and takes the skiff as far out as she can. It’s a struggle climbing onto the ship with a swollen belly but she manages, panting through the ill-timed nausea as a little hand pats her back.

“It’s okay baby, I’m-” The words freeze in her throat. Around the cape, a blue and white ship is turning. “Ace, I need you to go into the cabin below. Don’t come out for anything.”

“Ma-”

“Now,” She says firmly, lifting up the hatch. The cabin is so small it's basically a coffin - she desperately hopes it won’t become a real one.

Ace hiccups, a sob hitching as she puts him in and closes the hatch back down. The Marine ship is close. Far too close. She tugs on the sails and trusts in the wind. She’s smaller and more maneuverable but she won’t be faster- yet she knows these waters. There is a current further out that will take her quickly away. If she can reach it in time, they can disappear into the night. Rouge doesn't know if the Marines spot her as she books it towards the current. The winds are in her favor, which means they’re in the Marines favor too and their sails are a hell of a lot bigger. Rouge tugs on the ropes, teeth bared against the biting spray. She feels butterfly kicks on her belly and places a hand over it.

“Of course you like this,” She chuckles at the baby’s excitement. “Just like your parents after all.”

Then she hears the tell tale whirl of a cannon ball. Looking up, she spots it in the sky, estimates its trajectory and tugs hard at the rudder and ropes . They veer to the left as the cannonball hits just right of them. The resulting wave rocks the skiff and Rouge can hear Ace’s yelp below.

“It’s alright sweetie!” Rouge calls over the roar of the wind and the boom of another cannonball.

This one has her righting up so she can keep heading straight for that current. It hits the water just behind him, Rouge angling them so the waves will give them a boost. The Marines are gaining on them. Rouge can hear the orders being shouted over the water. She pulls on the ropes, making sure they’re not directly in front of the ship so they won’t be pulled under, while making sure they’re not lined up right for any cannon fire.

The Marines realise this too quickly and get their snipers deployed. Rouge curses. She can’t afford to zig zag, she needs every bit of speed they can get. So she ducks low, covering her belly as much as she can and lets Armament Haki cover her back. She hopes there are no commanding officers who know Haki. Why would there be? They came here expecting civilians, not Hibiscus Rouge. 

They came here expecting a slaughter.

The Marine vessel is getting too close. The current is still far off, she’ll be crushed before she gets there. In an utterly reckless maneuver Roger would be proud of, she pulls to the side, out of the ship's path and snaps her sails shut. Their momentum quickly falls off while the Marine ship hurtles on, close enough for her to reach out and run her hand along the hull.

The cannons on the sides come in line with her and Rouge laughs hysterically as she’s close enough to see the lights of their linstocks. She hears the cannons fire, feels the splash of them and her boat rocks dangerously, knocking against the warship's hull. Ace cries out down below but Rouge doesn't have time to reassure him. She can hear the scrambling as they reload. Others shout orders that she’s too close, to get the rifles instead.

Rouge releases the sail, pulls the ropes so they’re angled away from the ship and jets off. There's a cry, a hail of bullets as she quickly pulls away. Some hit but they ping off her Haki harmlessly. She drops the Haki as soon as she’s out of range. Unfortunately, that means it puts her once more in the path of cannons. 

Rouge dodges between the splash of cannon fire, heading off to the side in the opposite direction of the current. The winds are not as strong. She’s slower than before, but she’s maneuverable. The Marine ship has a harder time turning to chase after her and ends up behind her once again. Rouge knows she’s going to have to pass by the side again to get back on track. She angles wide towards the island, making sure the warship is still straight on before quickly jerking at the ropes to spin them around. They turn on a dime back towards the ship and what Rouge would give to see the officers’ faces right now.

The Marines' ship creaks and struggles to turn. It moves in her direction, towards the island. Good. She’s high on the wind whipping at her face. The salty spray it brings with it. She laughs, howling her joy into the night. She can’t hear anything over the blood pumping in her ears and that’s a mistake.

She misses the sound of cannon fire as she passes by the side of the ship. One cannonball hits too close. She dodges it - right into the path of a second one. It’s headed right for them, right for her, it’s an impossibly lucky shot and it would have missed completely had she not–she was a fool–turned into it.

It’s instinct that Rouge spins and hunches over her belly. A thin layer of Armament Haki covers her back but the majority is focused around her child. If she was clever, if she wasn’t acting on barest desperate impulse, she would have tried something else but that sort of clarity only comes when her back is burning and she’s screaming into the night.

“Mama!” Ace thumps against the hatch. Rouge leans her weight into it, biting back the pain until her lips are bloody.

“I’m okay baby, stay in there!” Her voice wobbles.

The pain at her back is blacking out the edges of her vision. That won’t do, her boys need her. Rouge grits her teeth, winds the rope around her wrists and jerks the sail tight. They shoot off, past the warship, out of range.

The Marines panic and try to turn faster, only to be met with a cacophony of wood tearing up against rock. The big ship runs right into the rocky outcropping hidden under the waves that Rouge’s skimmer passes by without worry. It sounds nasty but she doesn’t look back to check. It’s a clear shot to the current now and she has her sail angled to catch the wind just right, her way lit by the fires spouting up across her home island.

Rouge feels the shift in the water, the tug of the boats hull through the current as it grabs them. It’s a struggle to get out of this rip unless you really try, especially on such a small boat. She had panicked the first time it happened and had been dragged far out to sea. She had followed it on the day she set out to become a pirate, laughing as the wind behind her and the current beneath her shot her forward into new beginnings. 

Now she ties up the sail securely and lifts the rudder. Her back is searing with pain and her shoulders scream when they bunch and stretch while lifting the hatch to the cabin. Her little Spitfire had tears running down his face and Rouge smiles gently.

“Hey Acey, I told you we’d be alright,” She soothes, thanking the night for hiding her bloody charred back from the boy. She does her part as she hides her grimace while lowering herself onto the narrow bed. “I’ve got you.”

Ace’s breath hitches as he burrows into her chest. With his face covered, she allows the wince as she reaches up to close the hatch. The skin along her shoulder blade is definitely split and she sucks in a pained breath, glad that Ace’s sobbing is covering it. She settles down, holding her son close and running a hand through his hair. Her other hand goes to her belly, tracing over it, breathing a sigh of relief when she feels a kick.

“Mama’s got you boys.”

---

It was a sunny day - at least, for that moment. Rouge was on an island in the Grandline that was known to switch between weather at the drop of a hat. The locals adjusted as well as they could; they grew all kinds of plants from different climates, so the island had a vast array of produce should a crop or two fail. Regardless, she had lucked out and was enjoying mangoes on the pier. The rest of her crew were making merry with the locals. From the sounds of it, a full on festival was going to start at any moment but that was likely due to the island's other visitors. Rouge would join once she was no longer massacring a pile of fruit, sweet juice running down her face and absolutely destroying her sun dress.  

“You look radiant as always,” Thick black hair comes over her vision. Rouge follows her reflexes and punches.

The man falls back with a cry, a hand clutched over his bleeding nose. But there was nothing short of stars in his eyes when he looked at her.

“And the meanest right hook!”

“Roger!” It’s a surprise, realisation, and admonishment all in one. 

She wipes her mouth off with the back of her hand. It comes away sticky. She knows there's probably still mango juice and pulp lining her chin and running down her neck, and certainly evidence left behind on what should be a white dress.

“You should know better than to sneak up on me by now,” She scowls, because it was certainly intentional.

“You always get distracted when you eat,” Roger’s grinning as he wipes the blood away from his swollen nose. More dribbles down almost immediately and he doesn't bother to stem it; too busy staring at her with a dopey grin. Which is ridiculous. She looks ridiculous. Plus she can feel rivulets of mango juice running down her arms, mixing with the blood on her knuckles.

“Seas, we both look a mess,” Rouge chuckles, deciding fuck it and wiping her hands off on her dress. It's not like it didn’t get enough stains in battle.

“You look perfect.” 

Compliments roll off Roger’s tongue like waves roll onto shore. Rouge would call him a sweet-talker if she didn’t know this man has meant every word he’s ever said. Has never regretted a single action- at least until now as he reaches for one of her mangoes, pausing only when Rouge growls lowly in her throat.

“Try it,” The man has the decency to look properly chastised, and just a little wary. He knew as well as anyone not to get between a D. and their food - plus Rouge hadn’t gotten to have mango in so long.

“I’ll get my own?” 

“And extra for me,” Rouge flips her hair over her shoulder, mango juice definitely matting it in parts. “As an apology for even considering it.”

“Hmm, nope!” Roger replies cheerfully, “I’ve got something even better!”

Rouge crosses her arm and looks unimpressed down at the ridiculous man, scrambling around and checking his pockets while still sitting down where the punch had thrown him. His straw hat almost blows off as the winds pick up, a sign the weather is about to change again. She reaches out and lightly presses down on the brim to make sure it stays in place. Rogers' smile in return is absolutely dazzling, even with the blood smeared over his top lip.

“Ta-da!” The man proudly presents a hibiscus flower, the same color as the ribbon on his hat. “We found this special variety a few islands ago. The locals said it will never wilt, never lose its color and never die! It’s a forever bloom just like my love for you!”

Rouge blinks down at the small flower cupped in too big hands like the most precious treasure. When was the last time they had seen each other? Months? How long had this fool been holding it in his pocket waiting to see her again? How many battles had it weathered, coming out without a scratch or bruised petal?

There's a shift from behind him and Rouge looks up to see Rayleigh. Roger's first mate is watching them with exhausted resignation. That is answer enough.

“Thank you,” Rouge takes the flower, startling slightly at its texture- before her smile grows impossibly wide. She leans forward planting a soft kiss on Roger’s bruised nose, the skin hot from the rush of blood. “I love it.”

“I hoped so!” Roger beams, pushing himself up and almost headbutting Rouge in his haste. “Now come on! There’s a party!”

It certainly looks like he is right. Even as the wind pick up and the clouds swirl grey overhead, the town is lively, setting up bright umbrellas at the first drops of rain and continuing on with their joy. Roger runs off into the crowd with a big smile, waving back at them as people get pulled into his orbit.

Rouge waves back, hibiscus held gently in one hand. She can’t seem to wipe the smile off her face. Not when Ray comes to stand by her side, also waving at his Captain, with a fond smile at his antics.

“You didn’t tell him it was plastic did you?” Rouge asks lightly, not letting her expression slip an inch.

“Honestly, it reached a point we didn’t know how to,” Rayleigh's smile is pained as Roger’s boisterous laugh starts echoing through the town down the pier and across the water.

By the seas, she loves this man.

---

Rouge lays on her side, idly playing with her son's hair as he sleeps. She knew she was going to die.

They had made it out to a small unpopulated island. She couldn’t risk going to one with a hospital. The Marines were covering the South Blue, her escape basically a confirmation of their greatest fears. Someone would turn her over. She’d bet her old bounty posters are getting redistributed or a new one is in the works. It’ll probably be higher than her own, which is a sting to her pride. If she had more time, she’d do something worthy of that price.

Yet she didn’t. Her back burned. Every breath was agony. Ace had seen it once and his wailing lasted hours and only petered out when he cried himself to sleep. She resolved not to let him see it again for as long as she lived - which wouldn’t be much longer now. 

She traced her son's freckles - would Luffy have them too? She could imagine it would be adorable, Ace poking at his little brother's cheeks the same way he did to her freckles. The same way she was doing to him now. It was a nice thought, but it wouldn’t happen. She was going to die before that. S he runs her hand over her belly, feeling the featherlight kicks. Her son was usually far more feisty. She hoped her Haki protected him even if it didn’t matter. She was going to die before he was born. All of her thoughts kept circling back to that. Her death. Her sons.

If she didn’t die before giving birth, she would during or after. Where would that leave Ace? With the dead body of his mother and a baby he was unable to feed. Would Luffy die in his arms? Would Ace go looking for help? Would the Marines shoot down her baby boys at first sight? Of course they would. And she wouldn’t be there to stop them.

Because she was going to die here. From a lucky shot. A measly cannon ball to the back.

Fuck that.

She gives a peck to Ace’s forehead, biting down her cries as she struggles to sit up. Her belly weighs her down and pain laces through her back. She feels the weak skin crack and tear, oozing anew. Bones in her shoulder that had been shattered are grinding together, stabbing into her flesh. She grits her teeth against the scream and stands.

She exits the little cave nook they had found with staggering steps. She passes the skiff, palm fronds haphazardly spread over it, keeping their location hidden from any passing scouts. They’re close to the beach - Rouge hadn’t managed to walk much further as she fought against her blackout. Her steps falter at the icy touch of the waves lapping at her feet. She presses forward into the surf until she’s up to her waist in it. The salt hitting the wounds on her lower back presses a scream out of her that she turns on the ocean.

“Listen here you fucker! I’m carrying your brother- son- whatever, yours ,” She screams out into the night, her desperation and pain carrying across the inky black water. “And if this keeps up, I’m going to die! So use your almighty power and do something .”

The water roils. Rouge braces herself, digging her feet into the sand as a wave washes over her head. The salt creeps into the cracks of her wound, blood and brine intermingling. The sting is like getting cannon-blasted all over again. She can’t stop the scream, choking water into her lungs.

The wave crests and passes. She hacks up the water, vomit going with it, getting mixed into the sea. The wind chills her and the water rushing out to make another wave pulls at her already tattered dress. She can see the swell start to build again. Her arms tremble and her vision gets spotty. She pulls on her consciousness like she would the ropes of her skimmer, jerking the sails to stay up, not yet .

“If I die, he dies with me, you hear?!” Rouge shrieks, at the approaching crest of a wave. “There’s no getting him back!”

The wave falls short, breaking just in front of her. Salt water laps up her back like tearing knives but she doesn’t go under. The ocean is only merciful when it chooses.

“Do you understand death? You should! You took my crew from me!” Tears are streaming down her face, the salt of them and of the ocean mixing together. The ocean has taken so many of her tears. “So now you’re going to give me something back and help save my son! ”

She hears the rush of water as it’s pulled out again. Can see the swell of the next wave, bigger than all the rest. Her footing in the sand is already unsteady, this one is definitely going to wash her away - at least Ace won’t have to see her body. The wave crashes into her, picking her clean off her feet and spinning Rouge around in its wake. It’s dizzying, no way to know up from down in the dark and the sea foam. Her back hits something solid and she’s dragged along it, the rough surface tearing off whatever skin was left on her back. 

Her howl is that of a beast, the sound choked up and drowned in the ocean. The water washes away and her scream reaches the air of the night. Rivulets trail down her body as the sand beneath her gets bloodied.

Rouge pants, fighting back the darkness from her mind. She sees lights that could be the stars or could be the end. Her baby kicks. She grits her teeth and chooses stars. 

Rouge can feel the waves gently lapping at her feet like it's a harmless calm day. She groans, wondering if she can make it back to her son for a final goodbye. Or take a knife to her belly on the off chance she can cut Luffy out of herself and have him survive. Would Ace hate her for that? Hate his brother? She can’t let that happen, even if she has to drag herself there; Rouge will make sure her son's heart is not filled with hate before she leaves.

She turns to look towards the cave where her son is but something blocks her vision. It shines a light blue under the moonlight. Spikes twist off it like stationary flames, tipped with gold. Rouge reaches out, arm trembling. She hefts it up - it's a trial, her body is weak and shaking.

“Devil Fruit, huh?” Rouge mutters. Sea water laps at her feet and she pulls them away. “Sure, why not?”

She takes a bite with no idea what it does but it’s her only option. The taste is rancid on her tongue and as she gags, she remembers Roger said the fruit was literally part of the Devil. She only manages to take one bite before her arm gives out and the deceptively beautiful fruit falls to the side. Rouge forces the bite down, feeling the warmth spreading from her stomach. It’s like a rush of energy, like a hit of adrenaline paired with the warmth of a hearth.

The second fire comes to mind, light springs up around her. She feels a gentle heat settle across her back, up her arms as it licks at her wounds. With more strength than before, she raises her arm, staring enamored at the light blue flames flickering up towards her wrist.

It’s as if all the pain lifts off her and she takes her first easy breath since the cannonball. 

When Rouge pushes herself to sit up, her bones don’t grind; they sit properly in a way that feels unnatural now. Her shoulders don't scream and her skin doesn't tear as she reaches around to run her hand over her back. Smooth skin greets her fingertips. The last licks of flame washing the wound away.

“Huh.” Rouge sits up properly and looks out to the ocean, the waves following their normal tide again. 

She holds out her arm, picturing the warmth of the hearth fire back home. The one she rocked Ace to sleep in front of. Her arm bursts into blue flames, losing its form but following her movements as she shifts her arm back and forth.  There's more to it. She instinctively knows if she lets the fire take completely over her body something will change, she’ll change . She’ll be free like never before and not even the ocean would be able to tie her down.

“I guess that’ll do.” She tells the water begrudgingly.

Then her whole body seizes in a pain that even a Devil Fruit can’t help. It rolls off her in waves and Rouge starts laughing through it. She places her hands over her belly and feels Luffy’s lively kicks. 

“You’ve got a knack for timing kiddo!” She laughs and hopes that the sound carries across the sea to Roger.

---

The Whitebeard Pirates are set up on a New World island, another party stretching well into the night. It’s meant to be a mourning type, not a jovial one, but people still laugh and make merry which is what the man of honor would have wanted. They’ve been throwing a lot of these recently, each time an old ally approaches. They talk of old stories and toast to a new era in the same breath.

Marco is drinking with his brothers, kicking up the surf into each other's drinks while Pops watches on. He doesn't admonish them for wasting alcohol because he knows it will get drunk regardless. Marco backs up trying to protect his drink from Thatch’s attack when his ankles hit something hard and he topples over. His drink does spill into the ocean then, the mug swept quickly away by the tide.

“Shut up-yoi,” He grumbles, picking himself up, soggy clothes and all, as his brothers laugh.

With a scowl, he reaches for whatever had tripped him up, finding a box half buried in the sand. Laughter instantly turns to curiosity. Others gather around the surf to egg Marco into opening it. He rolls his eyes and doesn't bother with a crowbar, simply crushing the box with Haki. What falls into his hands isn’t treasure but something far more valuable.

“Ooo a devil fruit!” Thatch crows, getting a drunken cheer as Marco holds it up. “You gotta eat it now~”

Marco looks up at Pops, the man keenly paying attention to the new commotion his sons are making. Pops simply smiles down at him, Marco still sitting in the shallow water.

“You found it,” The man waves off. “It’s your choice what to do with it.”

Marco considers the fruit, holding it up to study its light blue, flame-like design. Thatch is egging him on, more curious to see whatever ability it is than considering long term effects. Marco shrugs, it's not like they’d leave him to drown if he fell in the water.

Another cheer goes up as he leans forward to take a bite - then a wave slams into his side. His jaws close around nothing and it’s only when the wave has receded and he's rubbing the salty sting out of his eyes does Marco realise his hands are empty. He stares down at them dumbstruck, slowly looking out at the ocean but there's no sign of the little blue fruit among the small waves.

Whitebeard’s raucous laughter shocks his sons out of their stupor. All of them turning as one to look at the man, his laugh bellowing across the beach.

“Looks like the ocean had other plans!” he says like it’s a comfort, like Marco didn’t just get personally screwed over by the seas.

“Unbelivable-yoi,” He mutters, as his brothers join in with their Pop’s laughter.

---

Luffy is perfectly precious in every way. He smiles like the sun in all his gummy glory. He doesn't have their freckles but Ace is enamored by his cheeks anyway, poking them as he feeds and calling them soft.

Her little Spitfire was a trooper while she was giving labour; going to get fresh water and blankets when she asked, sticking by her side and holding her hand tight as she cried out at the bigger contractions. He had trembled and asked if she was okay when she cut the umbilical cord, clutching tight to Luffy, all red and pruny. The baby didn’t scream when entering the world but rather laughed, and all of Rouge’s worries about Ace ever hating his brother washed away at the look of wonder her boy gave.

Now she was nursing Luffy and Ace hadn’t looked away from the baby for more than a second since he was born. Eyes always trailing Luffy even as he wrapped clean blankets around Rouge. 

Luffy went after her milk with the gusto of someone with the D. name. Rouge chuckled as she switched him to the other breast. A lick of blue flames chased away the chafing he had left on her other nipple - her poor tits were going to thank that Devil Fruit.

Her whole body was, really. There was no lingering pain left over from labour, simply an ache and exhaustion. Any damage had already been repaired. Rouge didn’t know if she would have survived without it - there were a lot of blood soaked blankets everywhere. Luffy still had some on him, there was blood all up Ace’s arms, and Rouge knew her legs would be coated in it. But that was a problem to clean up later. For now, she pulled her bloodied boys close and hugged them tightly. 

They had made it.

They had outstubborned death itself.

Chapter Text

Rouge knew they couldn’t stay on the island for long. Their food was never going to last with two D’s, let alone three, especially not with Rouge trying to recover energy from childbirth and her new Devil Fruit power. Regardless of the food problem, she knew Marines were swarming the South Blue looking for her. It was only a matter of time before they decided to tear up every unoccupied island and got lucky. So, at only a few days old, Luffy was setting sail.

“I need you to look after your brother down below alright?” Rouge ruffles Ace’s hair as she makes a nest out of all their salvageable blankets. “You hold onto him tight and make sure he’s not being rocked around too much.”

“Scary again?” Ace asks with big wet eyes, clutching his brother close as Rouge primps the blankets around them.

“Not if I can help it. We’re going to try to stay hidden, ‘kay?”

“‘Kay.” Ace sniffles, snuggling into Luffy as she closes the hatch. It’s too dark in there for them. Rouge desperately hopes she’s not traumatizing her son about small dark places, but she’d rather him be down below out of sight.

She has no idea what intel the World Government has on her and her family. Has anyone on their home island given them away? Was anybody even left to do so? Rouge couldn't tell. Right now, it was better to keep her sons out of sight and get the hell out of this sea. 

Going to the East Blue, her heart's home, would be the stupid thing to do. So no one would suspect Hibiscus Rouge to do it. Besides, it was also Garp’s home sea and she knew he had made Roger a promise. Rouge had no intention of handing her sons over to the Marine, but he would probably do what he could to protect them in the East Blue. Or at least keep reports of them being there on the down low.

---

Rouge kept her guard up. She didn’t let her movements be more than rumors. Hopefully people would piece together that she was going to Reverse Mountain, but not until she actually reached there. Approaching the Red Line and seeing no Marine ships told her at least part of that had worked. The World Government should have had Marines stationed here regardless. Apparently no one thought a pregnant woman or new mother would risk it. They were laughably wrong.

She brings out her sons, who she had kept hidden away in the hatch, as they approached. Rouge places Luffy in a basket that used to keep food and passes it to Ace. She makes sure his arms are wrapped around the skiff's mast so his brother and himself would be secure. Ideally they would have ropes but there would be no time to untie them.

“I need you to hold on real tight, okay baby?” Rouge closes up the basket, Luffy whining from inside it when he wasn’t able to see it. “It’s going to be super rocky and fast so don’t let go until I tell you too.”

Ace nods, eyes steely, already with a white knuckled grip on the basket. She’s going to end up giving him the most intense protective streak - well, he was Roger's son so that was probably going to happen regardless.

“Alright, sweetie.” Rouge sits back, taking the rudder as she feels the pull of the current intensify. “Try to have some fun, Mama’s got you.”

The sail is pulled up and as they’re brought quickly towards Reverse Mountain she sees the ship wreckage piled up on either side. She holds the rudder steady as they pick up speed. Ace is looking in wide-eyed wonder as the current starts to tilt up, taking them up the mountain.

Rouge keeps her grip, and has one hand on Ace’s back, feeling his thundering heart. Yet both mother and son have manic grins in place as the boat is rocked violently to and fro. Rouge’s gone up this path before, but never with a boat so small. 

She hears the crack of wood over the roaring current as they’re shot up the side of the mountain. She feels no resistance when she presses against the rudder and so lets it go completely, letting the river take them where it wants. She folds herself over her boys, one hand on Ace to steady him while the other takes hold of the mast. Her poor skiff gets battered by the water, veering towards the side as they get towards the top.

“Alright Ace, get ready to do what I said!” Rouge shouts over the rush of wind and water. She feels her son’s shoulders bunch, leaning into her as they reach the top.

The spray of water, the resounding crash has them flying through the air. With it is a light fluttering feeling deep in the stomach, the pure rush of utter freedom before it starts to come down.

“Now Ace!” She shouts, jumping away.

Her son–her brave little Spitfire–listens and lets go of the mast, other hand still on the basket as he’s tossed up in the air. The skiff goes down without them and Rouge hears the splintering of wood. She gives a mournful goodbye to her precious boat before pulling on that fire inside of herself.  She coaxes it to spread across her arms, her body and lets it take her completely. She’s completely warm and aware of the world in a way she’s never been before. Her awareness singles in on one point: Her son’s scream as he falls towards the rush of oceans meeting.

Rouge dives down. Her body leaves blue sparks in her wake. It’s instinct when she reaches out with talons, and care that makes sure they don’t rip through skin, as one closes around Ace and the other the basket.

Ace’s legs splash through the spray of the four seas colliding as Rouge pulls up. They go up and away, towards the east. As they fly from the rush of water, Rouge hears the cackling cheer from her son. She crows with it, a phoenix cry among the clouds, a freedom not even the ocean can afford.

---

They land, or rather crash, in Loguetown. Rouge splays out on the beach, panting and promising herself that at the first sign of food she’s giving no care to courtesy. She will feast . Ace is starfished next to her, looking up at the sky with wide eyes.

“What’d you think of your first time up Reverse Mountain, kiddo?” Rouge prods, getting those starstruck eyes to turn to her.

“That. Was. Amazing!” Ace jumps up and Rouge laughs heartily as he starts making big gestures and jumping around. “We were all Woosh! Then Bang! The Fall- and then you-you!”

“Yeah,” Rouge breathes, a lick of blue flame goes with her exhale, up to the sky. “We’ve got to do that again, but food first! Are you hungry, baby?”

“I’m not the baby anymore,” Ace pouts, crossing his arms. “Luffy is.”

“Luffy- Shit- don't repeat that!” 

Rouge looks around the beach for where she placed his basket. Too close to the water apparently, as there's a wet patch in the sand reaching up higher than anywhere else and a small wave is slowly dragging the basket out.

“Oh no you don’t!” Rouge scrambles up, rushing into the ankle deep water. Lethargy comes over her, piling on top of her exhaustion already but she pushes through and scoops up the basket. “You’re not getting my son, you hear?”

A wave breaks and splashes up her calf, tiredness washing over her like a blanket. She scowls and storms away from the water.

“I mean it! Don’t even try!” 

She makes sure she’s up on the sand dunes before opening the basket, worried for her son's state. Taking him up Reverse Mountain had to be the number one no-no for shaken baby syndrome. Yet Luffy just laughs when she opens the basket, smiling gummily as his uncoordinated arms try to reach for her. Rouge chuckles and lifts him up, cradles him to her chest so he can wrap his hands in her long hair. Of course she shouldn’t be worried that a God was harmed by something as measly as a rough ride.

Ace giggles at her as Rouge leads them away from the beach, following an over grown over path towards the city proper. They landed on the far side of the island to avoid unwanted eyes. It won’t be good if they’re spotted in Loguetown. Ideally they would have made it further into the East Blue, but Rouge struggled with that short flight as it was. She needs to train her powers more before trying to island-hop.

She steals some clothes from a washing line on the outskirts of town as they pass. Pulling a dark cloak over herself and putting a too big bucket hat over her three-year-old’s head. She makes sure Ace is holding her hand and Luffy's face is tucked away before entering the city proper.

She had never been to Roger’s home town. He said he had nothing left to explore there and they always had more interesting adventures on the horizon. Rouge wonders if it had always been this despondent. She doubts it, the Pirate King's death seems to hang over the town like a miasma.

She could spot Marines far off on the docks, eyeing everyone's comings and goings like they expected every other person to proclaim themselves the Pirate King. Civilians kept their heads down so Rouge did too. It wasn’t hard to look innocent with two adorable boys hanging off you. It also meant this wasn’t the place for a dine and dash– at least, not in a well-watched part.  So Rouge heads towards the shady area of town, following her gut like she has an internal compass for where lowlifes like to gather. She heads down a near deserted street, where some people stand at the sides, keeping to low whispers and eyeing the figure in the cloak but making no move to intercept her.

She scans the street signs looking for some sort of restaurant–or at least a place with a food storage they can break into–until she pauses. The sign hangs proudly in quite possibly the worst place in the world to put it. It’s so stubborn and proud, in keeping with the man it took its namesake from.

Rouge laughs and pushes open the door to the Gold Roger bar.

The place is practically empty. Someone is slumped over the bar, half falling off the barstool with bottles spread all around him. The barkeep hovers close to him, cleaning glasses idly. He looks like he was once a tall man but age is catching up with him, making his shoulders slope.

“Gold Rogers Bar,” The man greets, the pride in his voice is unmistakable. “I’m Raoul, what can I get you?”

“A name change for one.” Rouge chuckles good naturedly, tugging Ace’s hand to encourage him in. The little boy tried to hide behind her as the drunk at the bar snapped up. “You spelt it wrong, Gol D. Roger - not that I think he’d mind.”

The barkeep smirks at her and Rouge shares it. He has a spark in his eye, the sign of a man who has met and been changed by Roger. But he doesn't hold her attention long as the drunk man stumbles up. Rouge reflexively goes for her hidden knife.

“Ro- Rouge!?” Knowing her name is dangerous… but the way it’s spoken.

Rouge takes a closer look at the man- no, not a man, still a boy. His stature is a few inches shorter than her own. He has deep bags under his eyes and creases that she knows are wrong on that face. It's the red hair that truly makes her pause. She looks behind the boy to the bar, where sitting atop it is an old, worn straw hat. 

“Shanks?!” She yells. The boy looks at her like he can’t believe she’s real. 

Well, Rouge can fix that. She storms forward, letting go of Ace’s hand, Luffy still held in one arm, but that doesn't stop her from grabbing the red head and yanking him into a hug.

“Oh, my boy ,” She breathes in utter reverence. “You’ve grown so much .” 

That does it for Shanks. She feels his entire body hitch with a sob before strong arms are wrapping around her. A face buries into her neck and she feels wet from the tears and heat from shuddering breaths.

“It’s alright, little gem,” Rouge cards her free hand through his hair as he makes a wounded sound into her neck. “Shhh, I’m here, I’ve got you.”

Shanks wails and Rouge cradles his head close in response. She whispers soft reassurances like she did when he was a child, the last time he saw her. Gosh, he hadn’t even come up to her shoulder on their last goodbye - barely a goodbye, she had been too heart-sore from losing her crew to tell the boy what he needed to hear, what she needed to say.

“Oh, my son,” She squeezes him close. “I’ve missed you, I love you so much .”

A wet laugh startles out of the red head and it’s entirely unfair on the boy that the statement shocks him so much. Worse still, that it makes him pull away and wipe his eyes, a wobbly smile in place.

“Yeah, I…” Shanks trails off, looking down at her arm. 

Rouge follows his gaze to Luffy, the baby squirming from when he was crushed between them. But the little scowl quickly melts off his face as he notices Shanks and smiles. The boy looks dumbfounded but even in his stupor he can’t stop the slight genuine uptick to his lips.

“This is Luffy,” Rouge explains, looking behind herself to Ace who’s still shyly hovering by the door. She holds out her hand and the little boy runs forward to take it, clutching on tightly as he sticks close to her side. “And this is Ace.”

“They’re the Captain's kids?” Shanks questions and Rouge lets go of Ace’s hand long enough to flick the red head’s forehead. The boy looks at her shocked and pouting as he rubs the spot.

“They’re your brothers ,” Rouge says with a roll in her eyes, not missing the way her eldest son's eyes widen. “Ace, Luffy, say hi to your big brother.”

“You Shanks?” Ace questions, stars in his eyes that seem to take the fifteen year old aback. But the boy to his credit gets over his own shock quickly to crouch down on Ace’s level.

“Sure am!” The boy chirps with a plastered-on smile that is so dim compared to what it was in his youth.

Ace looks around the bar for the other half of every story he had been told. Rouge’s stomach sinks with the tilt of his head.

“Buggy?” 

Rouge heart aches as Shank’s expression just drops . He quickly corrects it, and it’s hurtful how easy it seems to be for him.

“Buggy and I… split off.” There's a pained grimace on the edge of his smile, that Rouge is absolutely going to ask about when the younger two are asleep. “He’s off on his own adventure right now!”

“And you’re on yours clearly,” Rouge says with a brow raised at the bottles surrounding Shank’s prized hat. She looks down sharply and Shank’s wince says he already knows what’s coming. “Shanks, you’re fifteen!” 

Shanks does not meet her eye, instead keeping his gaze on the floor. Rouge’s head whips up, hair flying all over with the movement. The Bartender Raoul freezes under her fury.

“Did you know that?!”

“I thought he was a bit older.” The man winces and folds under her rageful gaze. “But I knew he was young.”

“Captain let me drink.” Shanks murmurs petulantly, still not looking at her.

“Your father shouldn’t have - besides, he was watching you.” If not him, then the crew and Rayleigh would be looking out for their precious cabin boy.

“Well, he’s not anymore is he?” Shank’s words are utterly bitter. She freezes under them, freezes at the tone, watches the way the boy's eyes go wide as he looks up at her and winces. “I’m sorry, I-”

“It’s okay.” She leans down, running a thumb over his cheek.

“-I might be drunk.” Shanks admits.

“That’s less okay, up you get,” Rouge demands, pulling her son to stand. He’s definitely unsteady on his feet. “We’re getting some water in you, and some food, for all of us if you don’t mind?”

Raoul nods at the last part directed at him. He heads towards the back and Rouge calls out before he can disappear. A dangerous glint to her words.

“You know who I am. You know who my boys are.” She states the facts, her auburn eyes flaring and piercing the barkeep. “You plan to share that with anyone?”

“Giving away Roger’s family?” Raoul asks with that hint of reverence that she’s heard from many loyal souls. “ Never .”

Rouge smiles and waves him off to do what he needs to, with the final call to bring them lots of food. She helps Ace come sit on the bar stools. His little legs swing as he wiggles about in his seat, wedged between Rouge and Shanks. Her eldest isn’t looking at them. His gaze fixed on his–on Roger’s–straw hat as he idly traces the brim. 

“Here, hold him,” Rouge passes Luffy over, biting down her chuckle at the absolute and complete panic that overtakes Shanks face as he clambers to get a good hold before Rouge lets go. She plops the baby right into his arms, stretching her shoulders up with a groan. “I’ve been carrying him all day, so you're on baby duty now.”

“I don’t really think that's a good idea.” Shanks says as he keeps Luffy in one arm and struggles to push the empty bottles out of his reach.

“You’ll be fine,” Rouge smirks. “Our Luffy’s pretty tough, isn’t that right Ace?”

“Mmhmm,” Her son hums, head bobbing up and down so vigorously his chair shakes. Shanks moves his spare arm to steady the seat before it can tip over. “He laughed the whole night when we hitted that storm, and when we were on the beach makin’ a fire and saw a sea king. Did cry when a crab he try-na to grab pinched his finger, but was okay 'cause I picked it up and threwed it far away!”

“You did a good job of protecting your little brother, huh?” Shanks asks with an indulgent smile, startling at the fierce scowl Ace gives him.

“ Our brother.” 

“... Right,” Shanks blinks, looking to Rouge for support. 

She simply quirks her brow at him. She’d been referring to Shanks and Buggy in her stories as Ace’s big brother since he was born. If Shanks wanted to fight against that, he had a hell of a battle in front of him. Although it doesn't seem like one he’s willing to start that fight as Luffy curls a fist in his shirt–it’s stained all over the front, Rouge can take a guess with what–and Shanks stares adoringly down at the little bundle, as Luffy starts to nod off against his chest.

“ Our brother .”

---

Shanks was coming with them out of Loguetown. It wasn’t a question. It never was. From the moment she noticed her fifteen year old drowning himself in a bar, he was coming with them. If Shanks needed to believe it was because Rouge could no longer swim to get the little ones if they fell overboard, she was willing to let him believe it, for now.

It was also incredibly helpful having him around. Plus, as long as he was holding Luffy or Ace or getting supplies or finding them a boat, the less time he had for a bottle in his hand. Rouge had caught him more than once, late at night coming down to the bar to drink while they and Raoul were upstairs in the bartender's apartment. It was… something she was going to have to deal with later. She had a fully stocked ship just big enough for five people, another son to find, and a goodbye to give.

She pulls her dark cloak around herself, Ace and Luffy tucked into the folds while Shanks stands at her side. His eyes are wet when he stares up at the executioners platform.

“You were here, weren’t you?” Rouge asks quietly. There aren't many people in the square but no one needs to overhear it.

“We both were,” Shanks tips his hat down, shadowing his eyes. “We thought the others would come.”

But they didn’t. Where had they left her sons? On the grandline? In the New World? How could they just leave her boys? (She did it. She left to mourn her crew. They left to mourn their Captain). And Shanks had been in Loguetown since getting kicked out of every bar other than the shrine dedicated to Roger.

“I’m here now,” Rouge reassures, and she won’t be breaking down this time. Not even as she stares up at the monument kept to crown her love’s death.

She clutches Ace and Luffy tight, takes Shank’s hand in her own. The ocean may have taken her crew from her, she may have lost her place on the open seas. But for her sons? For her sons, she would carve out a new place on those waters. She was not giving up when they needed her. 

Shanks breath hitches and he can’t even look at the platform. That can be solved. Stepping forward, she runs her hand along the wood. New but untreated, it hasn’t been battered by the weather yet. It won’t ever get the chance. Blue fire engulfs her hands. She coaxes the healing flames to burn, to only focus on destroying and tearing the hurt away from this place. There’s gasps around the square as Rouge steps back, pulling her boys with her and the pyre ignites in a pillar of blazing blue. The phoenix flames burn it down to ash, wiping away the pain so something new can form.

“Hey you!” Someone calls out, Rouge hears the rattle of guns and the rhythmic stomping of Marine-issued boots.

“Whoops,” Rouge says cheekily as she watches the guards rush towards them. “Are you boys ready to run?”

Shanks’ awe filled face is cast in blue as he looks up at the flames. A genuine smile takes over his expression and he finally looks like the young boy she once knew. He turns to her, laughter ringing out across this plaza for the first time since Roger himself. The boy that carries his hat and spirit lights the place up.

“Let's go!”

---

Now that she knew that her sons had been out there, alone , there was nothing on the seas that could stop Rouge from finding her last one. The problem with Buggy was he was clever and didn’t have the bravado that plagued much of Roger’s crew. 

Which meant that he was smart enough to know the World Government would be bringing hell down on everyone associated with Roger, most of all his old crew. So Buggy would stay hidden to avoid the heat. He probably followed Rouge’s own thought pattern of staying in the East Blue. Nobody would suspect the Roger Pirates stayed in such an obvious spot and this sea was safer than any other. Which luckily meant she didn’t need to scour the whole world for him, just one sea.

Buggy was also industriously clever and always looking for the most out of opportunities. The East Blue right now was teeming with pirates. It was the epicenter of Rogers' new era. Which meant the Marines were cracking down here harder than anywhere else. Pirates getting chased towards the grandline for treasures the East simply didn’t offer. In an isolated sea that didn’t know much of the Grandline, and half thought Devil Fruits a thing of fiction, Buggy’s knowledge of those oceans would be a gold mine.

It was a trail only someone who knew him would be able to find. Rouge follows the rumors, from bar to bar, of an informant who could offer you secret information about the Grandline, rumors Marines didn’t bother to follow. They were too busy or they were taking advantage of fools heading towards the Grandline before they were ready; the weather or the journey itself would do more to wipe out pirate crews than cannonballs ever could.

No, Buggy had found the perfect niche to lay low and make money. Rouge was damn proud.

After all the rumors, some she had to beat out of people, they arrive at a little dock in an old, partially abandoned village. It’s clear pirates come through here often and she can't tell if the smoke stacks are from fireplaces or houses still smouldering.  Among it all is a small building tucked away at the edge of the dock, made of stone rather than wood. It’s not flashy in the least and she has to commend her son’s subtlety. She can imagine it’s been grating on him but Buggy’s self preservation always trumped his pride.

Ace tries to race down the dock but Rouge calls him back to help tie up the ship, grabbing his hand once they’re done before he can try to run off again. He pouts but Rouge only indulges him with a smile, looking up next at her eldest. He’s holding Luffy tight like a plushie, fretting while staying at the edge of the ship.

“Maybe you should go ahead?” Shank’s smile has a nervous tick, “I can take care of Luffy.”

“You’re not going to let Buggy see his youngest brother?” Rouge calls his bluff, seeing the way his face falls. She turns and heads down the wharf before he can fish around for another excuse. “Come on, we don’t want to be out in the open too long.”

News of her hasn’t spread to the East Blue quite yet but the less they’re seen, the better. Shanks drops down behind her and shuffles after Rouge. She leaves him to his pouting, already planning to give Buggy an earful about putting his brother in this state.

As they walk along the dock, she sees small shapes zip out of sight. Speeding up, she swings Ace up on her hip, the boy settling there easily as he burrows into her side. Rouge makes it to the last in the line of houses, banging on the metal reinforced door. She sees something settle on the windowsill and, moving silently, she approaches. The ear sits there, straining to hear her. Not trying to zip away until her hand slams down on it.

“Buggy, this is your mother,” Rouge says, pinching his ear like she would when he misbehaved and pulling it close so he can hear her speak clearly. “I know you saw me and your brothers at the dock and if you’re trying to make your escape now so help me, I will hunt you down .”

There's a yelp and a crash from inside the building. Rouge doesn't let go of the ear, holding it up to Shanks as he hesitantly approaches. She gives the boy a look before he can argue. The red head gulps before cautiously leaning forward.

“Uh, heya Buggs?” The ear quivers and tries to move out of Rogue's grip but she holds fast.

Ace curiously reaches out and pokes at the disembodied ear, flinching back as it feels like real skin. He gets over his surprise quickly before reaching out again.

“Quit it!” A mouth shouts, peeking out from the gaps in the boarded up windows. The rest of the head isn’t attached but she can see the way as the mouth pulls down into a scowl pointed in Shank’s direction. “And I don’t want to see you, piss off!”

Shanks flinches at the harsh words. Rouge scowls and pinches tighter.

“Hey wait! Stop! No, stop! Ow!” Buggy cries out at the sting.

“Apologise,” Rouge says sternly, easing up.

“No! He’s the one who screwed me over!” Buggy shouts, Rouge looks at Shanks for answers but the boy just looks ashamed and sad. As he often did since they reunited.

“Fine, I’m coming up then,” Rouge says, the boy yelps even if she has stopped pinching his ears so she clarifies. “To check on you.”

“I’m fine! Don’t worry about it!” Buggy rushes out, not taking the opportunity to complain. “I’m a-okay Rouge.”

That's the final straw. When did her boys stop calling her Mama? She hadn’t even wanted the title when they first gave it to her, had smacked Roger when he laughed at her dumbstruck face. They didn’t just get to take it back! No matter how long she had been out of their lives, she was their damn mother!

She pushes Ace into Shanks' arms, the boy struggling to balance both his younger brothers. Rouge doesn't wait, trusting him to sort himself, as she jumps right up to the second floor. Armament Haki covers her as she smashes clean through the window. The second she does, she can feel strings press into her and several machines whirr.

“Rouge!” She can hear Buggy’s shout all the way from the street, the yelling getting drowned out by several firecrackers. 

They burn like sunbursts across her skin, getting chased off by blue flames a moment later. Rouge straightens up and fixes her landing. She stands as plumes of smoke roll off her and as it clears, she can finally see him.

His hair has grown longer. He would always whine and put up such a fuss when it came time to cut it; always said Roger didn’t have to cut his short. He’s taken to wearing makeup. Rouge can only see one of his eyes but he’s wearing eyeliner like she taught him. His eye, the shock and fear in it has Rouge’s heart clenching. Buggy reaching out with one arm extended, one gone. Halfway to protecting Rouge from his clever trap.

“My boy,” She breathes, winding her arms under his one and wrapping around his empty side to embrace him gently. “When did you grow up so big and strong?”

Buggy doesn't speak, his mouth is still down below but she can feel the way his head shakes fervently in denial.

“Shhh, you are, you really are,” Rouge runs her hands through the blue hair spilling down his shoulders, most of it held up high in a ponytail but some of it coming loose.

She glances around the room as the smoke clears. Thankfully, none of the explosions set fire to the many stacks of paper. She can’t see what they have on them, she thinks some of them are codes. But in the center of the room, there's a desk, a half finished map spread out over it. His pen drips ink on the spot where Sabaody is. There's more behind it, stuck to a wall as the ink dries out.

“So clever,” She pulls back so Buggy can see her beaming smile. 

His remaining eye is wet and his mouth is still missing. She traces his face. Her thumb runs along the sharp cut out where the lower half of his face should be. His nose is shining bright red, which is good. Once, when he had gotten sick, it had gone so pale it almost drained of color completely while the rest of his face was red with fever. She and Roger had yelled at each other in a panic before Rayleigh had forced them out of the infirmary so Buggy could actually rest.

“Have you been taking care of yourself, Firecracker?” The old nickname rolls off her tongue sweetly as she traces the bags under his eyes(and empty socket) that are almost as dark as the eyeliner. 

Buggy nods, his remaining arm twisting into her clothes, holding tighter as she steps back far enough to check him over.

“Do you have all your pieces?” Rouge frets, running her hands over his shoulders where the left arm abruptly cuts off. He’s missing one ear along with his mouth but that’s quickly solved as the lower half of his face comes flying through the open window, fixing itself back in place.

“Yeah…” Buggy’s voice is rough and croaky, gaze sliding to the side to avoid hers now. “I know where everything is, they’re just… busy.”

“My clever boy,” Rouge cups his face and Buggy ducks his head away. Rouge coaxes his head back up, making him look at her and this time she asks softly. “Why won’t you talk with your brother?”

“He’s not my brother.” Buggy spits but quickly looks away so he doesn't have to meet her disapproving expression. She lets the silence, the disappointment, do its work until Buggy starts to squirm but doesn’t pull away from her hands. “He broke his promise to the Captain.”

“What promise was that?” Rouge brushes the stray hair out of his face. Buggy’s shoulders slump, her son looks so tired .

“He promised he’d go see Laugh Tale himself one day, he promised .” Buggy’s one hand comes up to clutch at her arms. Eye on her, imploring Rouge to understand. “Now Captain's dead and he’s just not going to?!”

The question tears out of Buggy, his voice raw and catching in his throat. He holds her arm so tightly that her devil fruit powers warm up the spot preemptively as her son clings.

“Shanks was his hope, his pride, he got the damn hat!” Tears roll down one side of his face, his eyeliner streaking with it as his voice starts blubbering. “Captain's last words were to go after the treasure- the whole world’s gunning for it- while Shanks, the one he left it for, isn’t?! ”

Buggy slumps forward and Rouge is there to catch him, rubbing the boy's back as his whole frame moves with the force of his sobs, jolting unevenly as he tries to suck in air.

“He’s going to let someone else steal everything Captain left for him.” Buggy murmurs, his words despondent. His voice is hollow as if all the passion had bled out of him. He whispers into her hair, his words bitter but dejected. “He’s being a coward, he’s not meant to be the coward.”

Rouge holds her son close. She doesn't know what to say. She barely grasps the depths of her boy's pain. When had he started thinking he was a coward? Was less than his brother in some way? 

Shanks had always looked up to Roger as someone who he could become one day. A role model that was possible to live up to. But Buggy? Buggy had admired his father. Someone larger than life, untouchable and bold. Had he given up on becoming that? Or had he never thought it was possible in the first place?

“I’m sorry, Buggs.” 

They both jump, Buggy high enough that his devil fruit power has his head knocking the ceiling. The boy doubles over, his legs reattaching to his feet. Buggy rubs at the spot as he sinks to the floor groaning. Rouge spins around to look at Shanks. The redhead is sitting on the charred window sill. Head angled down so his hat makes it impossible to see anything but the tremble to his lips.

“I’m not trying to- I’m not avoi-” Shanks groans, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I’m not him .”

Buggy scoffs from the ground but Rouge gestures at him sharply to listen. Shanks hears it anyway, lips quirking into a smirk that she doesn't need to see his eyes to know it’s not reaching them.

“I’m not that man- the one who faced every battle with a grin. Larger than life. Fearless. Gold Roger .” Shanks curls in on himself. Rouge knew for a fact that the Oro Jackson had a tally counter in their kitchen for each time a newspaper spelt the name Gold Roger, not Gol D. Roger. “I’m not him- not yet - so I can’t… I can’t.”

Shanks cuts off, tears trailing down and dribbling on his chin. Buggy is still on the floor. The boy bites his lip as it wobbles. The streak of eyeliner coming from his remaining eye makes it look like he never stopped crying.

“You’re both so foolish. I guess we have your father to thank for that.” Rouge sighs deeply, getting both her boys' attention to snap to her.

Roger never explained his intentions properly. He spoke grand words and left others to decide what they meant. Apparently, spelling it out took away the freedom and excitement. But he wasn’t here to help raise their boys anymore so Rouge damn well would be. 

“Shanks, Roger didn’t want you to become him.” Rouge says, the boy's head looking up so she can meet his eyes, to get across how serious about this she was. “Do you really think he’d want you to be anybody less than yourself?”

Shanks' head lowers. He shakes his head - the gesture is barely there, but it’s there.

“And Buggy, your father’s legacy doesn’t begin and end with some treasure or goal, not even the title of Pirate King. Anyone who manages to get that far is deserving of it.” She knew half the world was rushing to Laugh Tale right now and it was doubtful anybody would make it. “Do you think he’d appreciate you boys rushing through a half-hearted adventure you weren’t ready for?”

Buggy’s head hangs, murmuring something Rouge doesn't catch, that she wasn’t meant to catch.

“Roger didn’t want anything for you boys other than the freedom to do exactly what you wanted , the only way to dishonor his legacy is to chain yourselves to it. Besides-” She claps her hands before they can process- “I need your help here, so neither of you are going anywhere until both of your little brothers are past their terrible twos at least .”

Buggy’s brows furrow at the term brother, then terrible twos, but it’s Shanks that laughs whole heartedly.

“I thought we were meant to do whatever we wanted?” The redhead grins, tipping his hat up.

“That's Roger’s legacy,” Rouge crosses her arms and scowls. “Mine is making sure all my boys make it to adulthood despite their best efforts.”

That gets Shanks to laugh harder, and even startles a chuckle out of Buggy. The blue haired boy's shoulder relaxes.

“What’dya say, Bugsy?” Shanks grins against the scowl Buggy sends him. “Wanna help out, or stay holed up?”

The boy's scowl intensifies and Rouge readies herself for another one of those shouting matches that would echo across the water. Half the time she heard the Oro Jackson before the lookouts in her crew spotted it. However, the weight of the day catches up to him, exhaustion from his tears and anger dragging his shoulders down.

“If the goal is to keep a couple of brats alive, shouldn’t you stay behind?” Buggy shoots back half heartedly. 

The smile Shanks gives his brother is the brightest Rouge has seen yet.

Chapter Text

Buggy crosses his arms, slouching back against the boat's railing. It's not even a ship, it's too small, and it’s weird sailing without a jolly roger overhead. Shanks had pouted and said the same thing, which Buggy yelled at him for. Of course they couldn’t fly a Jolly Roger. Really, they shouldn't be sailing at all. It would be best to just dig a hole and stay there until the storm passed. Which is what Buggy had been doing.

He had a good racket going; maps to the Grand Line were invaluable, a list of islands in Paradise was worth his weight in gold. And if anybody doubted him, he’d just throw out an idle comment about log poses and watch their faces fall as they had no idea what that was. The suckers practically scrambled over themselves to pay Buggy for the most basic information. He salivated at how much money he could make if he shared information about which Marine bases were well protected and which were basically for show; what islands in the New World were like; or the route the Pirate King took to Raftel.

Idiot, Buggy scowled as he reprimanded himself. That would have the Marines on my ass in a second.

Information about Paradise was safe. Any old schmuck from the Grand Line would know this stuff, it didn’t immediately paint Buggy as a pirate. If the Marines investigated, he could just say he was a merchant that decided tidings were better in the East. Of course, the best case scenario was avoiding the Marines entirely but, with his current company, he doubted that would last for long.

Rouge was prancing around the boat, pulling at the ropes, manipulating the sails like it was some kind of dance. Buggy remembered her old skiff, the way it would frolic through the waves whether it was a calm day, a raging storm, or the Marines were right on her tail. Riding on that skiff was exhilarating, although he had insisted on only doing it on calm days. Once, a freak storm had come along while he and Shanks were riding and Buggy had refused to get on it again.

Even if this boat is clunkier, made for actually living on, Rouge moves around it with grace, playing the winds and tides like a fiddle. She looks spirited, which is a surprise, and it’s a surprise that it’s a surprise because for most of his life, Rouge had never been anything less. 

Buggy wondered how long he had been unconsciously remembering the woman who left the seas. Her despondent eyes as they pulled her out of her beloved ship's wreckage. The flat way she looked at the bodies piling up on deck as the Roger Pirates recovered whoever they could. Buggy had sat worriedly beside her, unable to swim. She hadn’t even acknowledged him as Buggy pressed into her side, tears silently slipping down Rouge's face.

The woman had loved the ocean more fiercely than any pirate he knew, had greeted waves with a smile and played in sea foam. Yet too many times had Buggy woken up to her on the deck, screaming across the water, cursing the seas. She’d scream herself hoarse until she collapsed into the side of the boat, Captain draping his coat over her and guiding her inside. Rayleigh had said staying on the water was like torture for her now.

They had left Rouge on the end of a pier, her dead eyed stare watching the Oro Jackson glide across the waves. That gaunt and haunted face was what came to mind every time he thought of Rouge over the years. That wasn’t the woman he was sailing with now.

This Rouge was like the one he knew all those years ago. The only one that could match their Captain's spirited passion. Whenever she joined them on adventures, they went from dangerous to utterly insane. But Rouge was always there to protect as well. More than once, Buggy had caught sight of her blonde hair and thought an angel had come to protect him by getting between him and his attacker. Although, a demon would probably be more accurate with the ferocity she met them with.

Ferocious was too gentle a word for the storm that was Portgas D. Rouge. Buggy had once witnessed her single handedly sink a Vice Admiral’s ship because the man had put a small tear in her favorite dress. The same dress Buggy had absolutely scorched when experimenting with his Buggy bombs. He had completely frozen when Rouge reached up, only to pat his head, laughing and calling him firecracker for the first time.

Now, because of that stupid little nickname, he was dragged back out to sea. Damn Shanks, where was he months ago? Buggy had made sure he could be found. The idiot red head shouldn’t have needed Rouge to come along to make it happen. Now the moron was smiling as if nothing was wrong. As if he hadn’t been dodging talking to Buggy since they got on this boat. All Shanks had done so far was use babysitting as an excuse to avoid him. Playing with the baby and toddler, the Captain's kids, using them like shields against Buggy. Did he think all was forgiven? If it was, then why was Buggy still seething?

The sight of him was irritating, always had been. But now whenever Buggy looked at him, something churned in his gut like a deep sickness. He didn’t know what it was but he knew it was all Shanks' fault.

He’s just playing with Ace, the little brat who won’t listen every time Buggy insists they aren’t brothers. He hates it because every time he has to remind the kid, Rouge's face falls and it’s not fair. He doesn't even know the kid. Why do they expect him to just go along with it? He’s not Shanks, smiling like a lunatic after the brat as he runs to go ‘help’ Rouge with the rigging. Buggy scoffs as she has to stop her work to lift the boy up so he can see. Please, if he got in the way like that when he was a cabin boy, he’d get a lecture about what it takes to keep a ship running, not an indulgent smile as he messes up the knot work completely. 

Fortunately, Rouge doesn't hear his scoff. Unfortunately, Shanks does.

The red head looks over at him hesitantly. Buggy slouches down more and tries to project don’t fucking talk to me as hard as he possibly can, which he should know has never once worked on Shanks. Rather, it seems to draw him in like a moth to a flame.

“Hey Buggs.” Shanks smiles, plopping down next to him with that damn baby still in his arms.

“Piss off,” Buggy spits, turning his head away so he doesn't have to see the earnest expression he knows is there.

“You’re still mad at me?” The pout in his voice is clear and Buggy hates how he can picture the exact expression.

“What gave you that idea?” He looks the opposite way, arms crossed.

“Will you tell me why?” Shanks’ voice is closer. Buggy can feel his presence as he leans in, tries to lean around to see his face. Can feel something tug at his clothes and knows it’s Luffy’s hand not Shanks’.

“Figure it out yourself,” He shakes his arm but the stupid baby holds fast.

“… Can you tell me why?”

Dammit Shanks always getting to the heart of it.

Whatever, he doesn't owe the red head an explanation anyway, so the fact that he can’t give one shouldn't mean anything!

“Buggy,” Shanks whines because he’s always been a big baby. Even if the crew would have said Buggy was the baby of the two, he was more mature than Shanks! “I will go to Laugh Tale someday, just not right now. Rouge said-”

“I know what Rouge said!” Buggy snaps, turning sharply to glare. 

The movement managed to rip Luffy's hand off his clothes, making the baby blubber. Shanks immediately starts shushing the brat, bouncing him in place. He’s doing everything he can to cater to the small needy thing like it’s the only thing in the world that matters. Then he looks up at Buggy like he’s the disappointing one!?

“How much longer are you going to let other people hold you back?!”

“Buggs-”

“You should have already been to Laugh Tale,” Spittle flies as Buggy shouts. “Figured out the secrets of the universe or whatever got into the rest of the crew.” 

Because what else could have happened that made the people that raised them decide to up and leave? They must have figured out something amazing, had known the only way to protect them from it was to leave- or- or that they–Shanks–could only become strong enough if they did. There had to be a reason. Shanks was meant to know that reason. But he got held back, by Buggy, like always. But Shanks promised Captain he would go himself. He would find out why. Instead he was here, looking after a dumb baby, being held back from the greatness he was meant to achieve.

“Instead you were stuck playing nursemaid,” Buggy sick and feverish, Shanks promising to not to leave his side. All because Buggy was too weak, Shanks got left behind too. If he had gone with them to Laugh Tale, would the crew still have… “And now playing babysitter.”

Buggy had left. Shanks said he didn’t want to go yet. He had figured the other was worried about carrying around his dead weight again. So he had left. Shanks could have been free. Instead he clung to the next weakest thing he could find.

“... I think you should hold Luffy.” Shanks decides, looking at Buggy like what he’s saying is somehow important or at all related to what they were talking about. 

“I don’t want to hold the brat.” It wasn’t about the kid, it was about Shanks being an idiot.

“Come on Bugggyyyyy, just give it a try.” Great, back to whining. He employs the best defense he has against Shanks and looks away, ignoring him. “Buggs? Buggy? Please? Bugsy?"

“Shut up. Shut up! Shut up!” Yeah, it never did work well.

He gives in, grabbing the stupid baby. Still being careful, this is Captain and Rouge’s kid, he may be annoying but Buggy wouldn’t hurt him even accidentally. Mostly because Rouge would be super scary about it. So he makes sure the brat’s head is supported and all that jazz before spitting at Shanks.

“There! Happy now?!”

“Are you?” Shanks has that teasing grin on his face like he’s won something. Buggy is about to snap no, on principle, before he hears a giggle.

It’s startling enough to look down and when he does, Luffy is staring right back at him. Big wide eyes, too big for his stupid pudgy head. Chubby hands grasp onto Buggy's clothes and twist. The grip is strong but not that strong, how can it be when the brat’s hands are so… small. Everything about him is too small, except for that wide gummy grin. He looks stupidly at Buggy as if he’s the best thing the baby’s ever seen.

“Psh- no!” He snaps out of whatever that was and shoves the baby back towards Shanks. “You can deal with his stink and screaming all on your own!”

“Luffy doesn't really cry much,” Shanks shrugs, holding his arms up high so Buggy can’t drop the brat back into them.

“Nothing to say against the stench then?” Luffy giggles as Buggy tries to find a way to get Shanks to take him without jostling the weak thing too much. Stupid, doesn't even realise the damage Buggy could do if he drops him.

“Ha, not really.” Shanks says, his smile is utterly fond looking down at but refusing to take Luffy off his hands.

“You’re disgusting.” Buggy grouses, settling the baby back into his arms because apparently Shanks is going to be stubborn about this. “And I’m still mad at you.”

Because he won’t let him forget it. There's something Shanks promised to do and Buggy isn’t going to let him give it up for a happy family fantasy… not for long anyway.  Rouge does need their help. She doesn't deserve to get abandoned with two hellions to take care of. Besides, they’re in the East Blue, even he can handle whatever these seas can throw at them. Until the Marines catch wind of them anyway, that will be a whole different story… He’ll just have to stop that from happening, seas know nobody else on this ship has heard of subtlety.

“But you forgive me though?” Shanks leans in close, getting all up in his space like they’re best friends again. 

Buggy should push him away to make it clear that they aren’t, that he’s mad, but well, he’s still holding Luffy. So he settles for a scoff and focuses on chubby cheeks that seem even chubbier with how wide the kid's grin is stretched… fine, family fantasy, but only for a little while.

“What gave you that idea?”

---

Rouge is lying back on the ship's deck, staring up at the clouds while they drift lazily by as she listens to the sound of her sons and the waves. Luffy has been learning to sit up. A source of endless amusement as his head is still much too heavy and he keeps tipping over. Rouge doesn't need to watch, she knows that while Shanks and Ace may giggle every time it happens, they are always there to catch him. Plus Buggy keeps an eye out despite his tinkering off to the side, in case the other two get distracted.

Rouge has the sails set and the rudder locked, making a straight shot to some small island. The location itself doesn't really matter as long as it has meat. If they’re lucky, something huntable as well so Buggy doesn't keep fretting over their budget so much. No matter, he’ll be able to sell his information to the aspiring pirates at whatever port they land in. 

She knows her son values money, as a good pirate should. She’ll make up what he’s spending on them once the little ones are older. She’s thinking a few Marine base raids, maybe a treasury or two in some corrupt kingdom. Geez, being on the sea again is bringing out the piratey impulses she’s tried to bury over the years.

“We’ve got a ship incoming!” Buggy calls, Rouge rolls over to look. One of the boy's eyes is missing but still he stands, shielding his face against the sun to look out over the water.

Rouge sits up as Ace runs to the stern to get a better look. From afar she can see the wood of the boat and the black flag hanging over it, although can’t make out the jolly roger.

“Pirates!” Ace cheers, leaning far over the rail. Buggy’s hand detaches as it grabs onto the back of his shirt. 

“Bad news.” He says grimly, his eye flying back into place. “Alright everyone, plan Carnation Counterfeit!"

“Hate plan Car- carna- hate,” Ace settles on.

“Too bad,” Buggy’s disembodied hand pulls Ace away from the railing while he turns towards the rest of them, one hand on his hip. “Everyone to your stations! Shanks, get rid of that sword- Rouge! Put the knife down!”

Buggy fusses as he hides some money in a hidden compartment. The rest of their money is in a secret hidden compartment, while their most important maps and weapons are in the super secret hidden compartment.  Rouge ends up hugging the youngest two, as they sit in a corner out of the way on deck while Buggy and Shanks make a show of trying to get away. If they were really trying, Rouge would be on the ropes. Her boys have practice, after spending most of their lives at sea, but they don’t have her instinct for it.

The pirate ship catches up soon enough.The jolly roger isn’t one she recognizes and as men pile onto their little boat she can’t pick out any from wanted posters. Pirates are popping up in the East Blue faster than the Marines can print paper. You have to be able to stand out from the crowd to earn a bounty.

“Wait- please no wait- we don’t have anything!” Buggy’s voice wobbles as the pirates loom over him, the fifteen year old falling into shadow under them. “We’re just trying to get to the next island- our village was destroyed and- GAH!”

Buggy gets slapped out of the way. Rogue's fists clench in Ace's clothes and she pulls the boy closer. Buggy flies into the opposite railing, partly having to throw himself because the hit wasn’t that strong, but anyone laying a hand on her boy makes Rouge’s blood boil.

“Wait- please, we have children on board!” Buggy cries out, cradling his cheek. 

Mean stares turn to Rouge and she pulls her youngest tighter to herself. Shanks comes to stand protectively in front of them, his jaw clenched, his whole body wired for the moment they go too far. 

“We don’t have time for your blubbering,” A man with a hat that towers over him drawls. 

The hat and the way the men look at him implies he’s the captain here but he’s hardly deserving of such a title. He’s a sailor with a gun. Nothing about him is awe inspiring enough to make him a Captain.

“Where’s your money?” The captain demands, mean smirk set on Buggy.

“Please sir, no- it’s- it’s all we have!” Buggy blubbers, reaching for the man’s pants to plead. But the captain kicks him away, gesturing for his men to go into the cabin.

There’s crashing and ripping and when Buggy pleads mercy, he’s kicked in the stomach. Ace growls lowly in his throat and Rouge echoes it. But she holds her baby boy close when he tries to pull away. Buggy was always silent when he was in pain, choking back cries so nobody knew he was hurt. Here he wails loudly, like his misery is a performance. 

Shanks and Rouge only hold their place because they both know that.

“This is all they had, Captain,” A pirate tosses a small purse of coins, the man catches it with barely a rattle. He frowns at the light contents. “Stashed away and everything, for that pathetic haul.”

“Please…” Buggy’s voice whimpers, “It’s all we have.”

“Shut up.” The captain kicks him sharply in the stomach, pocketing the bag before talking to his crew. “This was a waste of time, let's go!”

Buggy sobs as the pirates climb back up the ropes. None of them have quite the talent for acting her son does so Rouge just keeps her head down and Ace in place so Buggy’s plans aren’t ruined at the last moment. The pirate ship slips off with jeers. They wait for it to be out of hearing range, the pirates paying no mind to the poor civilians they just robbed.

“They’re out of sight now.” Shanks informs, rubbing his hands through his hair.

Buggy instantly sits up. A bruise already smarting on his cheek. His eyes are dry now as he rubs at his cheek, scowling.

“I’ve gotta wash off my mascara first next time.” He huffs, black tear tracks running down his face. “This is going to be a pain to clean off.”

“You alright Buggs?” Shanks asks with an easy looking grin, and Rouge would believe it if his fists weren’t still clenched at his sides, trembling. Buggy gives his brother a mighty scowl.

“Just who do you take me for?!” The boy shouts, jumping onto his feet. “Do you really think some weak hits like that would take me down? Hell, they were practically love taps compared to Haki!”

“Alright Buggs, I know, I know,” Shanks holds his hands up in surrender. Buggy keeps glaring at him so Shanks looks around to take the attention off of him. “Is everyone else alright?”

“Hate plan,” Ace sulks, sitting in Rouge’s lap. He pouts up at Buggy as the boy smears mascara across his cheek trying to get it off. “Should fight.”

“Yeah, well that would be stupid.” Buggy dismisses, ignoring Ace’s dirty look. It’s Shanks who chuckles and scoops his little brother up.

“Don’t be too upset, Roger used to pull stuff like this all the time.”

“Dad did?” Ace looks up at Shanks in wonder, and this time the red head’s smile is genuine.

“Sure, he used to just play along to avoid bar fights all the time, especially when we were hanging around the South Blue.”

“This is different to that.” Buggy snaps, giving up on clearing his make up and heading towards the cabin, “Captain avoided fights because he was too strong and would wreck everything.”

“We’re strong enough to take down those guys.” Shanks sulks and Ace bobs his head up and down in agreement.

“Obviously,” Buggy rolls his eyes, ducking his head into the cabin. “Goddammit they wrecked everything.”

Rouge stands up, balancing Luffy in one arm. Peeking in through the doorway, Buggy is right. Some blankets are ripped, most of the furniture is smashed. The uneven board they hide their ‘to steal’ gold has been pried up and snapped in half. Buggy’s amongst it sorting through the trash. Rouge grabs hold of Ace’s arm as his brothers move about the cabin to clean, smashed dishes no good for the child's bare feet.

“Should fighted,” Ace says again, crossing his arms. Rouge sighs, picking him up and stepping into the mess. “Strong.”

“Yeah? And what happens when rumor gets out that we are strong? And someone comes sniffing?” Buggy asks harshly, pushing aside the dining table with a snapped leg to be fixed later so Shanks has room to sweep. “What happens when the Marines come looking and recognize us? What then huh?”

Ace looks sullen when Rouge sweeps aside some broken glass to place him on the kitchen nook's counter. He looks confused and hurt, all of the things Buggy’s worrying about too big for a boy his size. Too big for a boy Buggy’s size too.

“There’s a lot of dangerous people out there.” Rouge soothes, placing Luffy into the child's arms, making sure he has a proper hold. It helps that Luffy can sit up now and lean against his chest. “Your big brother is protecting us from them.”

“Like dad?”

“Like dad,” Rouge reassures, brushing the hair out of Ace’s face.

“No, not like Captain.” Buggy scoffs, ignoring the sharp whack Shanks gives his ankles with the broom. “Captain didn’t get into fights because he was strong, we’re avoiding them because we’re weak. Too weak to protect or stand up against the navy so we’re hiding, we’re cowering.”

Buggy curses as he kicks a broken chair leg aside, crouching down to pick through the bigger parts of shrapnel. Rouge meets Shanks’ eyes over his brother's head. The boy looks worried and a bit imploring. Rouge turns to shush Ace before he can say something that makes Buggy steam more, reassuring her little boy with a smile. 

Shanks moves to the side as she picks her way through the wreckage, sweeping things into a pile while Rouge kneels next to Buggy. Things crunch under her knees but phoenix flames quickly fix any broken skin before she can bleed through her dress.

“Firecracker? Are you okay?” Rouge leans close, trying to get a good look at her boy's face.

“I’m fine,” He says against gritted teeth.

Rouge frowns and reaches out, cupping his cheek and guiding him to look at her. There's a bruise blossoming where her hand touches and she gently coaxes fire to her palms. The flames lick at Buggy's cheek and the boy flinches on reflex before relaxing into the warmth. When she pulls her hand away, there's no bruise left.

“Can I check your ribs as well?” She asks, waiting for Buggy to nod before lifting his shirt.

It’s mainly his stomach that is purpling but that is washed away with more blue flames. They work slower on other people than they do Rouge, but it’s another great ability, one that will keep her boys safe.

“You don’t have to keep doing this,” She reassures, letting her hand settle on a particularly nasty spot until it’s soothed.

“It’s the best option,” Buggy says firmly, “And it’s not like Shanks or you can take the role, your acting sucks.”

Rouge laughs while Shanks splutters some defense.

“My clever boy,” She smiles and Buggy looks sharply away from it. Rouge finishes up her healing and takes his face into her hands again. “Thank you for protecting us.”

“I’m not- Captain would have-”

“Roger left us to handle ourselves.” 

He had such faith in their skills, in the people around him, that the man sometimes forgot that the most dangerous thing to people was themselves. Why would he? He was someone who had complete confidence in every action he took. 

“But we’re not going to do that, we’re going to look out for each other - okay, Firecracker?” Rouge asks and Buggy finally meets her eyes. He’s not crying again but his wet eyes and the already smeared mascara make it look like he is.

“Okay…” Buggy’s shoulders slump like he can’t quite believe in it, believe in them.

“Little Gem?” Rouge twists around to look at her boy, who’s given up pretending to sweep.

“Of course!” He says with loyal determination.

“Me too!” Ace shouts out, getting everyone's attention on him as he clutches Luffy close, stubbornness etched over his face, looking every bit like Roger. “Gonna protect you.”

“Good - the seas aren’t going to know what hit them.” Rouge smirks, Luffy giggling along with her declaration, “No one messes with our family.”

---

Shanks was ecstatic when they decided to make port in a sizable town. A bigger town meant more bars and it had been so long since he’d been able to slip off and have a drink. He was responsible, made sure Ace and Luffy were asleep… Rouge too for good measure.

Buggy had stirred when Shanks tried to sneak out. His friend glaring at him before rolling over with a huff. Shanks had silently thanked him as he slipped out.

He found a bar of decent size down the dock. All he needed was a charming smile and slight exaggeration about his age before he was drinking and laughing along with the sailors there. Booze flowed and Shanks sank into the excitement, everyday worries and bad memories getting murky compared to offkey songs and finding the bottom of the next bottle. 

It was good, then the door slams open.

The bar stops dead still as Rouge’s silhouette stands in the doorway, a murderous look etched on her face. Drunks scramble to get out of her way as Rouge storms forward. Shanks groans and grabs his drink before she can make it to him.

“Red, I swear on all the seas, if you don’t put that bottle down.” Her hair whips behind her as men twice her size stumble out of her path.

“Ha, kid I think your old lady’s come to get you!” A man who has been sitting next to him, regaling a ‘naive’ kid with ‘fantastical’ tales of the sea, slaps his back. The bottle jolts away from his lips. Shanks groans as he sloshes it around, finding it empty anyway. When did that happen?

“She’s not my mother,” Shanks corrects, surly. Rouge pauses just before reaching him. He looks up and the hurt flashing across her face isn’t fair.

She wasn't, she had just shown up on the ship from time to time. Shanks hasn’t even seen her in years. She was too busy raising another kid. One she stuck around for.

“Whether you think that or not, you’re coming home.” Rouge’s voice is steely as she grabs his arm, tugging him off the barstool.

Shanks fights against her grip but the alcohol is doing its work, making the bar spin.

“I’m fine.” Shanks jerks out of her hold, almost toppling over. “I can handle this, I’ve handled worse than a little booze!”

She looks back at him doubtfully. Like he’s a child. Like he hasn’t been protecting himself and Buggy since the crew left them. Like it wasn’t her who had come barging back into their lives suddenly, demanding this and that- just like the Captain.

Shanks scowls and turns around to swipe up any bottle within reach. He misses the mark, seeing double and when he tries again, the bottle slides out of his reach. He growls and looks behind himself to Rouge, but the woman has her arms crossed and is glaring daggers at someone over Shank’s head. He looks back at the barkeep, vision blurring as he tries to make out the man’s sheepish face.

“Sorry kid, you’re cut off.”

Shanks scowls at the man who had given him a bottle of rum not five minutes ago. Grits his teeth at the laughter that shakes up the bar, digging nails into his head.

“Is it bed time already boy?!”

“Run home with Mama now~"

Mama the first time had been a joke, the crew goading him into it. Shanks, being a stupid kid who had been on a ship since he was an infant, didn’t even know what it meant. Rouge had never told him to stop, but she had left. Like his uncles, like his Dad. Even now she grits her teeth, glaring at the drunken sailors laughing. Righteous protective furry and she looks like him.

“You-”

“Let’s just go,” Shanks grumbles, brushing past Rouge and her trembling fists. The bar’s no fun now, it just reminds Shanks of him.

He pushes the door open, leaving the bright lights for the brisk night air. He stumbles slightly, heading towards the boat. Not the Oro Jackson, not even a pirate ship. Rouge quickly catches up with him, her footsteps clicking against the cobblestone. Her hand brushes Shanks’ as he sways and he pushes it aside.

“You didn’t have to come after me,” He growls, his mouth tastes dry and awful now. The way it always did when he took a break between drinks. He had learnt that if he just kept at it the burn would keep the nasty after taste at bay.

“You disappeared in the middle of the night,” Rouge accuses, her voice softens. “Of course I did.”

She can’t say that like it’s obvious. It’s not. He had gotten lost in bars from Lougetown to the Grand Line. No one came to drag him out. At best, Buggy would find him the next morning, slumped in the street, kicking at his legs to get Shanks up while the red head uses his hat to shield out the sun.

“I will always come to get you Shanks.”

“No you won't,” He spits. “You didn't.”

She had chosen to watch them leave, standing at the end of the dock. For months afterwards, Shanks expected her to show back up, her skiff surfing over the waves and laughter ringing across the water. She never did and the pain in his Captain's eyes whenever Shanks asked where Mama was eventually got the boy to stop asking all together.

“I won’t let that happen again.” Rouge’s hand lands on his shoulder, steadying him when he threatens to tip over.

Shanks just scoffs. The booze makes it hard to articulate how much he doubts that. But Rouge stays there, steady and sure. She doesn't let him shake her off. Not until they're through the cabin doors, immediately being greeted with a screeching cry that makes Shank’s cringe and protect his ears.

Buggy is on his bunk. He looks irritated, dark shadows under his eyes and a grimace set in place. He’s leaning against the wall, with Luffy cradled in his arms rocking the crying infant idly. Luffy has fat tears rolling down his face and absolutely screeches his lungs out. Ace is beside Buggy, head lolled onto his shoulder tiredly while still trying to distract and play with Luffy. The baby is having none of it, squirming and screaming bloody murder in a way Shanks has never heard from the happy baby.

“He hasn’t stopped crying since he figured out you were gone,” Buggy says weary, meeting Shanks’ eye. There's an accusation in his voice as he stares Shanks down. “Get over here before I send my ears into the ocean.”

Shanks nods silently and stumbles his way over, running into a chair in the dark cramped cabin. Buggy shuffles to the side as Shanks plops down but he doesn't get too far as he lays his spinning head on the other’s shoulder.

“Hey Luffy,” Shanks’ words slur and he places a hand in front of the baby’s face.

Luffy’s sobs hitch with a wet gasp. His little face scrunched up and eyes trying to squint past his watery tears. Shanks sees the moment he recognizes the bright red hair. His little face relaxing into the biggest grin, the last of his tears still running down his face.

Luffy reaches his arms out and Shanks breaks.

Instead of Luffy crying, he is. He drunkenly clambers to take hold of the baby. Buggy helping him, disembodied hands moving and fretting making sure Shanks is holding Luffy properly as he presses the child to his chest and sobs into the crown of his head.

“M’ sorry, didn’t mean to leave you,” Shanks blubbers, rocking the two of them as Luffy’s tiny fist curls into his clothes. “Sorry- won’t- not again, not going to abandon you. I’m sorry, don’t cry.”

Luffy definitely isn’t the one crying anymore. He doesn't even seem to mind Shank’s messy tears spilling over his face. Shanks just rubs his face into the fine baby hairs sobbing more intelligible apologies.

“Geeze, how much did you drink to get blubbering this bad?” Buggy scoffs off to his side. Shanks feels a weight fall on his shoulder and when he turns he can just make out blue through the tears. “Throw up on me and I stab you.”

Shanks laughs wetly at the others grousing. But Buggy doesn't tell him off for it. Doesn't even tell Ace off for curling up against him. By the seas, he’s such a mess. The kid really doesn't need to be seeing him like this. Or tomorrow when he’s groaning and moaning about a hangover. Buggy’s probably going to try and make Luffy cry again just to make Shanks learn his lesson.

The bed on his other side dips, Rouge tentatively sitting on the edge. She’s looking at them all so fondly but making no move closer. Shanks whines low in his throat, something raw and needy. He’s not even sure what he’s asking but knows he needs something. Rouge seems to know as she shifts up the bed, bracketing his other side.

“Shhh baby red, shhh baby I got you,” Rouge’s hands run through his hair. Fingers scratching along his scalp as they travel under his hat. “None of us are leaving my boy.”

A light kiss is pressed to the bridge of his nose and he weeps with it, turning his head to burrow in her shoulder. Warmth and weight press into him on every side and for the first time since he watched the Oro Jackson sail off, he doesn't feel alone.

“M’ sorry,” Shanks whispers, not sure if Rouge can even hear him mumbling into her shoulder. “Mama.”

Chapter Text

Their little boat was docked at a small village port for supplies. Supplies which Buggy insisted on being the one to go get because, apparently, they wouldn’t make it back to the ship in one piece if Rouge came with. Jokes on him, because Ace insisted on coming along and her little boy was just as bad.

Shanks had stayed behind, Luffy monopolizing his attention. Lu was starting to learn how to stand with people holding him up, which meant his new favourite activity was bouncing in place while someone supported him. Shanks didn’t seem to mind in the least, the biggest smile on his face whenever Luffy squealed happily. Rouge was no better; tending to the stove and grinning to herself whenever she heard the joyful noise.

“We’ve got a problem,” Buggy burst through the cabin door, dropping bags full of supplies without a care. 

It was certainly a flashy entrance and had them all paying attention. Buggy didn’t explain until Ace, who was trailing behind, was inside and the cabin door was tightly closed and locked for good measure.

“Firecracker, what's got you so worried?” Rouge snuffs the stove's flames, weaving her way out of the kitchen to the living nook where everyone was gathered.

“This!” Buggy slams a piece of paper down on the table with a flourish.

Rouge and Shanks frown, leaning over to get a good look. It’s a wanted poster, with an extraordinarily high bounty. A wanted poster of Rouge.

It’s a picture from the night she escaped Baterilla. One of the Marines must have had a camera handy, rather than trying to help kill her. In it, she has one hand on the ropes, the other over her pregnant belly. Her tattered dress and wild hair flare behind her with a manic grin on her face as she sails right towards the Marines’ ship.

“You look badass,” Shanks whistles, Rouge smirks as she can’t help but agree - it’s probably the most fierce picture she’s had for a wanted poster yet, including the one with the burning Marine base in the background.

“No, no, this is not a good thing!” Buggy screeches, pointing at the bounty which is higher than all the old prices for her head combined, but that's not the part that catches her attention.

“Excuse me?!” She snatches up the paper. “Portgas D. Rouge: The Pirate Queen?!”

The paper crinkles under her grip, tearing in places.

“How dare they replace my old moniker?!”

“That is not the problem here!” Buggy snatches back the wanted poster. “They know you're alive! Or at least suspect it!”

“Do they know she’s in the East Blue?” Shanks frowns, taking the wanted poster to read the fine print, holding the paper away from Luffy as he reaches for it.

“I doubt it,” Buggy sighs deeply, “They’ve probably sent this to each Blue, trying to cast a wide net.”

“It is going to make it harder to move around unnoticed,” Rouge allows, sitting back with her arms crossed. “But I won’t lie, I liked being Hibiscus Rouge.”

“Again, really not our biggest problem right now.”

“It’s up there.”

“Hide more?” Ace asks in a small voice. The three older people in the room startle and share a look as the almost four year old watches nervously.

“Hey Spitfire,” Rouge pulls her little boy in close, running her thumb along his freckles. “Could you go be a brave boy and stand watch outside the door? Come right in if anyone approaches the boat okay?”

Ace nods shakily but his expression is nothing but determined. Buggy has to send a hand to help him open the door because the little one can’t even reach the handle. Rouge sighs deeply when the door shuts behind him. Luffy, for his part, looks guilelessly around in the tense atmosphere.

“It’s probably not a good idea to hide out on any one island too long.” Buggy scrubs a hand through his hair, making strands fall out of his ponytail. “It only takes one person recognizing you to sell us out.”

“And anyone caught harboring us is going to have a target painted on their back.” Shanks adds, bouncing Luffy idly as the boy starts to fuss.

“We could hide out on abandoned islands.” Rouge stands to go check their map collection. “As long as someone can go on supply runs, we won’t run out of resources and we’ll have the freedom to pack up and move elsewhere if the Marines get too close.”

“It won’t last forever,” Buggy warns. “One way or another, the World Government will find out. We could never be that lucky.”

“We don’t need to,” Rouge spreads a map out across the table, hand rubbing her chin as she scans for anywhere suitable. “Just five, maybe seven years until Luffy is strong enough.”

“There isn’t really much a seven year old can do against a fleet of Marines,” Shanks says unsurely, letting Luffy take one of his fingers to chew gummily.

“Oh, he’ll be fine.” Rouge waves offhandedly. “He is the Devil after all.”

She goes back to studying the map but the dead silence that settles has her looking up. Her boys are looking at her with their jaws hanging open and Rouge’s brows crease.

“Did Roger not tell you?”

“NO?!?!?”

---

As they watched Luffy grow up, Shanks couldn't really tell there was a Devil in him. Oh, it certainly felt like it during his tantrums, but those were always quick and easily forgotten by the toddler. Shanks supposes it was an arbitrary name anyway. Rouge said the thing Roger met on Laugh Tale was definitely some kind of God but the name itself didn’t matter. 

The old man hadn’t told them about that part. Shanks supposes it would’ve ruined the surprise. 

Luffy didn’t feel like a Devil. Though he definitely wasn't a normal kid. Shanks could have attributed that to his parentage. Rouge and Roger were both larger than life as is. There were plenty of things that Luffy did that could be super natural, but then Ace was right there with him. Luffy was four now and Shanks remembered Ace at that age - running up to a crocodile with no fear, holding its jaw shut so it couldn’t bite him while Buggy panicked and repeatedly hit the beast over the head. Luffy had done the same thing just last week… but with a sea king.

Unluckily for them, a passing ship had witnessed the feat and their little family had quickly fled the area. There had been rumors stirred up about Rouge in the wake of those first wanted posters, people on islands in the East Blue who remembered seeing her. But the longer they kept their heads down, the less people believed it. Now when Shanks and Buggy visited ports, common opinion was that the ‘Pirate Queen’ had died along with her child. He and Buggy had both taken turns dragging each other out of bars before they could start a brawl over ‘cursed blood’ comments.

Ace was the most protective and loving person Shanks had ever seen. A little hellion at times, but if he noticed Luffy copying his behavior, he would listen to a scolding and show manners so his little brother would follow. 

Luffy himself was like sunshine incarnate. Which, yeah, he might be. None of them really knew what kind of God he was, only that he was responsible for the Devil Fruits, although that didn’t explain much of anything. Luffy didn’t have any of his own powers, despite the fact he sank like a stone in the ocean. Most of the time it was pretty easy to forget, but sometimes Shanks was forcibly reminded.

“So, uh, what's going on here?” 

Shanks tries not to let his brow twitch or panic show, as his little brothers sit on the beach of Sixis. Several fruits of different shapes and sizes laid in the sand around them, more than two with bites taken out of them.

By the seas, Rouge was going to kill him. She had just left with Buggy to get supplies, had to go with him because the tides around Sixis made normal sailing a no-go. Only Striker was strong enough to get them off Sixis. A recreation of her old skiff, upgraded so she could channel her phoenix fire into it for a burst of speed and yes, Buggy had been very proud of that invention.

Shanks had gotten distracted for ten minutes setting up a fire.

“Ace wants a fruits!” Luffy chirps, munching into a bone-white fruit that looks to be covered in fangs.

“You do?” Shanks asks the seven year old, sitting down with them. Ace nods along seriously.

“They’re cool- well, most of them. Luffy keeps bringing me weird ones.” 

“Are cool.” Luffy insists with a huff, popping the last piece of the fruit into his mouth. 

He looks around at the beach at the half dozen fruits spread about. It’s a veritable goldmine and Buggy is going to be so pissed that Shanks isn’t keeping the children with grabby hands away from them. Shanks supposes they are technically Luffy’s, or part of him? So he probably gets to do whatever he wants with them. At the moment, it seems like he wants to fish around the beach, grabbing a purple fruit with swirling patterns and holding it up proudly.

“Rubber!”

“... It turns you into Rubber?” Ace clarifies. Luffy humming mhmm, his head nodding rapidly. “Lame.”

“Is not!” Luffy yells, teeth forming sharp points as he snarls. Shanks has a sneaking suspicion about what that last fruit was. 

“So is!” Ace shouts back.

“Kinda is, Anchor.” Shanks shrugs when his littlest brother looks to him, making Luffy pout more.

“S’ not,” Luffy mumbles, taking a bite of the fruit himself. “Nika’s fun.”

Shanks watches him bite into another Devil Fruit. Curling his hands into fists on top of his legs, Shanks fights to keep the panic out of his voice as he asks.

“Are you feeling alright there, Luffy?” His little brother tilts his head, taking another big bite. “Most people can’t eat more than one Devil Fruit.”

“I’m not a people,” Luffy shrugs, utterly unbothered as he keeps chomping down, humming happily to himself.

“Does that…  does it taste good?” Shanks asks. From everything he heard, Devil Fruits were meant to taste rotten. Buggy said the one he ate was the most disgusting thing he had ever tried - although, he may have just been trying to be dramatic and make Shanks guiltier.

“Mmhmm! It’s tasty!” Luffy polishes off the last few bites, before grabbing a fruit that the tides push in. He holds it out to Ace. “Eyes! Like the flowers one, but someone gotted that already.”

“What does it do?” Ace asks, the explanation not doing anything to help.

“Eyes!” Luffy repeats, taking a mouthful. 

After he swallows, another set of eyes pop up on his cheeks. Then a line down his arm. They blink out of sync at Shanks as he stares back. 

“Kinda gross,” Ace says nonplussed, poking at the new eye on Luffy’s cheek. It closes to avoid his finger, disappearing into the skin like a hidden seam. “Plus you ate it already.”

“Ah!” Luffy seems to just realize this, pouting down at the half eaten fruit in his hands. “Want back?”

Luffy starts to reach into his mouth as if planning to pull the chunk out. Shanks stops him before he can jam his hands down and make himself throw up.

“Hey, don’t worry about it,” Shanks scruffs up his hair. “Ace didn’t want it anyway, did ya?”

“Nah,” Ace shakes his head, looking around at the sand. 

Three of the fruits already have bite marks taken out of them, which means three more powers Luffy has that they’re going to have to figure out. That… that is an absolutely terrifying ability; to eat as many Devil Fruit as you liked. Shanks reminds himself that those powers had once been part of a single being, the being that had eventually become his little brother. Shanks was… Shanks was going to have to talk to Buggy about that, his brother would properly freak out enough for the both of them. For now, Shanks smiles and focuses on his little brothers.

“So you’re planning to leave all the water rescues to me, huh?” He teases Ace. “And here I thought our swimming lessons were going well.”

“You’ll watch out for us,” Ace shrugs easily, not doubting Shanks is going to be there for a second. It makes the red head grin.

“Guess I can’t argue with that.” Shanks looks around for an uneaten fruit. The sooner they find one, the sooner Luffy will stop summoning them. If his little brother keeps eating everything Ace rejects, he’s going to become impossible to handle. “What’s that chest over there?”

Shanks points towards a small treasure chest being pushed up onto the shore by the waves. Shanks wonders if the ocean had been helping bring the fruits here - what is he saying, of course it had. But for how long? Had the tides been gathering them here since they arrived at Sixis? Before then? When had Ace asked Luffy for a Devil Fruit? Had Luffy passed on his request to the ocean? Or did the ocean have nothing to do with it and the fruits were just drawn to Luffy when he called? Buggy couldn’t find out about this ability, he’d monopolize all the world's Devil Fruits for berri.

Ace retrieves the chest, giving it to Shanks to crack open. Luffy is giggling before he can even manage.

“Good one.” He says knowingly, rocking in place. “Fire.”

“Like Mama?” Ace lights right up, more so when Shanks opens the chest and they get a look at it. Yeah, Shanks probably would have guessed it had something to do with fire even without Luffy saying anything.

“Different fire,” Luffy shrugs, and Shanks assumes that means Logia fruit, an elemental fruit or something close to it.

“What do you think, kiddo?” Shanks holds the fruit out. Ace immediately tries to make a grab for it and he yanks it up high out of reach, teasing. “Hey now, maybe I want it alllll to myself~”

“No way, it’s mine!” Ace jumps up, trying to grab the fruit as Shanks juggles it between his hands. “I wanted one first.”

“Yeah but maybe I don’t want to be designated swimmer,” Shanks provokes, pushing Ace back and holding the fruit far out of his reach.

“That's not fair!” Ace complains, pushing against his hand and making Shanks laugh. The boy practically screeches as he mimics taking a bite.

“Shanks.” The tone is dark, making shivers run down his spine. Luffy’s face is serious and despite eating several Devil Fruits the past few minutes, this is the first time Shanks looks at him and thinks Devil. “It’s for Ace.”

A pressure comes down around him and it’s not like Conquerors Haki. That's a human manifestation of will, it doesn't apply here. It’s more akin to watching a storm, seeing waves tear through ships like they’re paper. Not a direct threat but something implied. That if you don’t respect the elements and take caution, you will fall to it next. Something unstoppable and absolute.

“Yeah, Lu,” Shanks tries to keep his voice from trembling as he lowers the fruit. He doesn't think he manages. “I was just teasing.”

The pressure instantly lets up and air enters Shanks’ lungs. He doesn't know if that was Luffy’s doing or him simply forgetting to breathe.

“Not nice!” Luffy scolds, a cute little pout on his face.

“No,” Shanks chuckles nervously, tossing the fruit over to Ace. “It wasn’t, sorry kiddo.”

Ace catches the fruit with a shrug. Whatever Shanks felt, his brother is obviously unaffected, but he does take a bite quickly, eyeing Shanks like he’s going to start pestering him again. Halfway through the bite, he gags and starts hacking. But it’s too late for that, Shanks watches his throat bob as the fruit goes down.

“What was that?!” The boy shouts throwing the rest of the fruit at Luffy, “You said it tastes good!”

“It does!” Luffy insists, catching the orange fruit. He looks down at it with drool gathering in the corner of his mouth. “Wanna finish it?”

“Hell no!” Ace is already trying to rub the taste off his tongue with the back of his hand. Shanks watches uneasily, stopping Luffy before he can take a bite.

“You’re not going to get these powers too are you?” 

“Nah, Ace has em’,” Luffy chirps, taking a big bite of the fruit that has Ace gagging at the sight.

Shanks looks at his little brother, raising a brow.

“So? Feel any different?”

“Um, not really?” Ace raises his arms up, frowning at them. Then fire springs up on them and he yelps falling back into the sand. “Whoa!”

“Shishishi,” Luffy giggles. “Like Mama!”

“Yeah, like mama,” Shanks agrees, throwing sand on top of Ace to put him out. “She’s going to be so proud of you.”

Not before she killed Shanks for making her Spitfire's nickname literal.

---

“So Luffy, how many devil fruits did you eat?” Shanks asks later that night, their fire easily started thanks to a certain someone.

“He only ate three before you showed up.” Ace shrugs, tearing into his meat. Apparently the taste of the devil fruit hasn’t gone away just yet.

“Only three huh?” Shanks says mildly, screaming inside his head about six devil fruits stuffed into one boy. “Well we should probably keep it at that, eh Luffy?”

His youngest brother shrugs uncaring. He’s absolutely ripping into his dinner with sharp teeth, finally able to outpace his brother's appetite. 

“Sooo, do you know what abilities you got from them?” Shanks presses. 

He knows one sprouts extra eyes, Luffy’s using the one that sharpens and blunts his teeth to eat dinner, and he mentioned one turning you into rubber. Admittedly, none of these seem particularly useful, but there’s always the chance he scoffed down three Logia fruits beforehand.

“Mmhmm,” Luffy hums around his mouthful. A vein throbs in Shank’s temple as he tries to keep his temper.

“Wanna show us what they are?”

“Ace called-ed them lame.” Luffy mopes, taking a break from eating to breath. His teeth return to a normal human shape.

“They were lame,” Ace says unrepentant.

“Nu-uh, look!” Luffy lays both hands on the log he’s sitting on.

Shanks watches as the bottom of it starts to melt into the sand. Not like melting into a puddle though. Rather, it seems to be melding with the sand. The texture of wood swooping down and mixing with the gains of sand as if the two are becoming one object. The longer Luffy holds on, the more the log melts until it looks like a strange little hill and he holds his hands up.

“Ta-da!” Luffy makes jazz hands, sitting happily on top of the mess he made.

“Alright, that’s pretty cool,” Ace allows surly. “My fire’s still better.”

“Is cool!” Luffy nods, ignoring the second part of the statement. He grins brightly as he looks to Shanks for praise, canines sharpening into fangs. “It works on peoples too!”

“Is that so?” Shanks asks faintly.

He was definitely going to do his best from now on to keep Luffy away from Devil Fruits.

---

Rouge had gotten back to Sixis to a very sheepish son, another on fire, and another… well…

“Hey Mama?” Luffy asks, hanging upside down in front of her.

“Yes, my little Anchor?” She looks up from her book, finger placed where she left off.

"Which is colder?” He asks, his hair sticking up on end. “North pole or south pole?”

“Have your brothers been arguing again?” Rouge reaches up, having to stretch to run her hand through his hair, not that she has any hope of fighting against gravity and fixing it.

“Yep!” Luffy grins, rocking in place on the ceiling. She readies to catch him in case he loses his grip and falls - although, he doesn't look like he’s holding on at all, somehow stuck to the ceiling like gravity is simply holding him there.

“Hmmm, I’m not sure but I think the North Blue is colder in general.” She sits back, watching as he starts to crawl along the ceiling. “I always found the South pretty mild.”

“From there, Mama?” Luffy asks, climbing onto the wall. 

“I am from there,” Rouge smiles as Luffy sticks side on, tilting his head curiously. “You were born there too, on a little island with no name.”

She had hoped that he would get to have the same homeland connection as her and his brother. But she supposes the fact he was born at all, and they both survived, was a miracle in itself. The Gods were certainly on their side - clearly, as Luffy sits on level with her, jutting out from the wall while she sits on the couch.

“Luffy Island.” He says with a massive grin, his fringe falling into his eyes.

“Yes,” She smiles back, running her hands through it and tucking it behind his ear, “Luffy Island.”

---

“Dammit not again,” Buggy curses, feeling a crack as his hand slips. 

He holds out his hand to inspect the damage. His hands were in tatters these days from all of his experiments trying to upgrade the Hibiscus Hearth. He needed a big version of what he had on Rouge’s Striker, so it could be powered by fire. It was the only way to get off Sixis, and would come in handy when running from the navy. The problem was trying to make it efficient enough that it didn’t take all of Rouge’s strength for a small boost. Although, having two fire based devil fruit users did help with that.

“What wrong?” Luffy pops his head over Buggy’s shoulder, not staying quiet and out of the way like Buggy told him.

“What’s wrong,” Buggy corrects, unwilling to let him get away with bad grammar just because he was small and cute, Shanks. “Broke another nail.” 

“Can help!” 

“I don’t need your fingers getting in my way when I’m trying to swing a– OH what the FUCK!” Buggy screeches as his nails start to rapidly grow, getting bigger and bigger until they're longer than the fingers themselves and starting to curl. “Cut it out! Cut it out! Make it stop!”

Buggy screams his absolute head off, waving his hands around in a panic. He doesn't notice that they stop growing until he slows down and takes a breath. Cautiously, as if looking at a horror movie monster behind him, Buggy turns to his little brother. Who has his arms crossed, moping.

“Was help.” He mutters, glaring at Buggy, “Long now.”

“Too long, don’t ever do that to me again!” He snaps, finally registering that this was one of the random Devil Fruit powers his little brother got when Shanks was being negligent, “What a useless power anyway.”

“Not useless! Look!” Luffy holds up his hands. His nails grow too but instead of getting long, they sharpen into thick claws, like that of a tiger. Buggy gulps.

“Yeah, alright! Put those away!” He shouts, getting Luffy to pout more but the claws do retract, morphing into normal human nails.

He tries to stand, his long nails raking against the wooden floor boards. Buggy mutters idle curses, how is he meant to cut them? He can’t hold anything like this. He’s going to have to get Rouge to help, and Shanks is going to laugh at him the whole time despite this being entirely his fault.

“Oi Luffy, you better not do this to me again,” Buggy gestures, the weight of his hand feeling heavier now with the new and long additions. However, he won’t deny that if his little brother can show some amount of restraint, it would be good for keeping his hands to manicured perfection, “At least, not until you can avoid giving me claws.” 

Luffy perks up at that, eager to use his freaky powers it seems. Well, Buggy can help with that. Because he’s a fantastic brother, he smirks and asks, “Think you can do that to Shanks without him noticing you?”

Luffy’s answering grin is literally sharp.

---

Ace curls himself up in his spot in the crows nest. They don’t really need one since Buggy floats his eyes up way higher than the top of the mast of their little boat. So instead it’s Ace’s spot when he wants to be left alone. Not that he actually wants to be left alone. 

Shanks and Buggy had finally come back from another supply run. Luffy had straight away run into Shank’s arms and demanded he come see a cool spot they discovered on the island - a pool with a waterfall that was mostly shallow enough for Luffy to sit and splash in the water. But there was one deep part so Mama wouldn’t let them play unless Shanks was there to swim, just in case. Buggy had gone with them because he really likes the water. Ace didn’t. He hated it now.

No Devil Fruit users could swim but Ace was made of fire. Water felt wrong, and it hurt! Like sitting in acid or something as it stung his skin.

His brothers had asked if he wanted to come and when Ace refused, they shrugged him off, going anyway. They didn’t want to do any of the cool things Ace suggested because ‘Luffy wants to do this now, we can go play there later’. Which wasn’t fair! Luffy always got to choose what they did. Everyone gave him attention first and only when Luffy didn't want it did they turn to Ace. And Luffy always wanted attention.

It made sense when he was really little. Mama said that babies and toddlers couldn’t do much so they needed a lot of time and attention to help them do things. Ace had been four when she explained that and told him he was a good big brother for being patient and understanding.

Ace wanted to be a good big brother now too, but he didn’t understand anymore. Luffy was four now. The same age he had been where he needed less attention. But Luffy still got all of it. But he was four now. He didn’t need all that attention. Ace hadn’t. But they still gave all their time to Luffy.

Maybe they just liked Luffy more. Shanks was always carrying him around, going along with all of Luffy’s whims. Buggy didn’t, but he didn’t go along with anyone's whims, not even Mama’s! But he’ll compromise anyway and, instead of chasing Luffy away, tell him to sit still and quiet - even if he knows Luffy never will.

Mama spent a bit more time with Ace, but that was only because he kept setting things on fire and she knew best how to stop it. Training wasn’t the same as playing games. Training wasn’t the same as getting to sit in her lap while Mama told them stories about her and Dad’s days as pirates.

When she wasn’t training with him, she was training alone. As soon as Buggy and Shanks had gotten back, she’d left - something about going on a flight around the island to make sure her wings were staying strong in case they ever needed to fly away.

She did that a lot, going off to the far side of whatever island to practice her flames getting bigger and bigger. When Ace insisted he try the same, she had laughed him off. She said he should focus on little fires for now, that there was no rush. 

But she acted like there was one, staying up late night after night pushing herself until everything turned to ash and then some. She wasn’t the only one. Buggy and Shanks would split off too, usually when someone was distracting Luffy or if Mama was around to watch him, and they’d spar each other. 

Those fights weren’t the sort of roughhousing Ace did with his brothers. They fought like it was for real; Shanks even when he bled and Buggy when he was bruised black and blue.

They were all preparing for something. Preparing to fight the world and Ace knew why: He and Luffy shouldn’t exist. The world didn’t want them alive.

“What's got you looking so down, little ember?” Ace almost screeches, but he doesn’t, not at all!

Sparks fly as he looks up. Mama’s grinning down at him, balancing on the top of the mast with her arms still turned into fiery wings.

“Did I scare you?” She teases, hair falling over her face as she looks down at him.

“No,” Ace pouts, crossing his arms and blushing furiously as she laughs. “Not funny.”

“It’s not,” Mama agrees, hopping down and landing lightly with a flap of her wings on the crows nest rails. “But that’s not what’s bothering you. Can you tell me what’s wrong, Spitfire?”

“You’ll get sad,” Ace curls up tighter into himself, and doesn’t look up when he feels something warm settle around him.

“I’m okay with being a little sad,” Mama assures. Her voice comes from above him and when Ace peeks up, he mostly sees her hair as she leans over him. She sits on the railing with her legs bracketing him on either side, all encompassing and warm.

“People wanna kill me,” Ace mumbles, but he’s pretty sure Mama heard it because she freezes up.

She doesn't say anything for a moment. Bile rises up in Ace’s throat. Even if it’s true, he doesn't want her to say it. A hand lands on his head and fingers start running through his hair.

“I’m the one they’re after,” Mama murmurs while working knots out of his hair.

“Because of me.”

“No, not really,” She softly reassures, her voice sounding far off even if she’s right above him. “It's because of your father.”

Ace frowns to himself. He remembered little bits of Dad, but it was all starting to get blurry. But not the stories his family told about him. Of the man who laughed and took on the world to be the King of the Pirates. The reason they had to hide themselves away from the world.

“So it’s Dad’s fault?”

“Hmm… In a way I suppose, but not really,” Mama says, which doesn’t make much sense at all. Ace tilts his head up to give her a questioning look. She smiles at him in the sort of way she does when Luffy does something cute - and stupid. “Your Dad’s gone and the Government could have left well enough alone, but your father was such a force to be reckoned with that they’re still afraid of a dead man - and they should be.”

“Dad was scary?” He didn’t remember him being scary. He was silly, and fun. 

“Not at all. Surely you remember him a little bit? He was an idiot, clumsy and stubborn,” Ace nods along, that sounds about right. “But mostly, he was selfish.”

She doesn't say it like an insult. Her smile is too fond, too soft, and she’s staring out into the distance.

“That’s a good thing?”

“It was the best thing about him,” She grins, looking back down at Ace and reaching over him to rub at his freckled cheeks. “He loved me and he was selfish enough to want me to love him just as much. So he held none of his adoration back for even a moment and how could I not fall for someone so earnestly brazen? I suppose that makes me selfish too. I wanted him back just as much.”

Mama has a special smile when she talks about Dad. It's so bright it makes even Ace feel all warm and fuzzy inside, so for Mama, it’s gotta be the best feeling ever. He can’t help but echo that smile. He wonders if Dad smiled like that too? Probably. It was hard not to around Mama, she and Luffy were both like that.

“You know, Ace, both of your parents are terribly selfish,” Mama shifts around to sit next to him, hugging Ace to her side. “We knew this would happen; what the world would think of you. If not because of Roger, than because of me. I certainly made my fair share of enemies.”

“You’re the coolest pirate ever,” Ace nods seriously. Dad’s stories were fun, Mama’s were awesome.

“Aren’t I?” She smirks, squeezing Ace closer. “Your Dad was too and we knew the world would be afraid of our kid, but–oh Ace, we wanted you so badly.”

Ace leans into her side.  She feels warm. No one else really does with him anymore. 

“Even now, knowing all the pain it causes you–seeing you have to grow up on nowhere islands away from everywhere–I can’t regret having you for even for a second.”

“Even if you like Lu better?” Ace asks quietly.  He feels Mama stiffen up and when she tries to look around at him, Ace tucks his face in.

“... How do you figure that, Spitfire?” 

“You spend more time with him, and do what he wants, and-and he’s special, right?” Ace didn’t really know how, but the way they looked at him sometimes… The way the ocean always reached for him. He was Luffy, but they called him the Devil too. “He ate all those Devil Fruits and now–”

“We’ve been giving him more attention?” Mama sighs. Ace nods his head slightly, fringe still shadowing his eyes as Mama pulls him closer. “Baby, that is because your brother is chaos incarnate, and somehow more selfish than Roger and I combined. He knows how to scream for more attention and not stop until he gets it.”

Her fingers slide under his chin gently, guiding his head up to look at her. Ace lets her but can’t quite meet her eyes, focusing on Mama's soft smile instead.

“Meanwhile you’re far sweeter, always looking out for your brother and bearing with us. And maybe we were all selfish, taking advantage of that,” That seemed to run in the family, but Mama said it wasn’t a bad thing anyway. “So what I need you to do is be selfish right back. Tell me what you want, stubbornly, over and over if you have to, and we’ll see who’s will holds out.”

“Right now?” Ace's brows furrow questioningly.

“All the time.” Mama says firmly.

“I want spicy curry for dinner tonight.” He starts.

“Buggy’s cooking, and you know he hates spicy foods.” Mama says, but Shanks always whines when Buggy adds leeks to whatever he’s cooking. Going on and on and even if Buggy didn’t say anything, he stopped cooking with them awhile ago.

“I’ll annoy him until he adds enough chilli.” Ace decides, getting a proud smile from Mama.

“Good.”

“I want to sit in your lap tonight when you tell stories.” He looks her in the eyes, determination growing.

“You’ll have to fight Luffy for it.” Mama warns, her tone teasing.

“I’ll win.” Luffy may be another sort of weird but he was still Ace's little brother, so he had to be weaker, that’s just how that worked.

“I’m sure of it.” Mama ruffles his hair. Ace giggles as he tries to push off her hand but Mama is super strong.

“I wanna go flying with you too,” He wanted to be up in the sky. Just them. Let their fire loose and look like shooting stars in the night. “All the time, right now.”

“That’s certainly something we can do.” Mama grins, standing and picking up Ace with her. 

He climbs around onto her back and Mama starts to heat up and flames sprout up and down her arms.

“We have to go fast.” He demands, clutching tight around her neck. “Super fast, faster than ever!”

“With loops too, right?” Mama's arms turn to wings and she starts to lift off the ground.

“Obviously!” Mama laughs and there’s a swooping feeling in Ace's gut as they take off.

“You’re our kid, alright.” Mama laughs as Ace whoops.

Ace holds on tight. Even if the world doesn’t think that’s a good thing, he’s pretty sure it is.

Chapter Text

They end up following their strategy of bouncing between abandoned islands. Rouge looks after the kids while Shanks and Buggy go on supply runs. And with how much the D’s eat? They are out often. 

That suits Buggy perfectly well. He’s still selling his information. Going to new ports means meeting new suckers and making it harder for any Marines to track him down. It also does admittedly help to have Shanks at his side. His cheery demeanor and rose-tinted vision of piracy makes for a better sales pitch than Buggy could ever manage. But not to worry, because Shanks makes himself a nuisance in other ways and the world returns to balance.

Buggy stirs as he hears Shanks leave the Hibiscus Hearth. He sighs at the redhead’s actions, thinking he’s sneaking out. This is an old song and dance from the months they spent making it from the Grand Line to Lougetown.

Buggy sends an eye out after him and grumbles as he pulls on his least flashy clothes, something dark and plain along with a hat or hood that covers his hair. Shanks heads to the bar furthest away from where they docked, having probably already scanned the town for them when they were gathering provisions.

Buggy waits until he sees Shanks go in before leaving the boat. He catches up with his eye soon enough, popping it back into place. He waits for another group to head into the bar and slips in behind them.

It’s pretty shitty inside if you ask Buggy. The smell of vomit permeates the air mingling with the booze. He scowls at the floor, knowing people probably never bother to clean it. The drunks around don't mind either way. They’re already laughing and singing off key, a red head idiot at the center of the revelry. Already managing to become best friends with each and every single person in the bar.

Buggy skirts around the grabbing hands trying to pull him in and sets up in a shadowy corner. Arms crossed and glaring through the crowd to Shanks. The barmaids are harried, moving quickly around trying to serve everyone, grabbing for their attention so they don’t bother or even notice Buggy who’s trying to make himself as invisible as possible.

There's a mix of pirates and sailors in the bar, but ones with hard looking faces that usually means they trade in illicit business. It’s probably the worst possible place for a pretty young redhead to be. They keep shoving drinks into Shanks hands both in good spirit and not. The idiot doesn't question a single thing, too busy trying to drown himself.

With his arms crossed, no one notices Buggy’s fingers missing. He keeps them hidden through the room. Under chairs and tables, one hides in the folds of Shanks’ clothes. Not that he notices. Most are stationed at the bar. Switching drinks around as they are spiked. Feeding drugs back to the bastards who try it. When he can’t manage that, he sneaks them under cups and makes sure the drink spills before it can make it to Shanks. 

There used to be a lot of this back on the Grand Line. Slavers were numerous there and while the trade is less prevalent in the East Blue, Shanks has a talent for making the worst choices. 

Buggy lets himself settle into the flow of things, keeping alert and attentive so nothing can slip by his notice. He may not be as strong as Shanks, he may not be a conqueror like him, but he is cautious. The crew might have judged him for it but, when they left, it was Shanks who kept Buggy alive through the dangers and people hunting them. While it was Buggy who kept Shanks alive when all of that pressure got to be too much and he decided to try and forget. 

The bar doesn't end up kicking them all out until far too late into the night and it’s only because most of the place has emptied out. Shanks is slumped over a table at that point and has to be dragged out by the owners. Buggy slips out unnoticed, sticking to the shadows of the street as Shanks stumbles down it. Not towards the boat because he’s an idiot.

Wherever he was planning to go, he doesn't get far. He ends up collapsing against some barrels, sinking down with his back to the wall and leg thrown over one of the barrels he knocked over. His straw hat slumps over his eyes and Buggy counts three minutes until his breath slows and the snoring starts. 

Buggy groans and settles down across the street, sitting on some crates stacked on the pier. Lamps have been lit along the dock, faintly illuminating them both. It’s not the best spot; the best is one where Buggy can pull some trash over Shanks so no one will notice him. As is, Buggy makes sure he’s visible too, detaching himself at the waist without cutting his clothes so when he floats his torso he looks taller. The finishing touch is taking out his throwing knives, they’ve been due for a sharpening anyway.

People walk by and when their gaze lingers too long on the slumbering redhead, Buggy rakes his sharpener against the knife. The harsh sound mostly manages to get them to hurry along. But of course, there are the stubborn ones who need to be taught a lesson.

“Back off,” Buggy growls at the pirates leaning over Shanks, purposefully deepening his voice.

“Or what?” A man twice Buggy’s size scoffs. He pointedly makes the metal on the edge of his blade ring, “Ooo scary.”

The man pulls a gun and Buggy supposes it's just that kind of night. He throws his knife before the trigger can get pulled, the pirate yowling as metal buries itself in his wrist. Yeah, that's going to be a hell of a recovery. His friends both pull their weapons, one a gun, the other a sword.

Buggy rolls to the side as the sword comes down on the spot he was sitting, cutting into the wood and getting stuck there. The East Blue really is the weakest sea, these guys can't even cut through wood. Buggy kicks the guy in the groin while he tries to tug out his blade. As he doubles over, Buggy smashes his knee into the sap’s face for good measure. They slump down as a shot rings out.

Buggy’s head detaches from his neck, the bullet sailing through the gap. It was a pretty decent shot, too bad. The man screams in horror as his disembodied head turns. Buggy swears the man is about to faint, knocking him out isn’t even worth it… he still punches the sucker in the jaw. He falls back against the barrels Shanks had been half sprawled over. The redhead doesn't even have the courtesy to jolt awake. Instead opening his eyes and looking slowly around.

“Buggy?” Shanks asks groggily, struggling to push himself up.

“Hey idiot,” Buggy walks over to the first guy with his knife still sticking out of his hand. He pulls it out and the man howls, quickly shut up by a kick to the face, “I heard a commotion and knew you were involved somehow.”

“Don’ remember,” Shanks slurs, rubbing his head and knocking off his oh-so-precious hat.

“Yeah, well, if you’re going to be a nuisance, at least be a quiet one so I can get some sleep,” Buggy scoffs, turning with a flourish so he can head down the street to their boat (turn down an alley without Shanks noticing and double back). If the redhead decides not to be an idiot for once, he’ll follow.

“Wa-Wait!” Shanks’ cry is desperate as he makes a wild grab for Buggy’s pants. He pauses and looks back only mildly surprised to see the start of tears, “Do- Don’t leave me?”

“Seas, you’re such a sloppy drunk,” Buggy gives a put upon sigh, crouching in front of Shanks. He reaches out to pick up the hat, but the idiot misinterprets, falling into his arms.

“M’sorry, don’ leave, don’t-”

“I’m not going anywhere, shut up!” Buggy snaps, jamming the straw hat back onto red hair. “You’re so annoying.”

“M’sorry,” Shanks repeats but this time it shudders out of him like a sigh of relief. His hot breath and snot are stuck into Buggy's stomach, the wet patch uncomfortable and gross.

“At least let me sit down if you’re going to go all octopus,” Buggy scolds, pushing Shanks’ shoulders back to get free.

The redhead whines even as Buggy makes sure not to let go as he gets into a more comfortable position, back leaning against the wall. Shanks collapses and curls up into his side, arms wrapped so tightly around Buggy it hurts to breathe.

“Don’ leave,” Shanks murmurs into his shoulder.

“I’m not leaving,” Buggy reaches up and tugs at Shanks hair, his arm happening to fall across his back that way.

“You did,” Shanks accuses, unable to see Buggy’s wince. 

He had left, and he always thought it would be Shanks that leaves him first. Being the one to walk away had been strange, and entirely unpleasant. How practically everyone else in their life pulled it off, Buggy didn’t know. It only took a few months and he was right back where he started. How had the rest of the crew managed to stay away when it felt like Buggy had permanently lost a limb?

“Yeah, well I’m not going to do that again, am I?” He snaps, tugging at Shanks’ hair more.

“Promise?” He mumbles.

“You are such a child- yes I promise,” Buggy growls it out but it doesn't make it any less true. Doesn't mean Shanks believes it any less. The redhead sighs and sinks deeper into Buggy’s side.

“Not gonna leave you either,”

“I don’t care,” Buggy grouses and leaves his hand where it is on Shanks’ back.

---

Shanks brings the Hibiscus Hearth into a cove leading up to a small island, weighing anchor where it’s deep enough not to damage her. Coming up to it, he could catch sight of rooftops spaced apart up there. The village was little but it would be good enough for a resupply. Shanks pulls the dingy up the sand and lifts the over excited six year old out.

“Now what are the rules?” He asks Luffy lightly as the boy squirms in his arms.

“Don’t tell anyone about Mama or Dad, stay close enough to hear you, and come get you if I see any Marines,” Luffy recites dutifully, wriggling the whole time. “C’monnn Shannkkkksss.”

“Alright, alright,” Shanks chuckles and Luffy outright leaps for the steep cliffs of the cove. He sticks there, climbing up the craggy rock with ease but using none of the obvious footholds provided as he scurries along it.

Shanks sighs, watching his brother fondly as he acts like a creature. He supposes there’s nothing to be too worried about. Luffy had come with him on a few supply runs now and so far he’d followed all the rules. Even if he didn't, his little brother's strength and Devil Fruit abilities were getting strong enough he could easily defend himself against the average grunt.

Shanks throws the empty bags over his shoulders, following the path up to the island proper. Luffy scrambles over the edge of the cliff and Shanks keeps track of him through the rustling of leaves and annoyed squawks of birds.

A cry wrings out that sounds almost like a bird but is quickly followed by a thud and some spirited cursing. Shanks changes course, leisurely heading for the commotion. Pushing some branches aside, he sees a young man probably about Shanks age, pressed back against a thick tree trunk. He’s got a slingshot in his shaking hands that is trained on Luffy. The little gremlin couched on the side of a tree, neck bent back unnaturally to peer at the poor guy.

“Please don’t shoot my little brother,” Shanks drawls, some good natured humor in his voice as the guy's attention snaps to him. “I’d hate to have to beat you up for it.”

“Br- brother?” His voice wavers and looks back at Luffy who’s smiling widely at him. Although it looks more like a threat with his teeth growing sharper in excitement.

“Lu, stop being a terror,” Shanks chides with a laugh, holding his arms out.

“I was just sayin’ hi.” Luffy pouts, jumping down into his arms, Shanks scoops him up easily.

“Really now? Did you remember to introduce yourself?” Luffy unfortunately hadn’t really gotten to talk to anyone outside of the family his whole life. He and Ace were only recently allowed out with Shanks on the occasional supply run. He was still figuring out the whole ‘meeting people’ thing and trying to understand why everyone reacted to his powers even worse than Buggy.

“Hi, I’m Luffy!” He waves sunnily, and Shanks sees the moment the guy's guard comes crumbling down.

“Uh, Yassop… nice to meet you?” He asks hesitantly, looking at Shanks unsure. The redhead simply grins and thrusts his hand out.

“Shanks, nice to meet cha’,” He helps hoist Yassop up, the guy yelping at his strength, “You know somewhere around here for a good drink?”

“Mama says you’re not allowed~” Luffy sing-songs.

“Mama’s not here~” Shanks sings right back.

“Uh, yeah, my old man’s got a bar actually,” Yassop dusts the dirt off his pants, a small smile playing on his face at the brothers' antics.

“Lead the way!” 

Shanks ends up carrying Luffy all the way there, but thankfully his brother doesn't squirm too much. Seems like Yassop has a talent for story telling and is busy reassuring Luffy that he wasn’t scared of him. He claims instead that he had once battled a demon from the deep that could scale sheer walls hundreds of feet tall and Yassop thought it had come back as revenge for its humiliating defeat. Luffy falls for it hook line and sinker, asking a million questions, but to Yassops credit, he never gets stumped and even manages to slip into some more fantastical tales.

The bar is completely empty when they arrive but Yassop quickly slips behind the counter, moving about with familiarity as he retrieves a couple of glasses. Shanks drops Luffy on one of the bar stools, the kid immediately entertaining himself by spinning in circles.

“No one really comes around during the day, and my Pop’s has been taking more time off ‘cause of his health but I can pour a drink just fine. What’re you feeling?”

“Nothing too strong,” Shanks says regrettably, Buggy’s not here to bail him out and like hell he’s getting sloshed while looking after Luffy, “And cut me off at two, no matter what I say.”

“You got it,” Yassop agrees easily, leaning against the counter to focus on Luffy, “And you, little man?”

“Nothing strong,” Luffy imitates Shanks seriously, “And cut me off at two.”

They both chuckle at that and Shanks has to bite his cheek before he flat out loses it. Yassop turns around to the wall full of bottles, his shoulders shaking.

“Alrighty then, my finest juice for both of you,” He says, voice nothing but mirthful.

He grabs out a couple of identical bottles and starts pouring them into glasses like it’s a fancy cocktail. Luffy oohs and aahs and Yassop times a distraction just right so that he looks away and misses the bottles being switched out. Luffy doesn't notice anything and the two look similar enough in color that he’s just excited about sharing a drink with Shanks. The redhead makes sure Luffy’s holding the glass properly and isn’t going to drop it before taking his own. He holds it out to Yassop as a silent toast, commending the man.

“So what brings you to Syrup?” Yassop asks, leaning against the bar he doesn't pretend to clean for the sake of it like most bartenders, “I didn’t see any trading ships come in today.”

“Eh, we docked at the cove back there,” Shanks makes a vague gesture behind himself, “Just dropping by for supplies on our travels.”

“Traders yourselves? Explorers? Pirates?” The last part is teasing but if it doesn't make Shanks' heart sing, longing to claim the title. He is a pirate, has been his whole life.

“Just traveling, haven't really found somewhere to settle down,” He inclines his head towards Luffy while the kid’s not paying attention. 

“Ah, gotcha,” Yassop cringes to himself but quickly moves the topic along not wanting to linger or press about what exactly Luffy’s deal is. Shanks smiles softly at the man, more than happy to indulge the rest of his questions and ask a few of his own.

Shanks learns the reason behind the slingshot; gunshots would only freak out the villagers so he keeps his target practice quiet. Yassop asks about the straw hat. Shanks listens to a probably exaggerated story of Yassop chasing pirates off from his village with only two pebbles. Luffy says Shanks wouldn’t have even need the pebbles and Yassop laughs like it’s a joke. It’s when Yassop is launching into another story that Shanks starts to notice Luffy’s chair sinking. He looks down at the floor to see the legs of the stool melding with the wooden planks. Luffy’s holding the seat, not paying attention as he’s enraptured by Yassop’s retelling of the time he built a house on the back of a giant turtle.

“Hey Lu,” Shanks knocks on his brother's head, his hand bouncing back against the rubber, “you’re melting.”

“Whoops,” Luffy looks down, not at all sheepish as he kicks his legs out.

“Wha-” Yassop leans over the counter to look and his eyes go wide, “Wha-what-what?! The chair!”

“Pick it back up before you lose it completely,” Shanks warns, lifting Luffy down to the ground, “It’s not nice to break other people's stuff.”

“Sorry story guy!” Luffy apologizes cheerfully, grabbing onto the stool's legs. 

He lifts it up and it’s like the legs are getting sucked back up. Reforming back into shape as they’re pulled away from the floor. Yassop’s jaw drops, silently opening and closing, trying to find the words, any words, when Luffy beams back up at him.

“Uh… thanks, kid,” He settles on and Shanks grins. 

Runs a bar and is good to Luffy? No way he’s letting this one go. Buggy would yell at him for it but it was still less arbitrary than what Dad did.

Luffy gets tired after using his ability- or maybe he was already crashing. He climbs into Shank’s lap without a word and makes himself comfortable before passing right out. Shanks huffs a light laugh and wraps a hand around his shoulder to make sure he doesn't slip away.

“Aren’t you just the cutest,” Yassop teases, pouring Shanks a new drink.

“Yeah, yeah,” Shanks says sarcastically and picks up the glass to hide his pleased smile. He grimaces at the sweet smell without the sharp edge of alcohol. “Can’t I at least get this spiked?”

“You said to cut you off at two,” Yassop reminds, laughing at Shanks’ outright pout, “Come now, you’ve gotta look after your little brother don’t you?”

“Of course,” Shanks sighs, holding Luffy closer. It’s probably for the best that he doesn't drink anyway, he always feels like shit afterwards and it’s not like they live near any bars close enough to go for a round two. But Shanks does smirk up at Yassop and says, “Unless you want to try babysitting?”

“Hah, nah I don’t think I’m cut out for kids,” He says, which is bullshit for a man looking fondly at his sleeping brother, who he had been indulging all day.

“You’re good with him,” Shanks reassures, brushing stray hairs out of Luffy’s face, “Not interested in having any?”

“My partner is and I wanna give her some, I do,” Yassop sighs, leaning back against the bar and staring up at the ceiling, “But I don’t think I’m cut out for it, not just the father stuff but the staying stuff, you know?”

Shanks throat goes dry and he hates the way his hand shakes as he goes to pick up his cup. The sweet taste of juice is grating and he desperately longs for the burn of alcohol.

“Yeah, I know,” He forces the words out.

“I wanna go out to sea, explore!” Yassop lights up making wide gestures at the ceiling. The spark in his eyes is familiar, Shanks has seen it in most people he calls his, “Do you ever feel like the sea is calling you?”

“All the time,” he admits, fingers running through Luffy’s hair.

“Yeah so I don’t think I could just leave a kid behind,” the glass in Shanks’ hand shudders dangerously. “I might not be a golden child but I’m not a scumbag.”

Shanks takes a deep breath and forcefully relaxes his grip. Yassop isn’t talking about them. He’s talking about himself. Talking himself out of something he wants specifically so that won’t happen.

Doesn't that hurt all the more? That he’s trying not to let his selfishness affect someone else, someone he cares about… but Shanks wouldn’t have given up his time with his Captain for anything. He didn’t regret that the man took him in. Didn’t even really regret that he left him, it was unavoidable. It was the fact that he left Shanks alone, they all did.

“I think it's fine,” He wraps an arm around Luffy, holding him close. One day… one day he will go out to sea. He’ll leave Luffy behind, but he’ll never leave him alone. “… as long as you keep in touch.”

“Really? Is that all?” Yassop questions, there's still a levity to his voice like he hasn’t noticed the dark cloud hanging over Shanks. “Don’t kids need more than that?”

Probably, and this theoretical future kid might hate Shanks for saying it. For encouraging his father to leave… but it’s not the absence that stings Shanks the most. It’s how easy it seemed to be, to leave them on that beach and not look back. The clawing question and deep dread in his gut wondering if they ever cared at all. If they were glad to be rid of him. If there was something wrong with Shanks.

“Sometimes just knowing people care is all it takes,” Yassop finally seems to recognize the dark tone, looking worriedly at Shanks. So he does what he always does when the doubts and fears get to be too much; he slides a smile in place and holds up his cup. “Can I get another drink?”

“…. One more, and if you ask again I will wake your brother up.”

“Ha.” Shanks is definitely keeping him. “Deal.”

---

The Striker skims over the waves. Shanks, the lunatic, has a stupid grin on his face and his mouth is probably more salt than spit at this point. The little pyromaniac keeps channeling fire into the furnace, making them go faster.

“Slow down you morons!” Buggy screams over the surf, only getting the ten year old and man who acts like a ten year old to laugh at him.

His only saving grace is that he can see the island they’ve made base at on the horizon. So instead, Buggy closes his eyes against the sea spray and holds on tight. Really, for a Devil Fruit user Ace needs to have more fear about being on a rickety narrow boat that they could fly off of at any second!

“Loosen up, Buggs!” Shanks pats his shoulder, shouting to be heard.

“That would be a death sentence, you fool!”

“Hey Ace, we’re getting close - what d’you say we do a lap around the island?”

“NO!” 

The chortling he gets in response is not fair. Thankfully, neither of the menaces pull through on the threat. Probably because Ace’s fire is starting to splutter out. They guide Striker up next to the Hibiscus Hearth, throwing up ropes to lash it to the boat.

“Hey Mum! Luffy! Could one of you get that?!” Shanks shouts up. Usually they’re right on deck when they come back from supply runs. Mostly because Luffy’s excited for food but sometimes it’s because he’s happy to see his brothers. “Helllloooo?”

“Are they not up there?” Ace frowns, pulling the hatch of the engine shut so no sea water gets into the mechanism.

“They could be on the beach,” Buggy says even as he’s shielding his eyes from the sun to look at the island. He doesn't catch sight of them but Luffy could be playing further in.

“Hey Buggs, can you-”

“Yeah I got it,” Buggy interrupts Shanks, detaching his feet and floating up on deck. He makes quick work of the knots and throws a rope ladder down to the other two. “You better bring my feet up!”

“On it!” Shanks shouts back up cheerily, making Buggy roll his eyes.

He pokes his head into the cabin. Sure enough, there's no sign of Rouge or Luffy. He comes back out, a frown on his face.

“Not there?” Shanks, the genius, guesses, Buggy’s feet under one arm and a bulging bag held up on his shoulder.

“Must be on the island,” Buggy mutters, looking out over it. 

It's another one of those no name places, although this one is a good deal bigger than what they’ve been weighing anchor at these past seven years. Apparently people don’t settle here because dangerous beasts like to come up from the water during nesting season, which should be soon, and they’d planned specifically now to come despite Buggy’s warnings. Something about training and meat. He just cursed them out for being reckless.

“Lets unpack and go hunt 'em down, alright?” Shanks drops Buggy’s feet and ruffles Ace’s hair to get the frown off the hellion's face.

It's good enough as a distraction and they actually get unpacking done quicker without Luffy there trying to get his hands in everything and swipe food. Buggy even manages to pack extra provisions unseen in a secret compartment, keeping it safe from the others' ravenous appetites until they absolutely needed it.

They head off quickly to the island, mostly letting Ace lead the way as he runs around the forest. He starts to slow down quicker than usual, exhausted from his ride on Striker. Buggy really needs to work on the engines some more, figure out an efficient way to substitute the fire so it isn’t solely relying on the two flame users Devil Fruits. Although, maybe it is a good thing to tire Ace out - Buggy can already smell burning.

“Ace! Stop setting the damn forest on fire!”

“That’s not me!” Ace scowls, popping his head out of a bush at Buggy's side. 

He blinks down at his little brother. Sure enough, the smell of smoke is coming from up ahead. Buggy and Shanks share a glance, the redhead’s expression hardening.

“Ace. Stay close to Buggy, okay?” He looks back, waiting for the boy to nod and latch onto Buggy's hand before storming ahead. 

Buggy is only a few steps behind him, one hand slipped into his pocket where he stores his knives. Ace is holding his hand so tight it threatens to cut off circulation by the time they find a break in the trees.

Everything is smouldering. Most of the trees burnt down to embers with only a few husks that remain standing. The entire side of the island from the trees down to the sand is scorched. Buggy has no idea how much of that fire was blue and how much was from somewhere else. There are bodies strewn across the ground, patches of white seen through the smeared ash.

“Shit!” Buggy scrambles to cover Ace’s eyes but it’s already too late. “Rouge! Luffy?! Mum!”

“They’re not here,” Shanks’ voice is flat. Buggy watches his back, the tremble in the line of his shoulder as a mounting pressure starts to build around them. “They. Aren’t. Here.”

A burst of Conqueror’s Haki knocks out anything that had still been living on the island. There’s no change to the Marines, and whatever ship had brought them here is long gone.

They had been careless–had they?--most of the world assumed Rouge was dead, despite the Marines circling her wanted poster every now and then. Common opinion was that the Pirate Queen died in childbirth and took the Prince with her - they didn’t even know about the second prince! But Rouge had kept her head down even when they started taking the boys on supply runs to stretch their legs. No one should have been able to connect two random children in the East to Roger. Buggy had been so careful. 

Was it a coincidence? A Marine ship just happening to pass by? Or had they been covert for once? Secretly tracking and observing the group's movements until their suspicions were confirmed. They hadn’t heard any news on the island they just left, so the news wasn’t released yet - or it was being printed as they stood here, frozen, staring at the carnage.

Rouge and Luffy. Their mother and little brother. They weren’t here.

They had to go get them.

Chapter Text

“Shit- Shit! SHIT!” Rouge pounds against the door until her fists are bloody. For the first time in years, there is no comforting lick of blue flames to chase the hurt away. Instead, seastone cuffs chafes and gets bloodier the more she tries to get them off. Rouge’s pretty sure if she cut her hands off to get them out the limbs would still grow back when she wasn’t touching the cursed stone, but they hadn’t left her anything sharp or useful to get that done.

“You open this door!” Rouge screams, rattling the bars in front of the thick metal reinforced door. “You open it, you hear me! Where is my son!?”

They had separated them. She knew they had been on the boat together but as soon as they got to the Marine base, they were dragged off in separate directions. Her baby boy had been crying as they yanked him along in shackles - not seastone thankfully, they hadn’t noticed he was a devil fruit user. Rouge had no idea what seastone would do to the Devil himself but she would hate for her baby to have to suffer through it. He was probably alone and scared in a small dark cell - and that was the best case scenario.

“If you’ve hurt one hair on his head, I swear!” Rouge rattles her chains with all the energy she has left. Not much, thanks to the cuffs and lack of meals. 

She slumps against the door, cursing her luck. It had been an unfortunate happenstance. Rouge hadn’t noticed the ship until it was already coming towards them. Someone must have spotted her with a spyglass. Whether they recognized her or thought she was a poor shipwrecked soul, it didn’t matter, they had realised anyway when they got close enough. 

Rouge had figured one Marine ship wouldn’t have been too much of a hassle to take down, despite its size. They would just have to make themselves scarce quickly, possibly go visit another sea for some time like she and the boys had been discussing. The fact that it was actually a powerful Vice Admiral's ship had been plain bad luck. Rouge didn’t realise she had a proper challenge and a ship full of Haki users until it was too late.

“Dammit,” She thumps against the door again. It barely shakes under the pitiful force of her fist.

They were going to execute her, but first they were going to torture her. She’d never give up her sons for anything. They’d turn to Luffy and her beautiful, stubborn, boy wouldn’t give them a thing either. It didn’t matter, they were going to hurt him anyway. 

Where were the rest of her kids? Had they realised what had happened yet or were they going to receive news of her capture through the papers just like they had with Roger? Would they try to fight to get them free or would Buggy hold on to reason and try to get them as far away as possible? 

Would any of it even matter? Now that the Marines know she has been alive all this time, they’ll be scouring the East Blue for accomplices. Plenty of people had seen Luffy, he wasn't the sort of kid that you forgot. They’d be able to draw the connection between the red and blue haired brothers that always took Luffy and another kid around. Then the world would see Ace and they would know.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry Roger,” Rouge sobs, her forehead pressed to the metal bars. “I couldn’t protect them, I couldn’t protect our sons.”

The rest of her family was going to die and Rouge had no idea if they’d keep her alive long enough to see it, to face all her mistakes while they called her children a curse.

A sound comes from the reinforced door; metal grinding against metal as a mechanism is unlocked. Rouge quickly wipes away her tears. The bastards don’t deserve to see them. She bares her teeth and channels her pain into spite, a growl already building low in her throat as the door swings open.

“Hi Mama!” 

Luffy waves, smiling sunnily on the other side of the bars.

“Luffy?” She repeats disbelieving, looking this way and that. There’s not a guard on either side of him and while his wrists look red, they aren’t chained, “Are you okay, baby?”

She reaches through the bars, the chains between her cuffs catching on them so she can’t reach Luffy’s face. But her youngest giggles and moves forward to meet her.

“Yep, they were saying mean stuff about Dad so I made them go away,” Luffy rocks on his heels while she checks him over for cuts and bruises. A little soot covered but other than that… “Can we go yet, Mama? This place is boring.”

“Um… Mama’s a little stuck right now, sweetheart,” Rouge tries to say gently, mind reeling, trying to find the right words that will get Luffy to run away without her. His brothers would find him and maybe they would be able to make it out of here without her.

“I can get you out!” Luffy reassures, holding onto the bars and within seconds they melt into the ground.

“Right,” Of course. How many times had Luffy’s bed started sinking into the boat before they switched him to a hammock. 

“Want these off too, Mama?” Luffy asks, reaching for the seastone cuffs.

“No, don’t touch these ones, baby,” Rouge draws her hands back. “They’re ouchie.”

“Okay! Well, Buggy can get them off,” Luffy shrugs, completely sure of his statement. Rouge doesn't argue, letting him take her hand but carefully holding the chain out of the way so it doesn’t touch. He hums to himself as he starts walking down the hall, guiding Rouge.

“Hey sweetie, we have to be quiet okay?” She tries to shush him, only to get a perplexed look from her youngest.

“Why though?” He tilts his head, “Everyone inside is already done playing.”

“What do you mea-" Luffy pushes open the door to the prison and they’re immediately met with screaming and groaning. "oh.”

There are Marines everywhere, half melted and stuck into the walls and floor. Some only have a leg or an arm melded to a surface, desperately scratching at where flesh becomes metal with over long nails that curl around and around. Others are in a worse state, body gone up to the torso or vice versa. Rouge steps to the side, avoiding one man who's nothing more than a stretched out face sobbing on the floor. 

Luffy happily prances down the hall, trying to strike up conversions as he goes with Marines who cower away. Rouge watches as an eye sprouts on the back of Luffy’s neck, blinking at her before he turns around.

“Are you coming, Mama?”

“Of course Baby,” She puts a smile on her face. 

Luffy happily takes her hand as she catches up. She staggers a bit under the effects of the seastone but her sweet boy is right there to support her, giving a little pat-pat to her side that she smiles at. 

As they’re walking, a Marine with only their foot stuck tries to take a swipe at Luffy. Before Rouge can bring her foot down on their face, Luffy touches their head. They start screaming as they sink further into the floor. Tile moulds into flesh and reaches up to their knees. They try to grab onto Luffy’s arm but are quickly foiled by their own nails which start to grow and curl. The screaming intensifies and they push a hand against the floor trying to get away from it, only to have their hand sink in too.

“Not nice,” Luffy says simply before letting go. He has a small frown on his face as the full grown man bawls, flesh becoming floor up to the hip. “I don’t like playing with the people here.”

“Then let's go find your brothers and play some fun games again,” Rouge bribes, pushing on Luffy’s shoulder to keep him moving.

The promise seems to brighten him up and Luffy guides their way out, chattering about all the games he wants to play when they get back. As they exit the base’s prison, it becomes clear that there’s something going on outside. No patrols come to block their way as they approach the exit and Rouge can hear screaming from outside.

“Is that you?” She asks Luffy for good measure, since clearly she didn’t understand the extent of her son's abilities. Nonetheless, Luffy shakes his head but the cause becomes obvious when they step outside.

The wall around the Marine Base is on fire and Rouge would guess the surrounding buildings too, if the smoke stacks and heat coming from the blaze was anything to go by. Ace is in the middle of it, her little boy tucked safe among the flames while Marines work to put out the fires. However, the majority of forces are focused at the center of the courtyard; Blue and red flashes move through the crowd quickly as body after body falls. 

“Shanks!” Luffy cheers when a red blur comes close enough.

“Luffy! Mum!” Shanks pulls up short, his grin blinding. Blood the same color as his hair runs down his face, plastering it down so she can’t tell where the strands ended.

Luffy launches himself at his brother, a knife flying through the crowd to cut down a Marine that tries to ruin the reunion. Shanks crouches down and scoops up his little brother, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,” He mumbles into Luffy’s hair, blood smearing all over Luffy's face. Shanks’ eyes tear up as they meet Rouge’s.

“Are you alright?” Rouge reaches forward, cupping the side of his face, her entire hand comes away red. She instinctively calls on the soothing blue but no fire comes to fix the hurt.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Shanks laughs bright and loud, “It’s definitely not mine.”

“Hey idiot!” Buggy’s head pops up above the crowd, his body elsewhere. “Stop gabbing and help!”

“Sorry Buggs!” Shanks chirps and then with a burst of power, all the Marines in the yard and likely beyond drop unconscious. 

“Was waiting until we knew where you were to pull that one out,” Shanks explains, staggering slightly, but keeping a tight hold on Luffy. Buggy makes his way over to them, grumbling and idly kicking at the heads of Marines as he passes. His limbs all fly from different directions towards him, reattaching without him paying any mind. His hair is a mess, coming loose from his ponytail, and whatever make up he put on before the battle has smeared down his face from the sweat and heat. He looks the most banged up of all his brothers, mostly bruises as blades are unable to touch him.

“Are you alright, firecracker?” Rouge calls as he jumps over a Marine, wincing at the movement. 

“Sore,” Buggy grouses, fixing Shanks with a glare. “Would be less sore if someone decided to do his job earlier.”

“Sorry bout’ that,” Shanks grins and plops Luffy into the other’s arms as a distraction.

Buggy grouches some more but accepts Luffy’s arms winding several times around his neck in a rubbery hug. Rouge certainly doesn't miss the way Buggy presses him close.

“Mama!” Ace comes running up, a trail of flames following his footsteps and singing the uniforms of whatever Marines he jumps over.

“Hey Spitfire,” Rouge crouches down to catch him, holding her seastone cuffs and chains away from the embrace.

“I can get those off on the Hibiscus Hearth,” Buggy offers, moving Luffy so he sits on his hip and Buggy has an arm free. “We should probably get going, the Vice Admiral was tough. I doubt they’ll stay down for long, even if they were already injured from your fight.”

“We left the boat on the other side of the island.” Ace explains, keeping his arms wrapped around her as Rouge struggles to stand.

“My clever boys,” She compliments, looking around at the utter chaos they wrecked. Roger would be proud. She was proud. 

They lead her away. Buggy ends up taking the younger two, carrying them as they fall asleep in his arms. Rouge and Shanks end up supporting each other as they walk. Neither is badly injured but exhaustion weighs them down.

Despite all the odds, they made it out. Her boys proved they were strong, and they needed to be. The whole world was going to be coming after them now.

---

“So what's the damage?” Buggy asks as Shanks waves goodbye to the News Coo, several brown papers in his hands.

“First and foremost….” Shanks trails off waiting for Ace and Luffy to finish the drumroll they are doing on the kitchen table. “Our terrifying ‘Pirate Queen’!”

He presents the wanted poster with a flourish. The bounty hasn’t increased much, but it was ridiculously high to begin with. What has changed is the photo, clearly taken from when she was fighting the Marines off at the beach. Her arms are held out wide, made of pure blue fire. The heat waves of it buffeted her hair back, making her look ethereal and wild all at once. The grim expression she has on definitely leans towards dangerous. Of course it does; what the photo doesn’t show is her youngest standing behind her.

“Eh, I think the last one was cooler.” Buggy shrugs, nodding his head towards the wall where her old poster hangs.

“It is the only pregnancy photo I have,” The ones she and Roger took were burned on Baterilla.

“And then we have the most important bounty,” Shanks teases, holding out his own poster.

He looks, in a word, terrifying. It’s taken from the battle where his hat had been knocked off and was hanging around his neck instead. His red hair was brilliantly visible though it was hard to tell where it ended and the bright red blood began, running all the way down it to his neck and soaking through his collar. The main thing that stood out were Shanks eyes, wide and angry staring down the lens of the camera.

“‘Red Knight Shanks’, ha!” Buggy wheezes, “That’s so lame.”

“I wouldn’t speak so soon,” Shank’s voice has a teasing lilt as he places the next wanted poster down.

“‘Blue Jester Buggy’?!” He snatches it up, glaring at the picture, “What are we, a matching set?!”

“Always have been,” Shanks grins without shame.

“I think it’s cute,” Rouge teases, easing the paper from Buggy’s hands so she can get a look at the picture.

It’s got Buggy side on, clearly mid-jump away from something. One hand has several knives held in it, halfway through throwing, and the other is visibly detached in several segments, hovering around his body. True to the name, Buggy’s blue hair flows with the movement. He looks like some kind of specter; nose crimson and eyes narrowed at some unseen foe where they stand out against the black eyeliner that runs down his face.

“They certainly know how to make you look dangerous and unhinged.” Shanks leans over Rouge with his younger brothers to get a better look.

“Damn photographer should have been there at the start of the battle when my make up was actually good,” Buggy grouses, snatching the last wanted posters from Shanks.

He lays them both down on the table and her youngest sons stare up at her, each with half a billion berries printed under their pictures.

Ace is grinning, coated in flames, his arms held out wide as he coaxes them high. A mirror of her wanted poster. Someone had clearly tried to shoot at him, as the side of his stomach is just a pool of fire around a hole. All the light casts deep shadows over his eyes so you can’t see them properly. It's reminiscent of some of Rogers' old posters. Underneath it is the moniker ‘Pirate Prince: Gol D. Ace’.

Luffy’s is… utter carnage. He’s looking at the camera, grin so wide his main eyes squeeze close and arms held behind his back, as if someone had asked him to pose mid battle. He would look like a cherub if not for the sharp points to his teeth and several eyes dotting over his cheek and shoulders, all staring wide and accusing. All around Luffy Marines half melted into the walls and floors. Her older boys suck in a gasp. Clearly Rouge had done a crap job at actually explaining what Luffy had done to them.

“The ‘Devil Prince’ huh?” Shanks can’t help but huff a disbelieving laugh, “That’s surprisingly accurate.”

“People are going to wonder about his Devil Fruit abilities because of this,” Buggy mumbles, tapping at the page.

“It’s so cool!” Luffy cheers scooping up the poster and holding it tight to his chest like a teddy. “Can we put it up with yours? Please, Mama, please?!”

“Yes, they can all go up on the wall,” Rouge sighs indulgently. There’s no reason to hide them away anymore, not with the whole world after them.

“Wait here! I’ve got something else!” Ace pushes away from the table and runs down the stairs to the storage area. 

She shares a shrug with her older two. Buggy sends out his hand to fetch some tacks so they can put the posters up. Luffy is making a fuss, debating on who he wants his poster to be hung up with. He’s directing this way and that and Shanks follows along with an easy going grin while Buggy huffs.

“Here it is!” Ace comes back up, brandishing another piece of paper.

Rouge curiously takes it from him, gasping at the poster. It’s Roger, one of her favorites where he has a wide happy grin facing right down the camera. It looks like it belongs in a family picture book, not a mug shot.

“Oh Spitfire, this is perfect,” Rouge pulls him close and presses a kiss to the top of Ace’s head.

“Come on, let's hang it up,” He takes her hand, pulling Rouge up. She follows along with a chuckle, holding the precious poster carefully.

Roger’s goes next to hers, Luffy and Ace’s directly underneath while Buggy and Shanks flank their sides. Luffy pouts that he can’t be next to all his brothers until Buggy gives a rough noogie to his head.

“I’m going to get more wanted posters with higher bounties so stop whining,” He scolds but the reassurance makes Luffy grin.

“Are we pirates now?!” He asks, bouncing excitedly. 

The adults–two of them barely adults, they’re twenty for the sea's sake–exchange a look. It’s Shanks who plasters on a smile and scoops Luffy up.

“Sure are! Pirates with the highest bounties in the East Blue!” Luffy giggles as Shanks throws him up in the air. He sticks to the celing, looking down at Shanks and poking out his tounge. Shanks returns the gesture right away.

“Then we need a pirate flag!” Luffy scurries across the ceiling.

“Yeah!” Ace is all for the idea. “It needs a skull and crossbones.”

“And a hat!”

“Blue and red fire!”

“Flowers!”

“But those aren’t cool!”

“Mama has flowers!”

“Oh… you’re right.”

Rouge giggles at Ace’s confused frown, leaning down to get her boy's attention before they can get too crazy with it.

“How about a crown?”

“A crown?” They both blink at her, before massive grins grow across their faces, “Yeah!”

“I’ll get the markers!”

“No, we need paint!”

The two run off together to tear apart the hold that's probably going to need a reorganization after their whirlwind.

“A crown?” Shanks comes up to her side, knocking their shoulders together. He’s taller than her now, which is completely unfair, “I thought you hated your new moniker?”

“Eh, clearly it’s catching,” Rouge makes a gesture towards the wall. “Might as well lean into it, but trust me the Marines are going to regret it.”

Buggy gives a visible shudder before sitting at the table.

“So what’s the plan then? Are we making a play for the One Piece?”

“The kids are still too young,” Rouge dismisses, “I wouldn't even want to bring them to the Grand Line - yes I know you two did it, no I don’t think that’s a good thing.”

Any protests die on her son’s tongues as they sulk.

“Besides, I think staying in the East Blue is our best bet.” Rouge takes a seat, steepling her fingers together, “Now that they know we’re here, Garp’s probably going to be deployed to this sea since it’s his home turf. Out of everyone in the Navy, he’s the most likely to go easy on the kids at the very least.”

“I also have my information network,” Buggy hums, picking idly at his nails, “More useful here than starting in some new sea.”

“I also know a few safe ports that we can dock at on the down low,” Shanks grins, Buggy rolls his eyes and mumbles something about drinking buddies. “Besides, we know every abandoned island from here to Reverse Mountain,”

“Not as many strong bounty hunters either,” Buggy adds before his scowl deepens, “At least for now. They’re probably going to flock here.”

“We’ve been training all these years for a reason,” Rouge reaches out for his hand, squeezing it tightly to chase away the faint tremble, “You’re ready for this.”

“Yeah, nothing short of an Admiral is going to bring us down.” Shanks cheers, slinging his arm around Buggy’s shoulder.

“That’s only if we don’t split up!” Buggy jabs an elbow into Shank’s gut. The thin veneer of Haki on it makes his brother double over.

“We won’t split up,” Rouge assures, meeting her son's eyes seriously, “We’re not abandoning each other.”

“Of course!”

“Obviously.”

Chapter Text

The world was burning. What once had been heaven now resembled hell.

Sabo stood in the middle of the street, watching Mary Geoise burn. His mother’s hand had slipped out of his at some point and he had no idea if it was intentional. She was gone now, running away like the rest of the World Nobles. Slaves flooded the streets. The same people they had beaten and called less than dirt they now fled from. Was their power really so unstable? One spark of rebellion and the whole tower burns down.

Sabo watched on. They weren’t even attacking. Most were just fleeing, some with tears, others with smiles plastered on their faces, empty looking things. The ones with tears looked happier.

The only person attacking was a large fishman. He towered over the guards that tried to take him down, tossing them aside like rag dolls. Most of them–their families having guarded World Nobles for centuries, stationed up high in the safest place in the world–were incredibly weak. Why would they bother to train? No one would ever dare attack. Yet here this man stood, blazing against the fire. Eyes wild and absolutely raging. Sabo barely recognized him like this.

He had seen the fishman only once at one of his parents’ associate’s parties. The man had been brought out for entertainment, to be heckled and jeered at, poked and hit. Typical things for which Sabo usually tried to retreat into his mind and ignore. His head had hung low but Sabo was short enough to see the glint of defiance in them and that made the boy pay attention. So he watched and paid sympathy to every hit because no one else was going to.

His stomach had dropped when they caught up with those nobles later for tea and he made an inquiry about the fishman. He had been disposed of.

Apparently not, or they were trying to save face against an escaped slave. Their reputation would probably still be fine; no one else bothered to remember what slaves looked like. 

Sabo didn’t know if the man remembered him in turn or if, when he stopped on the street and stared at him, he was just surprised a Celestial Dragon–a child–was standing his ground while the rest ran away. 

Perhaps it was Sabo’s massive grin.

“There’s more down below,” Sabo pointed under his feet. “Barracks for the service workers.”

The fishman had been for show, not for cleaning or menial chores, and slaves like that were kept elsewhere to be shown off or stuffed away when the nobles got bored. The service ones were kept below the city, out of sight, and deployed and managed by the guards, who apparently weren't good for anything but pushing chained people around.

The fishman nods and continues on. Sabo frowns after the man, not sure if he believes Sabo or not. He has to believe him. There’s so many people down there and the city is burning.

“I know where the entrances are,” Sabo runs to catch up, trying to keep pace with the man’s long strides “And the guard stations with the cuff keys!”

“The keys?” The fishman pauses and Sabo nods eagerly.

“Nobles don’t carry them but guards do to-” To take the cuffs off of dead bodies. Sabo bites his lip and swallows back the bile clawing at his throat, “The station has a chute right down to-” because the bodies of slaves wouldn’t be allowed the honor of decomposing in the gods' soil. “I’m… I’m not sure where it leads but it’s a way down.”

The fishman turns fully towards Sabo. His shadow, cast by flames, engulfs the small boy. He looms over him and Sabo gulps at the barely leashed hatred in his eyes. It was fine, he preferred that look anyway. Without it, all he saw were lifeless hollow eyes.

“Why are you helping?”

“Why are you?” Sabo challenges right back, because he’s willing to bet it’s the same reason. Only with crushing guilt and shame on Sabo’s side.

“Show me, little dragon.” 

Humiliation flushes through him, hotter than the fire around them both. It’s not just directions, it’s his chance to prove himself.

“It’s Sabo,” He doesn’t hold out his hand, he doesn’t think the man would take it. “What’s… may I know yours?”

The fishman looks down at him. Scanning Sabo for his worth. He hangs his head, he knows the Fishman won’t find any, his blood is too shameful.

“Fisher Tiger,” The man grunts and when Sabo’s head snaps up, he’s already walking away.

Sabo’s chest fills and he runs after the man, guiding the way into a mansion that's not burning too badly. He finds the service corridor hidden behind a veneer that matches the wall. It’s a tight squeeze for someone so big but they shuffle their way through even as the walls begin to heat up and Sabo knows they won’t be able to come through this way again.

Sharp steps angle downwards and the area underneath is low enough that a normal man has to stoop, let alone a man with the stature of Fisher Tiger. Slaves line the narrow halls. They weren’t made to be living quarters, just tunnels connecting the mansions that they had to make do with. The smell of shit and suffering is suffocating. There are no beds, no blankets, but people are passed out exhausted against the wall. Some of them don’t rouse even as their neighbours try to get their attention, staring terrified at the Dragon and fishman duo.

“Koala!” Sabo cups his hands and shouts, his voice echoing through the silent labyrinth. People flinch at his voice, cowering and bowing. He winces and waits, knowing it’s useless to tell them to stand.

Koala pops up quickly. Her bare feet echo through the halls as they slap against stone. Despite the fact that they’re bleeding, she has a smile pinned in place. It’s empty, with nothing behind it but pain.

I’m going to forget my own name.

I’ll keep it safe for you.

“Yes, young master?” Her voice is robotic, Sabo clutches onto the warmth he remembers in it and takes her shoulder, despising how she shakes under the touch but makes no move to shift, scared to pull away.

It’s nice to be touched when it doesn't hurt.

“Do you remember what I told you? The route to take?” Koala nods mechanically, her smile stretches widely and it looks like nothing but a pained grimace. “I need you to get everyone to follow you and gather at the door okay?”

“Yes, young master,” Koala repeats. He lets go of her shoulders and she keeps her back straight and turns around.

Everyone in the hall heard his order and shuffle along behind her. They don’t know the plan. They probably expect to be marched to their deaths. Sabo can’t promise it won’t happen anyway.

“Alright, let’s go,” Sabo nods to Fisher Tiger and leads him to a side door. 

He still looks at Sabo suspiciously as he knocks down the guards’ door. There’s no forces inside, they’re all up top trying to quell the rebellion. Hopefully, they won’t notice the escape below. Up top, there are Giants and Fishmen, Devil Fruit users that can hold their own. They can mount an actual defense. Down here are just beaten and broken people.

The guards' tunnels are much nicer. Not opulent but decorated and with consideration to human decency. Sabo had drawn his own map of the layout, back with Koala before she… broke. With the other kids before they… were gone. He knows the labyrinth under Mary Geoise-

“Dammit!” He curses, hitting his head. Fisher Tiger pauses to stare at him, still slightly hunched even in these hallways. “I have a map–back in my room–it could help someone… someone outside?”

Sabo doesn’t know who. He’s heard rumors of Dragon the Revolutionary but adults don’t like to talk about him much. Apparently, he’s unpleasant because he ruins their favorite things–human suffering mostly. Sabo doesn’t know if it will ever get to him, or if the man would even use something offered by Sabo’s cursed lineage. Either way, all the maps and information Sabo gathered would be gold in the hands of someone like Fisher Tiger or the infamous Revolutionary.

“We don’t have time now,” The man dismisses gruffly, “Where are the keys?”

Sabo bites his tongue against any protests and continues on. The keys are near what is basically a morgue. The stench of bodies piling up permeates the air, lying in rot and waiting for the cuff keys to be taken out of their secure vault all so the bodies can be tossed away.

The guards at this station don’t leave; can’t, when slaves are literally breaking free and having the item that releases them would only help. Still, they fold as easily as paper under Fisher Tiger’s assault. Sabo wishes he was bothered by the bodies, but Mary Geoise is too soaked in blood for that.

Sabo orders the one remaining guard to open the safe. They do it with shaking hands and their blood splatters the safe’s insides the next moment. Sabo hands the key to Fisher tiger who takes it with reverence.

“You only need to tap it against the cuffs,” He explains. The information had been difficult to get, nobody cared to talk about how dead slaves were dealt with, “It’ll release them automatically.”

“Alright,” Fisher Tiger nods. There's a look in his eye. 

Sabo doesn't want to call it trust or respect, he’s not worthy of either. Instead he does his best to ignore the bodies, slave or otherwise, and opens the door to the hallways. There's a trail of blood leading to it and as he throws it open, Koala is on the other side, smiling with a crowd behind her. No one moves or pushes. There's not even a reaction to the bodies, to their potential deaths.

Sabo looks at Fisher Tiger and the man comes forward, tapping the key against the collar that sits heavily around Koala’s neck. It disengages with a hiss. Koala freezes and her eyes don’t blink as the shackles release and clatter to the floor. Her expression is frozen but Sabo can see the wobble of emotions behind the veneer. Koala doesn’t cry.

I used to be the biggest crybaby.

He reaches forward and oh-so-gently brings his friend into a hug.

“I hope you get to be free,” He whispers, rubbing away his own tears as he steps back.

Fisher Tiger’s moving to the next person and despite the fact they saw him release the cuffs, they cower away. The fishman grimaces, as does Sabo. No one else is down here but if the chaos up top eases… they don’t have all the time in the world. Certainly not enough to play this song and dance for each person.

Carefully, still unsure without the weight of cuffs, Koala approaches Fisher Tiger. Her first action under freedom is to reach for the fishman’s hand. Fisher Tiger startles, looking down at her smile, which still gives nothing away. Koala holds out her other hand, silently asking. Fisher Tiger nods and gives her the key. Koala darts off, through the crowd and there's the hiss and clank of shackles unlocking and falling off. Some people cry out and others, unlike Koala, can’t hold back their tears.

“There’s a chute,” Sabo explains to the people that look around, confused about what to do with their newfound freedom, “I don’t know where it leads but it’s a way out.”

They don’t wait to hear more. It could lead to the ocean, or a pile of bodies, or a fiery incinerator to dispose of them. It doesn't matter. It’s not here and anything is better than Mary Geoise. 

He and Fisher Tiger stand to the side as people rush to climb down the chute. The fishman guards the door, watching people that watch him. Some look wary, the occasional person looks grateful. All look at Sabo with fear. Koala’s clearly working her way through the cuffs quickly, but there’s so many and there’s still something Sabo can do.

“I’m going to go get the maps,” He announces to Fisher Tiger. “There’s other information there too. I don’t know…. I don’t know if it will help but if you get the chance, could you bring it to Dragon the Revolutionary? And… and could you take care of Koala?... Please?”

That's the first time he’s ever said the word. Celestial Dragons didn’t need it. The only reason he learnt it was because that’s what slaves would plead while begging for mercy.

“I will,” Fisher Tiger lays a hand on his shoulder. It sits heavy but Sabo doesn’t flinch, staring wide eyed up at the man, “I didn’t think your blood–any human would…. You’ve done good today.”

Tears spring to his eyes. He doesn't think anyone in his lineage has ever done any good for the world. What he’s done… it’s not enough. Not nearly enough to make up for any of it. But it’s something. And the physical weight Fisher Tiger places on his shoulders makes them feel lighter than they ever have.

“Thank you,” Sabo chokes out a breath that sounds like a prayer. Fisher Tiger squeezes his shoulder and then Sabo is released.

“Go now, I’ll wait as long as possible.”

Sabo nods, determined to pull through. He sprints down the halls, following the mental map he’s long had planned out; memorised from hours of studying what he drew, piecing together bit by bit the area of Mary Geoise no one bothered to keep a record of. Sabo knows the tunnels that lead into his house and when he bursts through the door he’s hit by a wall of smoke.

Hacking up his lungs. Sabo couches down to avoid the worst of it. His sleeve coming up to cover his mouth, other hand trying to rub the ash out of his eyes. Even with the acidic smell, the pungent aroma of incense is mixed in. Like the Land of the Gods is still holding onto the veneer of opulence while it burns.

Sabo stumbles his way through the halls, following his memory over his sight. He knows where his room is and he guards his face against the fire licking at the door frame. Inside, his bed and silk sheets have already caught and are turning to ash. The carpet and curtains make a blazing trail towards his desk. Sabo lunges towards it, scrambling through the papers and opening hidden draws to find the file he needs.

“Got it!” He cheers, voice raspy from the smoke. 

The file sits heavily in his hands but Sabo grins at it. This is it; the ticket to freedom for so many more people. Not just Koala. Not just the friends he lost. It’s a way into Mary Geoise for the people who hate Celestial Dragons. Even if that includes Sabo. Even if he dies in whatever retaliation they mount because of this information. It will be worth it.

He grins widely and turns back towards the door.

It is completely engulfed in flames.

Sabo steps back, realizing he can’t breathe around the heat pressing in on all sides now. He holds the file close to himself. No this can’t–They’re waiting for him. They need this. He was going to help–a crack sounds above him and Sabo looks up in time to see the ceiling fall.

He screams, turning away and shrieks louder as the side of his face burns. Sabo collapses under the pain and weight of the building falling over him. The file slides out of his hands.

“No,” Sabo croaks, opening one eye, the other is seared shut. 

It’s blurry with tears and hazy from the heat waves already but he sees the file sitting across the floor, some of the pages have fallen out, the map he drew, the little doodle of Koala he had done and her portrait of him in turn. Embers are falling around it, getting dangerously close to the paper.

“They need…. No.” Sabo drags his arm across the floor, trying to pull himself along. His other side doesn't move. It’s numb to all sensations but pain, as fire rips across his skin. “You can’t have…”

He falls into a coughing fit that wracks his whole body. Tears stream down one side of his face. He blinks past them, needing to keep an eye on the file, save it. He needs to–the building shakes, embers breaking free and raining down. Sabo doesn't even feel them touch his skin as he watches them fall.

“NO!” the scream rips out of his throat as the papers catch. Embers lighting it up in a moment. Red curls around and eats away the words.

Sabo heaves out a sob and with nothing left for him to do, gives into the dark and pain.

---

Buggy was used to being tossed around by the sea, this way and that. Before he had his Devil Fruit, that was quite literal. But now it appeared in other ways, especially with three D’s and a Shanks on one boat. The world was constantly sending waves at him and all Buggy could do was hold on and weather the storm. 

So when his wanted poster came out declaring him Blue Jester Buggy, suddenly the nameless informant that most pirates in the East Blue did business with had a name and a reputation. It also meant that his connection to the Pirate King came out. Since the damage was already done, he might as well sell the information he’s been hiding away. 

It was high value stuff. A map of a single island in the New World was worth that of the entirety of Paradise, plus he’d upped his prices, since constantly being on the run made it harder to find time for cartography. The first few fools he graced with his knowledge had gotten greedy and tried to take him down and Buggy quickly put a stop to that.

He’d spent every moment of his free time the past several years training. While Rouge spent time with the kids and Shanks laid about after they got done sparring, Buggy was the one that doubled down. He wasn’t a freak of nature like them. If he wanted to stay alive and endure this, he needed to put in some serious extra effort. It was enough now that he was confident in going off to meetings alone. The others trusted that he’d be able to take care of himself. Roger’s crew used to tease him every time he tried to go anywhere without Shanks that eventually it was easier to stick to the redhead’s side. 

The Hibiscus Hearth quickly dropped him off and continued on. Buggy didn’t need to act like a beacon signalling where the pirate royalty were. He’d stow away on a trade ship and catch up in a few days.

“I thought you would be worth the effort of coming out here,” Buggy taps his fingers on the desk in front of him, off putting for some because his arms are crossed. He smirks as the pirate captain eyes the disembodied hand wearily, “But I’ve made myself clear. Information on Raftel is strictly off limits - besides, you barely have the money to pay me to know about the first half of the Grand Line so let’s move along, shall we?”

“Anyone can find out about that, boy, I want real information.” The Captain–who had been some big shot in the east with the highest bounty before Buggy had easily tripled it–glares daggers at him.

“Anyone can find out about it because I’m the one feeding information to them and trust me, I have no problem with cutting you off from my information network if you piss me off,” Buggy leans back, eyes glinting dangerously. “Now do you want to get to the Grand Line or not?”

The man’s jaw sets, Buggy knows he wants-no, needs, to. The previously peaceful East had been overrun. Not by pirates, those were aplenty since the New Era, but by Marines. Before they had been a token effort, laughable even. Now, every powerful unit they could send was gathering in the East Blue to hunt his family down. Bounty hunters were not far from their heels. Between the two forces, the man with the once highest bounty was an easily picked snack.

“What’s stopping me from beating the information out of you then handing you over to the Marines for a pretty penny?” The man growls, brandishing his sword. 

Buggy laughs, actually laughs, right in his face. The man leans close enough to smell the stink of his breath. The first problem would be trying to use a sword on Buggy but that’s not information he’s paid for.

“Because that would make you an idiot,” He states plainly, smirking at the scowl twisting the pirate's features. “You really think a wanted man can turn in another wanted man without getting captured yourself? The Marines aren’t going to give a bounty up to a pirate Not one as weak as you.”

“Then it’s a good thing I have another buyer lined up.”

“Hm?” Buggy doesn't get to process that as smoke pours into the room. “What the–bastard!”

Buggy goes to send out his hand to block the vent the gas is coming through… but it doesn't go. Buggy coughs as the smoke starts to fill his lungs. Knees getting weak with it until he’s collapsing to the ground. His lungs burn like they’re drowning. Where the hell did these East Blue nobodies get powdered seastone?

“Pleasure doing business with you.” A sadistic voice drawls before something heavy comes down on his skull.

Everyone’s going to be damn unbearable after this.

Then it’s all gone.

---

Sabo absolutely hated the suits they had to wear whenever they came down from Mary Geoise. The adults all said it was because the air down here was dirty. Sabo didn’t think it looked dirty. They were under a clear blue sky and he could tell there was a slight breeze coming through but he couldn’t feel it because of the damn suit!

It was a frumpy thing with a fishbowl on top of the head. Father said it was to keep their dignity, but it looked ridiculous! Standing next to the Marines, all in their nicely pressed and normal uniforms, made him want to hang his head in shame- he couldn’t because feeling shame was something that a World Noble absolutely wasn’t meant to do. Even if they were running away.

The adults didn’t call it that. They called it vacation. But Sabo had seen the burning–his side throbs, his eye screaming under the bandages–he had felt the burning. Had heard the cries and screaming as buildings collapsed and slaves ran around unchained. Amongst the carnage, there were tears and cheering. The people who for all his life had looked like empty shells were finally alive.

He had helped. Fisher Tiger's hand on his shoulder and the spark of emotion behind Koala’s eyes were like a balm whenever his parents spoke. Not that they really said anything to him anymore, other than to “cover up that burn”. It still throbbed painfully with each heartbeat, down his face through his eye and along his arm and side. Sabo lied and said the balms worked to ease the trembling doctor's hands. 

He was bandaged and, because the world couldn't see a Celestial Dragon hurt, a half veil fell over his face, obscuring the injury. Sabo knew they’d probably make him wear it his whole life. Apparently his face was hideous now, branded in fire, just like a slave.

Nobody knew he got it trying to free them. He just told the adults he was trapped in his room until the rescue efforts came to evacuate the building. The maps burning in front of him still hurt more than his eye. He pushed against the pain and at least tried to reassure himself that most of the slaves had gone free.

Not that it mattered. There were always people willing to trade in flesh. Ones that would scramble to meet the Celestial Dragons' desires.

Sabo clenched his fists, trying to keep his face passive–maybe he should just invest in a full veil–as people in chains were guided onto the ship, filing across the gangplank. Father watched them with sadistic glee and Mother with bored disinterest. Sabo was forced to sit between them with opulent snacks laid out on the table. Which was ridiculous because they couldn’t even eat with the dumb helmets! All it really did was torture the people being auctioned who Sabo could already tell weren’t being fed via their gaunt faces. Cruelty was probably the goal anyway.

The slavers were boasting, hawking people like wares, some of them children younger than Sabo. Outlook didn’t have the excuse of someone needing to clean or deal with menial chores, the Marines took care of all that. No, he brought people simply for the viciousness of the act.

“Don’t you have anything more interesting?” His father drawls, dismissing a line up of people that try not to look outwardly relieved. 

“Of course, we prepared something special just for your discerning eye,” The slaver makes a gesture to his employees who rush off. They come back wheeling something with a thick velvet sheet over it.

“This piece is particularly captivating! A pirate, an old member of Roger’s crew at that,” Sabo, despite himself, does lean in with interest. Not out of any want to buy, but the Pirate King’s crew?! “Current scourge of the East Blue’s underground, and that’s not all - this one has a particularly interesting feature!”

The slaver pulls the curtain off with a flourish. Underneath it is what pretty much amounts to a big fish bowl with some rocks studded in it. But that's uninteresting compared to the man floating within. There's no water or anything, he’s just floating, although his feet are missing from where his legs are crossed. Sabo looks down at the platform the bowl is resting on, where a glass panel in it shows off a pair of feet that kick at the sides.

“Blue Jester Buggy!” the slaver announces and, at odds with his flashy attitude, Buggy looks completely bored. One elbow rests on his leg so he can hold up his head.

“He doesn't look very threatening,” His mother sniffs, unimpressed.

“Don’t let appearances deceive, he was a member of the Roger Pirates I assure you!” 

“Cabin boy actually,” Buggy drawls, “I never did anything impressive other than swab the decks and hide.”

Outlook’s lips twitch down, glaring at the man who was trying to upsell him.

“Hum- Humble beginnings, he’s part of the Imperial Pirates crew now. One of the Pirate Princes’ famed knights!

“Glorified babysitter actually.” Buggy waves off and Sabo has to bite his cheek hard to keep his chuckle down. The slaver grimaces as Buggy continues to drive his price down.

“His bounty!-”

“The lowest in my crew.”

“Devil Fruit-”

“Not all that interesting.”

“His nose-”

“What about my nose!?”

His father looks displeased at the end of the tirade but Sabo knows he was going to buy Buggy no matter what the pirate did. His efforts only meant less profit from the slaver and by the pirate’s smirk ,he was perfectly content with that; not looking concerned at being brought, but his eyes do flash when father orders the new slaves to be branded.

“We- we don’t currently have the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon,” One of their attendants hesitates to inform, cowering under the glare Outlook lll gives them. “They- they were left on Mary Geoise in our- haste to depart.”

Haste was putting it lightly. Everyone ran to their luxury ships while the city was still burning. His parents had made sure they were setting sail before Sabo even got his injuries tended to. They probably would have left him behind completely if the rescue efforts had taken a few more minutes.

“Fine,” Outlook’s face twists down into a displeased snarl. The attendant basically sobs in relief after telling a Celestial Dragon ‘no’ and living. “We will have to brand them when we return.”

After they finish rebuilding the mansions, Sabo adds mentally. The people who had just narrowly escaped the brand look relieved, if still despondent. Sabo will have to find a way to help them escape before they can be marked. They’ll still have a chance at a normal life without constantly looking over their shoulders.

He dismisses himself after the slavers leave and starts drawing up plans in his mind. It should be easy enough to unlock the cuffs when they dock at the next island. Let the people slip off through the crowd that is welcoming the Celestial Dragons through forced cheers. Maybe Sabo can stage some sort of commotion to help serve as a distraction.

The only problem with his plan is Buggy. The pirate seems disinterested enough, but Sabo didn’t want to release him to have him turn on everyone and attack. He, his parents, and the Marines would deserve it, but the civilians and slaves on the boat didn’t, along with whatever town they docked at. The pirate had downplayed his strength but if what they said is true…

But Sabo isn’t leaving him here! He sneaks down into the hold of the ship where he knows Buggy is being kept. He should go see for himself what Buggy is like. If he truly is evil, he’ll just have to strike up a deal with the pirate. Surely he could be convinced to flee instead of fight, right?

The Marines guarding the door don’t say a thing as Sabo comes through. He doesn't explain anything either. Why would he? He’s simply an owner coming to look at his property. Something queasy twists his stomach and he makes sure the door is firmly closed behind him.

The fishbowl is in the center of the room, lashed down around the base to make sure it’s not going to slide with the waves. Buggy is leaning back, still floating in midair. He raises a brow at Sabo’s presence, before he closes his eyes and tips his head back. Sabo waits for a long beat… for anything.

“You’re not going to say something?” He prods.

“Figured whatever I could say to a little dragon was more trouble than it’s worth,” Buggy shrugs, proving his point immediately. Sabo is glad there’s nobody else in the room to overhear.

“Were you really part of the Pirate King’s crew?” Sabo asks, trying to find out more about him… and also because he’s a bit curious.

“Yeah, now part of the Pirate Queen’s- Rouge’s leaning into it now and boy are the navy regretting giving her a title with so much power.” Buggy chuckles to himself, hands clasped behind his head and knee thrown over his other leg.

“Are they as ruthless as they say?” Sabo inches forward. He needs to know, needs to know if Buggy's the type to follow those who kill the innocent. Sabo isn’t really in a position to judge the company he keeps, but…

“Roger? Nah, Captain was a golden retriever most of the time.” A small smile plays on Buggy’s lips. Sabo can tell it’s the most genuine thing he’s said so far, “Rouge? More, but you don’t want to get between that woman and her kids,”

Buggy chuckles to himself and whatever the joke is Sabo’s not in on it. Regardless, the pirate waves him off, using his leg to gesture towards the door as he floats lazily.

“So you should probably scurry off, little dragon,”

“One more question,” Sabo promises, shuffling forward so he can sit in front of the bowl. “Have you ever hurt anyone?”

Buggy straight up snorts at him.

“Yeah kid, ‘course I have,” Buggy’s eyes roll, "That's what you do when you’re protecting your family.”

Protecting a family huh? Yes Sabo knew that the pirate Princes and Queen were all obviously related but somehow the word family never clicked. It didn’t mean much to him to begin with. More of a fantasy than anything tangible. But with the soft smile playing at Buggy’s face, Sabo knows that for him it is very real.

“I suppose that's not so bad,” Sabo mutters to himself. If Buggy had people he needed to protect then he probably wouldn’t bother with needless killing, right? If Sabo got him out, he would focus on getting back to his family out on the open seas.

“What’s it like?” Sabo asks admiringly, caution gone now that he was pretty secure in his answer, “Being out on the seas, properly, not with a bubble over your head?”

“I thought you were done asking questions?” Buggy teases, floating himself at an angle where he can look down at Sabo.

“This one's just for curiosity's sake,” Sabo shrugs.

“Oh? What were the rest of them for then, hm?” Buggy presses and Sabo ducks his head to avoid the accusation. It just makes the pirate bark a laugh, “Fine, for curiosity’ sake… Being a pirate is amazing. You never feel more free than when it’s just you, the wind, and the ocean.”

There’s longing and wonder in Buggy’s voice. Sabo frowns over how long he’s been caged up. It could have been months, it could have been a few days. He suspects the pirate always talks about the ocean with the same reverence.

“Must be nice,” Sabo mumbles into his knees, “I’m finally out on the ocean and I have to wear this stupid fishbowl on my head.”

“You can’t take it off?”

“It’s not proper,” Sabo spits the word like poison. It might as well be. 

It’s not proper to run. It’s not proper to play. It’s not proper to talk to slaves. It’s not proper to help them.

“Hm, guess we’ve both got our prisons, kid.” 

Buggy raps his knuckles on the glass he’s trapped in, careful not to touch the stones studded in it. Sabo reaches up, his own hands knocking against his helmet. Sabo shares a smile with the man. He looks younger when smiling, or maybe just his own age; it’s warm and so full of life and passion. Sabo knows, no matter the consequence, he’s helping free the pirate so that smile doesn’t turn empty.

“Difference is kid, I’m a pirate. I’m not content with staying in a cage.”

Content? Was that what Sabo was? It couldn't be, not with that burning always festering inside and out. The way he wanted to claw out of his skin and leave his blood behind.

“Do you-” He cuts himself off, eyes catching on the hand Buggy used to knock against the glass. A finger is missing.

“Ah, guess I’m caught,” Buggy says, but he doesn't sound too worried about it. “There’s a small grate in the tank to let air in, was a pain and a half breaking into so many tiny pieces, and a mess getting them all to fit back together again but…”

There's a jangling behind him and Sabo looks up to one of the vents to see something shiny fly out of it. He reels back as a key floats by him, a single finger hooked around the ring.

“I tell you the hardest part was figuring out where I was, but that’s what Observation Haki is for I guess,” Buggy shrugs, the floating finger poking around until the key fits into the lock. Then it struggles as it tries to push the head of the key to make the thing turn. Buggy muttering to himself as the finger strains. “Why’s it gotta be so damn difficult?”

Sabo inches forward and takes the key. Buggy narrows his eyes at him and doesn't stop staring as Sabo turns the key; the lock disengages with a heavy metallic thunk.

“What’re you doing kid?” Buggy asks, his feet stepping out of the little cabinet to clomp along the wooden floor.

“My best, I guess?” Sabo shrugs, trying to figure out how to get Buggy’s body free, “I was always going to release you but I guess you can always take a spare boat. Would you… would you mind taking the others who were brought?”

“I’m a pirate not a damn altruist,” Buggy huffs, “Just push it up from the bottom it has a hinge- yeah, that’s it.”

The fishbowl swings up. Buggy stretches out as it opens, groaning as his back finally comes out of a curve. He floats down and reattaches to his feet with a sigh.

“That's it, damn is it exhausting floating for so long.” Buggy moves this way and that, limbering up. He pauses, noticing Sabo’s curious look, “Couldn’t risk touching the sides and losing my Devil Fruit powers, stupid seastone.”

Buggy’s finger flies back to be part of his hand again. He tosses the key into the fishbowl and slams it back closed with his foot. The lock engages making the whole thing as useless as it is gaudy.

“Now you said something about bo-” The ship lurches to the side. Sabo loses his footing with it but Buggy clearly has more experience on a rocking ship. “Goddammit no! I just escaped! Let the record show that I escaped before they got here alright?!” The pirate demands pointing right at Sabo.

“Uh… sure?” He questions, confused as Buggy places his hands on his hips and tuts before tossing his hair back and heading towards the door.

He throws it open and with two quick blows the marines are slumped over, out for the count. Sabo’s jaw drops, he’s never seen someone move so fast. Buggy flips his hair over his shoulder looking back at him.

“Come on little dragon, someone needs to testify to my brothers that I got out before they showed.” 

Sabo nods, not daring to disagree. Although, he’s not really sure what Buggy would do. He doesn't seem to be killing the marines they come across. Quickly knocking them out as he saunters along the halls. However, that could just be the lack of weapons. That doesn't last long as he picks up a pair of sabers from a Marine, slashing at the rest far more quickly.

Sabo follows behind, carefully stepping over bodies and trying not to fall as the ship continues to rock. He can hear explosions coming from up on deck and hesitates as they reach the stairs. His eye throbs and his self preservation stills his steps.

“You alright kid?” Buggy asks, waiting at the door. Sabo can’t answer through his dry throat - dry like he’s been inhaling smoke. “Don’t worry no one's going to hurt you, just stick close to me.”

Sabo nods mutely and follows along more on reflex than conscious thought. The deck is pandemonium. Marines are being tossed this way and that, slamming against the ships railing or being thrown over it. Sure enough there is fire. The ships sail completely ablaze, the sigil of the Celestial Dragons burning.

“Buggy!” The cries from multiple points across the deck tear Sabo’s eyes- eye- away from the blaze in time to see several people tackle the pirate.

“I’m alright, I’m alright, get off!” Buggy grouses, pushing away a redhead with a straw hat. Two younger kids, one smaller than Sabo, are left alone though, apparently allowed to cling to him.

“Missed you,” The littlest is rubbing his face on Buggy’s pant leg, mixing snot and tears onto it. Sabo sees Buggy grimace but he doesn't pull the boy off.

“Yeah, you too,” Buggy pats the boy's head, elbowing the redhead in the same moment, “Not you.”

“But Buggsssyyyy,” The man whines, melting against the other, forcing Buggy to hold him up in a sort of hug.

“Definitely not you,” Buggy rolls his eyes as the man wails.

“If you’re here now, can I burn the ship?” One of the boys–the Pirate Prince Ace, Sabo recognises from the wanted posters–pulls back from where he was hugging Buggy, looking entirely too gleeful at the idea.

“One moment,” Buggy steps back, looking over his shoulder to Sabo, “You said there were people you wanted to save?”

Sabo blinks before nodding stiffly then scans the deck, ignoring the fire. There are weird things; Marines that seem to be melted into the wood. Bites taken out of the ship. Some people scream as they stare at their hands in horror, long curly nails protruding from them. Above, in a blaze of blue fire, a bird of sorts fights back against his parents' personal bodyguards. The two Celestial Dragons stand tall despite the way they tremble. Among it all, he sees a group of people cowering in a cluster out of the way. He points them out. With a glance, the red haired man seems to understand Buggy’s silent command and heads for them.

“Is it alright if we sink the rest of the boat?” Buggy asks. Sabo startles when he realises the pirate is talking to him.

“Umm, yeah that’s fine.” He could drown but he probably deserves that anyway. Most likely his parents will bully their way onto a lifeboat and not let anyone else onto it as the boat sinks into the sea in a fiery inferno.

The Pirate Prince looks around Buggy and scowls at Sabo. Looking him up and down and Sabo flushes, shuffling his feet. He knows the outfit is dumb okay? Thankfully the boy doesn't say anything outright but Sabo can feel his judgement clawing. 

The younger kid hasn’t pulled his face away from Buggy’s pants. Despite that several eyes pop up along his arms. Blinking slowly at him while Sabo stares back. Abruptly the kid pulls away from Buggy, fixing Sabo with a bright grin… and he’s never seen someone smile so wide and look genuine.

“Hi, I’m Luffy!” The boy rushes forward and Sabo knows he’s not imagining the sharpness of his teeth.

“... Sabo,” He holds out his hand, realising belatedly that the other boy probably wouldn’t want to shake it. 

He’s right and Luffy doesn't, but that’s only because he grabs onto Sabo’s wrist instead, tugging at him to get attention. As if Sabo’s attention is anywhere else with the way more eyes sprout up on his cheeks and along his hairline.

“Are you Buggy’s friend?” Luffy asks, every one of his eyes opened wide and curious.

“We just met-” 

“He helped me out a little bit,” Buggy explains when that statement seems to do nothing to deter Luffy. “Although I totally busted out with no help, before any of you showed up.”

“Uh-huh,” Ace drawls, managing to drag out the two sounds long enough to sound incredibly sarcastic.

“I did, you brat!” Buggy shouts, hitting the Pirate Prince over the head, “Tell ‘em kid!”

“Buggy did break out,” Sabo agrees, brightening up, “It was really cool! He detached his finger and found the keys, then there were all these Marines and he just- he just-!”

“Shishishishi, my brother's super cool,” Luffy agrees, his hand easily slipping into Sabo’s. The Celestial Dragon startles as he’s tugged along.

The three pirates head to the side of the ship and none seem to have a problem with Sabo as a tag-a-long. Probably as a hostage which will make their escape easier. Sabo doesn't mind that, seeing as the red haired pirate is over on that side helping the now escaped slaves onto a smaller boat.

Sabo looks up at the sky. That blue fiery bird is still there, swooping in circles and getting between the bodyguards and the pirates anytime they try to get to Sabo. His parents are pointing and screaming orders but the sound can’t be heard over the crackling of flames.

“Alright, that’s the last of them. You can go wild, Spitfire,” The redhead encourages, leaning back against the boat railing.

A manic grin takes over Ace’s face. He extends his arms and Sabo jumps back as fire extends from them. It forms a ring around where they’re standing and pushes out until the entire deck is nothing but a fiery blaze. Sabo can’t smell it through his helmet but he bets it smells like burnt flesh; familiar to him now.

The blue phoenix pulls away from the bodyguards as they get distracted trying to rush his mother and father to safety, Sabo once again being left to the flames. He’s not sure if he’s going to be able to make it to the liferafts with the boat like this. Maybe the bodyguards will come rescue him. Or maybe the flames will finally claim what they failed to take last time.

The bird flies over them and then drops into a dive. As it comes to land, the blue fire gives way and transforms into a woman. One Sabo definitely recognises.

“Are you boys all okay?” The Pirate Queen Portagas D. Rouge asks, checking them all over but her hands land on Buggy’s face, cupping the pirate’s jaw.

“Yeah, we’re fine, I’m fine,” Buggy rolls his eyes, pulling her hands away, “Now let’s keep it that way and get out of here before an Admiral decides to show up.”

Not one of the pirates argue. The adults make sure the younger two climb down the rope ladder to the boat below. The redhead follows after as the fire starts to encroach on the flameless ring they had been standing in.

Sabo hangs his head. There’s no one coming for him this time, he can tell. He has no real reason to fight against the flames. He doesn't have anyone to save. Just shameful blood that runs through his veins, the people who cursed him with it abandoning him.

“Hey kiddo,” A hand lands on his helmet. Sabo jerks back as the Pirate Queen crouches in front of him, “Aren’t you coming with us?”

Sabo blinks and looks up, past her to Buggy who’s started going down the rope ladder. He stalls at the top and leans on the railing, uncaring of the fire that starts to crawl along it towards him.

“You don’t want to?” Buggy questions, tilting his head, “We can drop you off in that little dinghy, you’ve got a pretty cushy life so I don’t blame you if you wanna get back to it. But if you wanna come with-”

“Yes!” Sabo burst out. Doesn't even need to think about it, the answer was already there, deep in his bones. Saying anything else would be a lifelong regret, “... please.”

The Pirate Queen chuckles and for a terrifying moment Sabo thinks they had just been joking. That they would sooner push him into the fire and do the world a favour. But when she stands, she takes Sabo’s hand. When he reaches the railing, Buggy’s halfway down the ladder waiting for him, steadying Sabo as he shakily climbs down it.

He jumps onto the deck of the pirates’ boat–the smallest he’s ever been on–and straightaway he’s trying to tear off his helmet. Buggy laughs, hands falling on either side of the fishbowl and helping Sabo lift it off. Immediately the smell of smoke and heat from the inferno that was once a ship hits him full force. Sabo staggers under it even as the wind starts to pull the boat away. 

The ship sinks into the ocean. Orange flames reflect on the water, steaming where the hull meets the sea. Off to the side, Sabo sees a little escape boat, an umbrella ridiculously already set up. Sabo doesn't know if his parents can see him on this boat, standing under a jolly roger. He doesn't wave to try and get their attention anyway.

Sabo breathes deeply and it’s certainly not fresh air. Ash sits heavily in his nose and Sabo doesn't know if he’s imagining the smell of burning flesh or not. But there is also no presence of incense or perfumes and as they get further away, the breeze brings salt with it. The smell is fresh and it feels like the first breath of pure air he’s ever taken.

Chapter Text

Their little cabin on the Hibiscus Hearth only seemed to be getting smaller. Her boys were growing and now they had a new addition. Rouge supposes they could move onto a bigger ship now that there were more hands to help with rigging; they could even start gathering crew members now that their secret was out. However, a bigger ship meant abandoning the home where Luffy had grown up. It meant disregarding all the modifications Buggy made. It sacrificed their maneuverability and the speed they needed to run away. A new crew meant trusting people with her children's safety... It meant replacing her old one. Even if Rouge had returned to the sea and was a captain again, she couldn’t do that.

So they added another bunk. Ace on the top with Sabo on the bottom while Luffy had a hammock that hung in the gap. It was squished and probably wasn’t going to work so well when the kids were older. The adults were already packed in with their own beds and hammocks, needing to push the dining table aside to move easily through the cabin.

Still, despite the lack of space, she wouldn’t wish for anything different and their new addition was welcome.

“Do you think you can stir the pot while I chop up some vegetables?” Rouge asks, moving through the kitchen along with the waves.

“Yep!” Sabo cheers, climbing up on a stool to do just that. Rouge sticks out her leg and makes sure the stool stays anchored while the waters are choppy.

The other boys were out managing the boat in the less than ideal weather. Rouge had a better talent for steadying a ship but she was on meal rotation tonight. She, Shanks, and Buggy took turns making meals. Ace would sometimes help if he felt like it and Luffy, the little thief, was banned for life. Sabo however, since his first night on the ship, insisted on helping.

Even if he was downright terrible at it at first. He looked confused by the concept of a stove and had no idea how to hold a peeler. He and Buggy had shouted at each other back and forth, Sabo stubbornly refusing to give up when Buggy tried to chase him out of the kitchen.

Rouge had chuckled, thinking it was a passing fancy. Honestly she had expected the young World Noble to realise his old luxuries and demand to go back home. Yet Sabo hadn’t breathed a word like that. Not when they dropped the poor souls he helped save off on an island. Not when his hands went raw trying to scrub the deck. And despite all the trouble she knew it would bring, Rouge couldn’t begrudge him wanting freedom. Not when she saw the way he looked out at the ocean and stood in the wind.

Plus her kids clearly adored him. 

Buggy seemed to enjoy having someone to commiserate with when shocked by Luffy’s abilities. Shouting “You see!?” as Sabo stared slack jawed at the ceiling where Luffy was happily playing with some toys (“There’s more space up here!”). Shanks hadn’t skipped a beat, laughing and ruffling blonde hair like he did with his little brothers. 

Ace was as wary as he usually was with people, but Rouge could see the way her son's shell started to crack, finally having someone his age to play with. The two had taken to wrestling. Sabo’s unsure movements at first were quickly catching up with Ace, while Ace clearly enjoyed having someone he could beat and who wasn’t going to melt into the floor when he had them pinned.

Luffy? Luffy absolutely adored Sabo. It’s how Rouge knew he’d be fine on the boat. Luffy had inherited his father’s uncanny ability to surround himself with the most unusual but loyal people. Sabo soaked in all the attention Luffy gave him, every touch, every smile, like he was starving for it. Luffy never held a thing back and more than once Rouge had gotten up in the morning to see Luffy had climbed into Sabo’s bunk and the two were cuddling.

So no, she didn’t mind the little Celestial’s presence.

“Ow!” The boy yelps. Rouge quickly drops her knife to steady the stool as it wobbles dangerously. Sabo shakes his hand from where the soup spilled over with a wave and splashed him.

“Are you alright?” Rouge worries, keeping a hand on his back so the boy won’t tumble off the stool.

“Fine,” Sabo scowls, sucking on his finger. It moves the veil he wears over half his face to the side. While the boy had joyously thrown the rest of his clothes overboard, the veil and gloves were something he refused to take off. He wore the veil even when he slept and his soft snores made it flutter.

“I can handle dinner if you want to sit down,” Rouge offers. It would be faster that way but she freezes at the horrified look the boy gives her.

“No! No, I can do it! Look!” Sabo moves back to stir the pot but it’s ill-timed with another wave. “Ouch!”

Rouge catches him before he can fall. Sabo hisses, clutching his completely burnt hand close. It would be better if he took his glove off but when Rouge tries to take his hand to help, he whimpers, pulling into himself more. 

“Alright, that's enough,” She decides, flipping off the stove. She lifts the pot one-handed into the sink so if anything else spills over it’ll be easy to clean.

“No, no, I can still help! I can!” Sabo squirms in her grip. Rouge holds him closer as she makes her way out of the kitchenette.

“Sabo, what has gotten into you?” Rouge scowls, practically having to wrestle the boy into a dining chair. Obviously, she of all people doesn't have a problem with defiant kids but Sabo has been nothing but obedient so far.

“I just… I just don’t want you to make it all on your own,” Sabo gives in, shoulders slouching as he curls into himself. “I don’t want you to serve me.”

Ah, so that was it then. That was why this little boy was so unnaturally helpful. Rouge tuts, putting the idea to rest quickly.

“Good thing I’m not serving you then,” She says defiantly, as if she, Portgas D. Rouge, would ever be subservient to anyone, “I cook and I clean and I fight because I’m looking after you, because I care about you. I do the same for all my sons, it’s what a parent does.”

“No it’s… not?” Sabo says, so genuinely confused by the idea that Rouge skips straight past anger to devastation.

“It is,” She says firmly, taking his hands and squeezing the glove that doesn’t have soup soaked through it, starting to cool to the touch, “It is, Sabo, and I’ll do everything I can to prove it to you. Now can I please see your hand?”

“... It’s fine,” he murmurs, not meeting her eye since she made her promise.

“It’s not. Let me have a look, I have a healing touch,” She huffs a laugh at her own joke. Sabo gives her a confused look; he hasn’t been around here long enough to see what they all can do.

Tentatively, he reaches out his hand and lets Rouge peel the glove off. She pauses because underneath isn’t bright red skin but a bandage, dirty and wrapped loosely around his fingers. It extends past his hand up his wrist. Frowning, Rouge pushes up the sleeve. Sabo wriggles but doesn't fight her as the further she pushes up, the more bandages she sees. Slowly it hits her that Sabo handed all of the shirts Ace lent him back if they had short sleeves. That he always goes into the bathroom to change while the rest of them have lost such shyness.

Sabo is shrinking under her glare and flinches back when Rouge reaches his shoulder. She grabs the neckline of his shirt and pulls, sure enough bandages cover there too. Although they’re crusted with dirt and patches of sweat. She runs her hand up his shoulder, along his neck, finding no bandages there at least–not that he would have been able to hide those so easily–and her hand comes up under the veil, fingertips brushing more gauze.

“Sabo,” She tries to keep her voice even as the boy curls away from her, “Can I see your face?”

Hesitantly, he reaches up and pulls off the veil, letting the white silk fabric drop to the ground carelessly. Rouge grits her teeth. His left eye is covered in unraveling bandages, the place where they wrapped around his head perfectly disguised by the veil as if custom made. Rouge goes to grab the gauze. It’s already dirty and if he’s had it on the entire time he’s been here, then it’s doing more harm than good.

“Do-don’t,” Sabo chokes out, catching her wrist.

“I just want to see,” Rouge soothes, forcing her voice to take on a soft timbre.

“It’s hideous.”

“Nothing about you is hideous,” Rouge spits. Sabo’s eye widens. That shock shouldn’t be on a child's face, let alone one she’s taken on. “Can I see it? Please?”

Sabo whimpers but slowly lowers his hand, releasing her wrist. Rouge makes each of her moves obvious, makes sure Sabo can follow along as she unwraps the bandages. When they finally fall away from his face, she bites her tongue and tastes iron.

The burn stretches jaggedly over his eye. Bright red and irritated around the edges, showing the first signs of infection - no surprise with those dirty old wrappings. The eye itself is half swollen shut but what she can see of it is cloudy.

“What happened, sweetheart?” Rouge moves her hand to cup his jaw, thumb rubbing his cheek soothingly underneath the burn.

“Fi-fire… at Mary Geoise.” Rouge had heard about that. Was glad for it, even. It took some of the heat off her and her boys as the World Government got distracted with other matters. Now she cursed that she had ever considered it a good thing, “I couldn’t- I couldn’t help!”

Thick tears run down one side of his face as he shudders a sob. Sabo curls into a tight little ball, pressing his hands into his face despite the fact it must hurt.

“I didn’t get- get there in time- I got trapped and- the maps-”

“Shhh, baby, shhh,” Rouge gently but firmly pries Sabo’s hands away from his face, pulling him into a hug to gently trap his arms by his side. “I’m sure you did your best, my little rebel. I know you care so much. You did well, I promise you did well."

He could have immediately been trapped under rubble for all Rouge knew. But the fact that he cared for people, despite the people who were meant to be his role models, showed an insurmountable spirit to overcome everything people told him - the will to decide for himself.

“You are so brave. So strong,” Rouge holds him gently, cautious not to press too hard, to rub circles on his back when she doesn’t know where the burns were. He and Ace had been wrestling, Sabo had been cooking and cleaning. The entire time he was hurt and grit his teeth against the pain. “So good.”

The wail that wrenches out of Sabo is enough to get her other boys running into the cabin. Rouge looks at them over blonde hair and mouths to leave. Ace and Luffy clearly have no intention of doing that, starting forward before they’re scooped up by their brothers. Buggy and Shanks give her a concerned look but leave when Rouge waves them off. 

She keeps holding Sabo, rocking him gingerly until his sobs die down. He’s still sniffling into her shirt and looks down, embarrassed, when she pulls him back.

“None of that,” Rouge chides, putting a finger under Sabo’s head and lifting his chin. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“... I do,” Sabo insists quietly.

“You don’t.” Rouge bulldozes through. “Now will you let me fix up your burns?”

Sabo nods tiredly, slipping back into the seat as Rouge stays crouched in front of him. Carefully, she summons blue flames to her hand and, predictably, Sabo reels back.

“Shhh, this fire only heals. I won’t let it burn, I will never let it burn you,” Rouge reassures, using her other hand to rub circles into the shoulder that's not injured. Sabo doesn't pull away again but watches at her hand, like a wild animal backed into a corner. “It won’t fix the scar, it’s too late for that, but it will help the hurt. Do you trust me, sweetheart?”

Sabo meets her eyes and while there is fear there, it holds a glint that says he absolutely does. Rouge smiles at him. Cupping his head with one hand so he won’t jerk too far away. Sabo’s gaze is trained on the handful of flames as it approaches his face, screwing his eyes tightly shut the second before it makes contact.

He keeps them closed as Rouge holds her hand gently over his eye. She makes nonsensical soothing noises and broken sentence praises as she coaxes the wound to mend. To ease Sabo’s suffering. Eventually he cracks open his good eye, blue light reflected in them but his amazement as he looks at Rouge shines clearly. She smiles, leaning forward to plant a kiss on his forehead.

“You have nothing to worry about. Nothing at all, my son.”

---

Sabo was covered in burns. One day he was wearing a stupid veil and the next he wasn’t, a burn standing stark against his face instead. He still wore a glove, only the one; it covered his left hand but Ace had seen the burn that stretched around his wrist onto the back of it. Mama said there were burns on his arm and back too.

Ace had grabbed his arm to pin him down. When Sabo yelped, he had laughed. When Ace had called fire to his shoulders to freak the other out, Sabo froze and started breathing heavily. Since it made Ace win, he kept doing it.

He really was the evil Pirate Prince people screamed about.

Ace curls into himself up on the crows nest. Their home didn’t used to have one, Ace didn’t think, but Buggy had built it and it was always filled with blankets and pillows. Usually it was just for Luffy to play in, or drag Ace into so they could curl up and read a story book together. If they needed to see out far, Buggy would raise his eyes way higher to get a better look. So it became Ace and Luffy’s spot. Luffy had also brought Sabo up once–he was good at reading– but when Ace joined, Sabo had gotten up, saying he promised to help Shanks with dinner. Ace was only now realising it was an excuse.

Of course Sabo hated Ace. Why wouldn’t he? Ace was a cursed child, a Pirate Prince.

Luffy may be the Devil Prince but that was fine, he was literally the Devil after all. Clearly being the Devil wasn’t all that bad, because Luffy’s smile still shone like the sun. He loved, and gave, and protected people who were kind to him, like some sort of guardian deity. His wrath was only shown to those that deserved it.

But Ace was made of fire. He held down someone who had been burnt. And he laughed.

Mama said Dad used to laugh all the time. But it sounded like Luffy’s, bright and bold. She said his laugh sounded more like hers, but she never laughed at someone for being scared.

Ace wasn’t like his Dad. He didn’t do anything to earn his title. Didn’t protect himself from the Marines that came for his head. Didn’t even find his own Devil Fruit. He just took power from his family and did nothing to live up to his Dad’s legacy.

Mum said she was going to go to Laugh Tale herself to earn the title of Pirate Queen properly. It would have to be when they were old enough. Not only to make it through the New World but to leave Luffy behind on the journey's final stretch. He didn’t want to go back to Laugh Tale anytime soon. He said it was boring after so long existing there, even if the memories of before were fuzzy. Shanks and Buggy wanted to go too, and they were happy to sail there under her. But if Ace went with them, he’d just be riding off his family's success once again, doing nothing to earn his title even if he made it to the end of the world. 

If he wanted to earn it, he’d have to go himself and… he wasn’t sure he wanted to. He didn’t know if that was his dream. Didn’t know if he had another dream or if he was capable of possessing one at all. People called him the Crown Prince from time to time. Like it was inevitable he would take up the mantle of Pirate King. Like he didn’t have any other option.

Ace wasn’t like the Pirate King who had all the power in the world and used it to laugh, smile and protect.

He only burned and scared.

“Uh, Ace?” A voice drifts up, Sabo’s, from somewhere below - climbing the rigging if Ace had to guess, “Dinner’s ready.”

“Not hungry,” Ace scoffs, pulling a blanket tight around his shoulders.

“But you’re always hungry!” Not when he felt queasy, not when his stomach was turning inside out.

“Well, I’m not right now,” He says gruffly. Too gruffly, not kind or bright. Not right.

“Ok then,” Ace can hear the shrug in Sabo’s voice. 

He settles down, ready to endure the grumbling of his stomach if it meant he didn’t have to go down and face them. Let everyone see how different he was from the person he was supposed to be. Then Sabo’s head pops up to look at him in his blanket nest. The burn across his face stark in the evening light.

“What- what are you doing?!” Ace gapes as Sabo climbs in. Ace backs up as far as he can; Sabo doesn’t want to be close to him, he’s the embodiment of fire. “Get out!”

“If you’re not eating, I’m not eating,” Sabo says easily, settling down on the pillows. They touch as Sabo spreads out. Ace curls in as tight as possible to avoid it.

“That’s stupid, you’ll get hungry.”

“I eat less than you so I won’t be as hungry as you’ll be,” Sabo dismisses offhandedly, taking a blanket and settling in.

“That’s- that’s stupid!”

“You said that already,” The blonde teases. Not blonde like Mama but close enough that people could mistake him for her son by blood. As if the whole world doesn't know who her blood sons are. “Besides, this way I can keep you company.”

“Why would you want to do that?” Ace scowls, pressing his chin into his knees to glare at Sabo over them.

“Because you’ve been avoiding me and I want to find out why.” Sabo’s accusation makes him freeze.

It’s not really an accusation, it’s true- but also not. Ace was fire. Sabo was afraid of fire. Of course he wanted Ace to stay away. Ace was only trying to help, to be better.

“I get if you hate me, but this is your home, you shouldn't be the one missing out. You can go down to dinner and I’ll stay up here. I’ll…” Sabo pauses, running his hands through his hair while Ace stares at him uncomprehendingly. “I’ll stay out of your way. Can we make a schedule or something? Or I’ll just tuck myself into the hold. If you… if you want me to leave… I can…”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” Ace looks at the boy bewildered. He’s shaking as if struggling to force the words out yet still looks at Ace like he’s the crazy one for asking.

“... Because me staying here would be selfish?”

Everyone he knew was selfish. Mama encouraged them to be selfish.

Shanks' selfishness would have him pick Luffy up even if Luffy and Ace were playing and just cuddle him for as long as he wanted to, no matter if Luffy squirmed and demanded to be let go. He was always making friends on new islands, dragging them along on adventures. Even if they were reluctant at first, they always ended up caving and having fun. When Shanks demanded they be on his future crew they’d agree, and he’d tell them to wait until he was ready - never a hard date or time frame given but they were expected to put their lives on hold and wait. And they did.

Buggy’s selfishness was pushy and grumpy. He’d push them away when they got too annoying and demand his own space despite them not having a lot of it. He knew more about the Grand Line than anyone in the East Blue and wouldn't part with the information unless you coughed up your life savings. Even then there was stuff he refused to share because he didn’t want to, because it was precious to him. He hoarded treasure maps and only let Ace and Luffy come along for the adventure if they promised they wouldn’t take any of the gold. Shanks didn’t get any either, even if he was the one sent diving for it.

Luffy, he was selfishness incarnate. He never did a single thing he didn’t want to. He never shared his food but pouted when someone got mad at him trying to steal theirs. He was greedy to give and take affection. If he didn’t like someone, whether they be a random street goer or a king, he would attack them for being mean. He would say what he liked, do as he liked, and never cared about the consequences.

Ace’s selfishness was that he held onto all his brothers so tightly, yet didn’t want to live up to their expectations of him. He wanted Sabo to like him, to be his friend, even if the boy was terrified of what he was.

But Sabo? He wasn’t like that. Ace could see it, the selfish wants and desires brimming under the surface, but every time they started to rise, he squashed them down. It was weird, like he swallowed what he wanted to say and clenched his fists against what he wanted to do. It was such a foreign concept that Ace couldn’t figure out the reason why.

“What’s wrong with being selfish?” Ace crosses his arms over his knees, glaring hard at Sabo, “Do you want to leave or somethin’?”

“No!”

“Okay? Then why would you offer?” 

Sabo loves the sea. Ace sees him staring out at it with a big smile all the time. Nothing will ever be able to tear Ace from the sea, not even if everyone on it hates him. Luffy says the ocean loves him–because he has part of Luffy in him, because he’s made of fire–and while he may not be able to touch it, knowing the ocean loved him back just as fiercely to the point it would selfishly drag him down to the depths was its own sort of comfort.

“Because you don’t like me!”

“I never said that idiot!”

“You didn’t have to!” Sabo screams, tearing at his hair now. Nails digging into his head. “It’s obvious, everyone in the world does!”

“Well the world hates me too, y’know!” Ace scorns, coming out of his curl.

“It’s different!” Sabo insists, slamming his hands against the railing. Eyes desperate for Ace to understand, but he does; it’s the same and it’s not his fault Sabo doesn't see that. “All my parents do is take and take and take from the world!”

“So do mine!” His Dad took everything the world had to offer and he never shared, only spurred people on to take it for themselves.

“It’s different!” Sabo shrieks, “They’re good!”

“You’re good!”

That has Sabo reeling back, shocked, and it’s the final straw for Ace. He surges forward and keeps going despite the fact Sabo flinches. He touches him with a hand that can turn to pure fire and grabs his shoulders that have already been burnt by it before. All to get him to listen.

“And I don’t hate you! So quit putting words in my mouth!” He shakes Sabo and it must rattle his brain because he just stares at Ace dumbly, “It’s you who hates me!”

“I don’t hate you!” Sabo gasps, reeling back a little, disproving his point.

“You do! I’m made of fire!”

“Who’s putting words in who’s mouth now?!” Sabo grabs Ace by the shirt and yanks down. “I never said I hated you! I don’t hate you!”

Ace blinks. There's so few people in the world that don’t hate him. Mama said not to pay the others any mind. That anyone who said they hated Ace clearly didn’t know him so he should just block them all out. But… but when someone said they didn’t hate him, those words he could let in.

“But… but you’re scared of fire.”

“So what if I am?!” Sabo frowns, it looks pouty even if he’s still angry, “Just don’t set me on fire and we’re fine!”

“But…” Ace trails off, fishing around for the words. He remembers Sabo’s flinch. How the boy's eyes stay on him when he uses flames to spar with his brothers. “What if I use it around you?”

“I’ll get used to it,” Sabo shrugs as if it’s that simple, “I need to get over my reaction anyway, I don’t want to be scared forever - so you gotta help me with that!”

“You want me to help you?” Ace repeats, maybe a bit stupidly but clearly they’re both a little stupid because Sabo looks horrified, dropping Ace’s shirt in an instant. There’s that fear again of course why w-

“Sorry! Sorry! That wasn’t an order- it was- I just thought…” 

Sabo’s breathing quickly again. Like Ace is holding fire to him, but he’s sure he’s not. It’s dark up here now without a lick of flames, the sun has disappeared past the horizon. Sabo curls into his knees and Ace can’t see his face anymore but he can see the burn that peeks out underneath the collar of his shirt. Can hear the whine in Sabo’s voice that’s just a little raspy.

“This is why you should hate me. Why everyone hates my blood. We just order and hurt. People deserve to hate us.”

“Well, people are stupid and don’t matter.” Ace says resolutely. His family’s voices echo in his head as Sabo looks up at him with wide, wet eyes. “The only people in the world whose opinions matter are on this boat, and we all love you.”

“You… you do?” Sabo asks faintly, his expression breaking at Ace’s sure nod. “Why?”

“Because you’re Sabo.”

“That's all?”

“That's all that matters.”

“Oh,” Sabo’s voice is faint again, but this time it’s in wonder. 

Ace sort of gets that. Sometimes he’s in awe that his family loves him too. Even if they wouldn’t let him forget it for a moment, it’s still something to be amazed by. He knows love and loyalty are wonderful things and not everyone's willing to give it to people like them. But the shine reflected in Sabo’s eyes tells Ace he’s one of the people that will.

Ace’s stomach growls and he becomes acutely aware that he’s hungry and the queasiness has disappeared. He and Sabo have their knees pressed together and the blonde doesn’t pull away. He does blush as his stomach gurgles along with Ace’s, but he makes no effort to move.

“Come on,” Ace stands up, holding out his hand. “Luffy’s probably eaten all the extra but our portions would have been protected.”

“Alright,” A small smile lights up Sabo’s face. He doesn't flinch or hesitate to take Ace’s hand.

Ace grins. Looks like he’s got a new brother to hold on to.

Chapter Text

Sabo had gone down streets a few times as a Celestial Dragon and always hated it. People bowed until their foreheads touched the floor and trembled in place. This was… sort of similar in that way. People in the streets would stop what they were doing when the family passed. Some would shake, others would hurriedly whisper, most would run away. That was definitely different. If someone ran instead of basking in the Celestial’s glow, they would have been shot in the back.

None of the others cared about that. They were ignoring the people around in favor of listening to Luffy chatter on… except that wasn’t quite right either.

Sabo noticed how Buggy and Shanks stood on either side of the group. Shanks was still all easy smiles but Sabo saw the sharp look in his eye as his gaze swept the street. Buggy walked casually with his hands in his pockets and had decided to style his hair so that long bangs covered one side. Sabo was willing to bet he had at least his eye and a few fingers floating around, scoping the streets out. They were watching the people on the street as carefully as the crowd was watching them. Like they were both afraid. 

“Sabo, hon, do you want to go look in that store?” He looks up at Rouge, the pirate pointing towards a little clothing store.

“Sure!” Sabo chirps. Here’s the thing; he was also pretty sure the adults were trying to hide their caution from him, or at least Luffy. The least Sabo could do was pretend to be oblivious to the tension in the air.

They’re about to enter the store when the tension shatters. 

“Imperial Pirates!” They all turn to look at a group of men wearing nasty sneers and holding nastier weapons. The one in front of the group has a cocky smirk, not fitting how clearly outmatched he is. “Today you meet your end.”

“Bounty hunters, huh?” Shanks drawls, already looking bored. “Spare us the speech of whatever sea you're from.”

“We are from the North Blue!” Shanks shares an exasperated look with his family getting Luffy and Ace to giggle. “And we’ve-”

“Come all this way just for our bounties, yeah we know the routine,” Buggy rolls his eyes, “You really should have saved us all some time; killing you isn’t even worth the effort of resharpening my knife.”

“Same here,” Shanks moves his hand away from his sword and crouches down next to Luffy.

“Whaddya say, Luffy? Wanna practice those pistol punches?”

“Yeah!” The youngest cheers, starting forward only for Shanks to chuckle and draw him back.

“Alright, alright, but stay here, we’ve gotta work on your aim,” Shanks ruffles his hair, giving a wink when the boy pouts. “And guard the door.”

“Try not to hit yourself in the face again~” Ace teases, following Buggy into the shop;

“I did not!” Luffy shouts but Ace has already slipped away.

“Eyes up, Anchor,” Shanks warns as someone runs towards Luffy with a sword drawn. “Ready annnndddd- go.”

Civilians are screaming and running at this point, pushing each other to get away from the commotion. The screams of shock get louder as Luffy stretches out his arm. His fist hits the bounty hunter on the shoulder, making him stumble but not taking him down for good.

“You gotta keep both eyes open,” Shanks chides, picking up a pebble and throwing it at someone getting too close. It hits their head and they collapse to the ground. 

“But-”

“I don’t care what Yassop says, he was just showing off.”

“Sabo, are you coming in?” Rouge asks, holding the door open.

“But…” He looks worriedly between Rouge and the impromptu lesson. They don’t look like they’re in trouble and Shanks keeps knocking down people that get too close.

“They’ll be fine, hon, don’t worry about it.” Rouge encourages and, hesitantly, Sabo follows. 

The sounds coming from the fight are muffled as the door closes behind them and the window displays are so chock full of clothes Sabo really only notices the occasional person getting flung up into the air outside.

Ace and Buggy are already perusing the clothes, Buggy folding some over his arm that's missing a hand. He’s also got an ear missing and Sabo has no idea how long it’s been detached. But the poor store teller is looking at the sight in frozen terror, stuck behind the counter. Sabo tries to smile at her and fears she might faint.

“Take a look around for what you want,” Rouge encourages, pressing Sabo’s non-burnt shoulder forward. They’re all so careful about that now, even if the burns aren’t as tender as they once were.

He tries to smile at the store teller but it ends up being more of a grimace. They both know she’s going to get robbed but at the very least Sabo is sure none of the pirates are going to hurt her on purpose… but fear hurts people too.

He picks through the clothes, ignoring some of the things he really wants and tries to get away with picking up as little as possible. He does need clothes, it isn’t fair to Ace that Sabo keeps borrowing his. Although the boy is also picking out a few things for himself, mostly bright red and orange colors.

“Is that really all you want?” Buggy scoffs, looking down at Sabo’s meager pile.

“I don’t need much more,” Sabo half shrugs, half tells the truth. 

He really hates lying to this family. They never lie to him–or at least he doesn't think they do–so it feels wrong for him to do it, but he also doesn't want to make them upset with the truth. They took a risk bringing him here. Even if the bounty hunters aren’t a problem, the commotion could attract Marines and that was worse. They were risking their safety so Sabo shouldn’t be hung up on stealing.

He didn’t even have a problem with stealing! A few days ago they had robbed a castle! That was awesome because the nobles there were jerks. They might not have had slaves but the servants flinched like they were. They didn’t deserve the money they had. Sabo had even ‘accidentally’ dropped a few bags of coins in the street as they were making their escape.

“But these are all so unflashy,” Buggy sneers, picking up a plain sleeved shirt and dropping it in disgust. “No good. Here, try this.”

He swaps out the pile Sabo had for the pile of fabric he’d been gathering on his arm. Sabo staggers and tries to keep a good grip on it but he knows a few things fall. Before he can try to pick them up, Buggy is pushing him towards the dressing rooms. A weird feeling because neither of his hands are attached; it's just his stumps, while one hand flings the clothes Sabo keeps dropping back on him.

“Wait- don’t we need to hurry?” Sabo tries to dig his heels in before he can be shoved into the dressing room.

“We’ll let you know if there’s trouble,” Rouge waves off, holding a collared shirt up to Ace that the boy scowls at. “Take your time and have fun.”

“O-okay?” Sabo agrees, still a bit weirded out. He’s pretty sure people are still fighting outside which he would count as trouble but no one else seems to care.

He certainly doesn't end up taking his time, shucking clothes on and off as quickly as he can. The fun happens in spite of his efforts. Buggy keeps pestering Sabo to show him what he’s trying on, critiquing the outfits and sometimes disappearing back through the clothes racks and coming back with something else Sabo has to try on.

Buggy’s weirdly good at this, Sabo thinks. He doesn't really know, he’s never been able to choose his own clothes, only wearing approved Celestial Dragon robes which always felt a bit ridiculous even without bubble helmets. The fabric here is scratchier but it fits better and, despite himself, Sabo ends up having some strong opinions that Buggy keeps drawing out of him.

Everytime he admits to liking this color, or how this cut of pants fits, Buggy will go back through the racks or send Ace and Rouge to look for more. The entire thing takes way too much time and when Shanks and Luffy finally come in, Sabo has a far too big pile.

“Whoa! Sabo looks so cool!” Luffy comes bouncing up to him. He has a few scuff marks but it doesn't dampen his grin in the least.

“Doesn't he just?” Buggy puffs out his chest as if he’s the one that's been complimented; he kinda is.

“Thanks,” Sabo ducks his head, flush crawling up his cheeks, “Is everything alright outside?”

“Hm? Oh yeah, just fine,” Shanks shrugs off, “Although I guarantee someone’s called the Marines, so if you’re ready to get a move on…”

“Yes! Yes, that's fine,” Sabo tries to calm down and act like he’s not desperate to leave. Shanks still chuckles anyway, but it’s directed at Buggy.

“What did you do? Treat him like a dress up doll?”

“Psshh, no,” Buggy gathers up the pile of clothes and stuffs them in Shanks’ arms. “I just helped the kid find some style is all.”

“Ah-ha,” Shanks hums with a smile but walks towards the counter before Buggy can start yelling. He drops the clothes on the counter and leans towards the poor store teller with a charming grin, who’s frozen up staring at him. “Could we get some bags for all this?”

And, wow, that's kind of rude, on top of robbing them. But the girl doesn't argue, she starts doing as told, holding her tongue against the injustice. And Sabo… isn’t really any better. He’s keeping quiet too, trying not to anger or upset the people who have taken him in, taken risks because of him. It’s selfish to complain about the way pirates do things, supporting and condemning their actions based on Sabo’s own conscience. But taking from people, forcing people who have so little to give you something for nothing, just isn’t right! All because they’re stronger, because they have the power to do it. 

It’s not fair; it's selfish to say something and it's selfish to stay quiet. But, he knows, ultimately one is going to eat him up from the inside. It’ll make the clothes scratch and hurt every time they brush against his skin. Maybe he’s more selfish because that's the deciding factor - his guilt would be too strong otherwise.

“Can we… can we not do this please?” Sabo asks hesitantly, taking Rouge's hand. She’s the Captain, she’ll listen and Sabo will understand if she gets mad.

“Not do what, hon?” Rouge squeezes his hand right back. It’s so comforting and gentle and Sabo really doesn't want to ruin this but… “Did you not want those ones? Buggy didn’t bully you into it did he?”

“No, the clothes are fun, I just… I was thinking,” His lips tremble as his throat clogs making each word so much harder, “... I wanted to-”

“Alright, we’re all done here!” Shanks announces, passing off a couple bags each to Ace and Luffy. Buggy refuses to take any as he roots around in his pockets. “Anything else, Sabo?”

“No- well-” He shares a look with the poor store teller. She’s still shaking, watching the clothes go with abject misery. “Can’t we-”

“Ah, here it is,” Buggy fishes something out of his pockets–he has a lot of them Sabo knows, he likes to keep his bombs hidden–both he and the girl flinch as it gets thrown on the counter. But there’s no boom, just a jangling as the bag hits the wood and splits, gold spilling out of the overstuffed pouch. “That should cover it, don’t really have time for change.”

The girl gapes at the pile of gold. As does Sabo. It’s not a lot, not by the standard he’s used to, but the way she stares at it tells Sabo it’s enough for one lifetime.

“Thanks for the help!” Shanks grins, picking up the remainder of the bags and not paying any mind to the store teller's shock.

None of them do, heading out of the building like nothing of note happened. Sabo follows behind, steps over the groaning bodies of bounty hunters. Bruised and hurt but nothing beyond that. 

“What’s up, Sabo?” Shanks falls into line next to him, bags dangling from his arms like it’s a domestic scene as he steps over a prone man taller and burlier than he is. “You’re all zoned out.”

“You paid them?” He can’t stop his filter or his shock.

“Yes?” Shanks tilts his head to the side.

“But wasn’t that a lot of gold?”

“Yeah?” Shanks’ head only tilts more, the two echoing each other's confusion. “But you needed new clothes and why else would we have robbed the castle?”

Wait, what?

“You did that for me?!” Sabo screeches, getting the attention of the family walking in front of him. Although they don’t pay much mind when Shanks flat out starts laughing at him.

“Of course.” His hands aren’t really free to ruffle his hair so Shanks pulls him into a half hug, the bags smothering Sabo in his hold.

“But… but why didn’t you just steal? It would have been easier to rob a store than nobles.” Not that the castle was too much of a problem–it had been more fun than anything–but still! Buggy had complained the entire time right up until they saw the treasury and he got distracted fawning over it.

“Well, nobles have plenty of gold and status,” Shanks says, looking down at him with a small disapproving scowl. His tone is similar to when he tells Luffy to ease up on stealing food from Sabo’s plate until the blonde has gotten used to dodging and protecting his meal. “It doesn’t really hurt them to get robbed and if it does, fuck em’ they’re jerks- wait no- only most of them are jerks, you proved that.”

“I know that!” Sabo bursts out, he truly does all too well. It weighs on him. It twists up his insides. “They have more than their fair share, just… aren’t you pirates?”

Shanks looks pleased. A small smile plays on his face as he lets Sabo go, shifting the bags around so he’s got a steadier grip on them as they approach the windy docks. Had he really thought Sabo would prefer to steal from civilians than nobles?... Sabo supposes he can’t be too upset, he had assumed they were going to steal from regular people after all.

“Ah… you're right, we are pirates and we’re not particularly invested in being good people. If we needed to, we’d absolutely rob someone that didn’t deserve it.” Shanks shrugs uncaring, “But we don’t need to, not at the moment. So kind folk living their lives don’t have to get screwed over.”

“Huh,” Sabo supposes he can see that logic. When it comes down to it, they’ll look after their family first and foremost. They didn’t have much motivation at all for putting first the people that watched them head down the docks with mistrust and fear in their eyes. “How do you know they’re kind if people keep avoiding you?”

“Hm? Guess I don’t really.” Shanks drops his bags on the jettie, stretching out his arms. “But I’ve met a lot of nice people and it’s always better to assume someone's kind than cruel.”

“Thinking like that is going to get you screwed over and stabbed in the back,” Buggy butts in before a smile can fully form on Sabo’s face. The jester throws an arm around the younger's shoulders, wagging a detached finger in Sabo’s face. “Don’t listen to this idiot, we paid ‘em because we have no real reason to make trouble. It's not like it was our hard earned gold- wait no, none of you do anything to earn berri- my hard earned gold.”

“Plus,” Ace grabs a bag, throwing it up to Rouge who’s halfway up the rope ladder onto the boat. “Everyone can say we act a certain way but that doesn't mean we have to. They don’t get to decide who we are.”

That’s… an excellent point. The entire world painted this family like monsters. Sabo had believed in it whole heartedly even if he knew the government told lies. He thought he knew better after watching Buggy help slaves escape a burning ship despite claiming he wasn’t going to. Had watched Rouge check them over for injuries. Listened as the little brothers asked where they were from and insisted people be dropped off on their home islands or close to. Had laughed when Shanks sent them off with some coin while Buggy yelled at him, the blue haired pirate doing nothing to get his hard earned berri back.

He knew all of that. Thought he knew them. Yet he had still…

“I’m… I’m sorry, I assumed the worst of you,” Sabo hangs his head, nails scratching along his new sleeves. Seems like the fabric still itches even if they paid for it - because they paid for it.

“Oh no, assumed the worst of pirates? What a grave insult.” Rouge drawls, Sabo’s head lowers as she chuckles. The Pirate Queen makes a noise before letting go of the ladder and dropping back down on the pier. She comes to kneel in front of Sabo, tilting his head up to meet her clear and bright eyes. “I’m joking kiddo, we’re still getting used to each other, I’m sure there's plenty more we can do that you’ll be horrified by.”

“I don’t think so.” Sabo shakes his head, his smile coming back, soft yet strong. “You’re good people.”

That gets some blustering and blushing from the brothers. Shanks and Ace refuse to meet his eyes as Shanks messes with his hat. Buggy goes as far as yelling that he definitely is not. While Luffy looks genuinely confused, head tilted like his big brothers had been.

“I’m not a people?”

That startles a laugh out of the group. Shanks throws his head back while Rouge covers her chuckle with a hand. Buggy mutters something with a smirk playing on his face and Ace must hear it because he snorts. Meanwhile Sabo looks between them all, confused at what the joke is.

“That's right, you’re a Luffy.” Shanks scoops Luffy up getting him to shriek in delight. Claws extend from his fingers but they don’t slash or draw blood even as he wriggles. “Let's get going, yeah?”

“Yeah!” Luffy cheers, jumping from Shanks to the boat and scaling up its side. Buggy yelling at him as his claws leave scratch marks in the side of the Hibiscus Hearth.

Yeah okay, Luffy’s Luffy, that makes sense.

---

Sabo had never slept more peacefully than he did in a room full of snoring people and the gentle rocking of the waves late into the night on the Hibiscus Hearth.

“SHIT!” 

Tonight was not one of those nights.

“Up! Everyone get up now!” The blankets are ripped off of him. Buggy’s voice screeches through the room, crashing against furniture. “Wake up, you bastards!”

Luffy jolts awake, screeching as he falls from the hammock over Sabo. Sabo groans, hacking up a cough when the boy lands on his stomach.

“Buggy wha-” 

“We need to go now.” There's a desperate thread in his voice that has Sabo snapping to attention. 

It’s not rare for Buggy to be scared. He screeches and screams and trembles in the face of danger more than his brothers do. But he’s never sounded so wretched.

“Firecracker?” Rouge pushes herself out of bed, trying to intercept Buggy’s mad scramble as they all just stare. “Calm, what’s-”

“It’s an Admiral.”

The air gets sucked out of the room. For once there is palpable fear from someone other than Buggy. Rouge's soft disposition in her flouncy nightdress immediately hardens. In an instant, she looks like a fearsome Captain of the seas.

“Ace come with me down to the boiler room, we need to put some speed-”

“They’re too close for that, they’re coming in fast and I- I didn’t catch it in time.” Buggy's hands find his hair, “I didn’t see them coming. I didn’t-”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Rouge assures with a brief touch to his cheek. Buggy’s eyes water and Sabo realises twenty is actually really young and there's a reason why Rouge still treats what he thought of as adults as children. “Is the feature you’ve been working on ready?”

“It’s not complete,” Buggy sniffs miserably. “It won't be able to submerge far, and we’d all drown.”

“But can it go under?”

“It’ll ruin all our stuff and probably wreck the boilers but yeah.” Buggy confirms, a glint of determination breaking through his dejection.

“Then go get it ready,” Rouge orders, Buggy nods and heads down into the bowels of the ship. “Everyone else kit up and get on deck.”

They all move to do just that. Sabo pulls on a jacket, one with knives Buggy helped stash in every pocket. He also has a metal staff Shanks got him at the last island when he complained his punches weren’t as strong as Ace’s.

Ace prefers to fight with fire than with weapons but Sabo sees him stuff a few Buggy bombs into his pockets. Shanks pulls on his belt with his sword, looking grim in a way the happy-go-lucky guy simply isn’t. Rouge doesn't bother getting dressed, pulling her saber with her belt over her night dress and strapping guns to it. Luffy doesn't do anything to get ready, looking around confused at why everyone's suddenly so worried.

Ace takes Luffy’s hand and Sabo holds his other as they go out on deck. The shadow of a giant Marine ship is already blotting out the little light that comes from the moon. Sabo can see the glint of cannons trained on them but nobody shoots. 

Rouge moves forward so she’s standing on the railing, ready to jump up and fly or act as a barrier between them and the Marines. Over the edge of the battleship, way up high where Sabo can barely make it out, the shadow of a person looks down at them.

“Akainu,” Shanks spits with so much venom Sabo doesn’t need to know more.

“Pirate Queen!” The man, the Marine, the monster, calls down, “You and your tainted blood have stolen something important. Hand it over and you’ll live to see your execution.”

“There’s nothing on this ship that belongs to you!” Rouge shouts back, her strawberry blonde hair whips with the breeze. “And there's not a single thing she holds that I would willingly part with.”

“The Celestial Dragon.”

Sabo’s blood stops. Everything stops. They were here for him. He led an Admiral right to them. They were all going to die because of him.

“Release the World Noble and-”

“Sabo’s not going anywhere with you!” Luffy screams. 

There's a shift in the air. Hundreds of pistols and dozens of cannons pointed down at them bristle, shifting and glinting in the moonlight. Sabo can feel the point they focus on. The child they focus on.

“Luffy!” He scolds trying to hold the boy back. They're both holding each other's hands tight enough for Sabo’s to go numb.

“Saint Outlook lll has requested him back,” His father did? “After it became clear the Imperial Pirates used the attack on a Celestial Dragon’s ship to kidnap their heir.”

“We didn’t kidnap anyone!” Ace is there, screaming. He looks every inch as mad as his brother, standing against a ship full of people that want him dead, have wanted him dead since he was born. And he’s standing in front of them, protecting Sabo.

“Saint Sabo belongs in Heaven,” Akainu says. Sabo can’t see the man properly but the utter disdain is clear in his voice, “Not touching blood as filthy as yours.”

“I’ll show you-”

“Ace.” Rouge's voice cuts through. It’s not the reprimand of a mother, but of a Captain.

She looks back at Sabo and every soft feature she’s ever had seems hardened. Her blonde hair seems jagged and sharp in the wind, almost ghostly at night. The nightgown she wears swirls in the wind like a captain's coat. Her kind face, expression usually so serene, is hardened, severe, as she pins Sabo down with the physical weight of her stare.

“Do you want to return to Heaven?”

The question is like an executioner's bell.

Please don’t send me back. I hate it. I can’t live there. I can't see them. I’ll choke on the suffering. There's no freedom. Not for anyone. I want to be free. I want to stay with you. Please don’t let me go.

I love you. Even if it’s a selfish thing. 

“They’ll kill you.”

I love you so much. I can’t let you die. Not because of me.

Rouge nods gravely and turns around.

Sabo watches her back, potentially for the last time. She’ll be alright. Akainu said there would be an execution but Sabo knows they would never make it that far. They were all too good for that. They would make it out alive and be free to return to the sea. He would never see them again.

He’d be up in his golden prison, choking on the air full of suffering and incense. He could never come back down, never be free. Because he would come right back to them. And the World Government would be right on his heels. Even if he didn’t and he escaped to the opposite side of the world to be free, they would assume he’d returned and come after them again.

It was fine. Sabo could live in chains for their freedom.

It would be agony every day knowing they gave him up.

“You can have him.” 

Rouge says into the chill of the night. His throat tightens like someone had tied a noose around it. They had. He would still wear it.

“You can have my son over my cold bleeding body!”

Blue lights up the night, all encompassing like the sun has come to meet the sea. Sabo stares up at it. It’s still Rouge’s strong back, her furiously eddying blonde hair, but phoenix flames ignite from it. The blue flames reach up until they’re taller than the Marine ship's sails. Yet no heat hits them, a warm flush the worst of it. It feels like Rouge’s arms around them, reciting a story about her and Roger’s grand adventures. It’s a gentle hand against a burn that still hurts, chasing the pain away. It’s the warmth and comfort of safety.

Then it’s collecting down into a ball as big as the Hibiscus Hearth, the fire is so condensed it’s almost white.

“Fire Fist!” 

The flames hit the side of the warship like it’s a physical blow, smashing against wood and destroying the hull as it hits and burns its way right through, fizzling out on the other side. Sabo can see the reflection of the moon on the water through the gaping wound before the sea starts gushing inside.

“Buggy, now!” Rouge orders. 

Buggy's ear must be somewhere on deck because immediately mechanical grinding sounds from the depths of the boat. Sabo jumps back as the mast starts to retract into the deck. The cabin windows snap closed with metallic shudders. The entire boat starts to shake and sink like the Marine’s mighty battleship.

“Ok, we need to go, go, go!” Buggy comes running out of the cabin. A metal slab falls over the door seconds afterwards. “This whole deck's going to be underwater in a minute, I deployed Striker so-”

“We’re not using Striker.” Rouge growls, tearing her gaze away from the hole she blew clean through the Marine ship, dooming it one way or another to the bottom of the ocean.

“What?! Mama!” Buggy screeches.

“They’re threatening to take my son,” Sabo flinches back as her fierce gaze lands on him. “I’m not going to let them.”

“Which is why we’ve got to run!” Buggy implores, looking around desperately. Sabo is too, for any sort of answer that makes sense. “Shanks-”

“They’re not taking our little brother,” The redhead’s hand lands on his sword, glaring up at the ship.

“Brother?” Sabo asks, voice wobbling with the one word, but he still forces out another on a hopeful, desperate note. “... Son?”

“Yes,” Rouge says, moving forward. 

Her voice holds none of the doubt Sabo’s does, completely sure in her approach as the ship behind her burns with blue embers as it sinks. None of that danger touches Sabo. There's not a single moment of fear when Rouge kneels down and takes his shoulder. Her softness comes back a bit but it makes her no less fierce as she claims;

“You are my son Sabo. No one in the world could tear you away from me.”

“You really mean it?” 

“Yes.”

Sabo’s breath hitches, releasing as a wailing cry as he collapses forward into his Mothers’s arms. She rubs his back and her hands are so warm, never burning, always there and completely safe.

“What are you going to say to that, Buggs?” Shanks asks in a teasing tone. Sabo pulls his tear-stained face away from Rouge to see how Buggy glowers at him.

“Argh! Why do I even bother!” Buggy tears at his hair, “Let’s just get up there quickly- the deck is already flooding!”

Sure enough, they’ve gotten low enough that water is creeping across the deck. With four Devil Fruit users and a battle to come, getting weakened by the sea isn’t really an option. Sabo wipes his tears and gives his Mum a reassuring smile. Rouge presses a kiss to his forehead before she’s gathering them all up, carrying them as she flies away from the Hibiscus Hearth as it goes under. It will stop the boat from burning at the very least. The same cannot be said for the Marine ship.

It’s listing dangerously to the side as it takes on water, Marines slipping on the deck trying to fight against the angle. The Admiral, Akainu, is spitting orders. Flecks of lava spray from his mouth like spittle.

“I’ll handle the Admiral. I need you boys to take care of the Marines so I don’t have to watch my back,” Captain Rouge orders, settling them all gently down on deck, “I need you all to be careful, most of this crew probably uses Haki and Sabo-”

“They probably won’t know if they can hurt me or not,” Sabo reassures. “They could think you were making the claim all on your own and an Admiral doesn't have the power to give permission to hurt Celestial Dragons.”

“Alright then, but I want you younger boys to stay close together.” Rouge straightens up with a smirk. “You’ve got the world's most effective meat shield after all.”

Sabo’s answering grin is positively feral.

Rouge launches straight for Akainu. Her feet form flaming talons that leave flickering trails behind her as her strikes land so fast the fire can’t keep up. Akauni defends, magma meeting mythical fire in a blast of heat that has everyone close-by backing up.

Sabo and his brothers–brothers!--launch themselves at the Marines. Shanks and Buggy, from some previously decided plan or instinct, go in separate directions, felling Marines one after the other. It’s brutal. Not the casual saunter Buggy had when escaping near slavery. Not the playful target practice bounty hunters provided. Everyone in this battle knew they were fighting for their lives and their attacks reflected that. The Marines were aiming to kill; they just weren’t as effective as his big brothers.

Sabo sticks close to Ace and Luffy. Sure enough, every Marine that goes to shoot at them stops with a gun trembling in their hands. If someone tries to get up close with a blade, Sabo pushes his brothers out of the way and they drop their weapon to avoid following through on the swing.

“This is boring!” Ace complains, knocking a guy on the head as he bows for forgiveness. “I hope they get rid of your Celestial whatever so we can get in real fights again.”

“Everyone else is fighting for real,” Sabo teases, watching Luffy launch himself at a Marine. He tugs Ace over so their little brother can’t get too far out of Sabo’s protective bubble.

“Lucky them,” Ace scoffs, poking at the Marine Luffy’s latched onto while his legs start to become part of the wooden deck.

Sabo also presses curiously, feeling as the textured grain of wood starts to mix with the soft fibers of fabric. 

“I’ve thought about it before but Luffy’s Devil Fruit is really weird.” 

He could do a bunch of things that just didn’t make sense together. Sabo’s best guess was some kind of shapeshifting. It explained the eyes and teeth, the way he could deform his body like rubber. And to climb walls because he shapeshifted little claws or hooks. Maybe the melting was some kind of shapeshifting for other people? It felt rude to ask, but if they were brothers…

“What is his Fruit anyway?” 

“Huh?” Ace asks, distracted from where he’s watching Shanks tear across the deck, a bloody trail following him. “Oh, he’s got more than one.”

“More than…” But that wasn’t possible. People died if they ate more than one Devil Fruit. They may be mostly a mystery but that much was set in stone.

“Yea- oh, watch out,” Ace ducks down in time for a Marine thrown by one of Buggy’s bombs to go sailing over them. A grin overcomes Ace’s face as he shoves his hand into his pocket. “Forgot I had these.”

“Wait, what did you mean by-” But it’s too late, Sabo loses Ace to his arsonist tendencies. His and Buggy’s gleeful cackling echoes across the deck.

Luffy lets go of the Marine once they've sunk into the deck up to their torso, passed out from fear alone. After that display, Sabo’s presence, and Ace chucking bombs, no Marine dares to approach. They focus on Buggy and Shanks instead but both pirates are moving so fast Sabo knows they’d only be slowing the two down if they tried to help.

The Marines aren’t even trying to attack Rouge. Not that he blames them. She’s facing off against Akainu. The man makes it known why he’s been given the rank of Admiral, while Rouge proves why an Admiral has never been enough to stop the Pirate Queen.

It’s blue and red meeting in a clash of colors. Rouge’s blasts of phoenix fire hit thick walls of lava. She slashes at him as his body melts into magma and eats up the wounds. Each hit Akainu lands on her is fixed in a matter of seconds. Even when he catches her ankle and the flesh chars along with bone, disintegrating in an instant. Rouge pulls her trusty saber in a flash and cuts clean through her own leg, blue fire reforming and fixing it in an instant. 

“Mama’s amazing,” Sabo breathes in pure awe.

“Yeah, no kidding,” Ace smirks, stopping his terrorizing for a moment to watch the way she uses her wings to dance out of the way before striking quickly. While most of his body is lava, Akainu can’t stop from receiving Haki-inflicted wounds.

“Mama’s the coolest,” Luffy laughs, the sound carrying across the deck bright and joyful even in the midst of battle.

Akainu’s head snaps up, honing in on the sound. The glare he fixes on the Pirate Princes is downright murderous, hateful and seething for a man who doesn’t know them. Sabo’s mouth twists into a frown and he moves in front of his brothers, making his position clear. The man angers more and turns away from Rouge.

He’s fast, Sabo registers before he realises why he thought it. By then it’s too late. A red fist oozing with magma descends on them. He’s going to kill them. That's not right. He can’t kill them. No Admiral could kill a Celestial Dragon without permission. But he’s not aiming to kill them. He certainly will if the hit lands, but he’s depending on someone else to stop that. It’s happening too quickly for Rouge to realise this is a trap.

She would have probably still got between them and the fist anyway.

“Mama!” 

The scream is wretched out of Sabo as Akainu’s fist stops in front of his face. Close enough the magma blisters his nose. Rouge is between him and the admiral. The admiral's fist is still in front of Sabo’s face.

“A mother’s love truly knows no bounds,” Akainu says dispassionately, looking down at Rouge like his arm isn’t speared through her torso, “Even if the children are curses.”

“You shut your mouth!” Rouge shouts even as she chokes on blood. “None of my children are curses, none of them. They deserve everything I can give them, they deserve to live, they deserve to be loved!”

Rouge grabs onto the arm and tries to pry herself off of it. Akainu presses closer until he’s almost up to the elbow and Sabo has to scramble back to avoid his hand. His legs give out from under him as he sees Rouge bleed. Blue flames dancing at the edge of her wound unable to close it.

“I won’t let you heal,” The man warns, stopping Rouge from pushing away. “You will bleed out on my arm, then Gol D. Roger’s bloodline will follow you.”

“No.” Rouge spits, blood spraying out of her mouth, down her face coating her already charred night dress. She grabs onto Akainu’s bicep, nails black with Haki and digging into the flesh. “Not yet!”

Blue flames burst from her hands. Nails turn to talons of blue and black. She holds on tight as Akainu flinches back, trying to dislodge her. Rouge holds on tighter. Her expression is a dark vistage, blood stains on her grim smile.

“Phoenix Slash!” Sprouts of flame come from her claws and tear at flesh as she slashes. 

Akainu’s arm tries to become magma but Rouge’s Haki doesn't let flesh retreat. Blood not her own sprays over her. Akainu falls back with a pained howl, grabbing at something that's no longer there. Rouge falls to her knees and the arm jutting through her loses its heat, returning to blood and flesh.

“Mama!” The three of them scream, crowding around her.

“Shhh, sweethearts, I’ll be okay.” Rouge soothes, grimacing as she reaches behind herself. A pained grunt breaks past her clenched teeth as she tries to tug the arm out.

Sabo takes a deep breath and wraps both hands around one of Akainu’s fingers, giving it a hard tug. The squelch of flesh almost makes him throw up then and there, but Ace comes to his side and takes another finger. The two work together to pull it out. Luffy even tries to help through all his blubbering. The last part pops free with a sick slick sound and Sabo can’t scramble away from the arm fast enough now that it’s out of his Mum.

Rouge gives a shuddering breath as her lungs start to properly reform. Her torso becomes a blaze of blue fire as it desperately tries to repair everything in time. Rouge closes her eyes, head tilting towards the sky before she falls back.

“Mama!?” Ace’s lip trembles as he shakes her shoulder. Fire finally fills in her torso, leaving flesh behind.

“‘m alright baby, just tired,” Rouge slurs out, eyes half closed, “That was… a lot of energy. You’re going to have to share your meat with me.”

“You can have it all!” Ace insists, nails digging into her shoulder until blood wells up under it. No blue fire comes to fix it.

“That's sweet,” Rouge hums, eyes sliding shut.

“Mama?!”

“She’s alive,” Sabo grabs Ace’s shoulder, trying to draw him back before he can shake her more. “See, she’s breathing, and if you listen you can hear her heart beat.”

Ace blinks past tears and lowers his head, pretty much collapsing into her chest as he presses an ear to it.

“It’s slow,” Ace says shakily. “But it’s there.”

Sabo releases the breath he was holding. Rogue’s alright. She’s going to be okay. If she lived through that, there’s no way she was going to let herself die. She would outstubborn death and bully the gods into giving her a second chance if that's what it took.

Still, Ace sobs into her chest. Their older brothers are at different ends of the ship, watching in a panic as they desperately try to fight their way past Marines to get back to them. Sabo wants to reassure them that it’s okay, but he can’t really find his voice or will to. It won’t change anything, they need to get back here as soon as possible. Even if Akainu is in a panic over his arm, he will be back up soon. Rouge isn’t awake to protect them. Sabo won’t be enough. He’ll be separated from Ace and Luffy and his brothers will be killed.

But that observation seems so far away. Like it's happening to someone else. Sabo’s only problems are his Mother and brothers. Everything that's happening in this moment is too much. He can’t really bring himself to care about the future.

Shanks and Buggy are fighting. Ace is sobbing. Mum is sleeping and Luffy… Luffy hasn’t torn his eyes away from Akainu.

“Lu…” Sabo tries against his too dry throat. He could have sworn he wasn’t crying. Maybe he wasn’t. Maybe it was the fire and smoke finally getting to him, finding its way back home to his throat. “Luffy… Mama’s alright.”

Luffy’s only acknowledgement is a twitch of the head. It might not even be that, because the next moment he’s pushing himself up. He doesn't fall into their embrace, blabbering like the crybaby he is, scrambling for physical reassurance. No, what he does is far scarier. He takes a step towards Akainu.

“Lu, no,” Sabo catches his hand, tries to pull him back, “It’s too dangerous.”

“I hate him.”

“I know but-” Sabo tries to come around to Luffy’s side and freezes.

That’s not his little brother.

It doesn't even look human. Or it does. The face is still in place. It’s Luffys’ face, looking more serious than Sabo’s ever seen it, but it’s Luffy’s. But there's something else there. Like a shadow has overtaken him. It’s something beyond wrathful. Like the pitch black of waves on a stormy sea that have already decided you’re going to get pulled down. A force of nature no mortal could hope to change.

Sabo loses control of his grip and Luffy steps forward. The entire deck is utterly silent. Sabo would bet every Marine is looking, drawn into the same inexplicable force. Sabo doesn’t check, he can’t look away from it either.

Akainu must not be affected by it or Admirals are simply that strong because rather than cowering, he scowls at Luffy. He’s still clutching his sluggishly bleeding arm and doesn't seem to notice the way the whole world is holding still.

“What?!” The man snaps, and there's a tremble in his voice. Barely there but whatever this is, he must feel it too.

“I hate you,” Luffy says simply. Then his tone darkens. 

His presence grows and even Akainu is buckling under it, choking as it presses down on every fiber of his being. Sabo can feel it too, even if he knows he’s not the focus. The words feel like they're going to tear him from the inside out.

“̷̡̡̢͉͇̥̞͎͗͑͝ͅY̵̨̭͈͎̯̬̬͚̙͕̮̤͇̳̽̿̓̆͌̌ͅố̷̡̧̧̝̟͔͈̭̮̣̔̀u̸̬̦̞͓͖̦̟͓̺̖̞͐̓̓̈̄̾̈̂̈́̀̃̌̉̚ ̵̗̥̱̄͛̌̐̀̽̒̚͘d̶̜̼̮͕̔̊̿͊̊̃̈̄̔͂̾̕̕͝ͅờ̸̢̧̞̝̩̰͍̜̺̥̻̮̊̈̂́̀̎̑̈́̾̕͠n̶̨͎̤͇͓͐͆͐͂͗͒̾͑̒̓̀͘͠’̵̨̨͉̗̠́͋̓͌͆̀̂̈́̿̉͘͜͝ͅͅt̸̙̩̳͖̏̀̓̄̾̌͐̽̎̈̎͋̋͜͝ ̶̛̗̬͖͎̳̞͔̻̙̓̽̆̋̄́g̴̨̢̢͎̠̠̻̝͎͕͚̣̪̾́̽̎͒̀̾͂̑͋̚͘͜ě̸̢̡̞̘̠̺̟͙̞̜̼͍̼̮̅͑̐̂́̽͂͐̀̀̕͝͝ͅt̷̺̘̬̹̤̿͊̂̅̅̋̔̍̎͂̀̑͛̈̏ ̵̧̨̘̯̪̜̘̎̑̊́̽͊́͘̕͠ţ̷̛̤̻̋̅̔̂͑͋̉̿̌͘̚̚͠ö̸͖̤̻̟̳͉̗̖̝̦͉̱̟̗̭̈́̈̈́̽̑̽ ̸̢̨̥̖̜̯̫̜̜̌͌̄͂̽͆̽͘k̵̢̨̯̟̍̂̀̊̒̈͂̑̎̉͒̒͘̚͝e̴͉̬͔̗̦̾̂̌̐e̴̪̝̼̼̾̿̈́̏̓̓̽̋̋̓̄̊͊͝͝p̶̩̤̺̙͕͛̌͜ ̷̠̩̹͙͓̬̮̞͚̖̅̌͆̓̔͆̒̀̚w̸̛̝̩̬̲̙͈̳̣͈̭̟̤̑͒̄̈́̎̑͛͜͜͝͝h̴̡̙̰̗́̋̈́̌̿̒͗̊͝a̴̫͇̯͔̙͙̼̜͔̬̩̱͕̩̬̓̀̀̐̿̃́̈́́̃͊͠t̵͎̫̥͉̆'̷̞̠̀͋̾s̶̡̩͖̙̙̽͗̃̂̍͒̈̐ ̸̨̼̯͖͎̯̗̦̘̤̚͜m̵͔̲̣̪̐̎͛̃̽͑̓̉̄̕ì̵̢̧̢̧̡̜͙̬̖͇̳̪̉̏̍̀͛́̆̃́̀͘n̸̨͎͂̐̅̊͐̂̉̾̀̚̚e̸̯̗͇̜̩̩̝̞̍̎̿̌̈́̓̔̈́́̾̏̃́͜͝ͅ.̴̨̡̝͙̣͉͉̞̖̆͑̌͝”̶͔̪̯̪̗̐

Then Luffy’s arm is reaching forward. Akainu goes to shout, or more likely scream, as a hand presses past his teeth and right into the back of his throat.

The Admiral chokes. Magma bubbles up around Luffy’s arm but the boy doesn’t even flinch. He presses further and further in and his arm must be elongating, but Sabo can’t see it. Akainu’s eyes roll back into his head and as Luffy pulls back, the magma stops bubbling as if the fountain has been cut off.

Akainu’s jaw cracks as he’s forced to open it wide. Luffy pulls something out. It’s bright red, thick drips locked in stasis all over it, as if it started melting but was frozen half way and then the process was repeated over and over again. What stands out is the pattern of swirls.

A Devil Fruit.

Akainu slumps over and his magma no longer attempts to protect him as he bleeds out.

… Because Luffy took it.

The boy stands with the fruit in his hands, looking down at it while the entire world holds its breath. Sabo can only think of one thing. It’s as if the thought is pulled from deep within him, an old instinct he didn’t even know he had.

This is what a God looks like.

Luffy starts turning and Sabo is afraid of what he might see. A natural disaster? A calamity in the shape of his brother? Something otherworldly that has taken him over? Sabo won’t allow it. Luffy is his brother and Sabo has no idea how he will fight against a God, but for his brother he will.

Luffy finishes turning and there’s a bright smile on his face that’s completely him.

“Does anybody want this?”

Chapter Text

Sabo sits on an old rickety pier. It’s high tide so his feet just barely brush the water as he kicks them idly out. The pier itself is in a pretty bad shape, weathered with burn marks in places, but it’s mostly intact - unlike the town behind it. A pirate raid years ago, apparently, long enough that green has started to creep up the sides of the buildings. The island was unpopulated other than this small, destroyed town, which suits them just fine.

They had ended up needing to fish the Hibiscus Hearth out of the water and tow her with Striker, Ace putting as much strength as he could into it because Rouge was still passed out. The metal shutters hadn’t kept all the water out but they all knew, without submerging it, the Marines would have destroyed the ship. Well, even more than it was. Buggy had been tending to it and cursing up a storm as he tried to fix all the water damage. 

With the ship not particularly habitable, they had taken all the salvageable items and set up camp in one of the more stable beachside buildings, making sure Rouge had a nice comfy bed while she was recovering. She had woken up a few times since the battle, sleepy but present and comforting as she assured everyone she was alright. Sabo believed her when last night she woke up for dinner and tore through half their meat stores before lying back and falling asleep with a happy sigh.

Shanks had been distracting them, getting them to help fix up things they didn’t need Buggy for; laying out the waterlogged books and maps, trying to weigh them down with rocks so they didn’t crinkle too much in the sun; blankets and bedding needed the salt water washed out of them before they could dry, and they had even hauled the mattresses to a lake on the island to get most of the salt out of them. There would always be some, they were pirates on the sea after all.

Well, not on the sea at the moment. Sabo wasn’t sure if the Navy knew where they were but no one had come after them yet. They probably didn’t want to after six–effectively, three–people sunk a whole ship by themselves. They had even beaten an Admiral which would make anyone hesitate, but it was how they did it that would send the World Government into a panic.

Little was known about Devil Fruits, but Luffy had just reached in and taken one back like it was nothing.

Sabo didn’t know how many people had survived the battle, but he knew if there was even one, the World Government would know and would be looking on with fear because what sort of child could do that? Sabo had seen it–felt it. No child could. That was something else.

“What’s got you so pensive?” Sabo jumps clean out of his skin, his yelp only dying down when he hears the good natured laugh behind him.

“Not funny.”

“Sorry, sorry, you’re right,” Sabo can hear the grin in Shanks’ voice as he sits down, ruffling Sabo’s hair on the way. “You’ve just been looking out at the sea for a while. She is beautiful, I get it - or is the travel bug hitting you already?”

“Shanks.” Sabo’s tone cuts through all the bullshit before the other can get going with his deflections. “What is Luffy?”

“The short answer?” Shanks’ grin strains as he rubs the back of his head, “He’s the Devil.”

…

……

………

“I’m going to need the long answer.”

“Ha! Yeah, I thought you would,” Shanks chuckles, nudging Sabo’s side so the younger boy jostles. “It’s not like we were trying to keep it from you, we just… forgot?”

“You forgot about that?” Sabo’s incredulity breaks through, “How?!”

“Luffy’s Luffy,” Shanks shrugs and Sabo so desperately wants to argue but…

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” His shoulders slump.

“You’ve been avoiding him,” Shanks states plainly. It's not an accusation but it does make Sabo curl in more. “He thinks you hate him.”

“I don’t hate him,” Sabo’s quick to defend, “I just… I don’t understand, I guess?”

“Not an easy thing to understand. Alright, long answer then,” Shanks sighs, looking to the ocean but not really seeing it; watching something in his memories with a small nostalgic smile. “So you know how Roger sailed to Laugh Tale- sorry Raftel?”

Sabo nods along, the last island in the New World. No one else in history is known to have reached it but Sabo knows that it’s all too easy to destroy history books.

“Well, he met someone there, or rather something. A God. They didn’t have a name as far as we know but they’re the one behind the power of the Devil Fruits,” Sabo gapes. Does that mean… “So when Roger called the fruits that, Devil Fruits, they just accepted the name.”

“Wait, so they just let Gol Roger call them whatever he wanted?” Sabo’s jaw drops. He knew the Pirate King was crazy, both from the stories and seeing proof of his spirit through his family. “You can’t just name a God!”

“Is Devil not just a name we give to cruel acts?” Shanks’ smirk is wily. Sabo’s mouth opens and closes a few times before he settles on sticking his tongue out, making his brother grin. “Anyway, Roger, like he did with most people, became fast friends with the God, Devil, whatever they were.”

“He’s like Luffy,” Sabo chuckles, thinking how Luffy had grabbed onto Sabo’s hand, in his ridiculous Celestial get-up, and didn’t need more than a second to claim him as his own.

“More than you know,” Shanks’ smile is wistful… and sad as he looks back over the water. “The Devil told Roger they’d been trapped on Laugh Tale by his brother- or mother- or something- the ocean.”

“The ocean is Luffy’s brother?” Or mother? Honestly that wasn’t the craziest thing he’d heard in the last three minutes so it wasn’t worth questioning. What was worth questioning is; “Why would it trap him?”

Luffy hated being trapped.

“Love.” Shanks says simply.

“Holding someone captive isn’t love.” A scowl furrows deep lines across Sabo’s face. He had seen captivity. If you put somebody in chains, you couldn’t love them. You simply didn’t have the right.

“No, it’s definitely not,” Shanks agrees easily, yet a smile still plays on his face, “But I think it's different for Gods. Everything they experience is different.” 

Sabo huffs and looks away, his gaze settling on the ocean with a new kind of ire. What could be so hard to understand? Was the ocean like the Celestial Dragons claiming to be gods? Not bothering to open their eyes and understand others? Thinking they are above everyone and everything. Shanks chuckles, getting Sabo’s glare redirected at him. The red head doesn't back down, instead ruffling his hand through Sabo’s curls.

“Alright, imagine you’re the ocean. Every time you breathe in, the tides go in and every time you breathe out, the tides come out. That’s all it is for you, breathing in and out.” Shanks emphasises, taking a deep breath in and out that Sabo subconsciously mimics. “But across the world, people time their actions to suit yours, have to work around them to make sure their ships don’t crash into shore, that they can get their supplies in and out.”

Sabo does consider. He thinks about the docks that get built out far enough into the ocean that people can come to an island no matter the hour. Considers the way they have to remember to drag Striker high up into the sand so the high tide coming in doesn’t wash it away. They aren’t things people necessarily resent the sea for, maybe are annoyed by on occasion. Yet always reminded that the tides simply are. They can be worked around and accommodated for but they simply are.

“Now what happens when you decide to play with your brothers? You run around a bit and you start panting. That's fine, it doesn't really affect you and everything will be back to normal in a moment once you’ve caught your breath.” Shanks explains. “But across the world? Storms have raged, sailors have drowned, maybe the waves got too big and crashed into a town like this and suddenly there is no more town. But that doesn't affect you, all you were doing was breathing.”

“It would… it would all be too big,” Sabo admits, struggling to comprehend the vastness of such a thing even as Shanks breaks it down. “Everything else would feel small.”

“Gods are big, bigger than we can really understand.” Shanks nods solemnly, letting his feet splash down into the surf, the high tide reaching up for him. Breathe in. “So it might suck but Luffy doesn't hate the ocean even when it tries to drown him, so maybe being trapped means something different to him than it does to us.”

Sabo guesses that makes sense. Luffy was already hard to understand without the God stuff on top of everything he is. Or maybe he was like that because of the God thing. But Luffy also hated being told what to do. He seethed at people when they didn’t get the choice to follow their dreams. He broke chains people were placed under, both physical and invisible. 

So if he didn’t hate the ocean for taking away his freedom, then maybe it really was different. Sabo didn’t understand how, but apparently he wasn’t meant to. Shanks was only asking him to trust in Luffy’s judgement. If there was one thing Luffy was unerringly good at, it was finding the right people to trust in.

If he trusted in the ocean, did that mean…

“Does he want to go back there?” Sabo asks, curling up so the sea can’t splash him and he can hug his knees. 

He tries not to picture Luffy being dragged under the waves. Would he drown? Could he? Or would the ocean keep him alive while it washed him back to his prison, struggling and helpless in the depths. Shanks’ laughter cuts through images of his little brother in dark water.

“Definitely not! He didn’t want to stay there when Roger came either, so the two devised a plan,” Shanks goes back to explaining. “The Devil made one last fruit with everything he had left and gave it to Roger so the two could escape together. When Roger met back with Rouge, whatever part of the Devil Roger held inside himself became Luffy.”

“... So the Devil made the Devil Fruits… out of themself?” Sabo puzzles out. Did that mean every Devil Fruit used to be part of Luffy? 

“Apparently he broke down powers into different parts and grew them into fruits so they could go out on the ocean and be free,” Shanks says and despite the heaviness the words imply, he shrugs lightly. “I’ll be completely honest, I have no idea if people were meant to eat them or not but Luffy doesn't seem to have a problem with it - well, not until…”

The Devil Fruits were part of Luffy. What must it have been like to watch part of yourself try to kill your mother? Sabo thinks back to that thing that wasn’t his brother yet apparently is. In hindsight, it wasn’t fierce enough.

“So is Luffy a God? Demi-god? Does he remember being the Devil?” Sabo’s mind spins with more questions than ever before. He’s unable to reconcile the little boy who brushed his teeth messily enough that toothpaste foam dribbled down his chin with a God whose scraps of power were fought over across the world. “How would that even work? He still acts like a child.”

Shanks leans back, legs still dangling over the edge of the pier. His toes skim the surface of the water. Sabo wonders if he ever had these same questions or had ever been tormented by the unknowns at night. If he had, he was certainly being unsympathetic right now.

“I don’t know. Luffy knows what each Devil Fruit can do, although he sucks at explaining them.”  Shanks laughs to himself. “He can also chow down on them and actually likes the taste. We’ve had to keep a close eye on him when he’s hungry to make sure he doesn't summon them for a light snack; he’s already enough of a menace with six.”

… Six… okay then Sabo should have been paying way more attention. Although he still thought his shapeshifting theory was good. Maybe he could suggest it to Buggy as a cover story. How they were going to explain the Devil Fruit, plucked straight from an Admiral, now sitting next to a pair of boots being hung upside down to dry was another problem entirely.

“He can summon them?” Sabo asks instead of panicking about the rest.

“Sorta. They’ll make their way to him if he wants them,” Shanks shrugs like he knows that doesn't really explain anything. To be fair, he doesn't seem to be withholding any information, more like no one actually understands what Luffy can do. “Figuring that out and that he can eat as many as he wants was not fun. Buggy still hasn’t let me live it down.”

“So he remembers some things...” What else did he remember? What kind of things had a God experienced? Was his little brother haunted by things Sabo couldn’t even comprehend?

“You can ask him about it if you like, but be gentle. He's still nervous he freaked you out.” Shanks cautions, making Sabo’s gut twist. “... Luffy’s used to people being scared of him.”

He had seen it. Everyone was wary around the Imperial Pirates and people would freak when Luffy grinned a little too wide, his teeth getting a little too sharp. They’d curse and run as he scaled up sheer surfaces to get  high enough to jump down on his brothers. Would watch unnerved at the eyes that sprouted all over him, taking in the world with wonder

“Yeah, I know.” Sabo frowns down at his spot. A spot where he could get some space from something he didn’t understand. But it wasn’t something, it was Luffy. Their little brother, his little brother. While Shanks answered his questions, there were a bunch of things he didn’t know, because they weren’t important enough to ask. There was only one thing that truly mattered when it came to their little brother.

“It’s fine, I don’t need to ask. Luffy’s Luffy, right?” Sabo didn’t need any more answers beyond that.

“He sure is.” Shanks grins like Sabo got something right.

Nodding to himself, Sabo pushes up and starts down the dock, determined. Shanks chuckles from behind him and follows at a sedate pace. It’s a bit of a walk to get back, Sabo had been trying to sit as far away as he could to gather his thoughts. He didn’t need to anymore; he had decided.

The house they set up in has a blanket over the door frame. The original door had fallen off its rusted hinges the second they tried to open it. Sabo brushes the blanket aside to see Luffy and Ace curled up in a corner together. Luffy does look miserable. Ace’s arm is wrapped around him and he’s whispering some quiet comforts. He looks up at Sabo sharply as the blonde storms in.

“Sabo!” Luffy cheers then visibly reigns in his excitement, stepping back from where he had jumped up.

Sabo doesn’t let him, lunging forward and tackling Luffy into a hug. His little brother yelps as they hit the floor. Sabo laughs, squeezing Luffy tight in his arms and pressing a wet kiss to his cheek. It’s meant to be playful more than proper affection, but it works for both.

“Sabo! Grrrooosss,” Luffy giggles in spite of himself, wiggling in Sabo’s arms although he’s not necessarily trying to get away. “What was that for?!”

“Because my little brother’s just too damn cute,” Sabo squeezes tighter, fingers digging into Luffy’s sides to tickle him and the boy shrieks. 

He struggles but doesn't throw Sabo off with any of the powers that had made an Admiral cower. All because Sabo is Luffy’s brother. He chose Sabo. Trusted the blonde to love him and he will. Fiercely enough to make the ocean’s affection seem small.

“You’ve got that right,” Ace drops down on top of both of them. Sabo grunts as the air is knocked right out of him.

“Ace! Heavy!” Luffy complains. He and Sabo switch so they are working together to force their brother's big butt off of them.

Ace fights against them but the wrestling eventually settles with both of the older boys hugging Luffy in the middle. The youngest giggles with a beaming smile on his face, like he’s never known misery for a second. Sabo doesn’t know if he remembers a time before, if those long stretches of loneliness on an island with no one still weigh on him. But Sabo will be here to love him, even if their time together is nothing but a breaking wave on the shore.

“Hey guys, what does a Devil Fruit taste like?”

“Yummy!” “Terrible!” They answer at the same time, making Sabo crack up. 

“Then why don’t you eat the one you got from the Admiral yourself?” He sits up just a little bit to look Luffy in the eye. “Do you hate it now?”

“I would never!” Luffy gasps, bolting up like Sabo had insulted a dear friend. He gets his revenge on the way up regardless. Luffy’s skull headbutts his, making Sabo yelp. “I just don’t wanna be too hot!”

“Hot?” Sabo mumbles absently, too focused on rubbing the sore spot on his head and ignoring Ace’s laughter.

“Yeah! Ace and Mama’s hugs are really warm, Sabo and Buggy’s are warm too.” Luffy nods along with himself like he’s making sense. “If I got too hot, I wouldn’t be able to feel them properly, except maybe Mama and Ace’s.”

“That- that’s a stupid reason!” Ace stutters, flushing red up to the roots of his hair.

“But it’s true!” 

“Shut up!” Ace pushes Luffy away and ignores his loud complaints as he tries to hide his burning face away.

“Can I eat it then?” Sabo asks, stilling the chaos.

“You want to eat it?” Luffy stops harassing Ace, arms midway through winding around him like a particularly stretchy snake.

“Yeah, it was the Devil Fruit of an Admiral right? So it must be powerful.” He had seen it at work. Sabo bets if he got good enough, he could even harden the magma to form protective walls. “If more of those guys come after us, I want to be able to protect my family.”

He wanted to be part of this family. Properly. He wasn't blood bound to it like Ace and Luffy. Hadn't spent years on the sea together, soul bound like Shanks and Buggy. But the devil fruits were part of Luffy. Sabo didn't truly understand how or what they meant to Luffy but it was something to connect him to his little brother. Bind them together in a bond even the ocean acknowledged.

Luffy grins and stretches so he can latch onto Sabo instead. Rather than be pleased that the attention is off of him, Ace huffs and looks away, his face brighter than ever before.

“You’re both being too mushy.”

“Aww Ace, just think about it.” Sabo teases, squirming around until Luffy gets the hint and stretches his arms to pull Ace into the hug as well. 

Before he can try turning to fire and escape, Sabo winds his own arms around Ace, knowing he won’t let fire get that close to his face. The Devil Fruit that can cause similar flames sits innocuously across the room. Sabo would do it. For his family, he would do anything.

 “We’ll both be fire brothers.” Sabo grins, resting his chin on Ace’s shoulder and feeling the heat coming off his face.

“Shut up.” Ace hisses, his elbow jamming into Sabo’s gut but the blonde just laughs. “Hurry and eat the damn thing before Shanks comes back and sees!"

Luffy giggles, letting go to dash across the room. He comes back with it, holding the fruit carefully but proudly as he presents it to Sabo. The blonde takes it from him, curiously tracing the swirling patterns etched into it, trying to memorise them in case they’re important to Luffy. His little brother is bouncing in place, impatiently waiting for Sabo to take a bite.

Well, if Luffy’s okay with it, Sabo can’t see the problem. He bites down into it, leathery skin giving way under his teeth. 

Screw that, he never should have trusted Luffy. 

It tasted disgusting.

---

“Why is it always when you’re the one looking after them?” Buggy levels him with an utterly unimpressed look, not even sparing a glance for the burning island.

“It wasn’t my fault!” Shanks insists, his red locks a mess from where he had been tearing his hands through it.

“That's eight devil fruits between three kids now.” Rouge says with cool indifference. Her fire protects them from the magma that oozes outwards as three kids scream and laugh, chasing each other across the island.

“Nine, if you’re counting me.” Buggy crosses his arms, glowering. “Which I certainly do.”

“That was an accident.” Shanks whines, curling into himself and gripping his hair.

“Three's a pattern Shanks, and you just hit four.” Rouge flicks an ember away.

“You think I wanted this?!” Shanks cries, pleading to the two looking down on him. “Now what do I do if you all go overboard?!”

“Pick your favourite.”

“Bugggyyyyy!”

--

Buggy doesn't really get the chance to think about it, to really go over what happened that night and everything it could mean for him. He’s too busy trying to keep his family alive, getting the Hibiscus Hearth up and running again before the World Government realises they’re grounded and Rouge is injured.

He’s glad their common sense is less than his and their cowardice more than his own. Grateful all of those Admirals are too afraid of losing their damn Devil Fruits to come after them.

He doesn't give himself time to think about it until the Hibiscus Hearth is back up and running, the engines flushed and repaired from the sea water intake. He takes notes and fixes the mechanisms that let the boat sink into the ocean. As much as it was a pain, it had probably saved their poor home so even if he can’t get it working like he wants, it’s proven useful for running away.

It’s only when they’re all back on the boat. When Rogue is climbing the rigging, hauling the ropes, and playing the boat like a fiddle despite Buggy warning her to rest up more. When their younger brothers start running around the boat again and the overwhelming smell of the sea he had been stuck with down in the engine room is airing out. That Buggy finally has time to think about it.

Luffy had taken someone's Devil Fruit away. 

Plucked it right out of them like they’d never had the power in the first place.

It’s… Buggy’s kinda glad he had an excuse not to think about it before. He’s cursed Shanks out ever since he choked down that fruit, cutting him off from the sea. It didn’t matter how many times the others said it was out of love - drowning was drowning, no matter how you sugar coated it.

He missed the sea even as he sailed on it. Was desperate for the cool waters on hot days. Needed that all encompassing embrace to ground him as he floated in the blue.

But he had also had this power since he was a child. He had learned to take advantage even if he hated it. It was baked into his fighting style, his defense. It had become an integral part of him as much as he loathed to think about it. There wasn’t even sentiment, just the practical fact that he was stronger with the Devil Fruit. Without it he wouldn’t be as fast, or have tricks to fall back on when his strength failed him. He was already weak on a boat full of monsters being chased by more. He couldn’t really afford to get rid of his best weapon.

… But he wanted to swim again.

“Hey brat?” It says something that Luffy automatically looks up at the call. “Can you do that thing to anybody? Take their Devil Fruit back?”

“Sure,” Luffy half shrugs as if it’s nothing. As if he shouldn’t have mentioned that very important detail way earlier - but getting mad about that would be a useless endeavor.

It’s a weapon to keep in mind for later. Also serves as a good warning; people with Devil Fruits are going to think twice about coming after them if it risks all their power. Plus, being able to pluck fruits out of their enemies for a little extra pocket change doesn't hurt either. Could Buggy sell his Devil Fruit too? Like he always planned?

“Can you do that to me?” He knows his grin is greedy, but there's no judgment in Luffy, only a tilt of his head as he considers Buggy.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, I hate the blasted thing,” Buggy scoffs. Strength be damned. It’s not like he was a big help to his family in a fight anyway.

“Hm… alright,” A smile comes back to Luffy’s face as he reaches for Buggy’s mouth. “Open wide!”

Just like that? He didn’t really get the chance to prepare - why would he need to prepare? It’s not like he was saying goodbye to something. Even if he was, he had always hated the fruit so it was fine.

Buggy opens his mouth and gurgles a cry when Luffy reaches his hand right down into his throat. It’s like his rubber arm bends and stretches out his esophagus, but it doesn't hurt, just feels really strange. Buggy still chokes and flails at the feeling regardless.

Then there's a pull, deep in his gut. It’s like something is being yanked quickly through his veins towards it. Like the soft feeling pins and needles has before turning sharp, but moving and dragging along his nerves. As the sensation moves out of his finger tips up his arm and to his stomach Buggy's body feels… more solid than he’s used to. Like everything's heavier and there is proper weight behind his limbs. He hadn’t even realised his body was lighter with the fruit. Or maybe it wasn’t and the shock of it all was quickly sapping his strength.

It all forms into a mass in his stomach that isn’t quite solid yet. As Luffy pulls his arm out, it seems to drag along Buggy’s throat as if trying to hold on. It can’t as Luffy pulls it out of his mouth. It’s all rubbery and sort of slippery, malleable enough Luffy can pull it past his teeth but big enough Buggy’s jaw aches.

Buggy splutters when it’s finally out, launching into a coughing fit that makes his eyes water. Or maybe tears have been streaming down his face the whole time. It doesn't matter, the whole thing left a nasty taste in his mouth. Like the aftertaste of the Devil Fruit was still lingering.

“Here you go!” Buggy draws his eyes up to his beaming baby brother proudly holding out a fruit.

It looks like he remembers; a cluster of berries mixed with a pineapple. Maybe a little smaller. And he had sort of forgotten about the swirling patterns on each berry. So maybe he hadn’t remembered it all that clearly after all.

“This is it?” Buggy reaches out and takes it off Luffy, and immediately has no need for him to answer. 

It feels familiar, light, and a bit nostalgic all at once. It’s strange, like an old friend. That thought immediately has Buggy tossing the thing aside.

Luffy stretches his arm to catch it, drawing the fruit back to himself while pouting at Buggy. He forgot how weirdly protective of the fruits his brother was - then again, aren't they part of him? Fair enough, Buggy probably shouldn’t be tossing them around. He ignores the look anyway and pushes himself up.

He immediately almost eats shit. Having to reach out to the table and stop his fall. Yep, everything is definitely heavier. His limbs aren’t moving quite right either. It’s like there's a lag. Buggy tries opening and closing his fingers. They feel more tense than before, like each movement is more stress on the tendons.

“Huh, weird,” Is he going to be able to throw knives? He’s probably going to have to practice.

“What’s weird Bugg-” Shanks pauses as he walks into the cabin, looking between Buggy and the fruit Luffy holds. Then back to Buggy like he can’t quite reconcile the two being apart. “Is that-!?”

“Yes, don’t get your hat in a twist,” Buggy scoffs, forcing himself to stand up straight, resisting the elastic feeling that wants to pull his posture all tight.

“But- but-” Shanks flails, floundering between the two. Looking to Luffy for answers which no one should ever do and the brat proves why with a simple shrug.

“Why are you so surprised? I always hated that thing,” He ignores the flash of guilt, it’s just because he knows Luffy is pouting beside him. “Now you won’t have to hear me bitch about it.”

“You’ll bitch about it anyway,” Shanks says offhandedly, which he isn’t wrong about. “Did it hurt?”

“Felt really really weird,” Buggy frowns, rubbing at his throat before looking down at Luffy, “How did you know you could do that?”

“Why wouldn’t I be able to?” Luffy’s head tilts and Buggy has to bite back the exasperation that his little brother had approached a bloody Admiral without being sure he could pull that miracle trick off.

It’s not important right now. What is is learning how to move again without Shanks realizing he’s struggling. Which is going to be more difficult with the redhead hovering.

Buggy thinks he manages, tries to think about it like he’s just stiff after training and needs to loosen up all his muscles again. Nevermind that he never really got that sore after training. Or the fact training doesn't leave you reaching for things across the ship only to look down at your hand and realise it never left your body.

He also probably should have talked to his family before doing something reckless - but as far as he was concerned, his turn was far overdue. Rouge looks surprised but after going through the same sort of conversation with Shanks, she lets it go. None of them reprimand him for cutting himself at the knee–not literally this time. He lost his best weapon and their best information gathering tool.

Buggy kinda wants one of them to yell at him about it. To point out how he was their eyes and ears, their lookout. But none of them mention it and when Buggy tries to prompt the problem, Rouge just puts on her Captain hat and says they’ll assign a watch. Then, because frustratingly she chose this moment to be all reasonable and responsible, she uses it as an opportunity to teach the kids fucking Observation Haki!

Obviously Buggy is no slouch at it either. He often ends up sending out pulses of Observation Haki even if he’s not on duty, to curb his own anxiety. It’s not his fault. They had been attacked by a blasted Admiral not that long ago! Where were his eyes and flashy power then? He should have been using Observation Haki from the beginning. It's not like he needed a Devil Fruit, the strongest men he had ever known on these seas didn’t have one, getting by on Haki and will alone. 

There's no reason he can’t too. He even challenges Shanks to a duel to prove it. While he’s normally no match for the redhead, the spar is plain embarrassing. He keeps going to detach his arms, get a better angle to throw his knives before realizing his mistake. Shanks is no better, usually he swings his sword without fear, even when using Haki since Buggy is good enough at predicting where the strikes will go and chopping himself up preemptively. They both forget that's not an option at the wrong time and it ends with a nasty slash to the arm.

“Maybe no fighting with actual blades until you get used to it,” Rouge chides gently while healing up the cut.

Buggy expects someone to complain. To tell him to just suck it up and swallow the Devil Fruit again because clearly he can’t manage without it. But no, they’re all until you get used to it, and sorry I forgot I’ll get a chair. Why won’t any of them come out and say it. That he’s clearly made a mistake, that he’s nothing without his power- the power. 

It’s not his now. It’s sitting in a treasure chest probably to be gobbled up by Luffy the next time dinner’s late. The Chop-Chop Fruit would only serve to make the hellion more of a terror. Seas know Buggy had freaked out enough hardened sailors with the power by itself.

He’s on a razor edge by the time they drop anchor at the next island, on a beach far away from any towns. It’s likely nobody even saw them come in. Probably wouldn’t approach anyway, the Navy has been quiet since their last stunt. Which means the empty beach and pristine day is everything he’s been waiting for, for years.

After they’ve pulled Striker up onto the beach. Rouge takes Ace and Sabo’s hands saying they’re going to make the hike to the nearest village for supplies. Shanks sends Buggy a grin before saying he’ll join them. He rolls his eyes at the redhead. He’s probably going to take the opportunity to do something stupid without Buggy keeping his literal eye on him. Luffy has already begun making sandcastles, making his position on going clear.

He watches them until they disappear through the trees. Double checks Luffy is building high enough up the sand that the waves won’t come and get him. Then scans the beach to make sure no devil fruits have drifted in, because he knows how to be a responsible babysitter unlike some people.

With nothing left to distract him, Buggy approaches the water. Apprehension weighs him down from years of the ocean being nothing but a death trap. Buggy watches it warily as if the gently breaking waves are suddenly going to turn into massive swells as he pulls his shoes and shirt off. His pants can stay, he doesn't have anything better to swim in. He hadn’t needed anything up until now.

He goes close to the water, where the sand gets wet but dares to go no further, waiting for the waves to come to him. As that small wash of water rushes up the beach to meet him, lapping along his feet, Buggy expects the draining, heavy weight dragging him down into the ocean's grip.

But it’s pleasantly cool.

It’s enough for him to take a step. Then another. Then keep going until he’s up to his hip… and he’s fine. There’s no exhaustion. It’s refreshing, with pressure wrapping around him from all sides. Not enough to squeeze but just enough to ground even as the sand shifts under his feet. Buggy goes deeper and it still feels surreal as it reaches his chest. Any deeper and his feet won’t reach the bottom.

Does he even remember how to swim? He probably should have double checked that while Shanks was around. Anyone else that would come after him would have been useless. Huh, Buggy guesses he can be the person to dive down and get his brothers or Mum if they go under now, but for that he needs to swim.

He doesn't go any deeper, just lifts his legs in case he needs to stand back up. He expects to drop, to sink like a stone. Instead Buggy lets out a manic chuckle as he floats.

He stays there for a moment. Let’s the gentle motions of the ocean move him about as he simply exists in the sea's hold.

He’s content to float there for a while until his impatience gets the best of him and he attempts to swim. It takes a while to get back into the motion, and he hasn’t dared to put his head under yet. But Buggy stays in the shallows as a safety net and moves around.

He wonders; if he had never eaten the Devil Fruit, would he be able to swim between islands like Rayleigh? Probably not, that man was a monster. But he probably could have gotten pretty far. 

The elastic tension and weight of his limbs don’t pull him down as much in the water. He’s almost weightless but pressed in on each side like a thick blanket or hug. Seas, he had gotten far snappier at Shanks after he couldn't swim. Mostly because it was his fault. But part of it was because he didn’t have the sea's embrace to calm him down. 

He wonders if he will have more patience for his brothers now? Probably not, they were all brats set on making his life hell. Surprisingly, the actual Devil was only part of that problem. Although he’s acting practically angelic right now. Still playing in the sand while Buggy floats a world away.

It’s a distance he didn’t expect. Even if Buggy was making sure he was sticking close to the shore, always at least able to stretch and touch the bottom. He can’t go as far as trusting the ocean completely yet. No one ever should, she was too dangerous. Thinking back on it, Buggy doesn't remember seeing Shanks swim all that much over the years. He certainly had, the kids fell in the water too much to avoid it. The ability to float meant it happened to Buggy far less, but there were certainly times he had to put up with Shanks’ smug rescues. Even Rouge had slipped a few times and she could bloody well fly!

Usually after one of them went for a dive, he would catch Shanks at the next island doing laps, just in case. Yet Buggy couldn't remember seeing him simply enjoying the water.

Maybe that was his fault? All his bitterness seeped in until Shanks thought he wasn’t allowed. Hell, Buggy probably would have complained if he did see Shanks having fun. He huffs, sinking enough to put his mouth under the water and blow bubbles. Swimming really did make him too introspective for his own good, calmed his raging thoughts and let him focus on things he’d rather not dwell on.

Like how everything feels completely wrong.

That pit in his stomach he’s had ever since the Devil Fruit was ripped out of him hasn’t been soothed by the waves. Even Mother Ocean can’t make up for its loss.

It’s utterly unfair! This was meant to fix everything. It’s what he’s been missing for years. It was supposed to be, he obsessed over it for so long. If his connection to the ocean isn’t what’s wrong with him, what is?

Buggy comes out of the water. He can’t really bear to stay in it much longer. Gravity takes back over and his limbs feel heavier than they ever have. His soaked pants weigh him down with every step until Buggy just gives up and throws himself back in the sand. His back is warm in the sun-kissed parts while the rest sits in the wet, enough for the small waves to rush past his body. It’s nice, but he’s not complete.

“Big~ Bro~ Bugggyyy~” Luffy sing-songs, calling him that only when he plans on being annoying. Coming over to poke at Buggy’s cheek. “Did you have a good swim?”

“No!” Buggy slaps his hand away, squinting up at Luffy’s confused expression as he hovers over him, “I mean yes? It was fine.”

“Are you happy?” 

“... No.” The admission carries a thread of heartbreak this time. “But I’m supposed to be!”

“Maybe you didn’t feel like swimming?” Luffy asks, still leaning over Buggy. He’s too tired to sit up.

“Sure, that’s it.” Buggy huffs. The surf washes up his sides again and this time he can’t help but feel annoyed by it… That really sucks. He’s not supposed to be spiteful towards the sea. He loves the ocean, loves the freedom, and being on it. But his bitterness that it didn’t do… whatever he needed it to is sinking its teeth into his love.

“Hmmm, Choppy misses you, you know,” Luffy says idly, mostly distracted by climbing up onto Buggy's chest, raised high enough above the shallow break of waves that the water does not reach him. The ocean at least must have done something to calm him down because he doesn't push the boy off.

“Choppy? You mean the Devil Fruit?” Buggy lifts his chin enough to look at his little brother.

“Yep, said you were always fun!” Luffy laughs, the giggle carrying along the beach. “You always had clever ways to use them.”

“You can talk to Devil Fruits- wait scratch that!” Buggy rises up so Luffy falls into his lap. The boy lets out an oof, going slack as his feet splash in the water. Buggy scoops him up so he’s sitting in his lap protected again and proceeds to grab his shoulders and shake whatever brain cells are left up there. “Devil Fruits are conscious!?”

“Yeah? Sorta? They know you and they miss you,” Luffy lets his head flop along with Buggy’s shaking, new eyes sprouting up across his face, all rolling and looking dizzy. “Not like frowny guy, they didn’t like him. They like Sabo a lot better.”

“You can hear them once someone's eaten one?!” He screeches. His little brother giggles as if this is some sort of joke. “What, are Devil Fruits just constantly gossiping behind our backs?!”

“Sure! Everything talks,” Luffy smiles sunnily as if that’s not a horrifying statement. “Don’t you hear all the whispering?”

“No, no I don’t!” Buggy yells but Luffy just looks perplexed like he’s the weird one for not hearing voices. Buggy can already tell no matter how much he screams, Luffy isn’t going to believe he’s the bizarre one in this scenario. Like so often with his little brother, Buggy’s shoulders sag and he gives in. “Honestly? Don’t tell me. For my sanity's sake if nothing else.”

“Okay!” Luffy chirps like it doesn't matter to him one way or another.

“Damn Devil,” Buggy pushes a hand over his face just to muffle the shishishi giggling, “... you said my fruit misses me?”

“Yeah, I asked if they wanted to go back into the ocean to find someone else. But they said even if you hated them, they wanted to stick around.”

“I don’t… I don’t hate them.” Buggy drags a hand down his face. He doesn't know if the fruit could simply hear him or if it had been part of him, in his thoughts. Buggy’s going to choose to believe the former. “I just didn’t want the ocean to hate me.”

“The ocean doesn’t hate you,” Luffy reaches for the water and Buggy can already see that ending badly.

“Yeah I know, it loves you and you’re part of the fruit- whatever,” Buggy sighs, picking his brother up and standing with a grunt. “But that doesn't change the whole drowning thing, I want to be able to swim, dammit!”

“Is that all?”

“Of course! Who wouldn’t want a super powerful flashy ability?!” Buggy hikes Luffy up so he’s sitting on his hip. He’s getting too big and ungainly for this but Buggy suspects the kid’s going to launch himself at them and demand to be held up whether it’s uncomfortable or not. “I practically learnt how to fight with it, how to do everything and now that it’s gone…”

Something was missing. It had been pulled out of his very veins even as it tried to hold on to him.

“Choppy misses you too,” Luffy gives a little pat to his cheek, which he can barely admit is endearing, “If you wanna swim, why don’t we take Choppy out?”

“Huh?”

“You know, whenever you wanna swim. Choppy can just sit off to the side. They won’t mind if I take them out for a while as long as I put ‘em back - or you eat them, it’s the same.”

“I…” He wants to shout and lecture about all the reasons that won’t work… but he’s not really sure there are any, as ridiculous as the idea sounds. Using an all powerful ability that brought an Admiral to their knees so Buggy can dip his toes in the water? It’s laughable. “Is that safe?”

Would his body even be able to handle a Devil Fruit being ripped out of him and stuffed back in repeatedly. Would it weaken his abilities? Would he have to start from scratch each time?

“I dunno,” Of course.

“... We can’t do it often.” It probably wasn’t good for any human to go through that and it wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience the first time. He wouldn’t want to do it too often but… “On special occasions only.”

“Okay! Choppy’s going to be so happy!” Luffy cheers. “You want to go get them now?”

He really did… He had missed the damn fruit too.