a/n: ok so i cant write shanks x reader to save my life. im so sorry about that- he acts WAYY too much like my actual dad ;-; i love both of them sm but im sorry i feel like i live with shanks 99% of the time, so writing shanks feels like im writing my dad *sob*. for now i will not be working on any new requests, but they are still welcome and open to send as i will be working on that batch once i am done with this current batch :) take this as my father's day post as i will not post anything this sunday, as i will be celebrating with my father
wc: 1.4k
summary: you decided to drink with your dad for the first time— bad idea? Probably. But throughout the night, you realize that maybe your dad isn't as scary as people let on.
dragon shifter!dad!shanks & gn!reader (familial)
tags: sfw, family, fluff, drinking, fantasy
“Funny how we always end up at the edge of things.”
You started, your feet dangling off the cliff-side edge. "Both literally.. and figuratively,” you chuckle.
“I guess so, huh?”
Shanks’ laugh rumbled through the quiet air, that same roar you’d heard echo from him when you were a kid—wild and comforting all at once. The sun setting in front of you two lit the half empty bottle, the glass letting the light through, showing how much whiskey was left to share. You look back at your dad, who is still laughing, and watch the light outline his features that made him... him. The way that even when he still looked human, he still had his larger canines, almost fang-like when he was in that form. HIs scarred eye that he swore was left by a giant sea king, but you always argued otherwise.
“Hey, dad..do you ever get the itch?”
Shanks paused at your words, quickly grabbing the bottle and taking a sip straight from it.
“The..itch?. I haven't heard you call it that since you first got your form, bug.” He let out a hearty chuckle, before answering your question: ““Yeah, I still get it. Sometimes it’s a spark, sometimes a wildfire. But I learned it’s not about fighting it—it’s about knowing when to let it fly and when to hold it close.” He says before getting closer and tapping your nose. “I’m assuming even after almost 17 years of having this ability, you still dont let it out, dont’cha bug?”
You snort, finishing your glass before filling a new one. “Red-Scaled Shanks, my dad. clueless when it comes to everything but his child. Get a load of this one.” You take a sip before he nudges you playfully.
“Hey!-” You laugh at your dad, some of the whiskey sloshing onto your hand.”..But yeah. I don’t shift out much. I mean- it feels amazing when I do bu-”
“Why not keep doing it, Bug?” He looked human enough in this light—but even now, the gold still caught on his canines like a memory. A reminder. That no matter how much he laughed or softened with age, he was still dragon. And so were you.
“I mean- I do..” you trailed off, before taking a sip. “Just..not around people, I guess.”
“Tch. I remember when you first shifted. You used to always ask me to shift so you can think about how’d you look as a dragon. I still think you got my scales, but I know your godfather thinks otherwise.”
Taking another sip, watching the hues trail down cooler colors, you giggle; “I don’t even think I remember my first shift. I'm sure I was scared shitless, though,it was when you had left me with Luffy and Makino at the bar.”
You saw his face light up and let out a hearty laugh, watching how his wings and horns popped out, while he was still stuck looking human.
“Dad!” You started laughing too, his laughter and grumble infectious. “You got a little….You got a lot of somethings sticking out now.”
He waved his hand off and gave a soft flex to his wings. “These old things? Let ‘em stay. Not only do they catch the breeze better, but hell– I feel it.”
“and the horns?”
“Free birch perch! Maybe a snack for later..heh.” He bared his teeth in a playful growl, letting his fangs glint like old gold against the waning sun.
You pass the bottle to your dad after filling your own glass, letting him drink straight from the bottle. Watching him take a swig, you notice his demeanor change as he stretches out his wings. Calmer, happier.
“Gah—been holding that one all day,” he groans out in relief, setting the bottle down with a thud, one hand braced against his lower back as he arches into the stretch. His wings flutter once, catching the breeze like the sails you've grown up under.
You swirl your glass, watching the amber liquid slosh and rock gently.
“Y’know,” he says after a beat, voice a little softer now, “sometimes I think the itch never really goes away. Even when you’ve flown the skies, burned through half the world, fought and eaten sea kings twice your size.” He glances at you with a grin. “Non-human size.”
“Jeez dad, I knew you were big but man..” You laugh again, the world lighter on your shoulders with him beside you on the cliff edge. You rest your head on his left shoulder, his wing wrapping around and embracing you in replacement of his missing arm, the same way you felt it as a kid after having nightmares on the Red Force.
“Y’know , I used to hate shifting.” He started, your head perking up to meet his face, but he uses his remaining arm to rest you back on his shoulder, almost in a way to let you know to not panic. “ Felt ‘itchy under the skin’,. like you called it when you first started shifting.. if I didn’t get it out, but I also hated looking too… other.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, out of anyone else that isn’t you kiddo, Benn was the first one to see my full shift.”
You blinked. “Seriously? Not even Luffy, or Foosha Village?”
“Nope. Your godfather. Benn’s always been good at seeing past the shiny parts. Knew what I was before I even figured out what to tell him. Besides,” He moves some hair away from your face before nudging you back, his wings catching you again. “You weren't even born when that happened.”
“...over 23 years ago then?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.
He gasped, eyes flicking from you back to the bottle. “Kiddo, how old are you?”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide the small grin curling your lips. “I’m... 23, Dad.”
His eyes widened as he caught his reflection in the glass. “I thought you were younger, bug! Am I really turning into an old man?”
“Yup,” you said flatly
He growls and playfully bares his teeth towards you, in mock indignation “ You agree that I'm an old man?!”
You laughed, shaking your head. “Yep. Old , and dragging me along for the ride.”
He chuckled, wings shifting as the sun dipped lower. “Old or not, you’ll always be my little bug.”
There was a moment of peace. a soft, comfortable beat as you and your dad watched the last of the sunset dip into the sky, the celestial world above becoming hues of indigo blues and violents and stars.
“Listen, you not wanting to be around people.. or at least shifting around people; its normal, kiddo. Took me longer than I like to admit. Hell, Benn had to practically shove me off a cliff the first time I went full form in front of the crew.”
You eyes widen and just look at him with absolute shock.
“Not what you were expecting out of your old man, eh?” He laughed, and started back into the distance, feeling your intrigue without even having vocalized any. “Said I was being a dramatic coward. And he was right. Felt good after, though. Real good.”
You nodded you head and retreated back into him, letting the moment linger just a bit longer.
“You spend so much time tryin’ to stay small, Bug…” His voice rumbled low. “You forget you were built to be big. So be big. Let it roar. It’s who we are.”
He poked your chest softly, smiling. “It’s part of who you are.”
That small moment made you tighten. It wasn’t Red-Scaled Shanks, Yonko and Captain of the Red-Scale Pirates, it was your dad. The man that calmed you after he found you after your first shift on all fours, looking at you in your new, real form. The man who taught you how to partially shift, how to look human again. The man who let you under his wings. Who held you after nightmares, and let you fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat beneath scarred scales. The man who once swore up and down he wasn’t ready to raise a kid alone—but whose crew made sure no piece of your life was ever missing.
That was your dad talking.
“...What if I don’t know how anymore?”
He turned his head, eyes sharp but warm. “Then you remember. With me.”
You looked up at him.
“If you wanna let it out,” he said, grinning with that same reckless light you’d always known, “I’ll go first.”
A pause. His smile widened.
And before you could say anything else, he dropped to the ground—on all fo—no, three limbs. Waiting. Tail twitching. Horns gleaming. Scalex forming over his body. A warm puff of smoke curled from his nostrils as his wings stretched wide into the night air.
Step dad Mihawk is great but I think it’d be even funnier if Shanks and Mihawk were that one on again off again couple that everyone can’t fucking stand except they’re now also coparenting the cutest, most feral child ever
Yes! This! That is it! This is their relationship!
Luffy doesn't really find it odd when Mihawk randomly comes around because he just assumes him and Shanks had a fallout again
Mihawk takes Luffy to spite Shanks sometimes, like he'll just take Luffy and travel while Shanks is none the wiser because Mihawk knows whenever Luffy sees Shanks again all he'll hear is how much fun Luffy had traveling with Mihawk
Since you wrote dee and Bee as adults drabble will you be doing the same for shank’s daughter
I gotcha! Had this brewing for a bit but hope you like it!
Vivian As A Adult
Support me on Ko-Fi
Check out Old Man Series! <-
• Vivian set off on her own, wanting to be like her Idol Monkey D. Luffy- The Pirate King.
• Being trained by The world's current best Gunman and a Yonko had some extreme benefits. She was training to be the Best Gunner in the world. However no one really paid much attention to that- It was more that she was a pretty girl who looked fairly similar to a famous Emperor of the sea.
• She set out on her own at 17, wanting to get a head start on her pirate career... which had started out as sort of a flop-
• No one wanted her on their crew, both out of fear of what it could lead to from her father and doubts about her abilities. Assuming she must be a spoiled brat with her ego inflated-
• And truth be told- Vivian was terrible with money... horrible infact- She went broke in less then a month and with bleeding pockets didn't know where to turn-
• Till she stumbled on a old acquaintance- non other then her former childhood crush Dracule Alucare- He had recognized her immediately and bought her a meal. The two talking and agreeing to temporarily join together- Especially since
• Both their navigation skills were lacking however and it didn't take long to find trouble again- This time by Alucares old 'Ex' who thoroughly beat his ass {Literally} and took the ship captive.
• Knowing if both of them were captured it would lead to trouble, so Vi being small enough to take cover on the ship and watched Alucare get taken. Knowing he wouldn't be killed off that quickly especially since Lyra seemed to have a vendetta against him and wanted to prolong it.
• So once sure the coast was clear she set off to rescue Alucare and make sure they didn't get killed.
• Weeding through the security to make sure it was light for the escape. She met up with Alucare and a grew of blue haired twins- Later learning they were The Buggy Twins.. Which sounded familiar but she didn't want to think too much on it.
• The teenagers managing a narrow escape from the Marines and setting off to the sea- truthfully without a true plan and only wanting to save their own asses-
• "Where is my Bounty?!" She said screamed looking over the stack of new wanted posters that had been delivered- it had been a week since the Marine Ship incident and Vivian didnt see a wanted poster for herself anywere! Groaning into the table as she felt the papers being yanked from her hands.
Alucare looking over the posters and snorting a laugh. She glared at her peer as he stared at her..
• Despite all of this, Vivian is probably the best marksman of this era- A true devil in her craft as she can hit any target bullseye. The Marines hadn't forgotten her nor her abilties on the navel ship being forgotten... as it seemed the reason the ship seemed to quiet was that the Marines later found 63 men with perfect bullet holes in their forehead well stashed away on the ship.
"Maybe you have too low of a Bounty?-" Alucare teased, earning a harsher glare from the red head who smacked him in the head with a spoon which he got pelted with perfectly on thw forehead-.
Clearly wanting to mess with her as he reached into his shirt picket and slammed down his own, Vi snatching it quickly and damn near hissed as she read the paper-
'GOLD GAZE' ALUCARE
Updated Bounty: Formally 50,000,000 Berry
Wanted Dead or Alive
Current Bounty: 85,000,000
'Gold Gaze' Seriously?" Vivian sighed at the choice of Nickname. Alucare shrugging as well-
"Well I didn't pick it.." He defended, the twins now coming up to see what the commotion was all about. Alucare sharing his wanted poster with them-
"Not Bad!" Bee said and him and Alucare shared a high five- Weirdly the two seemingly growing close in a chaotic lawful and chaotic evil sort of way..
"Your guys bounty is higher" Alucare pointed out which Dee shrugged at.
"Yeah but you got a better Nickname then us-" Dee said- As the three repeated 'Gold Gaze' in a series of different voices. Vivian staring at them all like she was in a sick form of hell...
"I hate you guys..."
• Shanks of course keeps track of Vivian, even if she's out on his own he had eyes and ears everywhere.
• It seemed the marksman of the Pirates had made sure security was light-
He smiles brightly and starts to laugh hysterically- He didn't know if this was some sick form of Karma or the universe repeating itself-
However that morning it seemed to be the newspaper that informed him- Opening up he went to see what new thing was happening his eyes widening at what he saw.
New Pirates on the Scene!
🌅 The Sunset Pirates! 🌅
Marines say they disapeared and appeared with the rise and fall of the sun-
Including In the Crew-
- Dee Dee The Jester - 150,000,000 Berry
- Bee Bee The Joker - 150,000,000 Berry
- 'Gold Gaze' Alucare - 85,000,000 Berry
And New Pirate {Unknown Name- nicknamed}
'Crimson Shot' - 85,000,000 Berry
- Wanted Dead or Alive -
Shanks shook his head, recognizing his daughter's skills immediately and the rough sketch of her as well- He knew her identity would be revealed soon enough. However that didn't matter, if anything it would boost her credibility.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ONLY ON TUMBLR UNDER ACEANDURMOM///////////////////
Warning! Canon typical violence
WORD COUNT: 3,310
Luffy was 16.
He was only 14 when Ace was thrown at him by his beloved grandfather.
A few months later Ace had finally felt comfortable enough to introduce his friend to him.
Who promptly became Luffy’s second kid.
There was nothing in the world that Monkey D. Luffy wouldn’t do for either of them. He had told them both stories of Shanks and their time together.
So when both of his kids hadn’t come back in after an afternoon of exploration, Luffy was tense. He only grew more anxious when he went out to look for them. It wasn’t often that the teen left them alone, he had only gone in to make supper. Wasn’t gone for longer than 15 minutes.to break down a boar. So where had they gone, they were only 10, there was no way they had gone too far.
“Ace! Sabo!”
Luffy cupped his mouth, desperately shouting out the boys’ names to call them back home. The cabin was deep in the Jungle, and no one could have found them….right?
Continuously calling them, Luffy was left lost when there was no reply. No padding of small feet to indicate that they were coming back. So, like any terrified parent, Luffy ran to his closest friend- Makino.
The teen scrambled through the door to Party’s Bar, slamming the door open in a flurry of movements. Tears falling from his eyes, Luffy slipped and ended up on the floor in front of the counter. The green haired woman yelped, worried for the boy.
“Luffy!?”
She scrambled to her friend, gently pulling him to stand before checking on him. He was in shambles, tears and snot making up the majority of his face. She frowned, hands trying to clear away the tears. The boy rambled, voice shaking.
“Ace and-and Sabo. I had-had gone to make f-food and..!”
Sobs pouring from the poor kid, Makino sat him down on the barstool.
Unknowingly to the boy, a group of pirates he was rather fond of had made their way while he was distracted. Shanks was perturbed at the sight that met him.
He really should have just taken the boy with him, especially after seeing the broken down teen in front of him now. He was crying his little heart out, but the sobbing wasn’t of a child. It was a gut wrenching wail that penetrated even a Yonko such as himself. Casting a look to Benn, he tried to gauge the situation before interjecting himself. But the concern was too great, after all, Shanks was a father too.
Steps had finally captured Makino’s attention. Eyes darting to the source, she finally turned to see who had entered her establishment, already starting to tell them to leave. Until she saw the ginger hair of the infamous man she had missed so dearly.
“Shanks! You have great timing-”
Luffy whipped his head faster than Makino could track. He had escaped from her embrace and thrown himself into the man. Shanks blinked, trying to discern what he should do. Before Luffy had started to explain the reason behind such sorrow.
“My kids, Shanks-!”
His eyes hardened, trying to question Makino before he was pulled back down.
“Ace and Sabo are gone!”
A wail.
“I just stepped away to make food and when I came back–”
Shanks was lost. First off, his son just said he had kids, not one but two. Second, he was distressed to the point that there was no childish wonder left in his little body.
Benn had been the one to step in, gently taking Luffy from his Captain.
“Hey, Anchor, how old are your kids, huh?”
“They’re both 10, twins.”
“And how did you manage to have two kids?”
Luffy knew he should be panicking, but just talking to Benn was already calming him down.
“Ace was given to me by Jiji, and Sabo was Ace’s friend. They’re good kids, Benn.”
The man held to the back of his head, smoothing down the stray hairs in the process.
“I bet they are. Now, where did they go?”
“I don’t know. They weren’t anywhere near the cabin when I came back. I’m such a bad-”
“No, no, no, Anchor.”
Shanks butt in, kneeling down to meet the poor boy’s eyes. Thumb raising to wipe away the rising tears
Yassop was leaning to the side, listening intently.
“Show us where they were last. We’ll help, love.”
Luffy nodded, hands aggressively rubbing over his eyes. Face still flushed, he broke away from the two before facing the rest of the crew.
Giggling, embarrassed, Luffy had shyly waved with a smile.
“Hey guys…!”
They responded in kind, all of them eager to see the kid again. It had been years since they had seen him last. Only a child himself when they had departed last. Shanks had crowned him with his Strawhat after losing an arm for him. Shanks had decided to come check up on Dawn based off of a feeling. And when was Shanks ever wrong about a gut feeling?
Luffy exchanged a few pleasantries before rushing out of the bar.
“Come on! I’ll show you our house!”
And that was when the horror of what Luffy had been living through finally started to settle in. The crew knew their little Anchor was tough, but to see the state of the Jungle he resided in was incredible. The paths deteriorated to where it was pretty much invisible, the teen in front of them only knowing the way based off of muscle memory alone. Not even the beasts that lived there were brave enough to cross his path.
Finally, the small and decrepit cabin came into view. And Shanks’ stomach dropped at the sight of it.
It could barely even be called a cabin, much less a house that was meant for three kids. It was falling apart, the wood molded and sinking in on itself. The look Benn shot him was enough for Shanks to know that something was going to be done. Hongo not too much happier. The health conditions these kids were probably experiencing was already stressing him out.
Luffy had grabbed ahold of Monster’s arm, showing him the clothing that the two wore the most. They watched on as Monster sniffed at the clothes, seeming to catch the scent without need for too much time. The monkey understood the time crunch they were under, already sensing the panic Luffy was beginning to undergo once again. Not a sight anyone wanted to see.
So, the Yonko’s crew and Luffy followed after a lone monkey on a mission.
And to Luffy's absolut horror, they ended up off the side of Grey Terminal. A small shack teetering on its last legs. And a jolly roger Luffy knew all too well.
Limejuie reeled back at the snarl that escaped the boy. Not at all characteristic of the joyful young one that he had become familiar with. This was anger at its finest, the raw rage emanating from him had caused shivers to run down his spine. Reminiscent of Shanks when his Conqueror’s Haki ran rampant, and wasn’t that an uncomfortable thought.
Monster had pointed at the building, giving a nod to Rockstar to confirm that the scent ended here. There was nowhere else that the smell led to.
Shanks had gone to tell Luffy as such, but the glare he was pointing to the painted insignia was telling enough.
“You know them, Anchor?”
Scoffing, the teen crossed his arms.
“Bluejam. Ace and Sabo have bad experiences with them. And they’re not a pirate crew deserving of any kind of respect.”
Picking his nose, Luffy growled just thinking about them.
“And Bluejam isn’t even the worst of them, despite being the awful ass captain he is. Porchemy is the one you have to look out for, bastard is loyal to a fault.”
Sending one last look to Monster for final confirmation, Luffy received his answer.
Leaving Shanks behind him, Luffy bursted through the door, no stealth at all. Granted, the anger radiating from him could be felt from miles away if Benn had to say. His Observation wasn’t as good as his captain’s, but even he could feel how much Luffy weighed down those around him.
Shanks watched as Luffy very nearly collapsed the building. Following behind him just in case, he was caught off guard at the horrible sight that met him there.
Luffy tried not to vomit.
Dangling from the ceiling tied in raggedy ass rope, were his kids. The blonde was almost completely black and blue, not an inch of skin left his original skin tone. His poor eyes weren’t left alone either, both of them bruised. The hand print decorating his neck had caused Luffy to come back to. Only to glance over to where Ace was.
Blood soaked his clothing through, his beloved hat discarded and thrown to the side. His freckled could hardly be seen due to the state of his face. Cheek swollen, the poor brat was trying not to cry at finally seeing Luffy after everything they had been through. Sabo was out cold, had been for a while now. It was starting to scare Ace.
“Luffy!”
Ace cried out, sobs crawling up his throat. But he forced them down, not wanting to be weak in front of the new people he saw behind his brother. Willing away the tears, Ace tried to look angry, but there was nothing that could hide the already dried tear stains.
Luffy stepped forward, reaching out to take them down-
“You have to leave! Porchemy will be back any moment now-!”
“Like I give a damn about that man. In fact, I hope he comes so I kill the bastard myself. Putting his hands on my kids, I’ll fucking kill him.”
“L-Luffy..?”
Ace was taken aback. The pure frustration and anger coming from him was nothing he was familiar with. Never had Luffy ever even yelled at them, so why was he so threatening right now? Why was Ace becoming more and more anxious the longer he stared at the glare on his face?
One of the guys from behind Luffy had reached out, hand making contact with his bare shoulder.
“Anchor, you’re scaring him, love.”
Blinking hard, Luffy tried to calm down. He was Monkey D. Luffy for fuck’s sake, he didn’t do angry! Forcing a bright smile, Luffy tried again.
Untying Sabo and Ace, Luffy held them close to his chest. Sucking in a breath, Ace bit his lip hard, trying not to break down.
But this was Luffy, and Luffy knew him more than anyone else had.
And Ace snuggled further, letting himself cry now that he was safe.
Turning on his heel, Luffy left the shack. In turn, the entire crew followed.
–
They all managed to get back to the cabin before any of the offending pirates found them. Ace was still crying quietly against Luffy, not a sound heard from the kid. Sabo was still unconscious, not waking up even when Luffy almost tripped on a branch that had recently fallen.
When they got through the door, the Red Haired Pirates watched as Luffy frantically set up their cots. Ace was gently placed on his own, pillow immediately grasped to his front and he turned to his side. Stuffing his face into the dusty fabric, he allowed himself to openly cry, trying to muffle the sounds he made from his own lips.
Shanks’ heart broke at the sight. The poor lad was sobbing so quietly the entire time was enough to prove he had done this time and time again. The ginger’s heart broke at the thought.
Luffy had arranged his own cot right beside Ace’s, dropping to the floor and crossing his legs. Laying Sabo down, he continued to hold him as if he were a baby. Cradling him to his chest as if he could shield him from any other evil in the world.
Gently rocking the two of them, Luffy faced the pirates.
“Thank you.”
He was tired. So tired.
Benn knew.
Benn saw.
And Benn decided.
“Come with us.”
Luffy whipped up, staring through him. Shanks was also caught off guard, eyes wide before he contemplated the response.
It made sense.
They couldn’t let these three boys live their lives like this. Miserable, lonely, and always on the verge of a breakdown. There was no telling what might happen to them in the future. And who knows how long Luffy would last before he lost it, or when he would hurt someone in front of the younger ones.
“I…”
Luffy paused. This was everything he had ever wanted, what he had dreamed of. But…
“If we do. I want you to promise me something.”
Serious. Luffy couldn’t afford to be hasty in this. He noticed Ace had stopped openly sobbing, forcing himself to be quiet so that he could hear what was being said. Reaching out a hand, Luffy smoothed his palm over his back. Ace relaxed, popping his head out of the pillow and leaning against his older brother.
“What is it, Anchor?”
Shanks had answered, already showing his approval of the decision before Benn had to ask. Of course he would agree, he loved this teen like his own son.
“You assure their safety. I cannot board them on a ship and-”
Ace cut in.
“I’ll do it!”
Luffy shot a glance to Ace, but when had he ever really listened?
“We’ll join you on your boat! But you have to take care of Luffy and Sabo!”
“And what of you, Firecracker?”
Shanks teased.
The boy grew flustered, blush flashing across his freckled cheeks.
“I’ll work so Luffy doesn’t have to anymore!”
That had shut Shanks up. The blush from Ace seemed to transfer to Luffy. A shy smile growing on his face.
Luffy pinched Ace’s cheek, not sure how to respond to such a statement. He grew soft, voice bordering on a whisper.
“Nonsense. We’ll all work together, just like we always do, vagalume.”
Benn leaned in, curious to the word Luffy had uttered. The meaning wasn’t lost on the younger one, hands covering his face. But the soft look Luffy donned was hard to ignore, a motherly love seeping into his tone.
Sabo’s eyelids fluttered, evidence of his eyes moving behind them.
“Ace.”
Luffy ignored the questions from those in front of him, intently staring at the little blonde in his arms. Ace leaned in too, not one to be left out of the loop. Not at all due to the fear of potentially losing Sabo….of course not.
The little blonde’s eyes blinked open.
Blue eyes met brown, and Sabo almost sobbed in relief. He was no longer tied up to the roof, no longer being hit, and no longer scared for his safety. He was in Luffy’s arms, and he was safe.
Looking back to the men in front of the trio, Luffy made a decision.
–
It had been a few months.
Sabo had healed, slower than Luffy had desired, but better than not.
And Ace had become even more attached to the two he called his family. Not once has Benn seen the little firecracker farther than a few feet from either Sabo or Luffy. He wasn’t overbearing, just always in the vicinity they were in. If the blonde or the elder were separated, he was always seen next to the blonde instead. It appeared as if his injuries had affected jim more than he let on.
And Luffy.
Luffy fit in perfectly on the Red Force.
After years of dreaming of being part of her crew, Luffy had taken to the Red Force like a fish to water. There was not a nook or cranny he was unaware of, nor was there a secret she could keep. Luffy knew all of her.
And the crew adored him. Their little Anchor was never alone, one nakama conversing or teaching him every second of the day. If it wasn’t Shanks or Benn, then it was Yassop or the others. Granted, no one else loved him quite like they did.
Though Shanks had conveniently forgotten to inform Luffy and his brothers of one small little minuscule detail.
“SHANKS! THERE’S A SHIP NEARING THE BOW!”
Limejuice had been the one to holler, voice traveling all the way to Shanks’s office. Stretching, Shanks popped his back before heading to the door. After making it to the deck, he was met with Luffy launching himself tight into his front. Grunting, Shanks caught him, already accustomed to the boy’s antics.
“Excited?”
“Who are they, good, bad?”
Blinking, Shanks turned to look at the sails of the nearing boat. It was one he knew well, intimately even.
He had been the one to curate it, after all.
Patting Luffy’s head, and avoiding the blessed strawhat, Shanks set him down to approach.
“Friends, Anchor.”
And all the tension drained from his shoulders. Nodding, Luffy grinned wide and followed. A little puppy following its beloved owner.
A blue head popped up over the side of the hull. A bright red nose soon following.
“Hey, idiot! What the hell are you doing in the East Blue!?”
Shanks laughed, rushing to pull them over and onto the ship.
“Blue.”
Shanks sighed out, eyes taking in the man after it felt like years since seeing them.
Buggy rolled their eyes, not at all missing the loving stare from the man.
Luffy watched, trying to comprehend what exactly was happening. He was confused, never before seeing two people interact in such a way.
“Shanks, who is this?”
Coming to, Shanks’ head popped back up. Buggy assessed the new crewmate of Shanks, not at all missing how young he looked. \
Casting a harsh glare, before Shanks could explain, two more heads popped up. Right behind Luffy’s legs were a blonde and ravenette.
Buggy gaped, not happy at the age of the new additions.
“Shanks!”
“Ah, ah, ah, my dear. This is Monkey D. Luffy and his two kids, Sabo and Ace. The oldest is the one I bet on.”
Understanding crossed his face. Until he wanted to know why they were there. A story Shanks silently promised for another time.
Luffy waved, smile wide.
Sabo and Ace blushed, not expecting their titles.
Shanks dipped Buggy, trying to disperse the frustration still lying underneath his skin. Huffing in pretend annoyance, Buggy accepted the distraction. The ginger pressed his nose into the Clown's neck, eager to be as close as possible.
Cocking his head, Luffy watched the interaction.
“Who are you two to each other.”
He wanted to know. Curiosity washing over his entire being, a need.
Shanks heard the barely concealed desperation. And decided to respond before it grew further.
“My lover.”
“Lover.”
“My partner, someone I love and want to be with for the rest of my life.”
“Oh!”
Fist hitting his open palm, Luffy understood. Looking to the boys behind him, Luffy pushed them forward.
“Shanks’ partner, this is Sabo-”
Caressing his hair, Luffy signaled who he was talking about.
“And this is Ace.”
Other hand resting on Ace’s head.
Buggy looked, observing the two flushed under Luffy’s hands.
They were a lot younger than the teen. Both had a hat decorating their heads that Luffy had pushed away to introduce them. The blonde had scars littered across his body, noble clothing decorating his form. The other had an orange cowboy hat, matching cargo shorts on his lower body. Cute little leather cowboy boots protecting his feet.
“I’m Buggy. Captain of the Buggy Pirates. A pleasure.”
Luffy blinked, pushing back the hats on their little heads.
Buggy watched, the love in such a small gesture proof that the three would be fine on the Seas. Not to mention that Shanks was the one they were under.
Picture me this: (based on Garp knowing Mihawk has kds now)
Mihawk being petty and that bitchTM. Shanks agreeing to watch the kids while Mihawk is summoned to a meeting, but he decides that Shanks is unavailable. Mihawk brings his kids to the Warlord meeting to a.) show he isn't afraid to show he has kids and is just challenging anyone to do something b.) show Moria and Doflamingo he stole their kids (Perona and Law) and he won't be giving them back, and c.) to simply "expose his children (and garp's grandsons) to the marines so they in the future can become exceptional marines by learning by example"
I am more of the opinion that Mihawk would try by any means necessary to keep the kids out of the public eye. He would literally gaslight Marines who can see the angry green fluff-ball Zoro leashed to the Warlord's waist, Perona bright and black and pink floating alongside him, whining "Dadddd" every other moment to get his attention. Law, who is definitely recovering from some type of disease, and the Heart Pirates on the other side as Mihawk buys them ice cream.
The Marine will go, "Uh, sir, are these your children?" completely thinking he's about to die. Mihawk, while handing Bepo his strawberry sprinkled cone, will then say, "What children?" And the officer will walk away from the confrontation thinking he's either A) losing it or B) going to assume he's losing it because Oda-Christ, the idea of Mihawk spawning is a horror he wouldn’t wish on the world.
But let's say this does happen. The truth is revealed, and Mihawk can no longer hide that he has a bajillion fluff balls following him around. (Maybe someone tried to steal one of his kids, and he went on a roaring rampage for revenge, ending up with a lot of people dead and Red-Haired Shanks glaring at them over Mihawk’s shoulder, while also looking at Mihawk like the gore he’s covered in is chocolate and he wants to lick it off him.)
He first has a conversation with the kids, explaining to them what could be happening from here on out. Technically, if they play their cards right, they can be protected under the Warlord system, as there is now a flock bonds and an ability to prove it. It will be up to the kids on whether or not they want to reveal themselves by his side.
Law immediately says no; he doesn’t want his own problems dragged in with these wonderful people who love him and take care of him so much. He won’t have another Corazon on his hands. Mihawk respects this and does everything in his power to hide Law from the government. Uta is associated with the Red-Haired Pirates, so the no is a given unless Mihawk wants to be implicated in things.
Zoro won’t give a damn. Perona might be a bit hesitant because of Moria; she has a lot of unresolved trauma and guilt associated with him, so probably a hesitant no at the moment. Ace would only give a damn if he was seen as Mihawk's son; he’ll go for trainee. Sabo will say no for revolutionary reasons, but not a hundred percent no in case he needs it for the Revolutionary Army. Luffy is just happy he can show off how cool his sword dad is.
i can’t stop wondering if Shanks was in tears from laughing so hard when he heard what luffy’s dream was or if he teared up a bit while laughing cause he reminded him of Roger
