You are the reason the sea flows in my veins

by Dezace

Summary:

Shanks grew up on the sea, on his father's pirate ship, and loved it. The sea was Shanks' calling and no one would be able to shake his conviction on that fact.

One girl in the East Blue seeks to shake his resolve on that count.

(Updates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)

Chapter 1: Days long past

Notes:

TW: Some blood, not much but described enough to make me feel conflicted about putting a TW.

 

The first memory Shanks remembered was steel. 

 

A sword made out of steel, well maintained, and polished. Shanks remembered reaching out and grasping at the blade, barely touching it before it left his reach. A gentle hand holding him back and transporting him into a strong hold that felt like safety. Shanks felt comfortable in the strong arms that dwarfed him completely. Shanks leaned on the chest of the man and listened. And even to this day, he could remember the heartbeat of his father. 

 

Strong and steady. 

 

The rumbling voice echoed in his ears.

 

“I think you will be a man of the sword someday, Shanks.”

 

That was the end of the memory, but it stayed with him for the rest of his life. It was a core memory, and Shanks looked back to it when everything felt uncertain. That steel sword was steady and just there. It was a constant in his life where he grew up on the sea. He never lived on an island, but on a boat that traveled the world. Shanks needed something to anchor him down, and that sword did. 

 

The sword of his father, Gol D. Roger, his captain.

 

Roger raised him, as a boy, as a growing man, and as a pirate. One that respects the sea and her ways. He was the one who taught him that he should have integrity and morals. That he shouldn’t harm ones that didn’t deserve it. That even if they were pirates, that wouldn’t excuse being a horrible human being. Shanks looked up to his father more than he could any other person because Roger was his father and captain. 

 

His mother, Portgas D. Rouge, taught him how to look after himself and take care of himself. She was the one who told him it was okay to cry when he wanted to cry and that it wouldn’t make him less of a man. She was the one Shanks went to for advice when Shanks knew Roger couldn’t. She always welcomed him with open arms and looked at him with love in her eyes.   

 

Shanks looked at his parents, who were so obviously in love with each other even after years of being together, with comfort. Roger and Rouge were soulmates, but only he and Rayleigh knew. 

 

For how much Roger trusts his crew, even he knew that one wrong word would mean his family's downfall. The World Government would hunt them down, just for the blood in Shanks's veins. And killing the wife of the Pirate King would make a great headline. Rayleigh knew because Roger could never not tell his all but brother that he had a son. Rayleigh was there when Shanks was born and became Shanks’s godparent. Shanks always felt like Rayleigh was his uncle, family. 

 

Shanks grew up with multiple warnings to not tell anyone who his father was. If he was asked his name, he would only give his first name, Shanks, and not his family name. Shanks hated it. He loved his name and wanted to share it, but he wasn’t dumb enough to disobey his parents. Shanks knew he wasn’t strong enough to fight off the Marines, so he wanted to get strong enough to say it without fear. 

 

Shanks wanted to show his parents the news, showing them he wasn’t a child anymore, one not needing protection. He wanted them to be proud.

 

Shanks didn’t feel proud at his mother’s bedside, watching her waste away from illness. 

 

Shanks saw her grow more tired, seeing her tan skin lose its color, and freckles becoming more prominent. He watched her lose weight, seeing her bones form her skin. 

 

Roger was by her side, half the reason why he disbanded the Roger Pirates. Roger stayed by her side, while also suffering from an illness that made him cough up blood and wrack his body with weakness. Shanks watched both of his parents start to die while knowing he could do nothing. 

 

Shanks was only fifteen when he watched his mother breathe her last breath. He watched his father shatter at her passing, while also grieving himself. Roger spent his last year with his other half, so when she passed away in her sleep, Roger couldn’t hold on any longer. Roger was still dying, and his time was coming. Shanks saw his father try to stay together for him, but he could see the pain in the man’s eyes. 

 

“Shanks, I won’t be in this world for much longer but know that I love you.”

 

Roger put his forehead to him, making Shanks look him in the eyes. Shanks had the same eyes as his father but didn’t get Roger’s black hair or his mother’s strawberry blonde. His stark red hair was different from his parents, but they only said it made him unique. Rouge said red hair ran in her family, and that she was the odd one out. It made Shanks proud that he could let his mother have something to connect her with her family she didn't see anymore.

 

Rouge was distanced from her family when she fell in love with Roger, moving islands to move suspicions off her. Shanks only saw her a few times in his life before that final year, but their relationship never suffered from it. Rouge still loved him like a mother, and Shanks adored his mother. It made Roger laugh, saying Shanks was a Momma's boy. It made Rouge laugh, so Shanks wasn’t annoyed by that comment(that was a lie, he was very annoyed).

 

“Know that I am proud of the man you will become.” 

 

Shanks never felt that small when he cried into his father’s shirt, knowing that his father was bigger than him and probably bigger than Shanks ever will be. Roger hugged him tight, Shanks not wanting to let go. Roger was the sole parent he had left, and he didn’t want to be alone. Shanks held on to the straw hat Roger gave him like it was the thing to save him, remembering the day his father set it upon his head. 

 

It was when he was five years old, learning how to fish with his father. Shanks didn't know what he said, but his father was clearly surprised and then smiled. He grinned a smile that made Shanks feel warm and reached for his head. He took off the hat that he only let Rayleigh touch and put it on Shanks’s head. Shanks remembered it blocked his sight and was too big for his head. He looked up at Roger after, confused.

 

“That’s my treasure, you hear me. Take care of it for me.”

 

Shanks felt happy at that, making that hat his treasure than on. He was never without it and probably never would. It was the gift he got from his father, and he would protect it with his life. 

 

Shanks looked up at the execution stand, tears falling from his eyes in waves. His father met his eyes, softening at his son. He felt off-kilter the entire time, drifting in the sea with no lifeboat. When those swords went down after his father spoke his last words, making the watchers cheer, all Shanks could see was red. He saw his father smile while blood tripped from the corner of his mouth and blood gushed from his chest. He saw blood dripping from the platform, landing on the ground below. The winds blew through the plaza, and clouds gathered above them. 

 

Shanks bawled. 

 

Roger, his last living parent, was killed, but he was dying before this. If Roger was healthy, he would have never made the choice to leave his son in this world by himself. But Shanks also saw the way there was some relief in Roger’s eyes, and Shanks understood. Roger wanted to meet Rouge again, and Roger took the chance.

 

Shanks ran away from the stand after seeing his father die. He couldn't stay here, on his father's home island. He needed to get away. He knew he should plan for his future pirate crew, but it would just be too much.   

 

His mother and father were dead, and Shanks had no one by his side. His father said he would be proud of him, but Shanks only felt like a failure. He was the son of the Pirate King and Portgas D. Rouge, but he only felt like a child who wanted to hide behind his mother’s skirt. 

 

Shanks whipped away his tears, but still felt like his heart was split in two. His little row boat sailed in the East Blue waters, not caring where he was going. He let the sea take him, trusting her. 

 

He was Gol D. Shanks.

 

But the world only knew him as Shanks, and he didn’t want to tell the world anymore when there was no one to show it to.

Notes:

This AU has been in my head for a very long time, maybe even longer than my other AU's. I have some idea where this is going overall, but nothing is set in stone. I will figure it out while I write.

I feel bad for doing that to Rouge, but it was for the plot. And if you guys are worried about Ace existing, don't worry ;).

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 2: Shanks gets a job

Summary:

Shanks gets lucky.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Shanks opened his eyes, struggling to do so. His eyelids felt like they were fused together and wouldn’t open. When he did, he squinted up, sun blasting his eyes. He looked at the dark spot in his vision, knowing it was a person, a girl by the sounds of it. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, noticing that his ship wasn’t rocking in the waves and seemed to have beached when he fell asleep.

 

He looked to see a girl about the same age as him, with green hair in a bandana, and two green locks framing her face. She only looked at him with concern, and he noticed she was carrying something. It looked like a basket, but Shanks’s eyes weren’t yet used to the light.  

 

Shanks stumbled to his feet, feet catching onto the edge of the single-user rowboat, trying to leave the craft. He face-planted into the sand, getting some sand in his mouth. He sputtered, trying to spit it out of his mouth. He rubbed his mouth and stopped when he felt cloth on his face. He widened his eyes and noticed the girl wiping some sand off his face. He froze, mind blanking. He blinked, seeing the girl have a determined expression when she was wiping his face. She stopped and then grinned, making his heart do a funny skip.

 

“There, all good.”

 

She hummed and put her cloth back in her basket holding some bottles. The girl was wearing a sundress and sandals to match. Shanks blinked, taking his eyes off the teenage girl. He looked around and saw he was on a beach, seeing a village a ways off. There was also a mountain in the distance covered in trees. The wind blew through his hair, and he moved it out of his eyes. He looked back to the girl looking at him with a smile. 

 

Shanks realized he was being rude. He coughed and held out his hand.

 

“Hello, my name is Shanks.”

 

The girl smiled and reached out to accept the handshake. She gripped his hand hard, the girl having a crushing grip, making Shanks hide a flinch. The girls' grip was stronger than most of the men he had met, which was saying something considering he grew up in the Grandline. 

 

“Pleasure to meet you, Shanks, I am Makino.”

 

Shanks let go of her hand and bowed, hat over his heart.

 

“The pleasure is mine.”

 

Shanks raised his head when he heard a small laugh, Makino smiling.

 

“I wasn’t expecting this when I saw your boat.”

 

Shanks turned back and saw that his boat was indeed beached, must have done that when he went to sleep last night. He didn’t mind, he had nowhere to go anyway. Shanks scratched his head and laughed with slight embarrassment. 

 

“I think I should thank you for waking me. May I ask where I am?”

 

Makino nodded and pointed to the village in the distance.

 

“That is Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom, my hometown.”

 

Shanks nodded, recognizing the name the Goa Kingdom. It was one of the World Government allied countries, something Shanks didn’t really want to think about at the moment. He also had a feeling he should know something more about the Goa Kingdom, but it wasn’t connecting in his brain. He mentally shrugged it off. If he couldn't remember what it was, it wasn’t necessary. 

 

He frowned at the village, unsure what to do. He was just expecting to drift until he got ahold of himself. He had no money and nothing to his name. He had no plan except for wanting to create his own pirate crew, but that was something he wanted and didn’t need to do right now. Shanks looked back to his boat, reaching into the wooden planks that didn’t look up to another journey. He grabbed his sword, the last gift he got from his father.

 

Before Roger gave himself up, but after Mother died, he handed Shanks this sword. He said it was his sixteenth birthday present, knowing he wouldn’t make it to the day. Shanks asked why because he already had a sword.

 

“This sword is called Gryphon, it's one of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, like my Ace. It will serve you well and might even save your life one day.”

 

Shanks took the sword with shaking hands, grateful for the weapon, but not fully knowing why Father did what he did, but had an idea. He wanted to give Shanks a sword that would protect his son in his place. 

 

Shanks put it on his back, too long to put at his waist. It was four feet long, and Shanks would have to grow more to use his sword to the fullest potential. It was a single-edged blade that seemed to be a standard blade at first glance, but when one actually studies it, you could see it was an expertly crafted blade that could take a lot of punishment. 

 

Makino looked at him after Shanks secured his sword to his back. She only looked curious but didn’t ask. It was common in any Blue to carry a sword, so it wouldn’t be that out of place. 

 

“Do you have anywhere to go?”

 

Shanks looked sharply at Makino, but she raised a hand, face slightly panicked. She started to smile shyly.

 

“I just meant it looked like you need a place to stay for a few days.”

 

Shanks shrugged, knowing it wasn't anything personal. But Shanks did feel slightly uncomfortable at the question.

 

“I do. I need time to find another boat and a job to pay for the said boat.”

 

He lightly kicked the wooden boat, hearing the concerning creaks his kick caused. Shanks grimaced, knowing if he didn’t hit land, his boat wouldn’t have lasted another couple of days. Makino softly smiled, something that made Shanks raise an eyebrow.

 

“I can help you with all three. I am in charge of the bar in my village, and I need help. You can sleep on the second floor, I have space. And there is a craftsman in the village capable of making a boat like the one I found you in.”

 

Shanks gapped at Makino’s innocent face. Shanks grew up in the Grandline, so he saw the worst kinds of humans, so he couldn’t understand why this girl was so trusting. Her black eyes only had honesty, so Shanks knew she was serious. Shanks brushed a hand through his hair, disbelief in his eyes.

 

“Why would you help a guy you just met? I could be a slaver or something.”

 

Makino smiled wider, face alight, practically lighting up the atmosphere. 

 

“I have a good instinct for people. I know you’re a good guy, Shanks.”

 

Shanks threw up his hands, but his face had a slight smile, something that felt wrong compared to the hole in his chest. 

 

“Whatever, I know you won’t take a no for an answer.”

 

“Nope!”

 

Makino turned away from him and walked to the village. Shanks shook his head and walked quickly to her side, matching her step. Shanks was slightly taller than her by a few inches. Shanks let his arms hang by his side, feet following the slight path to the village. He looked around, seeing cliffs and trees by the ocean. 

 

Makino was humming, a skip in her step.

 

“So, what work am I doing?”

 

Makino put her free hand on her chin and thought. She snapped her fingers and smiled at him.

 

“Can you read and write?”

 

Shanks nodded, his parents were very stubborn that Shanks should have some education. It wasn’t like noble education, but he had more than a citizen had. Makino nodded to herself.

 

“It’s not a big bar, but it gets too much for just me. No one else in the village can help me out, so you came at the right time. You can take orders and help me out behind the bar, of course, only if you don’t drink my alcohol.”

 

“I would never.”

 

Makino laughed, and Shanks grinned at her reaction. Shanks looked to the village that was getting closer, him seeing the details for the first time. It was a cozy place, villagers laughing and going about their days. He saw some kids run around laughing, chasing the others. Then a woman came out and yelled at them. It was a small village, but it seemed close nit. When they got to the edge of the village, he was stared at, but no one said anything, only yelling hellos to Makino, who responded in kind. She was smiling and waving, the villagers happy to see her. Shanks knew that Makino was very well-liked by villagers. 

 

“Makino dear, who is that young man?”

 

Shanks pointed at himself when an elderly lady talked to Makino. Shanks nodded to the lady, because his mother taught him manners, and responded.

 

“My name is Shanks.”

 

She patted his arm, “You seem like a fine young man. What makes you come to our humble little village?”

 

Shanks grinned, “Makino here offered me a job that I couldn’t refuse.”

 

The grandma laughed good-naturedly, “That sounds like Makino, alright.”

 

“Dolores!”

 

Makino was blushing and embarrassed.  Shanks grinned at her, Makino shaking her head. 

 

Makino grabbed his hand and pulled him to the main street.

 

“By Dolores!”

 

“See you, sweetie!”

 

Makino let go of his hand, Shanks not minding it, but heat slowly flowed into his face. Makino gestured in front of him, seeing a modest building that said Partys Bar. It was nondescript, but it was the only establishment around, Shanks only saw houses around the village. She entered it, and Shanks did too, seeing he would do nothing just standing there. 

 

He entered and looked around, seeing only about ten tables and a bar with bottles of alcohol on the wall. Makino set down the basket on the bar and went behind it. She started to pull out the bottles and put them under the counter. Shanks walked up to the bar and sat on one of the stools, waiting for Makino to be done. 

 

Shanks was startled out of his thoughts when a glass slid in front of him on the bar. He looked up and saw Makino smile. He picked it up, and looked at it, seeing it was water. Shanks didn't know how thirsty he was until the water was in front of him. He downed it, thankful for the liquid. His mouth was sandy and dry, so the water was a godsend. 

 

He set it down when he was done, sending a thankful look to Makino. Makino came around the bar and got next to him, but didn't sit on the stools but jumped up and sat on the bar itself. She was swinging her legs and looked at him. 

 

“Have you ever had a job in a bar?”

 

Shanks shook his head, “No, but I have served alcohol before.”

 

It was common on pirate ships, that cabin boys served the actual crew with alcohol. It helped that Shanks was eager to learn, him loving alcohol since he first tried it. His Father never did allow him to get dead drunk though, to Shanks’s annoyance.

 

“That's good enough.” 

 

Shanks was curious why she didn't question it, but he wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

“I only need you to help with ordering the food and helping me clean up. I would normally be fine with it myself, but there have been big merchant crews lately. Just need a second set of hands.”

 

Shanks nodded, the offer sounding fine. Not something he thought he would be doing, but it was okay. Shanks tilted his head, the question he wanted to ask since Makino offered him the job at his lips. 

 

“Why are you the only one managing this bar?”

 

Makino’s smile grew tighter, causing Shanks to panic.

 

“Nevermind, I don't need to know!”

 

Makino laughed at his reaction, but Shanks could tell it was more forced than before. She shrugged, only a slight grimace on her face.

 

“It’s fine. You are going to find out sooner or later. It was my mother’s, and when she died, my father and brother couldn’t keep the place up, so it’s mine by default. I love it, so I couldn’t allow it to be not used.”

 

“Sorry for bringing up bad memories.”

 

His mother just died, so he knows how bad it was when something reminded him of her death. His Mother was a strong woman and taught him so much, but even death took her. The sense of loss was horrible. 

 

“Don’t apologize, you didn’t know. Anyway, I took over the place a year ago, and it’s been going fine so far, but only recently have things been getting too hard to handle by myself. I was looking for some people to help out part-time, but everyone in the village already has a job or is too young or old to work a job. You came at just the right time.”

 

“Happy I could help.”

 

“You can start tomorrow after a good night's rest. Ah…”

 

Makino jumped off the counter and gestured for Shanks to follow her. Shanks groaned but got up, feeling the soreness sleeping in a boat gets him. From what Shanks remembered, he was on that boat for around a week, eating only fish and drinking rainwater. He wasn’t in the state of mind to navigate. It was lucky he beached to this island. He already found food and shelter. And good company.

 

Shanks followed the girl up some stairs, going to the second story Shanks noticed earlier. Makino pulled out a key once they got to the door at the top of the stairs, unlocking the door. She pulled it open, and Shanks followed her. When he got through, he looked around. Shanks noticed four doors, a living area with a table, a large sofa, and a small kitchen with a large fridge. The main room was about fifteen by fifteen feet, with cream-white walls. The decorations were meager but placed in strategic areas that showed someone was living there and appreciated a good atmosphere. It had a warm feeling, and Shanks felt relaxed in the room. 

 

“That’s the bathroom.”

 

Makino opened the nearest door, allowing Shanks to look into it. It was a standard bathroom with a shower above a bathtub. The curtain was white and looked clean. The mirror was tiny but clearly allowed the user to see their own face. He spotted two toothbrushes, but one was on the other side of the sink as the other. Shanks looked up when Makino moved.

 

“That’s my room.”

 

She pointed at the next door, something Shanks told himself to never open. 

 

“That is my father’s room, but he doesn’t come home often.”

 

Shanks nodded in understanding, another room he wouldn’t enter.

 

“And that would be your room. It was my brother’s, but he doesn’t come home at all. Maybe, and only if something serious is going on.”

 

The way Makino phrased that made it seem like there was something else going on, but Shanks didn’t ask. He felt like he was already on thin ice. Makino looked back at him, looking him up and down. Shanks tilted his head, curious why she was looking at him like that.

 

“I have a good basis to think that is all you have for clothes.”

 

Shanks blushed slightly and nodded, embarrassed. 

 

He was wearing his blue and white striped shirt and trouser shorts. He has been wearing the same outfit for days now. 

 

He sniffed his shirt, nose scrunching at the smell. 

 

He hasn’t bathed in a good while, either. 

 

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

 

Makino opened the room that Shanks would be using, Shanks hanging back, looking at the room at the doorway. Makino headed to the closet, a small thing on the wall. 

 

The room had a bed near a window and a bedside table. It was empty of all personal things, clean and empty. Makino grabbed something from the top shelf of the closet, Shanks coming into the room to help her with it. She smiled at him, and they both moved the decent-sized box to the bed. Makino opened it, and Shanks saw clothes of all sizes.

 

“These are my brother’s clothes he left behind when he left. There are some from when he was your size, so we can find something that would fit you.”

 

Shanks looked at her, seeing she was serious.

 

“Makino, you don’t need to do this.”

 

Makino already gave him a job, a place to sleep, and access to food. She didn't need to clothe him as well. Shanks was raised with the mentality of if someone helps you, you help them back. He was also raised with the mentality that if someone screws you over, you fuck them over. It was the same concept. 

 

“I want to, and you need clothes anyway. My brother won’t use this, so just take it.”

 

Makino exited the room and smiled over her shoulder. Shanks looked at her with confusion.

 

“Clean yourself up. Take a shower and get situated, when you’re done, come down, and I can show you the ropes. See ya, Shanks.”

 

Makino closed the door, Shanks hearing her footsteps go through the main area and down the stairs. Shanks looked at the door for a second, then looked back to the box in the room. 

 

This was a weird day.

Notes:

Well, I don't think you guys thought it would be this fast for them to meet.

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 3: eyes

Summary:

Makino is more observant than she seems.

 

Shanks scrubbed his hair, feeling all the grime leave his skin.

 

The warm water was a godsend, and it felt so great. Warm water was a luxury on a ship, so Shanks only had a few warm showers in his life. The Oro Jackson was a great ship, but only a few people could use warm water and not get yelled at. By the time Shanks washed up on the Oro, all the hot water was gone, so he was used to having cold showers.

 

Shanks only scrubbed himself down, not wanting to use Makino’s stuff he saw in the shower. From what he saw when he went shopping with his mother, shampoo and conditioner for women were expensive, and Shanks already felt too indebted to the teenage girl. 

 

He grabbed a towel after shutting the shower off and dried himself. He put on his newly acquired clothes, a black shirt, and some shorts. Shanks breathed heavily, some of his body relaxing because of finally felt clean again. He felt like a human. 

 

Shanks ran his hands through his hair, making it look at least a little presentable under his hat. Shanks dropped off his dirty clothes on the table in the room he was staying in, not sure where to put his dirty clothes. Shanks started to walk out of the room but stopped. He looked back to see Gryphon leaning up against the bed. He had an all-consuming feeling to grab it and put it on his back, but he shook it off. It would be better for him to leave it here where it would be safe. It felt wrong, to be without a sword. In the Grandline, if you didn't have a weapon to defend yourself, you get injured at best and dead at worst. That was not true for people who used their fists, but that wasn’t common. 

 

But this was the East Blue, not the Grandline. 

 

Shanks walked down the stairs, closing the door behind him. He walked into the bar area, seeing Makino behind the bar. 

 

He sat in front of her, while she cleaned some glasses. He saw some people in the room, eating and drinking, but it was clear there were only a few people. It was only four, so rush hour would probably be soon. 

 

“I forget to mention earlier, but I didn’t tell you how much I will be paying you.”

 

Shanks nodded, he wanted to ask, but he didn’t find a good time. Honestly, even if she paid him barely anything, she was basically hosting him. Shanks would probably be sleeping out on the beach if she didn’t offer this to him.

 

“You did say that you wanted to pay for a boat, so how about this? You get the tips you waited for and a thousand berries for every hour you work. Does that sound good?”

 

Shanks thought about then nodded, “Yeah, that sounds good.”

 

That money was nothing compared to the money he got on his father’s ship, but it was a living wage, and he only needed to save up for some supplies and a boat. It should be enough if he works for a couple of weeks.

 

Shanks could steal what he needed, but he didn't want to. He also shared his father's philosophy of not stealing from innocent people. 

 

Makino smiled, “Then I should probably show you around the bar.”

Shanks collapsed into his bed, tired.  

 

Makino showed him everything he had to do and taught him how to do it. He never thought being a worker for a bar would be so exhausting. Shanks was on his feet all day and worked in the back after the dinner rush. He was serving drinks and food while Makino cooked and poured drinks. Shanks didn’t know how much the girl worked before he came because there was still more work to do that he didn’t get to. It was to the point where Shanks would look at her in disbelief. She was working well into the night with a smile, seemingly full of energy. Shanks might have been that way if he wasn’t already tired.

 

Even after closing, which was midnight, Shanks helped out with the dishes. Makino and he cleaned up the place, making it look like the food on the floors and bar was never there. Makino said she wasn’t expecting him to help today, but he only thought it should be expected of him when he already got the job. Shanks was already there. 

 

The food Makino made him was the best food he had ever eaten. Her fried rice was delicious. Shanks might have worked there only to eat the fried rice, not even wanting the money. 

 

Shanks curled up on his side, looking through the window. He saw the moon shining into his room. With everything calming down, Shanks was too busy working to think, everything in the past weeks came to him. His mother’s death, his father's death, his execution. The loss of the two people who always loved him. The overwhelming fear of being alone in a world that would love to kill him.

 

He curled into a tighter ball. Tears flowed from his eyes, Shanks trying to silence his sniffling. His throat felt small, trying to swallow through the stone in his throat. 

 

He fell asleep crying, missing his parents that no longer were beside him. 

He woke up with birds chirping.

 

Shanks groaned and stuffed his face into his pillow. He was rested but also tired, eyes trying to shut again. Shanks sat up, balance shot. He stumbled to his feet, rubbing his eyes. He got to the bathroom and threw water on his face, trying to wake himself up. He looked up to see black eyes and red hair framing a young face. He had bags under his eyes and was pale as a ghost. Shanks looked like he did an all-nighter without coffee.

 

Shanks heard noise from below and thought he might as well get down.

 

“Good morning!”

 

Shanks squinted at the girl, who looked just as cheery as yesterday. Shanks respected her. 

 

“Good morning, Makino.”

 

The bar was empty, but Makino looked ready to work. 

 

“Ready for today?”

 

Shanks put his head into his hands, not regretting his action but definitely should have thought about what he was about to get into.

 

“Yeah.”

Shanks got into a routine at the bar. 

 

He woke up and washed up. Shanks went to the bar and helped out Makino. Sometimes helping her transport more alcohol from High Town. She makes strips when she runs out of alcohol, so Shanks helps her during that time. He eats lunch and cleans up whatever he missed from the last night. Then he explores the island during his downtime, his adventurous side making him explore. Shanks discovered the forest on the mountain was more treacherous than most. Wild animals the size of Grandline animals made their home there, and Shanks was in disbelief. 

 

He hunted some and brought it to Makino to cook. She always needed more meat to cook. It certainly tasted good, so Shanks made time to catch some for her. 

 

Then to the end of the afternoon, Shanks worked the bar along with Makino. He got the orders from the customers and drinks, bringing them their food. Shanks also worked the bar when Makino cooked, mixing drinks for the thirsty crews. It was mainly only fishermen and villagers, but sometimes merchants came through, and Makino bartered for some of their wares. Shanks took the backseat, knowing Makino got it. 

 

Over the time he lived in her area, he got to know her. He knew she was fifteen like him, but she was actually a month older than him. Her favorite food is a pasta dish that sounded very complicated. She loves animals and would always stop their journey if a dog passed them. Her family situation was complicated, and Shanks could say the same. Shanks hasn’t seen her father yet, so he was curious about what he did for a living. He was probably a merchant that lived a long time away from home. 

 

Makino obviously started to know about him. She knew that he was a cabin boy on a ship, and when they disbanded, he went his own way. She didn’t know it was a pirate ship, but she didn't ask. She knew he was an orphan, he mentioned that when she asked if his parents missed him. Shanks… said that, but Makino could probably tell there was more to it. Makino only said her sympathies and moved on with the day. Shanks was thankful she didn’t push. 

 

Makino knew he loved kimchi fried rice with lobster, so she made it for him one day, and if that didn’t almost make him swear loyalty to her, nothing else would. It was so good.     

 

He had been working there for a good few weeks, and the routine helped him. The knowledge of what he was doing with his day helped with some of the uncertainty about his future. He knew he wouldn’t stay in this little East Blue village forever, but Shanks enjoyed his time here. The villagers started to get to know him, yelling their greetings for the boy, and the boy waved back. 

 

Shanks never understood why people would choose to spend their lives in one place, but he started to understand after staying in Windmill village for a time. He was raised on a pirate ship that regularly made trips to the New World. There was always something to do. Shanks always thought being in one place would be boring, but found that false. Shanks worked hard and always found something to find. He still preferred living on the high seas, but land living was okay.

 

Shanks laughed at this past self for wondering why his mother lived on the island. She probably enjoyed not moving every single day. Also because her presence on the Oro would be questioned by the marines.

 

Shanks was whipping down a table, making sure it was clean. Makino was taking stock of the liquor, writing down stuff on a notepad. They were silent, the two teenagers who were actually both sixteen because both of their birthdays happened during the short time Shanks was working there. Makino baked him a cake on the day, Shanks still in disbelief at her generosity. Shanks himself gave Makino a gift for her birthday, a bandana he saw in High Town when he was by himself one time. It was a yellow checkered bandana, soft and high quality. Shanks thought it would suit her. 

 

Shanks missed his parents that day, hugging Gryphon until he fell asleep. 

 

The door burst open, and Shanks snapped his head up. They didn't open for another seven hours, and most villagers normally knock. Shanks scowled at the people who burst in. They were dirty, swords at their waists. It was about eight people, all locking around the room with a glint in their eyes. 

 

Shanks subtly grabbed the knife he kept on his person. Father beat the idea in his head to never be unarmed. Shanks wouldn’t do anything until they struck first.

 

“Hello customers, we don’t open until three. So please exit the premises.”

 

Makino was smiling innocently, but Shanks has known her for weeks now, so he noticed the tightening of her face at their entrance. Shanks moved his body to get closer to her, never showing his back to the people. 

 

The leader, Shanks thinks so because of the shiny gold necklace, spoke in a nasally and aggravating voice. 

 

“Hey little missy, where’s the owner of the place? We want to speak with him.”

 

The man smiled darkly, and the rest of the posse started chuckling, clinking their swords. Shanks was now by the bar, a few feet away from Makino but close enough to protect her. Makino was his first friend since Buggy, and he would not let any harm happen to her. 

 

Makino still had a smile, seemingly not intimidated by the intrusion. Shanks had to respect her. Not many would have a straight face in these kinds of situations. 

 

“You’re looking at her. How may I help you?”

 

The leader grinned wider, dark joy in his eyes. The other seven people laughed loudly, making Shanks scowl harder. 

 

He gripped the knife harder. 

 

Makino twitched a bit, but only Shanks noticed. He raised an eyebrow, but Makino subtly shook her head. 

 

Okay then.

 

Shanks focused his attention on the bandits, because they probably were, who were coming closer. The leader leaned onto the bar, posturing and causing Shanks to tense up. He was too close to Makino. 

 

“Well, that was easy. We need you to give us everything you have in this crap shack, right boys?”

 

The leader looked back, and the bandits cheered, now unsheathing their blades. Shanks could see one licking his blade, only causing exasperation in Shanks. He saw someone cut off their tongue doing that. It was one thing Shanks abhorred. It was so stupid. 

 

“Then you have to pay for it.”

 

The leader paused, and the other bandits stopped laughing, to only jeer at Makino. Shanks side-eyed her, Makino only smiling. What was she doing?

 

“Are dumb, you skank? If so, let’s talk slower. You. Are. Going. To. Give. Us. Everything.”

 

The leader was leaning in closer, practically spitting in Makino’s face. Shanks would have struck right then and there for talking to Makino like that, but she looked at him, and Shanks froze. She had steel in her eyes, and Shanks knew she had something up her sleeve. 

 

The lead bandit was grinning a few inches away from Makino's face. Makino whipped her face off with the back of her hand, still smiling. She then her arm fast enough for Shanks to barely see her move. A thunk was heard across the room, and Shanks went to look, like the other bandits who were startled. A knife was embedded a few inches into the wall, blood staining the blade. Shanks looked to the origin of the throw, slightly surprised. The lead bandit touched his face, Shanks seeing a good three-inch long wound that looked deep for a face wound. 

 

Makino was holding out her arm in a throwing position. She put her arm back at her side, but no one would forget this five-foot-five girl throwing a dagger with such force it could kill a man. She was smiling, tilting her head, the personification of a good employee. 

 

The bandits grew angry, Shanks sensing things were about to get messy. The lead bandit grabbed his sword with fury on his face. He unsheathed it and held it above his head.

 

“You whore!”

 

He struck down, but Shanks decided it was his time to shine. He wouldn’t be a man if he didn’t step in, even though Makino showed she was capable. When the man struck down, Shanks blocked the attack with an arm to his sword arm, stopping the movement. When Shanks did that, he used his hidden knife and slashed at the bandit’s arm. It was a good one-inch deep gash, causing the bandits to cry out in pain and let go of his sword. Amateur. His father told him to never let go of his weapon. 

 

Shanks snatched the sword out of the air, letting it fall to his left hand. He switched weapons, sword in his right and knife to his left. He was never a dual wielder, but he was good enough. Shanks ducked, sensing one of the bandits take a swipe at him while he stayed still. He struck out with the sword at the leader’s Achilles tendon, slashing them, causing him to fall. Shanks kicked him in the face while he straightened up, knocking him out. 

 

Shanks could hear the crunch.

 

A bandit came to his right, Shanks blocking their sword with his knife. The weight behind the strike was left wanting, Shanks barely even feeling it despite the sweat appearing on the bandit. Shanks leaned forward, sliding his knife on their blade, getting into their face. He dropped the knife, and when the resistance was gone, the bandit stumbled forward, allowing Shanks to hit the bandit's forehead with the pommel of the sword. The bandit hit the ground like a sack of rice.

 

Shanks really wants rice right now.

 

Shanks felt the bandits move closer to him, finally reacting in the few seconds that passed since their leader was knocked out. 

 

“You little bastard!”

 

Shanks turned to the main bandit force, who came rushing at him, and Shank ran forward. He smiled, blood splattering on his face. It was a long time since he was in a fight. He hoped he wasn’t rusty. 

Shanks took out five easily enough, him only slightly annoyed at expecting a good fight. The last one looked at the scene and tried to run when Makino came flying. She kicked him in the face, causing the bandit to crash into the wall. The bandit was out cold. Makino fluffed her skirt, making Shanks blink at her. He wasn't expecting her to do that. At least Shanks knew now that she could handle herself in a fight. Not like Shanks was expecting her to in the first place. 

 

She went to the wall and took the knife she initially threw back into her skirt. Guess he wasn't the only one to have a hidden knife. 

 

Makino turned back to him, hopping over the bodies, who groaned. Shanks made sure to not kill anyone, just to incapacitate. He didn’t want to kill anyone in Makino’s bar.

 

Shanks picked up the knife he dropped earlier, setting down the acquired sword on a stool. It was covered in blood and flesh, grimacing at the thought of cleaning it up.  

 

Shanks put his hands on his hips, looking at the bar. Bodies and blood were on the floor, and multiple tables were flipped over. Some stools were broken, and Shanks saw some blood on the walls. He looked to Makino, who was also looking at the scene.

 

“Where should we put these guys?”

 

“I know a place.”

 

Makino had a small smirk, making his spine shiver. Yep, he knew it now. Makino was not one to cross. 

Shanks threw the bandits down a cliff. He grunted, kicking the bodies to roll down a cliff. It was on a gradual cliff but went on for a long time. It was a couple of hours away from the village and in the forest. The bandits would survive, but it would be almost impossible to come back the way they came. Makino was in the back, offering to help, but Shanks said he could take care of it himself. It was his job to help her, not the other way around. 

 

With the last bandit rolled, Shanks clapped his hands, job finished. Makino came to his side, looking over. She nodded, appeased by the job. Shanks grinned, a bit proud at her acknowledgment. 

 

“Opening starts soon.” 

 

Shanks nodded, agreeing with her. They still needed to clean and prepare, but they had time. 

 

They started to walk away, not looking back. Makino was whistling softly, and Shanks was enjoying the tune.

 

“You were a good fighter today, Shanks. Thank you.”

 

Shanks scratched the back of his head, straw hat moving in the wind. 

 

“No problem.”

 

Makino laughed.

 

“I guess it was a good call hiring a pirate cabin boy.”

 

Shanks tensed and looked at Makino with shock. 

 

Makino had a hand over her mouth, embarrassed. She looked away from Shanks’s eyes. 

 

Shanks’s mind was screaming, wondering how she knew. He knew that the marines killed even the cabin boy, and if they found him, they would kill him in front of a huge audience. He was one of the cabin boys of Gold Roger, not even considering the fact that they knew Shanks was his flesh and blood son. Shanks would never be able to enter a city without threats to his life. He didn’t care all that much, but he would rather gain notoriety by sailing himself and not just because of his past in the Roger Pirates. 

 

“How… How’d you know?”

 

Shanks focused on Makino.

 

“It was obvious, but maybe just to me. The way you walked and how you looked at people, measuring their fighting strength. When you looked sad at stories of the Pirate King.”   

 

Shanks flinched at that, not realizing he looked like that. He heard multiple times about how everyone was glad his father was killed. It hurt that other people looked at his father one-dimensionally and only because of the propaganda. Shanks wanted to correct them, but that was one way for the marines to be called on him. Back to the present.

 

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell. You’re my friend, Shanks.”

 

 Shanks looked at Makino, who seemed honest. She held no malicious intentions, but Shanks… couldn’t really hold any hope. Even if she wouldn’t tell, but marines were called anyway, she would be killed alongside him. Shanks didn’t want that. Makino had her entire life in front of her, and Shanks didn’t want to be the reason that was destroyed. This only made him grow more determined.

 

He needed to leave soon because this couldn’t go on only longer.

Notes:

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 4: Non-consensual meet the family

Summary:

Garp is crazy

 

Shanks told himself that, but days turned to weeks, and weeks turned into months.

 

Shanks couldn’t bring himself to leave. He already had enough money for everything he needed to set sail, but something was holding him back. 

 

It wasn’t fear, but something in his core that didn’t want to leave the sleepy village. Maybe it was the understanding villagers. Maybe, it was the food. Maybe, it was the way he didn’t fear for his head every day. Shanks wasn’t afraid of being discovered, but during his time here, he wanted to protect the place. They treated him so well, and Shanks would feel bad leaving them without anything to show his thanks.   

 

Shanks was eating fired rice on an odd day off for lunch. The bar was closed, and Makino was behind the counter. Shanks shoveled the last of the fried rice into his mouth, desperate very everything on the plate. No matter how many times Shanks ate Makino’s cooking, it was always the best thing he had ever eaten. He set the plate down, letting his fork hit the plate.

 

“Makino, I don’t know what you put in that, but I would sell my soul for some.”

 

“You flatter me.”

 

Shanks deadpanned at Makino, who was smiling gently at Shanks. Shanks put both of his hands on the bar, leaning over it.

 

“No, you don’t understand. I would reach the end of the Grandline just to eat more of this.”

 

Maybe that would hold more weight for someone other than Shanks, considering he knows where the end of the Grandline is, but Shanks was very serious. Her cooking was just that delicious. 

 

Makino grabbed his plate and left to the kitchen, not answering Shanks, but he saw the slight smirk. Shanks narrowed his eyes. He knew Makino was jerking his chain, but he couldn’t call her out on it. He noticed she had some trickster in her but rarely showed its colors.  

 

“Do you want some desert?!”

 

“Yeah, that cake you made a day ago with whip cream!”

 

“Got it!”

 

Shanks set his face down on the bar, straw hat bunched on the wooden bar. Shanks would have originally said no thanks to the offer, but Makino told him it was no bother, and Shanks finally started to take her up on it a week ago. He didn’t know why he declined after he tasted her deserts the first time. Everything Makino makes tastes like it could be in a famous restaurant on Saboady. She could make bank . But she only manned a tiny bar in the East Blue. 

 

A clink and Shanks looked to his right, seeing a plate with a single slice of cake. There was filling that tasted like strawberries, and Shanks loved it. Shanks sat up and dug in, humming in delight once he ate his first bite. The cake was moist, and the frosting was buttercream, simple but delicious. Shanks loved sweets, and good-made sweets were his weakness.

 

His mother loved sweets as well.

 

Shanks stopped for a second but continued to eat. His good mood dipped, but he made sure it wouldn’t show on his face. Makino's expression said he wasn’t as subtle as he would have liked. Shanks looked at the rest of his cake, a good few bites left. His appetite went out the window, but he didn’t want to waste it. 

 

A thump outside took his attention away from his cake. Shanks looked at the shutters the second before a large man burst into the room.

 

“Makino!!! You’re Dad’s here!!”

 

Shanks choked on his spit, cake lodged in his throat. He coughed for a second, eyes locked onto the man at the entrance of the bar. 

 

Garp the Fucking Fist, his father's Marine rival.

 

He knew he heard about the Goa kingdom before.

 

Shanks wants to bash his head in. How could he forget that Garp’s home island was the Goa kingdom? 

 

Then what Garp said appeared in his head. His mind stopped and slowly looked at Makino, who was only looking embarrassed by Garp’s arrival. Shanks opened and closed his mouth, looking like a fish out of water. 

 

He pointed his spoon between the both of them with shaking hands. He squeaked out, high-pitched, and slightly panicked.

 

“He’s you’re Dad?”

 

Makino nodded, and Shanks felt cold water pour onto his soul. Shanks mechanically ate the rest of his plate, and orderly put the plate and the utensil on the bar. He made sure everything was in order and tried to sprint past the marine. 

 

Keyword tried.

 

When Shanks tried to run past Garp, Shanks felt a hand on the back of his neck, holding him back. He inched his face up and met the grinning one of Garp. It was a bit bloodthirsty. 

 

Shanks has never been this scared for his life, ever.

 

Garp raised his hand, and Shanks's feet left the ground. He withered in Garp’s hold, but his grip was strong. Guess that’s where Makino got it from. Garp moved Shanks to the front, allowing them to talk face to face even though Garp was over nine feet tall. Shanks stopped moving, allowing his body to hang. He would only be able to get away from Garp if Garp let him go. 

 

“I didn’t expect to see you in my daughter's bar, red brat.”

 

Shanks shrugged, grimacing at Garp’s question. Garp narrowed his eyes at him, Shanks shifting his face away from the marine. He was so fucked. 

 

“She had a job opening….?”

 

“Why are you saying that like a question?”

 

“Because I don’t want to die?”

 

Garp looked him up and down, eyes dark and serious, something that made shivers go down his spine. Garp wasn’t a serious guy, so when Garp is serious, someone’s getting punched. Shanks hoped it wasn’t him because he had seen the marine punch. That would hurt.  

 

Garp dropped him, and Shanks landed on his feet, stumbling slightly. Garp turned to Makino, who was watching with curious eyes, not stopping her, god Shanks hates to say it, her father. She seemed unconcerned about the entire deal. Shanks feels slightly betrayed. Garp may have his attention off of him, but Shanks knew it would be child's play for Garp to capture Shanks. Shanks shifted away from the man all the same.

 

“Makino, does he work here?”

 

“Yeah, as been for months.”

 

Garp looked back to him, Shanks tensing at the attention he didn’t need. Garp looked around the bar with a calculating eye and then turned back to Shanks. 

 

“The place is still here, so I can’t really say anything. But what I can say is how did you end up here, red brat?”

 

Shanks scowled, “My name is Shanks, use it!”   

 

A hit to the head made his head spin. Shanks's eyes crossed from the pain, and he groaned. He rubbed his head, feeling a bump already forming. He glanced up only to see Garp grinning wildly, hand over his fist.

 

“Don’t talk back to me, brat, I asked you a question, and I expect you to answer it.”

 

Shanks mumbled under his breath, but one raised eyebrow from Garp made him shut up. Shanks glanced at Makino, who gestured for him to talk, eyeing her father. Shanks answered, but his voice was more strained than usual.

 

“I drifted here. I didn’t even know this was the Goa Kingdom until Makino told me when she found me sleeping in my boat.”

 

Garp scratched his beard, humming. Shanks kept his silence, hoping for a way to run for it. Because the minute Garp tells his superiors he’s here, it would be only time for other marines to show up and try to kill him. He felt bad for the villagers who would have their life disrupted because of him.  

 

“Where is the blue brat? You two were thick as thieves, and I doubt he would be far.”

 

Shanks’s face fell at the thought of Buggy. His refusal hurt Shanks, even though Shanks tells himself it wasn’t personal. Buggy always did want to be on his own, so maybe Shanks was stupid for thinking Buggy would want to be on the same crew. 

 

“We split up at Loguetown. I don’t know where he is.”  

 

“Hm.”

 

Garp stomped past him, his footsteps sounding heavy. Garp sat at the bar, the stool creaking at the weight. Shanks blinked, looking at him from the entrance of the bar.

 

“Makino, can you make my meat.”

 

“Only if you allow Shanks to stay.”

 

Shanks gapped, but Garp gasped in betrayal. 

 

“You would choose that ruffian over me?!?”

 

“He’s my friend.”

 

Garp groaned, conflicted. Garp thumped his fists down on the wood, barely, but enough to create a loud bang. He sighed.

 

“Fine. Fine. He can stay. He’s not a pirate yet, so I don’t have to do anything. If anything I would be yelled at for arresting a civilian.”

 

Shanks felt like he could melt from the relief. He knew Garp was a man of his word, so if he said he wouldn’t catch Shanks, he wouldn’t. Shanks fell heavily onto a chair, leaning back and melting to the ground. His heart was still beating fast, and the adrenaline was leaving his system. 

 

Shanks was curious about the civilian part, but he wouldn’t question it. 

 

Makino smiled, and Shanks wished he had that happiness within him right now. She went to the kitchen, leaving Shanks alone with Garp. Garp looked back at Shanks, and he froze, his fight or flight response frozen. 

 

“Sit next to me, brat, I ain’t going to bite.”

 

Shanks blinked but started to slink forward, eyes Garp because he may say he didn’t bite, but Shanks has seen him bite in a fight before. Shanks sat a few stools to Garp’s left, not close to the marine. Garp huffed but looked forward.

 

“Why are you still here? I know Makino pays her employees well, so why are you still in here?”

 

Garp glanced at Shanks, who only shrugged.

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Garp didn’t look that happy with that answer, but he didn’t ask for more of an explanation. Shanks heard frying in the kitchen and the clinks of a spatula, so Makino must be making Garp food. It started to smell good too. 

 

“I was expecting to see your wanted poster a month ago, so count me surprised to see you in my home village working with my daughter.”

 

Shanks shrugged again, not looking at Garp. Shanks didn’t know how to feel about this entire thing, so he only waited to see what Garp would say. He heard a sigh, Shanks looking out the side of his eyes, seeing Garp look down at the counter. He looked old, with gray hair at the side of his face, and black hair yet to go gray. He had more wrinkles than when Shanks was a kid when he first saw Garp.

 

He was four, his father allowing him to sail with him. Garp came barreling in, asking for a fight. Roger agreed, but when Garp saw Shanks, he stopped, more confused than not wanting to fight Roger. Garp still had a full head of black hair, only a few gray strands. Shanks has known Garp his entire life, and Shanks knew how Roger viewed the man. He viewed him as a friend, crazily enough. Shanks didn’t really understand the relationship, but his father never once hated Garp. He was a good man, unlike most of the marines. 

 

“When Roger was being held, he asked for me.”

 

Shanks widened his eyes and stared at Garp. He was growing, eyes holding an unnamed emotion. Garp met his gaze, unflinching. 

 

“He wanted me to promise to not go after you until you had a bounty over five hundred million. I told him I would try, but if I was ordered to, I would capture you. Do you know what he said?”

 

Shanks shook his head slowly, heart beating at what Garp was saying. Garp scoffed but quirked his lips. 

 

“He said he expected nothing less. That pirate must have really cared for you, brat.”

 

Shanks had unshed tears in his eyes and bowed his head. He put his hands over his face so Garp couldn’t see him cry. His father was still trying to protect him, in any way he could. He put his palms into his eye socket, trying to stop himself from crying more. His chest hurt, and the whole felt empty, more than usual. 

 

“What did you do, Dad?”

 

Makino’s voice came from a few feet away, sounding concerned. 

 

“Just told him what his captain said. Nothing much.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Shanks waved off Makino, still making sure he wasn’t showing his face. He croaked out, throat uncooperative.

 

“Yeah.”

 

Shanks put his head in his arms, on the bar, wanting to disappear into the ground. He took in a shaky breath, trying to get himself back under control. Garp brought up memories he wanted to get over, but it only caused them to reopen the old wounds. 

 

Shanks stood up, turning his back to Makino and Garp, walking to the second-floor set of stairs.

 

“I’ll be in my room.”

 

Shanks ran off, not wanting to see their faces. He just wanted to be by himself right now. 

Notes:

Do you know how hard it is for me to not had in any other POVs? I am not used to writing character-centric, so this fic has been a struggle. If you guys want, I can add in other POVs after this fic is done, but that would be a maybe and only if you guys want them.

Also, if you guys are wondering why Roger didn't tell Garp Shanks is his son, it was because Garp wouldn't be that sympathetic. Roger in canon asked Garp to take care of Ace because he knew Garp wouldn't let an innocent be killed, especially a baby. But Shanks is a teenager who makes it clear he wants to be a pirate and already is old enough to be "executed". Garp wouldn't do anything, maybe only looking the other way, but that was all Garp would do.

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 5: Trauma bonding with your friends is fun

Summary:

;)

Shanks carefully stepped over the drunk bodies in the bar.

 

Once the villagers heard Garp was back, they partied for hours. Shanks worked the floor but made sure to stay as far away from Garp as he could.

 

He left the bar, feeling the cool night air welcome him. It was slightly chilly, still the beginning of spring. Summer is not here yet. 

 

There was a breeze, making his red hair flutter under his hat. Shanks looked up, seeing the moon shine bright enough to barely make out the environment. The stars were bright. 

 

Shanks walked out of the village, hands in his pockets. He kicked rocks, hearing them create noises when they fell off the cliffs. The sound of the sea and waves on the shore soothed him. He heard animal noises in the forest, Shanks feeling the life all around him. Shanks knew haki, but negligible amounts. He wasn’t a master, only a beginner. All he could feel was when an attack was aimed at him. And that was all he needed these days.  

 

He walked over tree roots, swatting branches and leaves out of his face. He went further into the forest, but soon he came to a clearing with a cliff. It showed the open sea, and Shanks took a moment to enjoy the sight. The sea glittered with moonlight, and stars shared the sky. Shanks walked to the edge of the cliff and sat on it, allowing his feet to swing. He took a deep breath, allowing the calming atmosphere to wash over him. 

 

He put his hands into his lap, head bowed. 

 

Garp’s appearance made everything Shanks was pushing down come to the surface. He remembered his mother’s death and his father's execution. The way his life was ripped apart. Shanks noticed he didn’t have sea legs anymore, having spent too long on land to have them. He hates it. Shanks had nothing , and he was barely holding it together. 

 

Shanks was whipping his nose when he heard ruffling behind him. He looked back, only to see Makino with a lantern. She walked up to him, making Shanks remove his gaze from the girl. He looked out to the sea, feeling Maknio sit next to him, silent. 

 

Shanks wasn’t sure if he wanted her to speak or not. 

 

“He was your father, wasn’t he? Gold Roger?” 

 

Shanks looked at Makino, too emotionally drained out to react more. He should be panicking because someone discovered him, but he was too tired to care. Shanks nodded, pulling his head into his knees. 

 

“How’d you know?”

 

Shanks mumbled that from his legs. Shanks tilted his head so he could see her from one of his eyes. Makino smiled sadly.

 

“You talked about your captain like you would take about your father. And from my Dad’s words earlier… It didn't take me long to connect the dots.” 

 

Shanks stayed silent. Makino laughed softly, making Shanks look at her.

 

“It’s funny. The daughter of the Marine Hero and the son of the Pirate King are friends. Who would have thought?”

 

Shanks chuckled wetly at that, finding it a little funny. So many people would freak out. Well, they would first freak out because he existed. Shanks went silent, lips tightened. He didn’t really want to talk about it, but then a thought came to his head.

 

“Hey, Makino…”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Who’s your brother? I would have heard about Garp having a son.”

 

Makino grinned, tucking a hair strand behind her ear. She looked out to the sea, smiling.

 

“Of course, you wouldn’t have heard about it because the World Government doesn’t like him and doesn’t want their precious hero associated with him. Dad doesn’t really talk about him either. His name is Dragon.”

 

Shanks looked at Makino, whose eyes sparkled with joy. Shanks groaned, his mind exploding for the second time today. He has heard of Dragon, a guy who tends to incite revolutions in World Government controlled countries. His father talked about Dragon, saying he was an interesting guy. Shanks didn’t have any strong feelings about the man, but now he realized he was sleeping in his room and wearing his clothes. The world was smaller than he thought. 

 

“Dragon… He is a good brother, even though I haven’t seen him in years. He’s double my age, but I remember him tucking me in at night since Dad was away. I know he wouldn’t do the stuff he does without good reason, so I will wait until he explains himself. Dad treats him like the black sheep of the family, barely mentioning him without good reason.”

 

Makino smiled sadly out at the sea, eyes searching the sea as if they could find Dragon.

 

“I miss him.”

 

Shanks uncurled his legs, tilting his body to Makino. Shanks wanted to help the young girl. He hesitated, but ultimately decided to open his arms.

 

“Do you… want a hug?”

 

Makino looked surprised but then nodded rapidly. She scooted towards him, and Shanks hugged her. Shanks felt her breath on his shoulder, feeling her hug him tight to the point where he was sure she would break his ribs. That Monkey strength was not to be underestimated. 

 

Shanks looked at the sea, feeling her hair on his neck. Makino shifted, and Shanks let go, but Makino moved to lean on his shoulder. Shanks looked down at her head covered in a bandana and decided not to mention it. 

 

“Dad wanted Dragon to be a marine, same with me. Something about carrying on the tradition. His father, my grandfather, was a marine, only a captain, but Dad held pride in it. Dragon disagreed. I remember them arguing while I was supposed to be asleep. Dragon left a week later. Dad doesn't try that hard with me, him knowing I want to work at the Partys Bar. I think he is just glad he doesn’t have to try and arrest both of his kids.”

 

Shanks allowed her to speak her mind, feeling that she had this bottled in for years. She went silent, making Shanks think of a response. 

 

“My fa…father, a god, I can barely say it. My father didn’t care what I did. But I knew what I wanted to do since I was a kid. I grew up on a pirate ship, so freedom always called me. I love the sea, and the way a crew was essentially a big family. I loved it. But… I always had to look over my shoulder. My dad and mom always told me to hide my last name, because my father had enemies. I could only visit my mother a few times a year because if anyone found out that my mother was married to Dad, she would be killed.”

 

Shanks took in a deep breath, finally speaking his mind.

 

“My mother loved my father, despite his reputation and the danger. She was strong, one of the strongest people I knew, but…”

 

“But?”

 

Shanks looked up at the night sky, pure black, and making the stars shine even brighter.

 

“But… even sickness takes the strongest people. Cancer is a bitch, especially when your husband is wanted across the globe. The best hospitals wouldn’t be able to take her, because Dad wouldn’t be able to stay away if she was sick. It was terminal anyway, but it hurt that no one would be able to help my mom. It didn’t help my father was sick too.”

 

Makino flinched, Shanks, noticing because she was still leaning on him. Makino was staring wide-eyed at him, making Shanks shake his head. Of course, she would react like that. The Pirate King was sick, it would certainly be surprising.

 

“He was dying, for years. A fatal disease he caught about seven years ago. We could find no one able could treat him, but we did find someone that was able to slow it. It hurt watching my father hurt, collapse at the slightest movement. It was pure luck that no one found out about it, but it didn’t stop the effects. He rushed to find the end of the Grandline because he knew he had a deadline. And when he did, he disbanded the Roger pirates. I, my mother, and my father stayed together on an island in the South Blue for a year until my mother passed away. My father… he knew his time was coming and decided he didn’t want to die on a bed.”

 

Shanks chuckled, eyes filled with tears.

 

“He always did love to rile people up. He wanted to go out with a bang. Anything else would be boring.”  

 

Makino didn’t say anything, only giving her quiet support. Shanks heaved a breath, replacing all the air he used without taking a breath. He just needed to say after all this time keeping it in. 

 

“My mom died in an accident when I was a kid. A freak one, something that couldn’t be blamed on anyone. Dad took it badly, diving into his work while Dragon started his Army. My mom was the previous owner of the bar, so when she died, it was empty. I was a kid who only wanted to have someone home.”

 

Shanks clenched his fist, emotions in disarray. 

 

“Heh, you’re not alone anymore, right?”

 

Makino met his gaze and grinned brightly. She leaned more heavily onto Shanks, who took it with grace.

 

“Yeah, I have a friend who is only a little chaotic.”

 

Shanks fake gasped, “Only a little?!! My reputation!”

 

Makino's laughter put a smile on Shanks’s face like the previous subject didn’t even happen. But it did by the way he felt closer to Makino, and that feeling something changed between them. Shanks didn’t complain because his instincts were telling him that was good.

 

“Hey, Shanks.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

Makino held out her pinky, making Shanks look at her like she was crazy. She pouted and slapped his arm, cheeks puffed up. She looked like a chipmunk, to Shanks’s glee. She held up her pinky to Shanks’s face, who only grinned, being the little shit his father always told him he was. 

 

“Promise me you won’t die.”

 

Shanks's face blanked, mind becoming a mess. He frowned, eyes meeting Makino’s serious ones. 

 

“We both lost enough people. Promise me you won’t be one of them.”

 

Shanks looked at her pinky, indecision in his chest. He knew that he would become a pirate, and it was dangerous to do so. Every day could be his last, so to promise he would never die was a serious one. He saw Makino’s eyes, slightly desperate, and couldn’t bring himself to deny her. He brought up his pinky and hooked it onto hers. They shook on it.

 

“I can’t say I won’t die, but I will try my best.”

 

“Great, and I expect you to abide by that promise.”

 

“I mean, yeah, but really, a pinky promise? What are we, ten?”

 

“Shut up, Shanks!”

 

Shanks leaned away from Makino, who started to punch his side. He shot up, trying to run from the girl. She chased him around the clearing, lantern lighting the cliffside. He was laughing the entire time, Makino soon joining him. She chased him for a good while. 

 

Shanks hadn’t had that much fun in months.

 

They went back to the bar, laughing and pushing each other playfully. Shanks told stories of his crew while Makino told him about all the weird shenanigans that happened in the bar.

 

Something changed that night, and Shanks wouldn’t change it for a thing.  

“Now, where did you two go last night?”

 

Garp’s looming presence made Shanks break out in cold sweat. He laughed nervously, edging away from the protective father in the bar. 

 

Shanks came down for breakfast, only to meet the Vice Admiral crossing his arms and staring at him. It was fucking terrifying. 

 

He was cracking his knuckles, and that was Shanks’ cue to fucking book it. He ran out of the bar, Garp hot on his heels like a demon from hell.  

 

“What did you do?!!”

 

“Nothing, you crazy old man!”

 

“Don’t call me old!”

 

“Gahh!!”

 

Shanks could hear Makino’s laughter in the distance.

 

He had never felt so betrayed in his life.

Notes:

We're getting somewhere guys!

Writing Shanks being deathly afraid of Garp is hilarious and I will not stop anytime soon.

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 6: Shanks realizes something

Summary:

Shanks has revelations

 

Garp left a few days later, making Shanks breathe a sigh of relief. 

 

He had to tiptoe around the apartment, fearing the wrath of the marine. It was nerve-wracking to have the man hover over his shoulder and glare at him all day. Shanks may know that he wouldn’t give him to the marines, but that doesn’t mean Shanks was free of the punches Garp was famous for. He will probably have a headache for weeks from the punches Garp landed on him. 

 

Before Garp left, he pulled Shanks behind the bar and gave him a “strongly” worded threat, saying if Shanks did anything to his daughter, Shanks’s body wouldn’t be found. It involved sea kings, bait, cement, and horrifying amounts of balloons. Shanks didn’t know balloons could be horrifying, but Garp achieved it. 

 

Shanks gave his vigorous agreement, saying he wouldn’t do anything to Makino. 

 

Garp left with a satisfied grin.   

 

Shanks was hiding behind the bar, only inching out of his spot once he was sure Garp was gone. He peered over the counter, ensuring he was gone and not just fucking with him. 

 

“He’s gone.”

 

Shanks looked at Makino, who only set out a plate of fried rice.

 

Good mood restored. 

 

He got up and rushed to one of the stools, digging into the fried rice. He needed good food for dealing with Garp for days. He dragged Shanks out to the forest and dropped him off a cliff. Who the fuck does that? And when Shanks stumbled back to the village, Garp only did it again . Shanks still has bruises. 

 

“He likes you.”

 

Shanks looked at Makino like she had grown a second head. Garp did not like him, he dropped Shanks off a cliff. That was not the attitude of liking someone. Makino plainly understood Shanks’ disbelief, who only wiped a glass behind the bar.

 

“He thinks that risking your life while young makes you strong. Survival of the fittest and all that.”

 

“That bullshit.”

 

Makino nodded, in total agreement.  

 

Even Shanks, who grew up in some of the most dangerous places in the world, thought that was crazy. Risking your life while you were young didn’t make you stronger, only more cautious of why your life was at risk. 

 

At least.

 

“Moving on from that…”

 

Shanks looked up from his delicious fried rice, while Makino pulled out a broom.

 

“He left a mess, and I will not be the only one who will clean it up.” 

 

Shanks looked at the broom. Never had he thought of the day when he would clean up after Garp the Fist. He sighed.

 

“Give me a sec.”

 

Makino nodded and turned around, leaving Shanks’s view. Shanks looked down at his rice.

 

“What did I do to deserve this?”

Months passed, Shanks having lived in Windmill village for five months.

 

Shanks worked at the bar, hung out with Makino, and explored. 

 

The one big difference was that he became infamous in the area. Every time he left the village, he was called “Red” because of his hair and the blood he was covered with one time he took care of some bandits that decided he was an easy mark. He was avoided but was also the best mark to recruit into criminal gangs. Shanks said no politely than not so politely when they pushed his patience. 

 

They stopped after their recruiters had one less finger to their name.

 

That difference caused a shift in how Makino worked the bar, to her advantage. Shanks felt bad until she described what she wanted to do. Since they worked at a bar, Makino had to deal with unruly patrons and take action if they were too disruptive. Now Makino would play the good cop, trying to calm down the patron. If that didn’t work, Shanks would be the bad cop, the one to throw the disrupter out onto the street, not that gently. With Shanks’s reputation around the area, his presence was a warning in itself. Shanks would still work as a helper to Makino, but now he was something like a guard. 

 

Makino said he was a bouncer, and Shanks couldn’t fault that impression. 

 

Makino needed no protection, Shanks knew, but not many others knew that. The village had an idea, because of who her father was, but they didn’t see it. Makino looked like a standard village girl, so most men would think she was a pushover. Shanks could see how that would play out, remembering a time he saw Makino uproot a tree and throw it at a tiger. Shanks thought he was seeing things at first, but the tree on the ground was evidence enough. 

 

Makino could break the men in half if she wanted to, but she didn’t, leaving that as Shanks's job. 

 

He didn’t mind, something that confused him. He would usually be up in arms about how he was just doing grunt work. But it didn’t annoy him like how it would when he was on the Oro. Something about this situation made Shanks not care about the work. He didn’t know why. 

 

Anyways, the villagers didn’t care about his reputation. The old grannies pinched his cheeks and laughed at his reactions, saying something along the lines of “eating too little.” The men wanted him to help out in the water, Shanks taking them up on the offer when the bar was low on fish and when the call of the sea got too much for him. The kids in the village wanted to play with him, which he did for a few hours every week. They climb him like a tree, Shanks unable to get away from the tiny monsters. The women of the village asked him to get the pelts of the animals he hunted, selling them for a pretty penny. 

 

The mayor grumbled about this and that, about his reputation and actions. He said something about another troublemaker who appeared, but even the old man welcomed him with open arms.  

 

Shanks felt included by the tiny village, slowly feeling not like an outsider anymore. Shanks didn’t know how to feel about that, but Windmill village was one of his homes now, and he would protect it like any other. 

 

When Shanks created his pirate crew, and when he got powerful enough, he would certainly offer this village his protection.  

 

He never understood old man Whitebeard's habit of claiming territories, but if the old man felt the same as Shanks did about Windmill, Shanks wouldn’t fault the man. He would want to do anything to protect this village. 

 

His father never had any territories. Something about the places he wanted to claim could handle themselves and that if he did attempt to claim them, he would be punched. Shanks didn’t know where those places were, but he regretted not asking about them earlier. He wanted to visit the places his father liked enough to claim. It was a big thing to do as a pirate because if you could claim territories, you were powerful. Whitebeard started the trend years ago, but only recently have other pirate groups started to do the same aside from their bases. Shanks thinks Big Mom was doing the territory thing somewhere in the New World with her family. 

 

Shanks shivered at the remembrance of that woman. She was so annoying and still wanted to kill Shanks for laughing at her outfit the last time he saw her. He thinks his picture is still on her killboard. Shanks was proud of that. 

 

Well, he wouldn’t see her for some time anyway because no Emperors would turn up in the East Blue of all places, especially not the home island of Garp the Fist. No one wanted to mess with him. 

 

Shanks let gravity take him and falls onto his bed. He stared up at the ceiling, thinking. He got up quickly and grabbed the box under his bed. He looked at it and then opened it, seeing the berries in stacks. It was over 1.2 million berries sitting there. It was enough to buy a row boat and supplies a few times over, but he was still here. That money wouldn’t be able to buy even the smallest caravel, but it was a good start for a pirate crew. 

 

He grabbed a stack, rolling over to his back. He held the money to his chest, laying it there. He looked at it, raising it above his face. His red hair got in his face, so he puffed out a breath to move it. He groaned, annoyance felling him. He threw the cash above him gently, catching it when he came down. He did that a few more times, mind a mess.

 

His only dream for the future was to create his pirate crew, but when he had the chance to start, he was doing nothing. He was sitting on his ass for no reason. 

 

Shanks put the money in the box, closed it, and put it back under his bed. He rolled into his covers, on his side. He closed his eyes. He wanted to sleep it off, full well knowing that would do nothing for his situation. He just didn’t want to deal with it. 

“Fuck off, brat!!”

 

Shanks held the drunk man by his shirt, holding him in the air, a few inches off the ground. Shanks grew in the past couple of months, gaining a height of 5’8’’. He was still growing, so he hoped to get even taller. In this world, it took years to stop growing. From what Rayelgih said about his father, Roger was only 5’6’’ when the two met. That was surprising, considering his father was well over nine feet tall when he died. So even if Shanks stopped growing soon, he would still be expected to get above six feet, maybe. Because his mother was only 6’1’’. Genetics did not lie. 

 

The man twisted in his grip, making Shanks raise an eyebrow. He then raised the man higher, tensing his arm muscles. 

 

“Hmph!”

 

He threw the man out of the bar, hitting the shutters on the way out. They weren’t harmed, but he could feel the annoyed gaze of Makino on his back. He went out of the bar, crossing his arms, looking at the man on the ground. He coughed, face to the ground. He groaned and glared at Shanks. Shanks uncrossed one of his arms, waving the man off, smirking slightly.

 

“Come on, Harold. You know what happens if you raise a fuse. Leave.”

 

He huffed and straightened his clothes after standing shakily, attempting to look pulled together even though Shanks saw how his eyes were glazed over from the alcohol. Harold was one of their regulars but was one of the regular troublemakers. Shanks had to drag him out of the bar more times than he could count. He would try to start fights with other patrons, causing Makino headaches. Shanks had no sympathy for the man because he should have learned from his mistakes already. And he could not fight against Shanks, he was too strong for the man who only fought for entertainment. 

 

Harold glared at Shanks for a moment, then huffed. He left, walking shakily because of the alcohol influence. 

 

Shanks scoffed and shook his head. He headed back into the bar, to the sound of cheers. Shanks scratched the back of his head at the reaction. 

 

“The hero comes back! That old hunter should stop when he was ahead!”

 

“Good going kid!”

 

“That was a good fight!”

 

“What fight?! It was one-sided!”

 

“Bah! Can’t you give me some more slack!”

 

“Fuck no!”

 

“You bastard!”

 

Shanks sat at the bar, ignoring the talk. Makino smiled, fixing up some drinks for the customers. Her smile got slightly dark, making Shanks feel cold sweat on his back.

 

“If you damaged my doors, you will be paying for the damages.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

A round of laughs came from that, making Shanks blush in embarrassment. He put an arm around his head, hiding his face from the others. 

 

That just caused another round of laughter. 

Shanks carried a barrel filled empty of beer out back after the bar closed. 

 

It was about 2 am, so the moon was out, slightly blocked by clouds. He set the barrel down with a thump, Shanks straightening out, back sore. The barrel would be repurposed soon, the village not willing to let go of any good lumber. 

 

A rusty squeak came from the door, Shanks looked to see Makino holding a lantern. She smiled sheepishly.

 

“Can you help me with something?”

 

Shanks nodded. Makino dragged out a large container, about five by five feet. Shanks heard sloshing, eyeing it with confusion. He has never seen that container before. Makino saw his face and explained.

 

“I could normally do this myself, but it was heavier this week. I could still carry it, but I don’t want to spill it.”

 

Shanks stretched his shoulders.

 

“What side do you want to carry?”

Shanks and Makino set down the container in the forest. Shanks wiped the sweat from his head. The container wasn’t heavy between them, but the trek was the one that tired him. Makino unclasped the lid, taking off the cover. Shanks’s nose was blasted with the smell of decomposition, almost making him gag. He covered his nose with his shirt, seeing Makino do the same with a handkerchief. 

 

“Sorry, I should have warned you.”

 

Shanks waved her off, looking inside the container. It was filled with animal guts and meat they couldn’t use before they expired. He also saw some congealed blood at the bottom, guessing that was the sound he heard before.  

 

Shanks looked at Makino, who understood his unasked question. 

 

“I let the animals eat what I couldn’t use. It was going to waste anyway, might as well put use to it. Normally I don’t have this much waste.”

 

Shanks nodded, understanding where she was coming from. There was an absence of big merchant crews this week, so the estimate Makino made before was useless. Shanks kicked the container, hearing the clang of metal. 

 

“Do you need this back?”

 

Makino shook her head, “I have another one back at the bar. I will come in a few days to pick this up after the animals have a chance to eat everything.”

 

Shanks nodded, having his curiosity sated. Makino checked over the container for a minute, then decided it was okay to leave. They walked the trail back to the village. The crickets sounded, and Shanks heard the growling of animals following them. But they knew not to mess with them unless they wanted to be on the menu tomorrow.  

 

Makino made an odd motion, walking in a different direction than normal. Shanks followed her, knowing she wouldn’t get lost. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t curious. He followed her until he saw the same clearing he was in the day Garp first came to the village. The place he realized Makino was similar to him in some ways. 

 

Makino stopped at the cliff edge, staring out to the sea silently. Shanks came to her side, also starting out to the sea.

 

“It feels like only yesterday I found you in that boat.”

 

Shanks shrugged, smiling slightly when Makino looked at him. 

 

“Time sure goes fast, doesn’t it?”

 

Makino laughed, making Shanks’s chest glow at the sound.

 

“Yeah, it does. But I have never had time fly this much before. So thank you, Shanks, for making these five months so much fun.”

 

Shanks’s heart skipped a beat while he looked at Makino’s black eyes that held only kindness. She turned around, glancing over her shoulder, eyes alight.

 

“Let’s go back, Shanks.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Shanks met the pace of Makino, who was humming. Shanks was continuously glancing at Makino, feeling something in his chest when he looked at her. Makino’s green hair framed her face. The soft tanned skin on her face, that only amplified her innocent atmosphere. Her gentle expression with gentle eyes, and a smile that made people love her. 

 

The way she only smiled with appreciation when she smiled at Shanks, made the warmth in his chest ignite. 

 

Shanks blinked at that thought, his heart stuttering.

 

Oh.

 

Oh.

 

Oh shit.

 

Did he like Makino? Shanks wanted to bash his head in from that thought, wanting it to go away. Makino was a friend, so where did these feelings come from? The only crush he has ever had was on Toki, and that was only a slight one that only lasted a few months. It was a childish one, one a kid gets when they were still young. She was one of the few women he grew up near, the other one his mother. He never had a childhood crush and had no relationships with girls his age other than Makino. 

 

So to find out he may potentially have a crush on Makino was unthinkable. And terrifying. He didn’t want to hurt their friendship with his newfound feelings. 

 

Shanks took a shaky breath, watching Makino walk further ahead of him. He ran to her side before she noticed his state of mind. She was too observant not to. He put his hands in his pocket, to stop the jitters he just got. 

 

Even if he did have feelings for her, he wouldn’t push it. Makino was his friend, and Shanks did not want that fact to change. So Shanks would forget his feelings, pushing them down to not affect them. Shanks didn’t need to have a romantic relationship with Makino, no matter what his subconscious feelings said. 

 

Shanks looked up to see Makino smile to herself, eyes calm and happy. 

 

Shit, this was going to be harder than he thought it would be, by the way his chest warmed. Shanks didn’t know how beautiful Makino was to him until this exact moment, but now with that thought coming into his head, it wouldn’t leave. 

 

Makino was a cute girl, and Shanks shook his head. 

 

No, don’t think about that. Think about all the work you had to do later, not Makino’s looks.

 

“Shanks?”

 

Makino was looking at him with concern, causing a stutter to appear in his step. 

 

All Shanks could think about was how difficult this was going to be for the foreseeable future. 

 

Notes:

Shanks does not like feelings at the moment.

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 7: Shanks decides

Summary:

Shanks makes an effort

 

When Shanks realized he had feelings for Makino, he knew he couldn’t change if demeanor not to tip off the girl in question. 

 

It was hard.

 

Shanks wanted to avoid the girl, fully realizing they lived in the same space, so he always saw her no matter the day. From morning to night, they always saw each other. He worked in her bar, and his free time was basically only a few hours a day because he would be bored otherwise. He spent twenty hours of his day in the Partys Bar, with Makino. 

 

Shanks was in trouble. He wanted to keep his friendship with her as it was now, but he also wanted to go further. But he knew he couldn’t do that, he wanted to go out to sea, so it wouldn’t last anyway if she did say yes to his advances. Shanks thought it might be better to just forget about it.

 

But he couldn’t push the idea out of his head. 

 

Whenever he saw her, the thoughts just came running back.

 

It was to a point where Shanks was tempted to take a dip in the sea to just clear his head. 

 

Shanks kicked a rock, seeing it tumble down the path. He was by one of the many cliffs around the village, overseeing Windmill Village. The wind attempted to take his hat, but the straw hat stayed on his head. He smelled the fragrance of baking bread and meat from the village. Also, the smell of freshly cut grass. Shanks could see the men in the fields cutting grain. 

 

He plopped down on the grass, arms on his knees. He sat on the edge, looking over the village he called home these past couple of months. He never thought he would call this place home when he drifted here, but it happened. 

 

Shanks figured out why he couldn’t leave this place, something he tried to figure out for months. It was because of his feelings for Makino. Shanks must have subconsciously rebelled at the thought of leaving her side, so that was why he hadn’t left yet. It might also be combined with the feeling of peace he hadn’t felt before, except when he was with his parents on the South Blue Island. But that didn’t really count when Shanks knew his parent's time was almost up. He couldn’t relax in that situation. 

 

But here, he could. He was only Shanks, Red, the teenage boy who worked at the village bar. 

 

He wasn't the cabin boy of the Roger Pirates, someone to be feared. 

 

He wasn’t the son of the Pirate King.

 

Shanks liked the anonymity, but he knew it wouldn’t last. Everything good must come to an end sometime, but Shanks doesn’t want this time to end. 

 

“What are you thinking about so hard about, Deary?”

 

Shanks looked back to see Dolores, one of the old grannies of the village. She was holding a pack that looked heavy. She was wearing a yellow sundress, and her face crinkled kindly. She was about sixty and clearly struggling by the way she moved. Shanks got up to help her, but she waved him off. She sat by him, grumbling about her knees or something. Shanks wanted to tell her not to, but the look she gave him made him believe that would be a bad idea. Shanks looked at the ground, grabbing a rock to throw down the cliff.

 

“Not much.”

 

Dolores chuckled.

 

“I don’t think so. I have seen a lot in my years, and I see a boy with love on his mind.”

 

Shanks flinched and gawked at the old woman. She smirked at Shanks.

 

“It is obvious, Shanks. It’s Makino, right?”

 

Shanks would have shaken his head, but then he deflated. He couldn’t really deny it. He slumped his shoulders, defeat on his face.

 

“Was I really that obvious?”

 

Dolores patted his shoulder.

 

“It is to someone who knows what to look for. And the way you look at the girly is enough evidence.”

 

Shanks deflated even more. Dolores hummed, making Shanks glance at her.

 

“Why don’t you court her already?”

 

Shanks's face turned red, waving his hands. No way would he court Makino, that signified something more substantial than a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship. It was an old tradition on these seas, but it was generally smiled upon when used. His father courted his mother for years until they married. Shanks knew it was something he couldn’t do. It took time, something he was sure he didn’t have time for. Makino deserved to be courted, so Shanks couldn’t be the one. She deserved a partner that could be by her side through thick and thin, someone that didn’t have a guillotine over their head. Shanks didn’t want her to be hurt by his choices.   

 

“I can’t do that. She deserves someone better than me.”

 

He said that with confidence, knowing what he said was true. Dolores hummed disapprovingly. She raised an eyebrow at him, showing how unimpressed she was by his deflection. She shifted to face him more, making Shanks meet her gaze even though he wanted to look away. 

 

“I know you have a past, everyone does. But that doesn’t mean you can make Makino’s choice for her. If you don’t try, you will regret it for the rest of your life. You’re a smart boy, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t an idiot.”

 

Dolores poked him in the forehead, hard. Shanks rubbed the spot, slightly put off. Shanks thought about what she said, but he doesn’t totally agree. Makino probably doesn’t even have feelings for him. She has said they were friends multiple times. She probably didn’t want a relationship with him, never mind being courted. 

 

Dolores stood up, struggling. 

 

Shanks stood up and helped her. She patted his arm with thanks. 

 

“Thanks, boyo. Now don’t forget what I said, Makino is a big girl, she can make her own decisions. Try, for both of you.”

 

With that, Dolores walked away to the village. Shanks looked back at the village. He mulled over the old lady’s advice, still not sure. He got a thought, what would his father say to him if Shanks came to him?

 

“You only live once! Take the chance!”

 

Shanks chuckled at the thought. His father never did think of the consequences of his actions. Shanks clenched his fist, a smile on his face. It was true, he only did live once. He was still afraid of ruining their friendship, but if he succeeded, he would be the happiest man ever. Shanks shook his head, he couldn’t think ahead of himself. 

 

He needed a plan. Courting someone took effort, and he needed to prepare. He wanted it to be as perfect as possible. Good thing he knew how to carve wood. 

There were many courtship traditions in the world, too many to count. He has heard of many such traditions, weird and dangerous in equal measure. On one island in the Grandline, one such tradition was to bring their partner to battle to show their bravery or some shit. Shanks thought it was stupid, but you do you. Some areas still had the dowry system, something Shanks didn’t want to do. 

 

There was also a weird one where you had to put an apple under your armpit for an hour to put your sweat on it and then give it to your partner. That one was a definite no. It was gross, and that would not impress Makino.

 

The one he was doing was what his father did with his mother. It was a love spoon. A promiscuous name, he knows, but it was something Shanks loved the idea of. It was something one of the two had to make themselves, with their own hand. It was a spoon that was carved with intricate hearts on the spoon. It was supposed to symbolize the love between the two people.

 

Shanks spent hours looking at the one his father made his mother. It was not the greatest quality, but a person could see the effort and care put into the spoon. That was what Shanks was going for. It was the premise of if they wanted, they would. Instead of an extravagant show, he would rather show he would put effort into the relationship. So he had to do his best.

 

Shanks hatched his plan.  

 

Using all his free time out of the bar, he prepared. He went into the forest, finding the best trees and looking at samples of wood from the trees. When he saw the perfect tree, which was a peach tree, he cut out a segment of the tree to use for the spoon. He let the wood dry out enough to start carving. Then Shanks realized he needed tools and not just his knife. He asked around to get the tools from one of the village's carpenters. When he did this, he realized how many people were looking at him with smiles. Dolores was chuckling with her friends, looking at him with laughter. Shanks ignored them, even though he didn’t like how much they knew. 

 

Shanks found a suitable clearing in the woods where he would not be found and got to it. He drew lines for the general size, making it larger than a standard spoon, but not bigger than a salad spoon. It was for decoration, not utility. He started to cut off the access he didn’t need, making the wood plank sample smaller. Once he cut enough to feel comfortable, he started carving.

 

It took a week to finish, using all his free time and sacrificing some of the time he used for sleep. He looked at the spoon, waiting for the wood stain to dry. He got it from the same guy who allowed Shanks to borrow his tools. Now all he had to do was wait. 

 

Which was nerve-wracking in itself. 

 

Makino knew he was being odd, asking what he was doing these past few days. Shanks always managed to change the conversation, but he knew Makino was curious. With the time inching closer, Shanks was getting more nervous. His heart beat uncomfortably in his chest, mind questioning if he should still go forward with this. Second thoughts appeared in his head, but Shanks shook them out of his head. He already made the spoon, he had to go through with it. 

 

Shanks touched the spoon, knowing it should be dry by now. He stained it yesterday, so it should be fine. He picked it up, looking it over. He already smoothed it out with sandpaper, smooth wood under his fingertips. Shanks observed the single piece of wood that took his blood, sweat, and tears. Maybe not the last one, but that was the phrase. 

 

It had interloping heart shapes, something that Shanks did with difficulty. It was about seven inches long, and two inches wide at the head of the spoon. Shanks carved into the spoon design, vines, and fruit on the spoon. He made it look as nice as he could, and this was the best he could do. 

 

He held it carefully. He would cry if he broke it now. 

 

Shanks put it in his bag, hiding it. No need for more attention on him. But he wanted a second opinion. Shanks felt another pang in his chest. If his mother was still alive, he would ask her if he was doing this correctly. He wanted advice on how to talk to Makino, but he couldn’t. His father would have probably patted him on the back and laughed, happy to see his son take the initiative. His father was an idiot, even though he was the person Shanks looked up to the most. 

 

Shanks made his way into the village, stopping at a door. He hesitated, then knocked loudly. Dolores opened the door, visibly surprised at his appearance.

 

“Shanks! Come in, come in.”

 

She ushered him into her little cottage and then closed the door. She invited him to the table, gesturing for him to sit down. Shanks sat down, bag on his lap. He was bouncing his leg, nervousness causing him to move.

 

“Is that thing you prepared for Makino ready? You have been working on it for a week.”

 

Shanks nodded, taking out the spoon. Dolores hummed, picking it up, and judging it. She sat it back down and looked at Shanks.

 

“Isn’t this a Love Spoon? I heard it was a tradition in the Grandline.”

 

Shanks nodded, hands showing his nervousness. 

 

“Yeah, I wanted to do this one because my father did this for my mother.”

 

Dolores smiled, “That’s sweet. I am glad you chose a way to bring more meaning to this.”

 

She gave the spoon back to Shanks, who put it back into the bag. Shanks looked at Dolores. He bit the inside of his mouth but spoke.

 

“Do… Do you think she will like it?”

 

Dolores patted him on the back, a grandmotherly atmosphere coming from her. It made Shanks feel comforted.

 

“I think she will love it. Don’t wuss out now, Shanks.”

 

Shanks nodded jerkily and moved to leave the cottage.

 

“Oh! Pick some flowers. It adds to the presentation!”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Shanks exited the house. At least the cottage was on the edge of the village, so it was easy for Shanks to leave without many glances. 

 

He had walked the forest, looking for flowers. He had almost everything now, just how to do this. Shanks didn’t want to just ask her, he wanted it to be something special. 

 

Shanks stopped suddenly, seeing flowers ahead. He walked over tree roots and dodged branches. He came to the small spot by a big tree, looking down at a small patch of flowers he never expected to see again, especially not here. 

 

There were hibiscus flowers, his mother’s favorites. 

 

He kneeled next to them, his pants getting damp from the morning dew. He touched the flowers gently, wanting to feel if they were real. They were. Shanks bit his lip, looking at the flowers.

 

It felt like too much of a coincidence. 

 

It was like someone wanted him to see these flowers now and not later. He couldn’t help but feel his mother was watching him from somewhere, telling him she was happy with his choices. That thought made Shanks happy, to know his mother approved of the girl he learned to care for, and wanted to spend his life with. Shanks knew he only had known Makino for five months, but he had never felt this way, and this strongly. Makino made him feel human again after everything. Shanks wouldn’t know what to do if Makino wasn’t by his side. He didn’t know if this was a normal feeling to have, but he had it. 

 

Shanks picked the pink and red flowers, having picked a good amount of them to create a bundle. He smiled at them.

 

It was as close as it could be to his parent's blessing, but he would take it. He knew his parents would love Makino, especially his mother. If she was still alive, he knew Mother would be sharing recipes and stories with Makino, smiling and laughing at the experience. He missed her. 

 

Shanks looked in the distance, seeing the sun almost in the middle of the sky. He needed to get back to the bar; his shift should start soon. 

 

Shanks started sprinting to the spot he picked out in his head. He dropped off the spoon and flowers at the clearing and then ran back to the village. He didn’t want to be late today.

 

One thing occurred to him while he ran back to the village. He didn’t know how it didn’t occur to him before, but now that he did, cold sweat appeared on his back.

Oh shit, Garp was going to kill him.

Notes:

All those courtship traditions are true by the way. My internet history looks so weird now.

Also, if you guys are confused about the courtship thing. it is basically a more serious boyfriend and girlfriend situation. Courting a person says you are serious about the relationship and it was not just a fling. It's not a marriage proposal, just a very serious dating situation. I hope I explained that well.

The confession is the next chapter~! ;)

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 8: The confession

Summary:

What it says on the tin

 

Shanks was pacing the cliff clearing. It was the place he decided was the best.

 

It was the place Shanks and Makino talked about their parents, Shanks finally telling Makino everything. It was the place they went to talk, laugh, and relax. It was one of his favorite places on Dawn, and Shanks didn’t know any other site that held this amount of significance. The bar didn’t count, he wanted to just be with Makino and no one else. 

 

The moon and stars were only witnesses, but that was all Shanks needed. He got here right after he was done at the bar, leaving a small note for Makino where he knew she would look. His heart jack ribbited, nervousness lighting up his body, making him unable to stay still. 

 

The chilly wind ruffled his clothes, making Shanks look out to the sea. It was still the summer, but he could feel the night's chill. It was a clear night, storm clouds out of sight. He could smell the ozone, though, knowing a storm would appear in a few hours. He wanted to be in a shelter by that time, so he only hoped the storm could wait a few more hours. 

 

He heard footsteps near him, snapping his head to the sounds. That could only be one person.

 

“Shanks? Why did you leave this at the bar?”

 

Makino’s lantern lit up the clearing, her showing the note he left for her. It only said to find him at the clearing at the cliff. Shanks breathed out, swallowing his spit passed the stone in his throat. He had his hands behind him, holding the spoon and flowers. Makino came closer to him, curiosity on her face and something else Shanks couldn’t figure out. 

 

He gulped, now or never. 

 

“Hey… Makino. Ah… have you ever thought of being in a relationship?”

 

Makino looked at him weirdly but answered.

 

“Maybe. I only thought about it when I was a kid. I've never been in one, but I don’t have any strong feelings about it.”

 

Makino looked at him, Shanks nervously meeting her eyes.

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

Shanks’s hands shook nervously but held out the flowers and spoon to Makino. He met her widening eyes, heart pounding. 

 

“Because… I want one with you. I know this is sudden and unexpected. But I realized I want to be by your side. That going on in life without you would be too empty. I… know this is not something you signed up for, and it’s big. I don’t expect you to say yes, but I just wanted to tell you how I feel about you.”

 

Shanks went silent, breathing heaving in his chest. He was pretty sure he said that all in one breath, and Makino might not have even heard what he said because he spoke so fast. He felt like if he didn’t say it that fast, he would choke up and stutter his words. He would be so embarrassed if that happened. 

 

Shanks looked away from Makino, knowing that he would probably be rejected. He didn’t want to see how her eyes gazed at him with contempt. The silence went on, hands still out in front of him. 

 

Shanks felt the spoon and flowers leave his hands, Shanks looking at Makino finally. She was smiling, holding the flowers in her arms. Her hand was around the spoon, gazing at it. She held it like it was precious, and her smile grew wider. Shanks was captivated. Her eyes sparkled in the lantern light, and everything seemed more picturesque. 

 

Makino met his eyes, black eyes meeting his. Shanks swore he saw her eyes glisten more than usual, but he must be seeing things in the unsteady light. She walked forward, a foot away from Shanks. Shanks held his breath, heart pounding. 

 

“Shanks… this is…”

 

Makino beamed, and Shanks totally saw tears in her eyes now. Shanks would panic if he didn’t see they were happy tears. She wiped her tears, Shanks stepping forward. Shanks held out a hand, unsure if he should help her if he could. Makino smiled wobbly at him, using her now free hand. She positioned the flowers and spoon to her chest, almost hugging them.

 

“I am so happy.”

 

Makino hugged the flowers and spoon, grinning ear to ear. Shanks brought down his hands, a smile growing on his face. Makino didn’t reject him and actually seemed to want this. It was everything Shanks wanted for a reaction. 

 

Makino set the flowers and spoon gently on the ground and rushed Shanks. He didn’t move, feeling the girl hug him, face to his neck. He was taller than Makino, after all. Makino was sniffling, Shanks feeling some tears on his shoulder that he didn’t bring up.

 

“I wanted to ask you for weeks. If you didn’t do this, I would have done it myself.”

 

Shanks beamed, happy that he wasn’t the only one who felt this way, and that Makino wanted this. It made Shanks feel like he was flying. 

 

Makino looked up at him, eyes filled with happiness. She hugged him harder, Shanks not minding the attempted cracked ribs. 

 

“And Shanks, I say yes.”

 

Shanks laughed loudly, in slight disbelief. He hugged Makino back, a smile unable to leave his face. This was the happiest he had ever been. 

 

“I didn’t expect you to say yes. I thought you would punch me for even asking.”

 

Makino pouted, eyes still overjoyed.

 

“I would if it was anyone else. But since it was you, I said yes. You're nice, kind, respectful, fun, and care how I feel. How could I ask for anything else.”

 

Shanks blushed at the description, not expecting this. Makino laughed at his reaction, patting his cheek with glee.

 

“And it doesn’t hurt that you are cute too.”

 

Shanks sputtered, slightly insulted at the comment.

 

“Excuse me, I ain’t cute. I am handsome."

 

Makino laughed into his chest again, “Maybe when you are older, but you are still cute, Shanks. I won’t take arguments.”

 

Shanks opened his mouth, then closed it. He shrugged, Makino still in his arms. 

 

“I’ll just have to show you.”

 

“Mm-hm.”

 

Makino didn’t sound very convinced. Shanks felt like he should probably argue, but he stopped. This atmosphere was nice, and he didn’t want to change it. He hugged Makino slightly harder, just trying to believe this was happing. He was smiling goofily, unable to keep his emotions off his face. 

 

“Hey, Shanks.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I think you’re forgetting something.”

 

Makino looked up at him with expectation in her eyes. Shanks's mind blanked for a moment, then realized. 

 

Shanks took a shaking hand and cupped Makino’s face. She smiled and raised onto her tiptoes. Shanks leaned down and asked, “Are you sure? I know this could cause a lot of trouble for both of us.”

 

“If you have to ask me that, you don’t know me that well, Shanks.”

 

Shanks laughed softly, hands still shaking. He leaned in, and Makino did as well. They kissed under the moonlight and stars. Shanks deepened the kiss, Makino matching his actions. Shanks felt like he was melting, and his chest was full of warmth, giddy. 

 

Shanks took a deep breath once they stopped, smiling giddily. Makino pecked his lips, not meant to be another kiss, only to show her affection. Shanks rubbed her back, unable to stop the motions. He had to do something. Makino leaned heavily into Shanks, him practically holding her up.

 

Shanks put his chin on her head, looking into the forest. 

 

“I don’t know what the future will be, but I will try my hardest to stay by your side.”

 

Makino hummed, under Shanks's chin. She cuddled into his neck, Shanks not minding the ticklish sensations. 

 

“I know. And I promise to do the same.”

 

Shanks smiled slightly, something Makino couldn’t see. 

 

The night felt peaceful with only the two of them. 

Shanks and Makino moved to the cliff edge, sitting on the edge. It was reminiscent of the first time they came here. Makino leaned into his side, but this time Shanks had an arm around her shoulders, allowing her to move into his side. There was a slight chill, Shanks sharing his body heat with Makino. They could go back to the bar, but they didn’t want to leave just yet. It didn’t feel right. 

 

Shanks looked down at Makino, who was looking out to the sea. She was peaceful, and he still couldn’t believe this was happing. She was the best he could ask for, and she said yes for Shanks to start courting her. He never thought this would happen in all his years. He smiled up into the night sky, knowing his parents were cheering him on in the afterlife. 

 

His parent's loss was still there, but the wounds started to heal. They won’t close, but it will become manageable. Shanks will always feel his parents' deaths in his soul, but with Makino by his side, he thinks he can manage better. It was comforting to have someone at his side, knowing they would help him if he stumbled.  

 

“Now, what do we do?”

 

Shanks asked, feeling Makino shrug.

 

“What we were doing, work at the bar and go about our lives. Just together.”

 

Shanks held Makino to his side, arms tightening. He grinned.

 

“I can do that.” 

 

Another bout of silence until Makino spoke with a little bit of anxiousness.

 

“So… Who will tell Dad?”

 

Shanks grimaced, hardly masking his flinch. He laughed nervously, cold sweat appearing at the thought of Garp. Makino also seemed nervous, not for herself but for Shanks. He appreciated the concern because it was rightfully warranted. Garp seemed to treasure Makino, his only daughter. He had heard of stories when normal fathers reacted to their daughter's boyfriends. He didn’t know what Garp would do to him. Garp was the poster boy for extravagant actions. Shanks feared for his head. 

 

“I am just hoping it will be another year until I see him again. I haven’t even prepared anything to say to him, even if Garp gives me time to talk.”

 

Makino nodded but added on for Shanks.

 

“He normally comes around three times a year. If I had to guess, he would come around in a couple of months.”

 

Shanks groaned, existential dread filling him. He didn’t want to hear that. Meeting Garp once was enough for him. He didn’t know how his father regularly fought the guy for shits and giggles. Shanks once again thought his father had a screw loose. 

 

Shanks shook his head, ignoring his problems because he had no solution and didn’t want to imagine the outcome. 

 

“He won’t kill you.”

 

Shanks looked at Makino like she was crazy. Makino only smiled.

 

“He may not look like it, but he loves his family. If I say I want to be in a relationship with you, he can't stop me. He may threaten you, but if you don’t harm me, which I know you won’t, Dad won’t kill you.”

 

Shanks mulled that over, “He will still punch me.”

 

“That is just in his nature.”

 

“ Great ”

 

A pause in the conversation, and Shanks became accepting of his fate. 

 

“Hm, maybe I should tell my brother. He likes to know what is going on. I would rather tell him myself before he finds out from his sources.”

 

Shanks raised an eyebrow at Makino, who was thinking thoughtfully. 

 

“You talk with your brother?”

 

Dragon was a wanted person on par with his father. Makino having contact with him would be dangerous since Makino was essentially a civilian. And she never mentioned it, which Shanks didn’t fault her for. It was a dangerous thing to say.

 

Makino seemed sheepish and blushed. 

 

“When he left, he gave me a Den-Den with only his number. I think it was a rare one where it could only connect to one other Den-Den. We talk every month. Dad doesn’t know, I haven’t told him.”

 

Shanks thought it over, shrugging. It was Makino’s family, and he wouldn’t get in between them if Makino wanted to reach out.  

 

Makino stayed by his side but spoke again.

 

“I told him about you, not about your parents, but that you worked for me.”

 

Makino explained quickly when Shanks looked at her with concern. Makino slightly waved her hands in a panicked motion he only thought was cute. He wasn’t angry. It was obvious to tell your family if something out of the ordinary happened, and his appearance was certainly out of standard. 

 

“He only said that I should watch out for strangers, the normal stuff. I didn't mention anything else, but I know Dragon picked up on some things I wasn’t saying. He is smart that way. I wouldn’t be surprised if he shows up soon.”

 

Shanks heaved another sigh. Another Monkey to look out for, and probably another one that could kill him. Shanks made an oath to himself right then and there. He would get strong enough to not fear his girlfriend's family. 

 

He was afraid that was years off. They were some of the strongest people in the world, after all.

 

At least it was a goal. 

 

Makino suddenly chuckled full-blown laughter afterward. Shanks tilted his head in confusion, not knowing why she was laughing. Makino wiped tears from her eyes and hiccuped.

 

“We thought the world would freak out knowing we were friends. What about now?!”

 

Shanks chuckled at the thought. He understood where Makino was coming from. Gol D. Shanks and Monkey D. Makino. No one knew they existed except their family members, Shanks only having Rayleigh. If the world found out… Oh, that would be a sight to see. 

 

That reminded him, Rayleigh. He wanted to see him again, but Shanks was fine with waiting for a few years until the next meeting. 

 

“They would combust, minds exploding from information overload.”

 

Shanks's hands mimed an explosion, adding sound effects. Makino laughed at his description, nodding along. Makino smiled softly after her laughter.

 

“But I prefer just Shanks and Makino, not our surnames. Just two teenagers dating.”

 

Shanks smiled, something in his chest softening. 

 

“I’m okay with that.”

Notes:

I am not sure I did that confession well, but it is the best I could do. I just hope it's not that unrealistic.

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 9: Garp is enraged and Shanks fears for his life

Summary:

Spoilers but I give you no context:

Shanks:...
Garp:...
Shanks:...
Garp: You better run fast, you little shit

Shanks was happy. 

 

Every day was a bit brighter, and he never felt cold. His life didn’t change, but it certainly got more memorable. 

 

The entire village found out the day after, somehow. Shanks had a feeling Dolores was the source of information. She was gossip central for the village, and Shanks forgot that piece of information when he needed a second pair of eyes. He wondered if he made the wrong choice when feeling the amused stares of the villagers. 

 

They celebrated, to Shanks's and Makino's embarrassment. Shanks swore he could see some people exchanging money, but he had to be seeing things. He didn’t want to believe the village had a bet on if they got together or not. 

 

He wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Unfortunately. 

 

This village was peaceful and a great place to live, but that meant there was little to no entertainment. Everything was gossip, and who was looking at other’s wives. Shanks had heard things about other villagers even their significant others didn’t know. It made news spread fast, so when the two teenagers in the village got together, it was big news. They were treating it like they got married and not dating. 

 

It was wild. 

 

One of the villagers even threw rice at them, laughing when Shanks sputtered. Shanks got used to the villager's antics when he only shook it off.  

 

It was a month since then, and Shanks still worked at the bar. 

 

He was sweeping the floor, and Makino poked her head out of the kitchen.

 

“Hey, Shanks. Can I get your opinion on something?”

 

Shanks looked up, seeing Makino looking eager. Shanks put the broom in the corner, throwing a towel over his shoulder that he needed to put in the kitchen anyway. 

 

“Yeah, shoot.”

 

Shanks leaned on the entrance to the kitchen, looking over what Makino was doing. She had glass jugs and ingredients, Shanks now curious. Makino gestured to the stuff, looking at it herself. Shanks also spotted a bottle contraption by the stove. 

 

“I am making some mead, finally finding the time to make it. What flavor do you think I should make the first batch?”

 

Shanks hummed. He has had mead before. He was a cabin boy on a pirate ship, of course, he had alcohol. His father may have tried to stop him, but Shanks could be sneaky when he wants to. Mead was good alcohol, a bit too sweet for him, but it was still good. He had heard that it was the brewer's preference on how strong it got, but he didn’t know more than that.   

 

Shanks looked at Makino, who was waiting for his answer.

 

“How about apple? I think it would be a good starting point.” 

 

Makino thought it over, then agreed. 

 

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

 

Makino nodded to herself and started to get things ready. Shanks went to a counter in the kitchen, hopping up and sitting on the counter. He watched Makino work, knowing he had nothing better to do. He was only sweeping to stay nearby. Shanks had nothing else to do. He already hunted yesterday, filling the meat freezer. He also already ran all the errands. Shanks was bored and watching his girlfriend work was good enough for him. 

 

Shanks felt warm at the descriptor. 

 

Shanks put his elbow on his knee, hand to his cheek, leaning on it. 

 

“I never knew you wanted to make alcohol.”

 

Makino glanced at him, then went back to her work, but still answered his question. Shanks saw her redo her bandana, stuffing her hair through it. Shanks smiled, grinning. 

 

“It is cheaper to do it myself. I won’t sell any until I figure out the quality, but I only need practice.”

 

Makino went silent, and Shanks straightened up, realizing something was off. Makino’s expression seemed melancholy for some reason.

 

“My mother used to make her own liquor. I want to do what she did, at least to make use of some of her recipes.”

 

Shanks leaped off the counter, coming to her side. She stared at the counter, Shanks noticing she was looking at a well-loved book. 

 

Shanks went behind her, putting his chin on her forehead. It was surprisingly comforting having Makino like this, her height making it easy, Shanks was still getting taller, but that wasn’t the issue at the moment. 

 

“I miss her.”

 

Shanks put his arms around Makino’s shoulders, his hands meeting at her chest. He was attempting to comfort her.

 

“She was your mother, of course you miss her. I think it is good to try and reconnect with her any way you can.”

 

Makino looked up at him, a smile on her face. She looked down at the book, running a hand down the pages. 

 

“That goes both ways, Shanks.”

 

Shanks smiled sadly, remembering his own recently deceased mother. She died about seven months ago, but it still felt like yesterday. Shanks tried not to remember her death, only the things he knew of her. It helped, only slightly. Makino helped him when the grief was too much, a steady presence. 

 

“I know.”

 

“As long as you’re aware.”

 

“I ain’t that dumb, Makino.”

 

Makino laughed, and Shanks grinned. Mission accomplished, make Makino laugh.

Shanks flinched at the crash in the room. 

 

He creaked his head to the source. It was jerky because of the absolute fear he was feeling. His eyes met the enraged gaze of Garp. He almost seemed to be on fire, his fury radiating off Garp. Garp stepped forward menacingly, and Shanks felt his heart drop to his shoes. Shanks attempted to back up, feet stumbling away from the angry vice admiral. 

 

“I heard an interesting rumor. Care to explain, Shanks?”

 

Ooh noo, first name and not brat, kid, or little shit. Shanks doesn’t even know if Garp used his name before. He probably hadn’t. Shanks had never thought using his name would be threatening, but it was. 

 

Shanks chuckled nervously, mind a mess, trying to find a way to not die in the next minute. All the plans he thought up didn’t end well. 

 

“What rumor?”

 

Deflection at its finest. Garp glared into his soul, cracking his knuckles. It was fucking scary. Shanks has seen what those fists could do, and he did not want to be on the other side of Garp’s full-powered fist. He would only be blood splatter on the all if Garp went all out. 

 

He really didn’t want to ruin Makino’s walls. 

 

“I think you know. Now, why do you think you have the audacity to court my daughter?!”

 

Shit, Shanks was dead. Dead as a doornail. 

 

Roadkill on a road. 

 

Already in a coffin. 

 

No longer among the living. 

 

This would be his last day on this planet, and he missed Makino’s cooking already.   

 

Shanks didn’t take his eyes off Garp, who only was getting angrier. He raised his hands slowly, but he knew Garp wouldn’t take his surrender.  

 

“I like her?”

 

“Why is that a question!?!”

 

“Fuck!!”

 

Shanks knew he should have stayed in bed this morning. 

“Ow.”

 

Makino was helping Shanks bandage his head, Shanks already having an ice pack on the forming bumps on his head. Shanks calmed slightly at Makino’s gentle and confident hands. She wrapped his head with bandages she had in her emergency first aid pouch. She always had it in the kitchen if an emergency happened.   

 

“Sorry, stay still.”

 

Shanks would have nodded if it wouldn’t already heighten his headache. Shanks stayed as still as he could without flinching, but even Makino’s care didn’t help the pain. Shanks heard coughing, him glancing at the still pissed-off form of Garp. He raised an eyebrow, clearly not pleased. 

 

“Makino. Are you in a relationship with this ruffian?”

 

Shanks opened his mouth, but Makino was faster. She gazed at her father, calm and not intimidated by the man. Shanks wanted to know how she was so confident. 

 

“Yes, and his name is Shanks.”

 

Garp gapped at Makino, off-kilter at her confident answer. Shanks had a feeling he had stars in his eyes when he gazed at Makino, only rilling up Garp more. He pointed aggressively at Shanks, only getting more annoyed. 

 

“Do you know who’s ship he was on when he was a cabin boy?!”

 

Shanks looked down at the boards. Of course, he would bring that fact up. At least he didn’t know the whole truth.

 

“I do. Gold Roger’s, right? Shanks told me months ago.”

 

Garp rubbed his face, annoyed.

 

“Of course he did. That makes it even worse! You know who Roger was, and you still want this?!”

 

“Yes.”

 

Shanks's heart leaped, looking up at Makino, who only had determination in her eyes.

 

“Shanks is not Roger. He is his own person. Don’t lump him into a category just because of who he followed. And why would it matter to me if he did follow Roger? From your stories, Roger never really seemed like a bad person.” 

 

Shanks looked at Garp, conflicted. Makino never mentioned that before, but the steely look in her eyes showed the truth. Shanks thought it for the best. He was having a shift in reality just from knowing Garp told stories about his father. Garp was his father’s rival, but Shanks didn’t know that Garp also considered his father a friend. Maybe that was why Roger always greeted him with a smile. 

 

Garp met Shanks's eyes and groaned. He collapsed into a chair, leaning back with a hand over his eyes. 

 

“That is not the point, Makino. Roger was my enemy, but even I respected him. Most do not. With the brat here and with his connection to Roger, their enemies might come here. And if my superiors find out… I don’t know what they would do.”

 

Garp was conflicted, visibly torn. Shanks felt a bit bad for Garp, knowing he was probably not used to going against his training. He didn't know how Garp would feel right now. He was almost actively disobeying his oaths. 

 

For his daughter. 

 

Shanks felt a little respect for the marine at that moment. 

 

“Dad, I will not change my mind. I want to be with Shanks.”

 

Shanks almost beamed at that, but Garp’s eyes through his hands made him not outwardly react. He looked at Makino, then at Shanks. Shanks met his gaze. He did not back down because he felt if he did, Garp would do something they both would regret. 

 

“What do you say, brat?”

 

Shanks straightened up but had a hand on the ice pack. He met Garp’s gaze with determination. 

 

“I want to be with Makino. She… is one of the best things to happen to me. I don’t want that to change.”

 

Garp studied Shanks, eyes darkening. He narrowed his eyes, looking in between the two. He then pointed at Shanks, dark intent rolling off of him.

 

“I will only allow this if you promise to never harm my daughter, emotional or physical. I expect you to protect her with your life. Anything else will only meet my fist. So, brat, what do you say?”

 

Shanks grew determined. He smiled, a smile filled with the same dark intent.

 

“I planned to do that anyway. If I do, well, I knew what I was getting into when I asked to court Makino.”

 

Garp smiled, bloodthirsty. 

 

“Good answer. You live, for now.”

 

Shanks felt like he just dodged a haki bullet. 

 

Garp stood up, walking to the stairs upstairs. He waved back at them, glancing over his shoulders.

 

“I am tired. I am going to take a nap. And Shanks…”

 

His eyes were still dark. Shanks positioned himself to look back at Garp without aggravating his head.

 

“That better be a promise.”

 

Shanks didn’t even have to think about it.

 

“It is.”

 

“ Good.”

 

Garp walked up the stairs, leaving a silence in the bar. Shanks and Makino glanced at each other, each confirming what just happened. Shanks scoffed, probably in some form of shock for having his life flash before his eyes. 

 

“Did that just happen?”

 

“It did.”

 

They went silent, Shanks starting to smile. It looks like he will live another day.

 

“That… was surprising. I was expecting Dad to break at least ten bones.”

 

Shanks looked at Makino, who was totally serious.

 

“You could have warned me if you thought that.”

 

Makinos shrugged.

 

“Would you run?”

 

Shanks knew that answer. He wouldn’t. It was true that Makino was one of the best things that ever happened to him. He wouldn’t leave her just because of a furious father. Probably.  

 

“Got me there. But it still went better than I thought it would.”

 

Makino nodded at Shanks’s assessment. He didn’t expect Garp to let it go just like that. 

 

Shanks would take what he got. No need to risk his neck any more than he already was. 

 

Notes:

I really wanted this to be a slow burn, not sure if it was. My slow burn for fics is at least a hundred thousand words and I ain't doing that. I barely have enough time to do this. I do not have the time to create a fic that long. Maybe.

"looks at my total fic word count in statistics" Nope, not happening. At least not for this ship. I don't want to add any of the stuff in a normal slow burn, especially not miscommunication, I hate that shit. I also didn't want to add tragedy. This fic was supposed to be Shanks healing from his parents' deaths and finding the love of his life. I don't know if I accomplished that, but I tried.

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Chapter 10: The spit take of the century

Summary:

Makino has news for Shanks

 

“I’m pregnant.”

 

Shanks spit out his food, coughing. He looked at Makino, who was looking, not scared, nervous.

 

It was nine months since Shanks came to the Goa Kingdom and four months since he started to court Makino. It was going well with only a few times where they disagreed on something. Shanks tried to communicate more after that, not wanting that to happen again. It was for such a stupid reason too. It was about when Makino would go to High Town. It quickly escalated until Shanks realized he was being ridiculous.

 

It never happened again. 

 

There were two times Shanks specifically remembered in the four-month time frame. The time Dragon showed up, shocking everyone who knew him. He visited Makino, giving her some gifts from his travels, being a good big brother. Dragon then gave Shanks the shovel talk. Shanks never wants to hurt Makino, but the combined Monkey shovel talk made Shanks fear for his life. When Garp threatened him, he made it sound like Shanks would die a gruesome death. When Dragon threatened him, he was calmer, but the dangerous glint in his eyes made Shanks know he was deadly serious. Dragon made Shanks feel like his body would never be found.

 

The Monkey clan was hardcore. 

 

Shanks wondered how Makino was so normal, but when he thought hard about it, she wasn't normal either. She could only hide it better. Shanks questioned his sanity when he knew full well what he was getting into.

 

Dragon left soon after, not wanting the World Government to hear about his arrival. He disappeared with a gust of air. Shanks guessed it was a Devil Fruit. Shanks was not going to lie, but when the black-haired Monkey left, he breathed a sigh of relief.

 

He once again promised to get strong enough to not fear the Monkey family. They were all monsters. 

 

The other time was when a bandit family came to the bar. Shanks was on guard, but Makino greeted them with a smile, not the one she reserved for customers, but the one for friends. That made Shanks calm down and let go of his hidden knife. 

 

The lead bandit was named Dadan, and from what Shanks heard, she helped raise Makino when Garp wasn’t there. Which was a… questionable decision on Garp’s part. Makino didn’t visit them often, so they came down to see how she was doing. Well, Dadan didn’t say that. She waved her ax and threatened the two men who said that. But Shanks could see she was just embarrassed and lashed out with anger. 

 

They drank the bar dry, which was impressive because Makino likes to have storage. The Dadan family left the next day after threatening Shanks. Shanks was done at that point and just nodded his head at their demands. Don’t hurt Makino, check. If you do, sharks will get ya, check. Honestly, Shanks was relieved because, after the last two, he already knew the consequences. He didn’t need to hear it again.

 

But Dadan was serious so Shanks gave his word. That was enough for Dadan, so she left with the rest of her band. 

 

That was three months ago, and Shanks was staring at Makino with nothing going through his head. He was in shock, he knew it. 

 

Makino shifted, making Shanks snap out of it. Shanks smiled, a bit uncertain but then gaining more weight behind it.

 

“Really?!”

 

Makino looked surprised. She was confused and conflicted.

 

“You… You’re not mad?”

 

Shanks shook his head, surprise, and exhilaration in his chest. He didn’t know what he was feeling at the moment, but he could only feel happiness.

 

“No! No, I am not mad. Surprised, sure, but not mad. I did think of asking how you would feel about kids, but I always thought that would be in the future.”

 

Makino started to tear up.

 

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

 

Shanks shrugged, still trying to compute the new information. 

 

“We are both sixteen, and I didn’t want to seem like I wanted to move fast. We have an entire lifetime in front of us, why rush?”

 

That was when Makino hugged Shanks’s lungs out. She was sniffling, Shanks rubbing her back. His mind was still processing. He knew he would freak out later, but all he could feel was Makino’s hug and how she was crying. Everything could wait for later.

 

Shanks combed through Makino’s hair, knowing that helped her to relax. 

 

“How about closing the bar today?”

 

Shanks could feel the nod from Makino from his chest, tears wetting his skin through the shirt. 

 

“That’s… probably for the best.”

Like most times he and Makino wanted to talk without anyone hearing, they go the cliff. Unlike most times, it was daytime, so they could see the sea with the sun up. The waves crashed beneath them, Shanks smelling the salt the water carried. There was wind coming off the sea, fluttering his clothes. Makino was under his arm, not crying but clearly still emotional. 

 

Shanks had time to think when they walked here. He knew a kid was totally different than anything else. He had no idea how to take care of one, but he was willing to learn. 

 

Shanks also wondered how his parents would react to a grandchild. He knew his father would celebrate, and his mother would give Shanks her congratulations. They would have loved a grandchild, only making Shanks feel crushed they wouldn’t be able to meet them. 

 

Then he wondered how his future would play out. 

 

He still knew he wanted to set sail, but Shanks knew he didn’t need to leave right away. But he didn’t know how that would change with a kid on the way. He knew he would love his kid with everything he had, maybe even enough to stay and not set sail. That thought made a part of him hurt, but Shanks ignored it. He would not abandon his kid. 

 

He wouldn’t abandon Makino. He loved her too much for that.

 

Shanks realized that fact only a few days ago.

 

He always liked Makino and didn’t know how to classify the all-consuming warmth in his chest when he looked at Makino. But now he knew it was love.

 

Shanks loved her.

 

He loved her so much that it was difficult not to profess this to her every chance he got. The main reason was that he hasn’t actually told her yet. He was… nervous about her reaction, but now, he knew her news was more surprising.

 

“My father would have loved to meet them.”

 

Makino glanced at him from his chest. Her eyes gained more confidence, seeing how Shanks was reacting. That he wouldn’t leave her. 

 

“Roger?”

 

Shanks shared a small smile, remembering the past.

 

“Yeah, and my mother. My father loved kids. For about three months, these two kids, a one-year-old and a three-year-old stayed on the Oro. Their father was a big game pirate, by the name of Kozuki Oden. His wife sailed with him, and his family followed him when he joined the crew. They soon left when the wife got sick, Oden staying. We dropped them off at Oden’s home island after that, but Father was constantly playing with them when the kids were on board. He loved to make them laugh. He was sad when they left.”

 

“He sounds like a good man.”

 

Shanks looked at Makino, who only gazed at him with clear eyes. He looked back at the sea.

 

“He was.”

 

They went silent, looking at the sea. 

 

“How are we going to do this?”

 

Shanks bumped Makino with a smile on his face. He was still uncertain of the future, but he knew one thing.

 

“Together.”

“What about Ann?”

 

Shanks hummed, seeing the sun start to set soon. He wasn’t in a rush. He and Makino were figuring out names for their kid, and wasn’t that a trip? It was true he thought about having kids with Makino, but with his heritage, it was risky. He didn’t want to risk Makino even more. But since Makino was pregnant with his kid, he didn’t bring it up. Shanks silently laughed to himself.

 

The grandchild of the Marine Hero and the Pirate King. What a nickname. He didn’t mention that.

 

Shanks thought of the name. It was a good name for a girl. He also swore he heard his mother tell him what his name would have been if he had been a girl. Shanks smiled. 

 

“If the baby is a girl, their name will be Ann.”

 

Makino was happy with his agreement. She then poked Shanks in the chest with a serious expression.

 

“Your turn. If I picked the girl's name, you pick the boys.”

 

Shanks shrugged, not minding. He would agree to anything he felt was right. He recalled all the boy's name’s he knew, nothing really standing out. 

 

A flash of metal appeared in his mind.

 

Shanks straightened up, causing Makino to look at him with curiosity.  

 

“Ace. How about Ace?”

 

Makino beamed, “That sounds great. Ace. Yes, it rolls off the tongue.”

 

Shanks tucked her more into his arm, her not knowing how much the name meant to him. It was a connection to his father, and Shanks felt safe with its name. It was the sword that protected him when he needed it the most.

 

Shanks looked up at the sky with a smile on his fast. 

 

He might not know what the future holds, but he was excited to meet his child nonetheless.

 

“I can’t wait to meet you, Ann, Ace.” 

Notes:

There, Ace is going to exist. This fic is only part one of the series I am starting, and I didn't feel comfortable without some background. This was a good place to end this fic, but there will be another continuation soon. I am skipping over the pregnancy because I know many people hate that in fics, and it would probably be only one chapter anyway. Nothing important in that chapter. I am so fucking embarrassed to do this because I hate the pregnancy trope.

Oh, if you want the Dragon meeting Shanks scene, tell me your opinion because I will not be writing it if you guys don't want it. About Garp finding out about having a grandchild, I may write that. I don't know. That might be in the next fic in the series. I haven't written it yet, so what happens happens.

That reminds me, I wrote all of this before I even posted it, so by the time everything is posted on AO3, I actually might even be finished with the next fic or maybe even almost done. Let's see if my muse holds out.

(It's not finished by the way)

Comments and Kudos are very much appreciated.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans