Chapter Text
Monkey D. Luffy kneeled on the execution platform in Lougetown, the town of both beginning and end, looking down at the mass of people that had gathered to watch the fall of the second Pirate King.
His crew was strewn out in the crowd, their faces carefully concealed by dark cloaks. But he still felt them, his observation Haki easily making out each of their positions.
Sabo and Dragon were there too, further away on a rooftop.
Their eyes met, and Luffy gave his brother a reassuring smile.
‘It’s okay.’ He tried to convey through his Haki, but Sabo’s tears did not stop. He couldn’t blame him. Watching a brother die in front if you was painful.
Dragon wasn’t crying, but his grip on Sabo’s shoulder tightened, a scowl deeply embedded on his features.
Luffy somewhat lamented the fact he wouldn't be able to be with his Nakama any longer, but he didn't regret the decisions he’d made.
The seastone cuffs on his wrists clattered as he lifted his hand to scratch at an itch on his head. He missed his hat.
He gave it back to Shanks, he remembered fondly, the day he had officially earned the title of Pirate King. Shanks had bawled his eyes out back then, the Red Force anchored at the shore of Raftel, hugging him and telling him how proud he was of him over and over again.
‘Shanks…’
The executioner nudged his back with the tip of his sword. “Any last words, Pirate King?” He asked, not really expecting an answer.
A smile tugged at his lips, and he let it split into his D of a grin.
“I’m hungry! Prison food is horrible!” Luffy said with a dramatic whine, and he heard his crew’s muffled laughter. Even Sabo cracked a smile, if still a bit teary-eyed “Got any meat?” He asked, just in case.
The executioner looked at him dumbfounded.
“Guess not.” Luffy sighed with fake disappointment.
“Silence!” The man seemed to regain his composure, albeit his face was red from embarrassment.
Luffy pouted. “But it was you who asked if I had anything to say…” He mumbled, and the executioner’s face deepened a shade.
Luffy couldn't help but laugh at the face he was making, it just looked too weird!
“Shut up!”
He grunted as a blade pierced his back. The crowd gasped.
“You will die here today, Pirate King!”
Luffy coughed, blood trickling down the corner of his still smiling mouth.
He let out a heavy sigh, ignoring the pain it caused in his chest. “I know.” He said simply, as the second blade pierced through him.
His vision blurred, slowly fading to black.
The last thing he saw was the sun, glaring, bright and warm.
_____
Luffy opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the sun. It was warm, and bright, just like on the day he died-
Luffy sat straight up, eyes blown wide.
Where was he? He wasn't dead, he knew- because there’s no way hell would be this comfortable. Or have a beach as beautiful as this one. And he doubted he’d made it to heaven, considering all that he’d done.
Something, someone on his right breathed a sigh of relief, and Luffy turned his head at the sound of it.
A woman with strawberry blonde hair and freckles looked back at him with a concerned gaze.
“Are you okay, boy?” She asked, and Luffy gaped at her.
Maybe he was in heaven after all, because she would never be in hell. Not someone like her.
Leaning over him and gentle, brown eyes filled with worry, sat none other than Portgas D. Rouge.
He'd never met her in person, but he'd seen pictures old man Rayleigh had shown him and Sabo some years after Ace’s death. And this woman in front of him was without a doubt her. Although, she seemed a bit younger than in the photos. Maybe around her mid twenties?
“Boy?” Portgas D. Rouge softly placed a hand on his arm, and he flinched. She was warm. Not like a dead person should be.
She felt alive.
“Where are your Parents?” She asked gently, and a sudden sob made its' way out of his throat.
Rouge froze, and another sob made his shoulders tremble.
He was full on crying now, as he realized how lonely he was. No matter how much he reassured his brother, no matter how much he smiled for his crew, they weren't here. They weren't with him right now, and their absence hurt more than the blades that ended his life.
Arms wrapped around his small body, lifting him into a warm embrace.
Rouge rubbed soothing circles on his back as she hummed an unknown song, rocking him close to her chest.
“It’s alright…” She whispered, as he felt his eyelids grow heavy. “I’m here now.”
And he wanted to believe her.