Work Text:
A familiar tune began to play which caused Shanks to perk up from where he was sat at the bar in Makino’s, his eyes went over to where the musicians were playing with their instruments and he could see Makino seemed to relax and light up as well; though, for some reason, the tune was played but the words weren’t sung.
The only thing that solidified that Shanks’ memory wasn’t playing tricks on him was the soft hum that was coming from the barmaid that was becoming like a little sister to his crew and himself.
Glancing over to where Luffy was swaying a little and humming along himself, next to Benn, who was watching fondly; Shanks made a decision that he hoped he wasn’t going to regret.
On land, he wasn’t the most graceful of people because he was so used to the rocking of the ship, but he had many memories of this particular song, memories that he wanted to make for his son anchor.
“Her touch is like a tempest, her whisper is a breeze” Shanks started to sing softly, he could see the surprise on the faces of the villagers, Makino and even his own crew; but it was the bright look of intrigue from his anchor that solidified his decision to do this.
Even if he looked like an idiot
However, seeing the slight hint of hope in Makino’s eyes as he got up from the bar also made his heart swell a little
“But when she has a temper, it brings me to my knees. Her beauty is a terror; there’s a storm inside her eyes” He continued as the musicians seemed to gain confidence and got louder as they played with more vigour. Holding his hand out to Makino, Shanks grinned as he twirled her, causing her to release a pleased giggle.
“She dances like a hurricane and kills me when she cries. Oh, oh, won’t let go, no.” Memories of his father’s voice washed over him, as Shanks was drawn back into the past, watching as his Da spun his Ma, his Ma laughing brightly “I’m overboard and washed out to sea, Drowning in your open arms, with other fools like me”
Shanks remembered that his Da used to wink at his Ma at the words, his Ma and crew would all laugh because they knew Roger could play the fool very well which caused so many of his enemies to underestimate him.
Even as he was drawn into his past, he continued to sing, dancing with Makino as if they had done so many times before, she was a natural at following his steps or leading him to steps so that they twirled around the bar without knocking into anyone around them.
“No telling where I’m going, I got other ships to see” Makino sang, pulling Shanks back to the present with a small grin, Shanks offered her a sad smile and he knew the young woman was aware that there were memories linked to the song they sang; the two of the spun around the bar and laughed as the men tried to join in with the music.
The two of them were well aware that Luffy was watching enraptured, Beck had the young boy in his lap as he watched his husband dancing. Beck knew that he would need to cradle a broken man tonight, the song was one that Shanks hummed on occasion, always with a sad look on his face that resulted in a tear slipping down his cheek. Beck had a feeling that his husband would be breaking down the moment they got into the cabin for the night.
Makino continued to sing, joy in her voice as they danced, it was the first time she had managed to sing her Ma’s favourite song in many years, but she knew she was going to be giving Shanks some of her stronger rum afterwards considering the anguish he was trying to hide behind a smile.
“You’re overboard and washed out to sea, drowning in my open arms, you’ll never want to be” His mothers voice seemed to overlap with Makino’s as Shanks was drawn back into his childhood, memories of his parents separating and moving to their two sons were overwhelming him once more.
Rogue always, automatically, moved to Blue when they were dancing like this; while Roger was the one who gravitated to Red. The two boys were equally loved by their parents, but there were always signs of which ones they found solace in when they needed a break. Rogue was the one the train Blue in his daggers, the Bounty Hunter had religiously trained the former street kid in daggers to protect himself, showing him the techniques of throwing and fighting close contact. It was Rogue that showed Blue that he could be dangerous but also unassuming.
Roger taught Red how to be a Captain, taught him everything he knew on how to look after his crew and also how it was okay to break down if the stress got too much. Red had witnessed his father break in the arms of his Ma and Pops more than once, so had Blue; but it was always Red that Roger gravitated too.
Rayleigh taught the boys equally, but Red knew that Blue was the man’s favourite, especially since their Pops was the one to pull Blue off the streets and offer him a home with them.
“I’m overboard and washed out to sea, drowning in your open arms, with other fools like me” Shanks continued, a hand on his cheek bringing him back to the present as Makino watched him with worry in her eyes. Shanks offered her a small smile of weak reassurance before he spun her to Beck.
Beck had stood up with Luffy next to him when he noticed that Shanks was dissociating, but relaxed lightly when Makino managed to drag his husband back to the present; when Shanks spun their sister to him, Beck caught his husband’s eye quickly before giving a brief nod and joined in the dance with the barmaid.
Shanks swooped down and lifted his son from the floor, throwing him into the air and catching him as Luffy let out a small shriek of joyful surprise, he giggled as Shanks caught him and began to dance around the bar.
The villagers all knew the song so sang the chorus’, his crew caught onto the tune and joined in as some of them joined in the dancing.
Hongo stole Makino from Beck and twirled the giggling barmaid over to Yasopp, before she was then passed to Lucky. The young woman laughed brightly as they all sang and danced while Shanks stopped singing, the song now becoming a hum to him as Luffy snickered in his arms.
“Shanks sings good” Luffy muttered to the captain lightly as he curled against the red-head’s chest, his ear to Shanks’ heart as they swayed rather than danced “Will you teach me that song?”
“I’ll teach you all the ones my parents taught me anchor” Shanks promised the youngster, especially when he felt an arm wrapping around his waist, resting underneath their son as his husband pulled him backwards against his chest to offer support.
-
Beck was correct in his thought process that night.
The moment Shanks closed the door behind him, their son curled up in bed above Party’s Bar, and the rest of their crew continuing the party and providing revenue for the young woman; the captain crumbled.
Beck had to act fast as he caught his husband before the man hit the floor, sobs wracking his entire frame as the sharpshooter grimaced and lifted the younger man into his arms. Carrying his heart to the bed, Beck sat at the headboard with the broken man in his lap, letting him sob out his hurt and heart break at the reminder of his lost parents.
-
Blue stood still in shock as the cannon was aimed at the young straw hat captain in the cage ahead of him. The straw hat was familiar, but it was a normal thing appearing amongst pirates a few years after his Da’s death, the hat looked worn and old, but Blue had assumed it was just a fake until he heard the soft tune that the young man was humming.
The boy showed no fear as he sat, tied up, in the cage; a cannon ready to blow him up if the young woman was truly ready to betray her captain.
Buggy knew that the young woman wasn’t officially crew yet, but the look in her eyes and the protective glint in the boy’s were telling a whole other story; she was his crew and he wasn’t going to back down. Surprisingly, Blue wasn’t worried about this crew ending up on the Grand Line, even if the reports were right and there were only three of them right now.
“I’m overboard, and washed out to sea” Luffy hummed softly, waiting for his first mate to come rescue him; although, he noticed the clown stiffen at the lyrics and ended up taking a proper look at him. Understanding dawning on the teenager as he started to snicker.
“Drowning in your open arms, with other fools like me” Blue finished off the tune as realization hit; he grimaced at the fact that he had damaged the hat. Grumbling under his breath about his brother, he huffed and pulled the fuse from the cannon. “Enough, release him”
The Buggy pirates looked at their captain in surprise but followed the order as they moved into action.
“Get out of here brat and make sure your flashy Da knows you’re safe on the seas” Blue huffed at the brat before waving him off “And stay away from the scaffold!”
If Luffy was anything like Shanks, his nephew will end up at Loguetown and will get into trouble, the snickering that escaped the brat didn’t give him any confidence and he groaned before giving the order to his crew to pack up; they were heading to Loguetown to keep his idiot family from dying too soon at the marines hands.
-
Luffy sat on the grass of the Sunny, watching his crew with fondness as they laughed and danced, Jinbe up at the healm as Sanji finally came out of the kitchen to join them. Zoro was ‘napping’ next to Luffy, while Nami and Robin watched Chopper and Usopp dancing to Brook’s music.
A certain tune made Luffy perk up as Brook hesitated before sighing and going back to a different song.
“Brook! Go back! Play that one!” Luffy laughed brightly as he jumped up from the floor, he immediately moved to Robin and offered his hand as Brook didn’t hesitate to play the song but everyone could sense the surprise coming from the skeleton.
Luffy laughed as he twirled his archaeologist, singing as he went even though he knew that none of his crew would know the words to join him; but that was okay, he could teach them like his Da taught him
“Her touch is like a tempest, her whisper is a breeze”
The Sea seemed to rock as he sang, as if joining in with the tune and offering him her ‘voice’ to make up for the lack of a duet partner. Luffy grinned as he continued to dance, easily spinning Robin to Franky before moving to get Nami to join.
His crew were his nakama, just like his Da and Pops had their nakama; and before them, there was his Jiji, avô and vovô.
He hoped he was making his vovô proud.