[ There's barely a pause before Sanji sends a photo in reply: himself, curled around and spooning Nami, arms wrapped tightly around her belly. They're both nude in the photo, although the thick blanket covers them from waist down, their necks covered in bite marks— some older and faint, some new and fresh— while he peeks up at the camera from over Nami's shoulder, his lips dusting a kiss to it. ]
yeah, what nami said. you can bring a snack or whatever with you. we need our captain to help keep us warm, you know?
[There's a wordless shout of dismay audible from the kitchen despite being two levels down and across a massive branch from the particular bed they were last cuddled up in, when Luffy could no longer suffer his empty stomach no matter how nice and warm and soft his position (practically wrapped around both of them) had been.
He certainly doesn't need to be told twice, especially not when snacks in bed are officially sanctioned.]
I'm coming!!! Don't have fun without me!!
[There's some suspiciously loud rattling and clanging and then one hand flies up through the leaves over the railing to slap against the treehouse floor, feeling clumsily around for something solid to hang onto until finding one of the legs of their bed so that when Luffy comes rocketing up after his wayward limb he lands with a crash into all the discarded fancy decorative pillows they'd cleared off the bed in order to have the room to fool around. Despite all that, Luffy's other hand sticks straight up in the air, holding aloft in triumph the container with all the leftover empanadas from when Sanji meal prepped last.
The snacks are safe, which is what really matters! He sets them primly on top of the covers, and then scrambles under them himself up from the bottom edge of the bed where he fell, squirming his way between his poor crewmates without a hint of an apology for the very chilly state of his wandering fingers now that he's been out and about in the strangely cold suite the for the last twenty minutes inhaling half the contents of the fridge.
He buries his freezing cold nose against Nami's shoulder the second his head pops up at the top of the bed, in the same spot where Sanji just kissed in the photo, hands snaking between each of their torsos and the mattress (he did wash them before he came back though! No entering the bed with sticky hands, only leaving it that way, he remembers.)]
Whoa, it's really warm in here already! [Luffy had not had the good sense to put anything on other than a pair of boxer shorts to avoid any particularly uncomfortable scratches from any inconvenient branches between the bedroom and the kitchen. He is only now, by contrast, noticing how cold it was outside of their little blanket haven. He reels them both in closer to leech away all their body heat without mercy, empanada container balancing precariously on the blankets.] I should have taken you guys with me. [Of course that's the solution he'd come up with, rather than simply putting on more clothes.]
sob please ignore how long this took to get back to
[ The nudity and obvious affection lacing its way through her words take quite a bit of salt out of her chiding, even as she rolls over to poke Sanji's chest, all amusement and lighthearted exasperation.
Then Luffy's hand surges into view, slapping around for purchase before grabbing hold of the bed frame and hauling the rest of himself up. The next few moments pass in a flurry of rustling blankets and cold limbs as Luffy, gets back under the covers, pressing chilly hands and limbs against them both as he situates himself between her and Sanji.
Laughing, because she can't help it, Nami shivers and tries to swat at Luffy in objection ] Your nose is freezing, idiot! You're both the worst. [ All spouted while cuddling closer to them both, of course, reaching across Luffy to touch Sanji's side as she tries to get Luffy snug between their bodies and warm him up before he freezes both of them. ]
Confirmed. There will be plenty of food, and I will bring extra, just in case. You should feel free to bring extra if you like, as well.
The party is on the seventeenth, and his name is Loki. [ Small pause - because Loki mentioned knowing Luffy when Shanks told him his plus one, but that could have been from the first one. ] Do you know him?
I should, indeed. Why don't we do that now? [ And Shanks would love to see it. ]
Okay! I'll bring stuff too. [He's definitely going to eat everything extra that he tries to bring on the way to the party, but surely it's the thought that counts.]
YEAH! He can do magic!! He helped me out when I woke up in the basement the first time, he's so cool. [Needless to say, a good first impression.] You guys are friends? [Between Shanks and Nami, they seem to know everyone cool in the resort.]
[Luffy runs practically the entire way to the lobby the moment after Shanks agrees to meet up. He still has all the excitement of when he was a little kid and Shanks docking at Windmill Village was the highlight of his entire week, but none of the misplaced pride that made him pretend (poorly) that he wasn't absolutely over the moon to see him. Growing up and finding his own crew, his own family, softened some of those prickly childish edges born from loneliness, so that now when he spots Shanks across the floor he whoops loudly and waves with both arms, as though he were possible to miss in the relative quiet of the decorated lobby.
Sometimes, he forgets how easy it is just to go out and see Shanks now: there are no longer oceans between them. He makes a promise to himself to seek him out more often than he has, because seeing Shanks is always amazing... but also he's learned so much more about different and fun ways to fool around than he'd known in their first encounter, and he definitely wants to try it all with Shanks, too.]
Shanks!! [He grins, decked out in a silly Santa Hoodie because he saw it and thought it looked pretty cool, and without any further ado hooks his arm through Shanks' and starts them back towards the inconspicuous door to his entirely too fancy temporary room.] You'll like it! It looks just like Dawn Island. [The jungles just beyond Windmill Village encircling Goa Kingdom, anyway.]
[ Shanks isn't the best at checking in with everyone, himself. But Luffy he does want to make a better effort of seeing, as well. Back home, they have oceans between them, and a promise to keep, but here, that's all on pause. It would be silly to avoid each other over that. Here, in a way, they're on equal footing. Temporary queen suite, or Luffy's usual suite, aside. As for fooling around - Luffy is fun. He'll do whatever Luffy wants to try. ]
[ Luffy's greeting gets a chuckle from Shanks, as does the hoodie. ]
You stand out in that. [ Shanks still doesn't get the Santa stuff, but he likes red. He reaches over to pat Luffy's head in the hoodie. Besides, it's way cuter than his mistletoe patterned capris. He links his arm with Luffy's in return and lets him lead the way. ]
Dawn Island.... [ For a moment, Shanks is nostalgic and wistful sounding. Sure, they only used Windmill Village to dock in for a year, but it mattered to him. Everyone had been so friendly. ] I haven't been there in ages. [ He stops for a moment to look around. Shanks has to turn to take in some of the aspects of the suite. ]
Luffy! It's incredible. [ His eyes stop on the massive hammock and hanging beds. ] I'm going to have to try some of this out, if you don't mind.
[Luffy can't help the grin that splits across his face when Shanks compliments his suite. He hasn't been particularly homesick for Dawn Island or anything (he misses the Going Merry way more even though he has been at the resort longer now than he'd been able to call that ship home), but the familiarity of it has been pleasant in a way he really didn't expect.
Plus, it's nice that the jungle in his suite lacks the distinct cooked stink of Grey Terminal lurking close enough to make the rain taste bad in the summers. (He does miss the wild animals constantly trying to eat him alive, though. Those were fun!)]
Yeah, of course! [The next grin he throws Shanks' way is a little less pure glee and a little more mischievous, and his grip slips suddenly from where he'd hooked it through Shanks' arm so he can wind it around the poor man's torso instead, one loop, two loops, three—then his free arm flies up to the impossibly high branches holding up the hanging beds, palm making a comically loud, distant slap sound when it connects. This is definitely not what Shanks meant when he said that, but alas, Luffy has decided it would be fun to show Shanks exactly how strong he's gotten and how well he can use his rubber powers now, so here they are.] We can take a shortcut! [So sorry, Shanks. Without further ado, Luffy lets his arm snap back to its normal length, and suddenly they're both rocketing up to land in one of the beds much sooner than Shanks probably was hoping for.]
[ Shanks can empathize with that. He misses the Red Force, deeply. But he's not sure about making the suites look like a ship if he ever gets one of these. He'll play around with it. All the same, the aesthetic appeal of Dawn Island works this way. ]
[ Grey Terminal is a whole other conversation, but Shanks is glad to not smell it, either. Now, some wild animals to chase, or fight with would be fun, but they can find some of those in the gardens. Granted, Shanks has taken to taking naps with the giant rabbits, rather than chase them. ]
[ At first, Shanks looks confused when Luffy wraps his arm around him, but when he sees the other one loop around a tree, he grins. ]
Best shortcut. [ He actually laughs about it as they're flung through the air. Having a friend made of rubber definitely comes in handy. ] You've clearly improved on your powers, too.
[When they land, their sudden combined weight on the mattress in the sky is enough to make it swing wildly for a moment, and four of the six pillows once arranged artfully plumet unceremoniously to the faux jungle below. Clearly the hanging bed contraption was made with some... vigorous activity in mind though, so the ropes keeping it aloft hold true and the branch that it is secured to doesn't even budge.
Luffy beams and thanks Shanks once everything has settled down enough that he can let go and allow his arm to shrink back to its proper length, flopping back to lay across the bed horizontally and letting his feet dangle over the edge. It's strange how convincing the upper canopy and the sky looks, considering he has stretched enough to touch the ceiling and make sure it is actually still there. Like Nami's room, it also has its limits.
He turns his head to the side to watch Shanks and however he decides to sit or lay, their straw hat pinned to the blanket just above his shoulder by its cord still around his neck. Even in the privacy of his own room, he never takes it off.] It's a lot better than the real treehouse I made! It's even better than the one Ace made. [Why no, Luffy has not actually considered that he hasn't mentioned his brother to Shanks yet. Oh well.] But I guess we were still kids, so that's not weird. [Luffy's building skills have not necessarily improved much since becoming an adult, but that's a minor detail.] Did you get a cool new room too?
[ When they first land, Shanks does move his arm to hold, tightly, to Luffy for a moment, but he chuckles. Truly, he thought it was fun. He does note the ropes are pretty sturdy, too. ]
[ Not long after Luffy flops back, Shanks follow him. ]
This is as comfortable as it looks. [ With the added thrill of swinging in the air. ]
[ He chuckles, again, at the tree house mention, though his eyebrows raise at the mention of Ace. ] Have you seen your brother yet? I suppose it's more likely once you hit the Grandline, and Nami mentioned you were on your way to Loguetown, at least before she ended up here.
[ He has considered all of the Straw Hats might be from different times. ]
[ Shanks shakes his head. ] My suite the same. [ Not that he doesn't have plans to do something about that, but on a more permanent level. ]
[Luffy cheerfully grabs Shanks' hand once they're settled back, side-by-side. He's been doing a lot more handholding lately, and he really likes it—any excuse for skin contact, honestly, and Nami and Sanji are willing to put up with it. (Nami and Sanji are willing to put up with a lot more skin contact than that, to say the least, but anytime he's given an inch Luffy immediately tries to take a mile, so.) Even aside from the fact that he just likes to touch and be touched, everyone has different callouses and he finds it awfully interesting.
His own are callous free, because of his rubber skin. Not that he'd have them even if he weren't a Rubber Man, of course: he hasn't done enough labor to develop them yet. He's no swordsman, or chef, or cartographer. He's barely a sailor, though that'll necessarily improve as they go. (He remembers Ace's hands being rough from hardscrabble life in the jungle, but not calloused in the same way.)
He tugs Shanks' hand up over his face so he can nosily inspect his fingers and palms, humming out an excited note at his question.] Not yet! We're gonna go to the Grandline as soon as we get back, though. I'll find him there, we promised. [So, he and Nami are from the same time at least.] I want to show him my first bounty! Do you think it's bigger than his first bounty? [He grins, delighted by the mere prospect of having bragging rights over his older brother (none of Nami's attempts to convince him that having a bounty is a bad thing have stuck, apparently.)]
[ Luffy will find, like Sanji and Nami, Shanks is very complacent, even eager, for touch, and doesn't mind the hand-holding, in the slightest. ]
[ His hands are calloused, partly from sword use - while he doesn't have his own sword in the hotel, Shanks has been making due with replacements of whatever he finds to continue training - but there are some older, slightly fading callouses from prior work when he was younger. Still, a part of his past he doesn't divulge to just anyone. ]
[ There's a soft chuckle from Shanks. ]
Is my hand really that fascinating?
[ All Shanks can do, for a bit, is smile, warmly, at how much Luffy wants to show his brother his progress. It's sweet. ]
For that, you will have to ask your brother. I noticed him later on, but didn't quite catch the beginning of his rise through the ranks. He does stand out, though. Much like you. [ Having a bounty is a bad thing? Yeah, someone might want to tell Shanks, too. He doesn't see it with quite the same bade of honor outlook as Luffy, perhaps, but considering what it is, and that it doesn't deter him from pissing off the World Government speaks for itself - it's not bad. Not from this point of view. ]
[Luffy nods unabashedly at the question.] Yeah! You've got these— [His other hand joins in the action to press the pad of his thumb against the most prominent sword callous bumps on Shanks' palm, one after the other, like he's following a little map of all the training and fighting Shanks has had to do in his life.] —just like Zoro! [Luffy only really knows that because of the worried hand-holding he'd done while Zoro was out cold in Nami's bed after his fight with Mihawk, but that's a minor detail.] Is it from your sword? He's a sword guy too. [Luffy turns his attention from Shanks' palm finally to grin over at him.] He uses three swords. [Is that not The Coolest? Luffy certainly thinks so.
Either way, he kicks his feet over the edge of the hanging bed. He lets Shanks have his hand back, but shuffles until their shoulders are pressed together instead, basking in the moment. He knows Shanks must be lonely without his crew—Luffy certainly would be—but if he doesn't think about that it's nice to have Shanks all to himself for a little while. Especially when his bright red hair splays out carelessly across the white bedding and he's looking at Luffy so indulgently.
Luffy has to fight the urge to hide his face behind the brim of Shanks' hat, squirming a little bit in place so that the excess energy has somewhere to go. Pride—for himself, and for his big brother—bursting like fireworks in his chest. He should definitely ask for more details, but he's never been a Details guy (clearly.)] I bet! He said he was gonna make the whole world know his name. [Ace said it in a more depressing way, probably, but Luffy is Luffy so he's dutifully ignoring that. And ignoring everything else, actually, because a thought suddenly occurs to him:] Hey, how much is your bounty? [That's a good goal to strive for, right?]
[ When Luffy asks about swords, and explains Zoro and his own hands, it makes a lot more sense. ]
Ah, yes, in fact they are from sword training. I've been training since I was very young. [ He has to pause. ] Three? He uses them at the same time?
[ He is, yes, lonely without his crew, but right now, he's only focused on Luffy, and he doesn't feel so lonely. ]
He has made a name for himself. I knew who he was before he approached me.
[ Details come out with time. It's fine, surely. For a moment, Shanks just looks down, lips tilted up in a corner. ]
It's over four billion berries. [ He knows that's a bit extreme sounding, perhaps, but it's still not even up to Roger's bounty. ] Your brother's, Ace's, is five hundred fifty million berries.
Yeah! [See, Shanks is asking the right questions. Koby hadn't even cared!!] He has one in each hand, and then— [Luffy mimes putting the hilt of a sword in his mouth and biting down.] He holds one with his teeth! He knocked the axe hand Marine guy all the way across the courtyard with it. He's going to be the greatest swordsman in the world someday. [He nods sagely, more than happy to gush about his extremely cool crew to his favorite pirate.] He's even got a special sword with a name and everything. The Wadda Itchy Monkey! [So sorry to this man.]
Ohh. [Luffy snickers suddenly at the mention of Ace seeking Shanks out, remembering from half a dozen years ago:] How did he do? Makino taught him how to be polite so he could thank you. [Or at least she tried, bless her kind and patient soul.
He means to follow up on that, really, but Shanks' answer makes his eyes bug out and he sits up in surprise.] Whoa! They can get that high? [Luffy still, truly, has no idea how much of a Big Deal Shanks is. That's just his buddy!] I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. But I'm going to! I'll beat your bounty too, just wait. [He laughs, blissfully unaware of exactly how large a number four billion is because he's never done basic math a day in his life, flopping back down.] Everyone says the Grand Line is going to be crazy. I can't wait! [Unfortunately, he has been waiting quite awhile now, thanks Golden Peacock.]
[ Shanks smiles as he watches Luffy talk about how Zoro uses his swords, lively, as ever. ] Sounds like he will be.
[ He stares at Luffy for a moment. ] Are you certain that's the sword name? [ He'll just have to ask Zoro about that, if he gets the chance. ]
[ His lips soften into fondness as he recalls how Ace approached him. ] Makino taught him well, then. Ace did a great job of it, and we drank together, after. Had a nice celebration with everyone. [ Sure, Shanks hadn't known Ace very long, but he was a friendly young man, an outstanding, undeniable force of a pirate, and knowing his connection to both Luffy and Shanks' former captain, well...he felt bonded to Ace almost immediately. ]
[ There's a hearty laugh to Luffy's remark. ] They get even higher than that, Luffy. You are? You do have a lot of catching up to do.
[ He isn't going to explain that it's actually not that easy. If you don't want to actively hurt innocent people, then the World Government has to see you as a threat. And they are a whole other force to deal with. Of course, Luffy might not be the only one itching to do something about them, when he gets there, Shanks just takes his sweet time to make a move. ]
The Grand Line is a great adventure. I think you're going to enjoy it. [ At least, for people like them, it is. ]
Yeah, definitely! That's what he called it. Wadda Itchy Monkey. Have you heard of it? [Shanks is, of course, correct to be dubious. Luffy breezes right past it anyway.] I think the hawk guy's sword had a name too, actually. Do all of them get names? Like ships? [Listen... Luffy may have been basically obsessed with Shanks and being a Pirate and all of that stuff, but he never wanted to be a swordsman himself so that was one of the few things he didn't get relentlessly nosy about when he'd been around the man as a kid. He has definitely become more fascinated by swords since recruiting his First Mate, though, no need to think about why that might be.
In either case, his mouth splits into a huge grin, certainly larger than the situation really calls for.] I'm glad you guys were friends! [Shanks didn't say that, exactly, but Luffy can practically taste the quiet approval coming off of him in waves. It eases something he didn't know had been tightening up inch by inch by inch in his gut over the lonely years between Ace's departure from their home island and his own. His brother was always so utterly convinced that the world would hate him, and while Luffy never believed it because he thought from the very beginning that Ace was the bees knees, having Shanks clearly like him loosens up the tension of that old borrowed anxiety instantly and he feels light as a feather where they're floating so high up in the air.
Luffy lets the rest hang, watching the artificial sunlight dance around on Shanks' face through the leaves of the tree they're dangling in. He has spent so long fantasizing about the Grand Line that it almost seems like a mythical place. Especially now that he's both the farthest away from and the closest he's ever been to finally sailing on it. The prospect of seeing Ace and Shanks again had been a powerful draw even if the pure love of adventure hadn't been enough, but in the quiet of his strange, fake Dawn Island room, Luffy finds himself wondering about things he never let himself think about before. Things he always put out of mind immediately, deliberately, before they could take hold.] Did you ever want to come back? [The question might sound accusatory coming from most people, but Luffy's tone is all curiosity instead. He doesn't hold any kind of grudge easily, and a dream is a dream: Luffy would never ask anyone not to follow their own, even if it leads them away from him and even if he really, really doesn't want them to go. Freedom, and all that.]
No, I haven't heard of that one. [ Shanks sounds nonchalant about the fact, but he does have plans to ask Zoro about the sword at some point, if he ever meets him. He, after all, has no idea Zoro would show up the month later. ]
[ And no, while he didn't say he was friends with Ace, Luffy isn't wrong. They got on, and celebrating with someone like that, yes, Shanks would easily say they were friend. Shanks, after all, tries to support the younger generation, as much as possible, even if they are, technically, rivals. Either way, there's no way he could hate young Ace. He was jovial, polite, enjoyed partying, and reminded Shanks of both Luffy and his former captain. Two of his favorite people. ]
We did have a great night. His crew and my crew got on, as well.
[ While Luffy watches Shanks, Shanks looks right back, fond smile on his lips. The second Luffy asks his question, Shanks' expression falls, slowly, as guilt flickers on his face for a second. It didn't need to be an accusation, there was a reason Shanks couldn't go back. Several reasons, really. For Luffy to become greater than Shanks he had to learn a lot, on his own. And for Shanks to realize part of his own dream, he needed to pave the way for Luffy. ]
[ His usual playful tone is absent when he answers. ]
Of course, I did. I enjoyed my time in Windmill Village. I miss it. Makino. And you.
The whole crew does, really. Everyone was happy to see your bounty poster. We know it means we'll meet again. Soon.
[Luffy beams, touched. It's not that he doubted it, exactly (whatever else can be said about him, having low self-esteem is certainly not one of his issues), but hearing that he was missed is still nice. Especially from Shanks, who has been in his thoughts constantly since the day he left.
So he nudges Shanks' side with an elbow, looking to cajole him back into his playful mood, recognizing the flash of guilt for what it was. Truly, he doesn't regret being left on Dawn Island, because if he'd gone with Shanks' crew he never would have met his brothers. He wouldn't have set sail when he did, a decade later, and been in the right place and time to save Koby, or free Zoro, or help Nami and Usopp (and Usopp's friend Kaya.) Sanji would have stayed with Zeff, so that wouldn't have been bad, but Luffy doesn't ever want to go back to a life where he doesn't get to sail with Sanji. (He certainly doesn't want to miss out on everything Sanji will cook for him once they find the All Blue!)
And having been out on the sea now, he definitely understands what Shanks meant, when he said that a pirate ship was no place for a kid. Luffy remembers how weak he'd been back then, totally unable to aim his fists and barely able to take a punch. He never would have been capable of fighting someone like Arlong before growing up. Or even Buggy. (Sorry, Buggy. Love you, Buggy.)] We missed you guys too! [Everyone but Mayor Woop Slap, of course... but Luffy suspects maybe he had, too, he just wouldn't admit to it. Either way:] It was so quiet after you left.
Well, for awhile. Then gramps made me stay with the bandits, they were pretty loud. [That's rich, coming from the loudest boy in the world.] I wish everyone else was here! I mean, I want to meet you guys on the Grand Line, like we promised, but I like that you're here with me now. [His nose crinkles a bit, because his feelings on the resort are complicated and he prefers to not get bogged down too much. He can have fun and he's with a lot of the people he loves so he doesn't let it get to him very often, but he misses sailing on the Going Merry so much. The sea salt and the wind pulling at his clothes, adventure spilled out before him in the waves.] Is that bad? [Everyone here wants to leave, he knows that.]
[ And Shanks, especially, isn't the sort to twist the truth to comfort someone. He would have been completely honest with Luffy if he hadn't considered him a single moment. But instead, he had talked about Luffy to everyone he was close with, discussed him with the crew on the regular, and celebrated his first big success. Every word is just true, and leaves out the moments Shanks almost doubts himself, doubts never returning. Doubts the reasons why he's been unable to. But seeing Luffy, he knows it was the right choice. He's come so far. ]
[ Luffy's jab gets a chuckle and grin from Shanks. It really did work out for best, for both of them, perhaps, even if these ten years have been long ones. ]
[ There's still a level of hypocrisy in Shanks' words to Luffy at that age. He's never - not once - thought less of his own captain and his first mate for keeping two small children out on the waters. He understands, why. And while that experience might have shaped Shanks, made him as strong as he is, it did help him understand why the seas are no place for a child. ]
[ The Mayor was a prickly person, but Shanks understood that, too. He would take no offense at the older man's words and laugh them off, knowing that beneath it all, he, too, cares. ]
I'm surprised to hear anywhere was quiet with you around.
[ He shakes his head. Monkey D. Garp. ] I'm not surprised to hear he was working with bandits. What bandits were those?
[ Again, Shanks' expression drops for a moment. He breaths in, then smiles. ] It's probably for the best they're not. Though, I wish they were here, as well.
[ There's another chuckle, before Shanks rolls over to his side, so he can put his hand on Luffy's shoulder. ] Not at all. There's nothing wrong in taking joy from what moments we get. Regardless of where they are.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
un: nami (nami > sanji > luffy)
un: sanji
yeah, what nami said. you can bring a snack or whatever with you. we need our captain to help keep us warm, you know?
backdating this to The Cold Week lol 🙏
He certainly doesn't need to be told twice, especially not when snacks in bed are officially sanctioned.]
I'm coming!!! Don't have fun without me!!
[There's some suspiciously loud rattling and clanging and then one hand flies up through the leaves over the railing to slap against the treehouse floor, feeling clumsily around for something solid to hang onto until finding one of the legs of their bed so that when Luffy comes rocketing up after his wayward limb he lands with a crash into all the discarded fancy decorative pillows they'd cleared off the bed in order to have the room to fool around. Despite all that, Luffy's other hand sticks straight up in the air, holding aloft in triumph the container with all the leftover empanadas from when Sanji meal prepped last.
The snacks are safe, which is what really matters! He sets them primly on top of the covers, and then scrambles under them himself up from the bottom edge of the bed where he fell, squirming his way between his poor crewmates without a hint of an apology for the very chilly state of his wandering fingers now that he's been out and about in the strangely cold suite the for the last twenty minutes inhaling half the contents of the fridge.
He buries his freezing cold nose against Nami's shoulder the second his head pops up at the top of the bed, in the same spot where Sanji just kissed in the photo, hands snaking between each of their torsos and the mattress (he did wash them before he came back though! No entering the bed with sticky hands, only leaving it that way, he remembers.)]
Whoa, it's really warm in here already! [Luffy had not had the good sense to put anything on other than a pair of boxer shorts to avoid any particularly uncomfortable scratches from any inconvenient branches between the bedroom and the kitchen. He is only now, by contrast, noticing how cold it was outside of their little blanket haven. He reels them both in closer to leech away all their body heat without mercy, empanada container balancing precariously on the blankets.] I should have taken you guys with me. [Of course that's the solution he'd come up with, rather than simply putting on more clothes.]
sob please ignore how long this took to get back to
[ The nudity and obvious affection lacing its way through her words take quite a bit of salt out of her chiding, even as she rolls over to poke Sanji's chest, all amusement and lighthearted exasperation.
Then Luffy's hand surges into view, slapping around for purchase before grabbing hold of the bed frame and hauling the rest of himself up. The next few moments pass in a flurry of rustling blankets and cold limbs as Luffy, gets back under the covers, pressing chilly hands and limbs against them both as he situates himself between her and Sanji.
Laughing, because she can't help it, Nami shivers and tries to swat at Luffy in objection ] Your nose is freezing, idiot! You're both the worst. [ All spouted while cuddling closer to them both, of course, reaching across Luffy to touch Sanji's side as she tries to get Luffy snug between their bodies and warm him up before he freezes both of them. ]
audio; un: redhairpirate
no subject
... Will there be food? [Important things to know.]
no subject
I can't imagine he will have a celebration without food and drink, but I will make certain.
[ Shanks, in fact, already offered Loki to provide extra food because he knows who he is bringing. ]
no subject
Oh! Hey, you should come see my room! It's really big like Nami's now that everything's switched. [He wants to show off to his favorite pirate.]
no subject
The party is on the seventeenth, and his name is Loki. [ Small pause - because Loki mentioned knowing Luffy when Shanks told him his plus one, but that could have been from the first one. ] Do you know him?
I should, indeed. Why don't we do that now? [ And Shanks would love to see it. ]
no subject
YEAH! He can do magic!! He helped me out when I woke up in the basement the first time, he's so cool. [Needless to say, a good first impression.] You guys are friends? [Between Shanks and Nami, they seem to know everyone cool in the resort.]
Now is good! I'll meet you in the lobby?
no subject
Ah, good. We can skip introductions, then. The magic is pretty amazing, though.
And yes, he's a good friend.
I'll be there, Luffy.
action!
Sometimes, he forgets how easy it is just to go out and see Shanks now: there are no longer oceans between them. He makes a promise to himself to seek him out more often than he has, because seeing Shanks is always amazing... but also he's learned so much more about different and fun ways to fool around than he'd known in their first encounter, and he definitely wants to try it all with Shanks, too.]
Shanks!! [He grins, decked out in a silly Santa Hoodie because he saw it and thought it looked pretty cool, and without any further ado hooks his arm through Shanks' and starts them back towards the inconspicuous door to his entirely too fancy temporary room.] You'll like it! It looks just like Dawn Island. [The jungles just beyond Windmill Village encircling Goa Kingdom, anyway.]
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[ Luffy's greeting gets a chuckle from Shanks, as does the hoodie. ]
You stand out in that. [ Shanks still doesn't get the Santa stuff, but he likes red. He reaches over to pat Luffy's head in the hoodie. Besides, it's way cuter than his mistletoe patterned capris. He links his arm with Luffy's in return and lets him lead the way. ]
Dawn Island.... [ For a moment, Shanks is nostalgic and wistful sounding. Sure, they only used Windmill Village to dock in for a year, but it mattered to him. Everyone had been so friendly. ] I haven't been there in ages. [ He stops for a moment to look around. Shanks has to turn to take in some of the aspects of the suite. ]
Luffy! It's incredible. [ His eyes stop on the massive hammock and hanging beds. ] I'm going to have to try some of this out, if you don't mind.
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Plus, it's nice that the jungle in his suite lacks the distinct cooked stink of Grey Terminal lurking close enough to make the rain taste bad in the summers. (He does miss the wild animals constantly trying to eat him alive, though. Those were fun!)]
Yeah, of course! [The next grin he throws Shanks' way is a little less pure glee and a little more mischievous, and his grip slips suddenly from where he'd hooked it through Shanks' arm so he can wind it around the poor man's torso instead, one loop, two loops, three—then his free arm flies up to the impossibly high branches holding up the hanging beds, palm making a comically loud, distant slap sound when it connects. This is definitely not what Shanks meant when he said that, but alas, Luffy has decided it would be fun to show Shanks exactly how strong he's gotten and how well he can use his rubber powers now, so here they are.] We can take a shortcut! [So sorry, Shanks. Without further ado, Luffy lets his arm snap back to its normal length, and suddenly they're both rocketing up to land in one of the beds much sooner than Shanks probably was hoping for.]
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[ Grey Terminal is a whole other conversation, but Shanks is glad to not smell it, either. Now, some wild animals to chase, or fight with would be fun, but they can find some of those in the gardens. Granted, Shanks has taken to taking naps with the giant rabbits, rather than chase them. ]
[ At first, Shanks looks confused when Luffy wraps his arm around him, but when he sees the other one loop around a tree, he grins. ]
Best shortcut. [ He actually laughs about it as they're flung through the air. Having a friend made of rubber definitely comes in handy. ] You've clearly improved on your powers, too.
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Luffy beams and thanks Shanks once everything has settled down enough that he can let go and allow his arm to shrink back to its proper length, flopping back to lay across the bed horizontally and letting his feet dangle over the edge. It's strange how convincing the upper canopy and the sky looks, considering he has stretched enough to touch the ceiling and make sure it is actually still there. Like Nami's room, it also has its limits.
He turns his head to the side to watch Shanks and however he decides to sit or lay, their straw hat pinned to the blanket just above his shoulder by its cord still around his neck. Even in the privacy of his own room, he never takes it off.] It's a lot better than the real treehouse I made! It's even better than the one Ace made. [Why no, Luffy has not actually considered that he hasn't mentioned his brother to Shanks yet. Oh well.] But I guess we were still kids, so that's not weird. [Luffy's building skills have not necessarily improved much since becoming an adult, but that's a minor detail.] Did you get a cool new room too?
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[ Not long after Luffy flops back, Shanks follow him. ]
This is as comfortable as it looks. [ With the added thrill of swinging in the air. ]
[ He chuckles, again, at the tree house mention, though his eyebrows raise at the mention of Ace. ] Have you seen your brother yet? I suppose it's more likely once you hit the Grandline, and Nami mentioned you were on your way to Loguetown, at least before she ended up here.
[ He has considered all of the Straw Hats might be from different times. ]
[ Shanks shakes his head. ] My suite the same. [ Not that he doesn't have plans to do something about that, but on a more permanent level. ]
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His own are callous free, because of his rubber skin. Not that he'd have them even if he weren't a Rubber Man, of course: he hasn't done enough labor to develop them yet. He's no swordsman, or chef, or cartographer. He's barely a sailor, though that'll necessarily improve as they go. (He remembers Ace's hands being rough from hardscrabble life in the jungle, but not calloused in the same way.)
He tugs Shanks' hand up over his face so he can nosily inspect his fingers and palms, humming out an excited note at his question.] Not yet! We're gonna go to the Grandline as soon as we get back, though. I'll find him there, we promised. [So, he and Nami are from the same time at least.] I want to show him my first bounty! Do you think it's bigger than his first bounty? [He grins, delighted by the mere prospect of having bragging rights over his older brother (none of Nami's attempts to convince him that having a bounty is a bad thing have stuck, apparently.)]
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[ His hands are calloused, partly from sword use - while he doesn't have his own sword in the hotel, Shanks has been making due with replacements of whatever he finds to continue training - but there are some older, slightly fading callouses from prior work when he was younger. Still, a part of his past he doesn't divulge to just anyone. ]
[ There's a soft chuckle from Shanks. ]
Is my hand really that fascinating?
[ All Shanks can do, for a bit, is smile, warmly, at how much Luffy wants to show his brother his progress. It's sweet. ]
For that, you will have to ask your brother. I noticed him later on, but didn't quite catch the beginning of his rise through the ranks. He does stand out, though. Much like you. [ Having a bounty is a bad thing? Yeah, someone might want to tell Shanks, too. He doesn't see it with quite the same bade of honor outlook as Luffy, perhaps, but considering what it is, and that it doesn't deter him from pissing off the World Government speaks for itself - it's not bad. Not from this point of view. ]
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Either way, he kicks his feet over the edge of the hanging bed. He lets Shanks have his hand back, but shuffles until their shoulders are pressed together instead, basking in the moment. He knows Shanks must be lonely without his crew—Luffy certainly would be—but if he doesn't think about that it's nice to have Shanks all to himself for a little while. Especially when his bright red hair splays out carelessly across the white bedding and he's looking at Luffy so indulgently.
Luffy has to fight the urge to hide his face behind the brim of Shanks' hat, squirming a little bit in place so that the excess energy has somewhere to go. Pride—for himself, and for his big brother—bursting like fireworks in his chest. He should definitely ask for more details, but he's never been a Details guy (clearly.)] I bet! He said he was gonna make the whole world know his name. [Ace said it in a more depressing way, probably, but Luffy is Luffy so he's dutifully ignoring that. And ignoring everything else, actually, because a thought suddenly occurs to him:] Hey, how much is your bounty? [That's a good goal to strive for, right?]
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Ah, yes, in fact they are from sword training. I've been training since I was very young. [ He has to pause. ] Three? He uses them at the same time?
[ He is, yes, lonely without his crew, but right now, he's only focused on Luffy, and he doesn't feel so lonely. ]
He has made a name for himself. I knew who he was before he approached me.
[ Details come out with time. It's fine, surely. For a moment, Shanks just looks down, lips tilted up in a corner. ]
It's over four billion berries. [ He knows that's a bit extreme sounding, perhaps, but it's still not even up to Roger's bounty. ] Your brother's, Ace's, is five hundred fifty million berries.
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Ohh. [Luffy snickers suddenly at the mention of Ace seeking Shanks out, remembering from half a dozen years ago:] How did he do? Makino taught him how to be polite so he could thank you. [Or at least she tried, bless her kind and patient soul.
He means to follow up on that, really, but Shanks' answer makes his eyes bug out and he sits up in surprise.] Whoa! They can get that high? [Luffy still, truly, has no idea how much of a Big Deal Shanks is. That's just his buddy!] I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. But I'm going to! I'll beat your bounty too, just wait. [He laughs, blissfully unaware of exactly how large a number four billion is because he's never done basic math a day in his life, flopping back down.] Everyone says the Grand Line is going to be crazy. I can't wait! [Unfortunately, he has been waiting quite awhile now, thanks Golden Peacock.]
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[ He stares at Luffy for a moment. ] Are you certain that's the sword name? [ He'll just have to ask Zoro about that, if he gets the chance. ]
[ His lips soften into fondness as he recalls how Ace approached him. ] Makino taught him well, then. Ace did a great job of it, and we drank together, after. Had a nice celebration with everyone. [ Sure, Shanks hadn't known Ace very long, but he was a friendly young man, an outstanding, undeniable force of a pirate, and knowing his connection to both Luffy and Shanks' former captain, well...he felt bonded to Ace almost immediately. ]
[ There's a hearty laugh to Luffy's remark. ] They get even higher than that, Luffy. You are? You do have a lot of catching up to do.
[ He isn't going to explain that it's actually not that easy. If you don't want to actively hurt innocent people, then the World Government has to see you as a threat. And they are a whole other force to deal with. Of course, Luffy might not be the only one itching to do something about them, when he gets there, Shanks just takes his sweet time to make a move. ]
The Grand Line is a great adventure. I think you're going to enjoy it. [ At least, for people like them, it is. ]
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In either case, his mouth splits into a huge grin, certainly larger than the situation really calls for.] I'm glad you guys were friends! [Shanks didn't say that, exactly, but Luffy can practically taste the quiet approval coming off of him in waves. It eases something he didn't know had been tightening up inch by inch by inch in his gut over the lonely years between Ace's departure from their home island and his own. His brother was always so utterly convinced that the world would hate him, and while Luffy never believed it because he thought from the very beginning that Ace was the bees knees, having Shanks clearly like him loosens up the tension of that old borrowed anxiety instantly and he feels light as a feather where they're floating so high up in the air.
Luffy lets the rest hang, watching the artificial sunlight dance around on Shanks' face through the leaves of the tree they're dangling in. He has spent so long fantasizing about the Grand Line that it almost seems like a mythical place. Especially now that he's both the farthest away from and the closest he's ever been to finally sailing on it. The prospect of seeing Ace and Shanks again had been a powerful draw even if the pure love of adventure hadn't been enough, but in the quiet of his strange, fake Dawn Island room, Luffy finds himself wondering about things he never let himself think about before. Things he always put out of mind immediately, deliberately, before they could take hold.] Did you ever want to come back? [The question might sound accusatory coming from most people, but Luffy's tone is all curiosity instead. He doesn't hold any kind of grudge easily, and a dream is a dream: Luffy would never ask anyone not to follow their own, even if it leads them away from him and even if he really, really doesn't want them to go. Freedom, and all that.]
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[ And no, while he didn't say he was friends with Ace, Luffy isn't wrong. They got on, and celebrating with someone like that, yes, Shanks would easily say they were friend. Shanks, after all, tries to support the younger generation, as much as possible, even if they are, technically, rivals. Either way, there's no way he could hate young Ace. He was jovial, polite, enjoyed partying, and reminded Shanks of both Luffy and his former captain. Two of his favorite people. ]
We did have a great night. His crew and my crew got on, as well.
[ While Luffy watches Shanks, Shanks looks right back, fond smile on his lips. The second Luffy asks his question, Shanks' expression falls, slowly, as guilt flickers on his face for a second. It didn't need to be an accusation, there was a reason Shanks couldn't go back. Several reasons, really. For Luffy to become greater than Shanks he had to learn a lot, on his own. And for Shanks to realize part of his own dream, he needed to pave the way for Luffy. ]
[ His usual playful tone is absent when he answers. ]
Of course, I did. I enjoyed my time in Windmill Village. I miss it. Makino. And you.
The whole crew does, really. Everyone was happy to see your bounty poster. We know it means we'll meet again. Soon.
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So he nudges Shanks' side with an elbow, looking to cajole him back into his playful mood, recognizing the flash of guilt for what it was. Truly, he doesn't regret being left on Dawn Island, because if he'd gone with Shanks' crew he never would have met his brothers. He wouldn't have set sail when he did, a decade later, and been in the right place and time to save Koby, or free Zoro, or help Nami and Usopp (and Usopp's friend Kaya.) Sanji would have stayed with Zeff, so that wouldn't have been bad, but Luffy doesn't ever want to go back to a life where he doesn't get to sail with Sanji. (He certainly doesn't want to miss out on everything Sanji will cook for him once they find the All Blue!)
And having been out on the sea now, he definitely understands what Shanks meant, when he said that a pirate ship was no place for a kid. Luffy remembers how weak he'd been back then, totally unable to aim his fists and barely able to take a punch. He never would have been capable of fighting someone like Arlong before growing up. Or even Buggy. (Sorry, Buggy. Love you, Buggy.)] We missed you guys too! [Everyone but Mayor Woop Slap, of course... but Luffy suspects maybe he had, too, he just wouldn't admit to it. Either way:] It was so quiet after you left.
Well, for awhile. Then gramps made me stay with the bandits, they were pretty loud. [That's rich, coming from the loudest boy in the world.] I wish everyone else was here! I mean, I want to meet you guys on the Grand Line, like we promised, but I like that you're here with me now. [His nose crinkles a bit, because his feelings on the resort are complicated and he prefers to not get bogged down too much. He can have fun and he's with a lot of the people he loves so he doesn't let it get to him very often, but he misses sailing on the Going Merry so much. The sea salt and the wind pulling at his clothes, adventure spilled out before him in the waves.] Is that bad? [Everyone here wants to leave, he knows that.]
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[ Luffy's jab gets a chuckle and grin from Shanks. It really did work out for best, for both of them, perhaps, even if these ten years have been long ones. ]
[ There's still a level of hypocrisy in Shanks' words to Luffy at that age. He's never - not once - thought less of his own captain and his first mate for keeping two small children out on the waters. He understands, why. And while that experience might have shaped Shanks, made him as strong as he is, it did help him understand why the seas are no place for a child. ]
[ The Mayor was a prickly person, but Shanks understood that, too. He would take no offense at the older man's words and laugh them off, knowing that beneath it all, he, too, cares. ]
I'm surprised to hear anywhere was quiet with you around.
[ He shakes his head. Monkey D. Garp. ] I'm not surprised to hear he was working with bandits. What bandits were those?
[ Again, Shanks' expression drops for a moment. He breaths in, then smiles. ] It's probably for the best they're not. Though, I wish they were here, as well.
[ There's another chuckle, before Shanks rolls over to his side, so he can put his hand on Luffy's shoulder. ] Not at all. There's nothing wrong in taking joy from what moments we get. Regardless of where they are.