[ 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}
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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?
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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.)]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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?]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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 subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ 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.