Archive of Our Own

There was only one person that Shanks had left in the world. One that he could absolutely call family. Portgas D. Rouge. His elder sister by twenty years. Rouge had practically raised him from a baby before he had met Roger. Accidentally getting separated from her when their village had been attacked when he was just a toddler. He had been so young when they were separated, but Roger had managed to find her for him. He had been stashed away in a treasure chest. His parents were dead. His father dying before he was born. His mother dying during childbirth.

After losing the one man that he saw as a father – ironically, the same man who had fallen in love with his sister – he had decided to start forming his own crew, but there was a feeling in the pit of his stomach. One that was bubbling and telling him to seek her out. From what he could recall, she had been born in the South Blue. Probably having moved back there a few years prior. She enjoyed traveling the seas, but after Roger turned himself in, he hadn’t heard anything about her.

They had seen each other plenty of times over the years after he had became an apprentice aboard Roger’s ship, but this felt so much different. He had watched a love blossom between Roger and Rouge. The way Roger completely looked exactly like “a man in love” whenever he was around Rouge. It always seemed like Roger never wanted to tell him about their relationship, but he had seen it right away. He couldn’t think of anyone better for his sister. His sister had deserved to be happy and so did Captain Roger.

When he had traveled to Loguetown, he had been hearing the rumors. The rumors that Roger possibly sired a child. In the South Blue. It made him wonder if it was actually true. The way that the Marines seemed to flood into the South Blue. He knew right then and there that after Roger was executed, that he needed to go there.

On his way, he had ran into a man named Benn Beckman. A man that would soon become his First Mate and the first official member of his newly formed crew. He had been the same person who would decide to accompany him to the South Blue. Telling him that he wouldn’t let him go into the snake pit alone. He couldn’t be more thankful for Benn.

His journey had brought him to a small, tropical island known as Baterilla. It was beautiful. The name also sounded familiar to him. It also seemed to be the island that had been the sightings of the most Marines. It disgusted him to know that Marines were taking pregnant women and mothers in for questioning. Even their babies. He didn’t even want to fathom the thought of what they had done during this “search”.

The second that they had landed on Baterilla, his heart was racing. All the concern bubbling into him as he dashed through the town. He wasn’t even sure where he was going. How he was going to find Rouge, but he was going to. He was more determined now than he ever was within his life. Benn had followed closely behind him.

“Shanks, slow down!” Benn exclaimed, “We don’t know if there are still Marines here!”

Hell, Shanks did not care.

He needed to find Rouge.

He wanted to hope that this feeling in his gut was wrong. That there was nothing to worry about and she was perfectly okay. He wished with everything that this was true. He wasn’t thinking clearly. He knew that. If it wasn’t for Benn, he would have probably made more reckless decisions by now to try and find Rouge.

He had only stopped running when he felt Benn’s hand around his wrist, pulling him into a nearby alley way just as a couple of Marines walked by. Shanks was surprised to say the least. The Marines were supposed to be gone by now. He exhaled sharply, sighing as he leaned his head back against the alley wall.

“You have to go in this levelheaded, Shanks.” Benn stated.

Shanks shook his head, “I know but… she’s, my sister.” He muttered, looking over at his First Mate. “I will do anything just to make sure she’s okay.” He gritted his teeth for a moment, making a tsking sound before he was adding, “I’ve already lost everything… I can’t lose her too.”

Benn smiled softly; his cigarette hooked between his teeth. “I’m aware and that’s why I’m here to make sure you don’t run face first into Marines.” Shanks sighed, giving Benn a soft look for a second before he was peeking out of the alley way. “Do you even know if she’s actually here?”

“I think this was her home island.” Shanks replied. “I can vaguely recall her talking about it, so if it was me, I would go back to somewhere really familiar, and that Marines don’t go to very often.”

Benn hummed, peeking his out head next to Shanks, looking in a different direction. “It won’t exactly be easy finding a woman who is known for basically being a shadow.”

The red head laughed for a second, shaking his head, “Yeah, she gained her nickname for a good reason.” Without another word, he took back off as he made sure that the Marines were completely out of sight from them. Neither had a bounty, but Shanks could never be to care less. There could always be that chance that someone recognized him from Roger’s crew. Even just being an apprentice could get a bounty placed on your head. He, thankfully, did not have one yet. He could just walk around like nothing was happening and the Marines technically couldn’t do anything to him.

“Well, if you think she’s here, we should maybe ask around.” Benn stated.

Shanks hummed, pausing for a second. “That… I didn’t think of that.”

Benn chuckled, shaking his head, “That’s why I’m here.” He took another puff of his cigarette, moving forward, “Someone’s got to help you out when you get like this.”

They had been searching for hours before they had finally gotten a promising lead. It was already getting dark out and a nice, elderly woman had told them that they had seen a woman matching Rouge’s description that had moved back into her former childhood home. It seemed perfect. That she might in fact be Rouge.

His heart was racing as he moved throughout the town. Heading in the direction of the home that he was told that it belonged to her. He hoped with everything that the woman who fit her description was in fact her. He would hate if he had interrupted someone’s day who was in fact not Rouge.

He was starting to lose hope of finding her. Figuring out where she was.

He sighed, feeling the frustration going through him. “Why don’t we sleep for the night and start back up at daybreak.” Benn muttered. “You haven’t slept or eaten in almost two days. You need to rebuild your strength. Especially with Marines on this island.”

Shanks shook his head. He was already here. He didn’t want to stop now, but Benn had a point. They would need rest. He had completely forgotten about food, not thinking twice about actually wanting to eat anything. He was feeling lightheaded, so he knew he was going to have to cave. “Yeah… lets…” He wasn’t able to finish his sentence as the world started to spin around him and he found himself starting to sway on his feet.

“Shanks!” Benn exclaimed, moving to catch him but it wasn’t Benn who caught him.

Shanks blinked as the dots disappeared from his vision and he felt the soft hands landing on his biceps. He caught the scent of hibiscus flowers first as the air caught in his throat and he looked up. Looking straight at Rouge. Her wine-colored eyes looking down at him, her pinkish blonde hair framing her face in curls. “I heard that a young red head was on the island looking for me.” Rouge stated.

“Rouge!” Shanks stated, getting back to his feet, and looking at the woman in shock. “You’re okay.” There she was, standing right before him with a soft smile on her face. Completely alive. Alright. Any word that he could think of to explain what it was.

Rouge had started to look around, her hands still on Shanks. Moving from his biceps and to his shoulders as she muttered, “Not here.”

Rouge had guided them away. Not even making a facial expression as if they were doing something they weren’t supposed to. Just casually moving along as if nothing as happening. Shanks didn’t think twice before he was wrapping his arms around his sister. He had buried his nose into her dress, feeling relief in the fact that they had found each other again.

He wasn’t even sure how long they had been walking for before he was being pulled into a house and the door was shutting behind them all. The exhaustion was getting to him as Rouge guided him towards one of the rooms all but putting him to bed.

He couldn’t even say anything back before his eyes were shut and he was fast asleep.

Rouge had a soft smile on her face as she placed a cup of tea in front of Benn, taking a seat on the other side of the table. She peered over, looking at the room that had Shanks inside. She was fast asleep. Going to sleep practically the second that he hit the bed. She had taken a few moments to slip his hat off of his bed, his shoes, his sword before tucking him in. He was so young, yet so grown up at the same time. He was sixteen now.

He was so grown up. She could vividly remember holding him as a baby as their mother passed away. The way that she cried and hoped that their mother truly hadn’t passed on. She had many complications during childbirth and ultimately bled out. There was nothing that could have stopped it.

Rouge had vowed to protect her baby brother from that moment on. Shanks had been born in the West Blue, where they had been living at the time. That was until the village had been attacked by the infamous pirate Rocks D. Xebec had attacked the village. He had cued in on Shanks. Demanding for Rouge to hand him over. She had fought the best she could, but as someone who didn’t have much fighting experience, she had lost. Shanks had been taken from her that day and Rouge had believed that she would never see him again.

That was until a few years later, Gol D. Roger – another infamous pirate – showed up where she was with Shanks in tow.

She had cried for the first time in a long time the second she had seen her brother again. She had made the difficult decision to allow him to stay on the Oro Jackson. He had bonded closely with Roger and his First Mate, Silvers Rayleigh. It was what was best for him. She knew at the time she wasn’t truly prepared to raise a child. Somehow, this traumatic event had turned into a beautiful one. Shanks had more family. More people who loved and cared for him.

Roger had even made it a point to continually make sure that she had seen his progress. Got to see him grow and thrive. The friendships that he had made.

It brought a smile to her face.

A pirate is what Shanks was meant to be.

And the world had a funny way to telling her.

Though, she had some news for him when he woke up. He had the right to know when he woke up.

“He’s been worried about you.” Benn stated.

Rouge gave a soft smile, looking back at her own drink. Not taking a drink from it, but rather tracing patterns into the porcelain. “I think about him all the time. He’s grown so much.”

“He told me what happened.” Benn added.

Rouge nodded. “I’m just happy I get to see him again.”

When Shanks finally woke up again, it was late into the night, and he could hear Rouge and Benn speaking to each other. Rouge was laughing softly which is what fully pulled him out of his sleep. The red head blinked, wiping at his eyes as he pushed himself up. Reaching for his hat, he slipped it back onto his head, and crawled out of bed.

He stopped for a second, contemplating for a moment. He was finally here. He got to see Rouge again. She was alive and she looked unharmed. He really hated the heavy Marine presence that was on the island. He really wanted to ask her if the rumors he had been hearing were true. If she in fact had been pregnant. There were no signs of a child in the home from what he could tell. He especially hadn’t heard a baby at all.

It had been a few months since Roger had been executed. If she had been pregnant, she should have given birth by now or had been heavily pregnant. She was perfectly skinny. Showing no signs that her and Roger had a baby together. He summed it down to the World Government having fears. Fearing the man who had done it all. Learned the truth. There was so much about Roger, but it disgusted him to think that they would take that out on an innocent life. A baby who was innocent of the sins of a father. Roger was a good man, but he was a criminal. That didn’t mean that his baby deserved any hatred. Roger had practically singlehandedly raised him. Took in Buggy when he was a child. If he was so heartless and cold as the World Government tried to make him out to be, why would he do that? Shanks knew the truth.

In the end, he was just glad to see that Rouge was perfectly okay.

He refused to lose her too.

“Shanks, I know you’re awake.” Rouge’s voice had cut right through his thoughts that had him grounded back to reality and out of his thoughts. He still had so many questions to what was going on here on Baterilla. He felt like he could get the answers he sought, but there was a part of him that felt fear in the idea. Like he was holding onto some false hope that what he was hearing about the World Government wasn’t true and they were not actively seeking out an unborn child or even newborn. They would execute them both if it were true. Just from his run ins with the World Government, he felt like it was absolutely something that they would do and it terrified him. There were very few Marines that he believed to be good people who actually had the idea in their head that they were doing good for the world and its people. Not just abusing their power or being subordinates to the Gorosei. Monkey D. Garp and Sengoku were two of the names of people that even Roger had told him that he could trust when it came to the Navy. He didn’t understand it completely, but he felt like he would one day. He just had to see for himself.

He forced a smile to come to his face as he came out of the room and Rouge was looking at him from where she was sitting. “Rouge…” He muttered. He knew he had to ask, but he found himself unable to form the words.

“You want to know about the rumors.” Rouge stated.

Shanks shuffled on his feet. Benn stayed relatively quiet for the most part. He was observing the two of them, while Rouge kept her eyes on him. Shanks didn’t even know where to start. He had been so worried between the East Blue and arriving at Baterilla. Benn had promised him that they would figure this out. Find out everything that they could, and that he would help him make sure that Rouge was okay. They were here now, and Shanks still wasn’t sure what he would do with the information when he finally figured it out.

“I heard it, and I knew I had to come here.” Shanks whispered. He picked at his nails for a second as he bit down on his lip. Why was he actually scared of what rouge could possibly say? He had gone through the possibilities in his head. None of them seemed plausible, so he wasn’t sure what was spiking the anxiety going through him. “Rouge… are the rumors…”

“True?” Rouge went on to finish his sentence. Shanks nodded and his sister smiled at him, walking forward, and placing a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, they are.” She dropped her voice so low that he barely heard a word that he said.

Shanks was stunned. He hadn’t actually believed that Rouge had been pregnant. “Where’s the baby?” Shanks found himself questioning.

Rouge kept smiling at him as she whispered, “Safe.”

Shanks’ attention was grabbed by seeing Rouge place her hand on her still flat stomach. He was confused now. That shouldn’t be possible in the slightest. There was absolutely no way. It had been too long for her not to be showing. Sure, he didn’t know much about pregnancy. Honestly, very little but he felt like the time between the announcement of Roger’s execution and now should show some signs that she was currently with child. “Rouge?”

“I know it’s confusing, but I have to keep this baby safe.” Rouge explained, “Any means necessary. Even if that means they can’t grow yet.”

Shanks was still trying to put the pieces together. Trying to figure out exactly how she was doing this or what exactly she meant. That’s when Benn stood up, moving towards them as he looked at her with surprise. “You’re willing your body to conceal your pregnancy. Even if it means the baby stays too small for what they should be.” Benn stated.

Rouge nodded, “I can’t let anyone find out about them. They will kill them.”

“They’ll kill you.” Shanks stressed, shaking his head as the realization was fully hitting him. Benn’s explanation clearing up more of what Rouge was trying to tell him. “I don’t understand This is against—”

“The laws of nature?” Rouge finished to which Shanks nodded.

“Wow.” Shanks whispered, “This is… a lot.” He didn’t even know if he had the words to say. How was he supposed to react to something like this. All he knew was, he couldn’t leave Rouge here like this. He knew she could do it, but this seemed like it would be life threatening. This should not be possible. It couldn’t be good on her body, but judging by her face, she was willing to do anything and everything she could to protect her baby. Roger’s baby. “How are you supposed to survive something like this?” He really felt like this was something that could kill her. It couldn’t be good on the baby either. Honestly, he was wondering if the baby could survive this, but judging by how stubborn and determined his sister could be, the baby would be born perfectly healthy.

Though, the body never failed to amaze him.

That was all that it took for Shanks to make his decision. He eyed Benn from where he was standing, tilting his head slightly as he let a smile come to his face. Benn started chuckling, a smile coming to his face as he shook his head. “You’re the Captain. I’ll follow you no matter what you want to do.”

Rouge was giving him a soft look as he looked back at her. “You can’t change my mind, Rouge.”

“Knowing the Portgas family, that was never on the table.”

As the time started to pass, he could see more and more of the restraint that Rouge held. The determination. There were many days she would sit in her rocking chair, going back and forth and humming along to any tune that she could think of. She would sit there with a smile on her face, a hand over her stomach. With each passing day, Shanks could feel just how much Rouge’s strength was dropping.

She was using everything.

He was terrified of the possibilities. What could come next. Rouge was doing everything in her power to protect the life of her unborn child. Hell, she was completely defying everything the World Government and Marines stood for.

Benn had definitely been a rock through it all. Always telling them when someone was getting too close to the house when the Marines were still on the island or going out to get anything Rouge could possibly need so she could save as much strength as she could.

Shanks had been spending most of his time with Rouge. Taking care of any need that she could possibly have. He would do anything for her. Rouge had always been the one to help him when he needed it. It was his turn now. He would continue on the legacy of Roger. Roger had did everything he could to protect them both. Protect them all. He knew that Roger wasn’t captured like the World Government was trying to play. He had turned himself in.

As the time continued to pass, the more that Shanks’ heart hurt watching his sister. It was late at night and Benn had returned from the town with some fresh fruit that Rouge had been craving. It was when he had seen first hand just how much this pregnancy was effected Rouge’s body.

“You boys have been so much help for me.” Rouge stated, grabbing one of the many oranges from the basket that Benn had placed on the table. “Thank y—” Before she could finish talking, she started to collapse.

Shanks’ heart had skipped a beat as he rushed forward with a shout of, “Rouge!” Rouge had managed to catch herself on the table, letting out a soft cry as she placed a hand on her table. Her face contorted in pain. Shanks could feel the tears coming to his eyes as he kneeled down, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Rouge… please, you can’t keep doing this.”

“I’m so sorry.” Rouge cried, rubbing a hand over her stomach as she looked up, right into the light of the candle that was lit on the table. “Just a little bit longer.”

Shanks choked for a second, leaning his forehead down against Rouge’s shoulder. “Please.”

“Not yet.”

Shanks knew there was no talking to her. No trying to get her to leave. It was dangerous to take her out onto the sea now, and the Marines had the place on lockdown. They wouldn’t be able to get away even if they tried. They had barely gotten onto Baterilla in the first place. They had to wait this out. Shanks would be here the entire way. He looked up, peeking through his bangs at Benn. Benn was looking at the two with a soft gaze. Not saying a word as he said he was going to step out for a smoke, making sure to never smoke near Rouge due to the second hand smoke. Shanks nodded, looking back at his sister. He hated seeing her in so much pain. There was nothing he could do for her except be here.

“Let’s go get you in bed.” Shanks muttered, standing up and helping Rouge back to her feet before he was guiding her to her room. She didn’t fight him on it. It was clear how exhausted she was.

He had made sure that she was safely tucked into bed. Peeling the oranges that she had been craving and placing them on a small plate with a drink next to her bed. Shanks had stayed with her until she had eaten her snack and had gone to sleep. He pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, looking down at her for a moment before he had decided to leave the room.

He felt like he couldn’t breathe as he stepped outside of the home where Benn was leaning back against the house. His shotgun was in clear view and easily accessible if he needed it. Benn had looked right at him as he came out, sighing as he flicked the finished cigarette away. “You know what might happen, right?”

Shanks nodded, but he refused to think of it.

Rouge was using all her strength to protect her baby. He didn’t even want to think of what might happen. He couldn’t help the sob that broke away from him as Benn shushed him, reaching out and wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

“I don’t want to lose her, Benn.”

“I know, Shanks.”

Shanks really hoped that the Marines would just give up and leave. That Rouge could carry on with her pregnancy like normal. She was already well over the forty week mark that most pregnancies were. This could kill her and Shanks knew he had to prepare himself. He just didn’t want to.

Finally, one day, Benn came rushing into the house, supplies in hand. “The Marines have left.” Shanks had felt the sense of relief going through him, knowing that Rouge wouldn’t have to conceal herself anymore.

“Really?” Shanks questioned, smiling over at Rouge. A grin had broken out on her face as tears of happiness came to her eyes. Curling her arms around her stomach. She had been doing so much to conceal her baby. Putting herself through so much. Despite what he could see her going through, Rouge refused to let Shanks see her waver. He could see it, but she was definitely doing her best to conceal it. Not let him see her become weaker. He would just smile at her, take her hand, and sit in silence with her.

Benn nodded, “Heard it myself and watched them leave. They deemed that Roger never sired a child.”

Shanks exhaled sharply almost laughing in joy to know that this could go smooth going from here on out. For a moment, he could hear Rouge mutter, “Alright, little one… you can grow now.”

It seemed that after that, Rouge had started to show pretty quickly. Showing for the first time since they arrived months prior that she was in fact currently carrying a child. Rouge had been glowing, never looking happier than she was as she caressed her swollen stomach.

Then the day came, one year and three months after Roger’s death.

Rouge had gone into labor.

They had gone to the hospital, since the Marines had left, she had been actively seeking out prenatal care acting as if she had only just recently found out she was pregnant. As they were waiting for the moment, they could hear the commotion from outside. One of the many nurses shouting, “Sir! You can’t go in there!”

The door had flown open a few seconds later and Shanks heart sank. Standing at the door was the face of the same man that had tried to kill Roger many times in the past and vice versa.

Monkey D. Garp.

This was not supposed to happen. Rouge was supposed to be safe now. They couldn’t do this on the day that she was now going to give birth to her child. A child that she had been putting her life on the line for. Shanks had reached for his sword as Benn also reacted, holding his shotgun out and aiming at Garp. Shanks knew they couldn’t defeat him. At least, not now.

Garp had been looking right at them. Scoffing as he said, “If you really wanted to kill me, you would have done it by now.” He was mostly referring to Benn, who had his shotgun level on Garp’s temple.

“You will not harm either of them.” Benn hissed.

Shanks’ heart was pounding. As he went to pull his sword out, Rouge’s hand landed on his and he turned his head to look at her. She was giving him a look that told him not to react. He gritted his teeth as he looked back towards Garp and hissed out, “Leave her alone. They are both innocent.”

Garp looked at him for a moment, “You’re the little red haired brat from Roger’s ship.” That was all Garp said to him before he was looking at Rouge, “Are you Portgas D. Rouge?” Shanks wanted to tell Rouge not to answer him, but it was already too late as Rouge nodded. Garp’s face turned from a serious one to a fond smile, “The father of your child told me where to find you.”

That had Shanks freezing. Roger told Garp about the baby. About Rouge. His eyes widened as he felt his grip on his sword drop as he stared at the Marine and shook his head. “He… wouldn’t.”

Garp looked at him now, “What brings you here, brat?”

“She’s my…” Shanks started. Why was he even telling this to Garp. Garp was the enemy. He worked for the same organization that had been slaughtering mothers and children alike just for the slim chance that they had been Roger’s lover and child. Yet, there was a moment there. A moment that Shanks actually believed him. If Roger told him, that meant he did it over a year ago during his imprisonment and the Marines had never found her.

“You can lower your weapon.” Garp stated, eyeing Benn. “I am not going to bring harm to anyone here. I’m here to help.”

“You can help by leaving and pretending you don’t know a damn thing!” Shanks snapped.

Garp just smiled, reaching out towards him which had caused Shanks to flinch for a second. It shocked him when Garp’s hand landed on the top of his head. Almost a fond movement. “I’m here because that baby’s life is innocent. I know what they would do if they found either of them, and I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen. That’s why he told me. Calm down, brat.”

Shanks believed him.

“He told me about you.” Rouge stated, giving a soft smile. “He respected you.”

“Likewise.” Garp said back. “If you feel more comfortable, I can wait outside.”

Rouge shook her head, “He told you about me for a reason.” Rouge said after a moment.

“Rouge—” Shanks started.

“It’s okay, Shanks.” Rouge said to him, reaching out a hand to place on his. “He’s here to help.”

Shanks nodded, “She’s my sister, Garp-san.” Looking straight at the Marine, “I won’t let you do anything to either of them.”

Garp chuckled, “You’re nowhere near strong enough to do anything to me. Maybe tell me that again in twenty years.”

Shanks grumbled for a second, but they had all relaxed. Dropping their weapons as Shanks turned back towards Rouge. Rouge had been smiling at him still, looking just as tired as before.

It had taken well into the morning, but Rouge had finally given birth. A smile on her face as she cradled her newborn son. The baby was crying loudly. His wails filling the room. Garp had stayed, staying a respective distance in the corner, but also in a location that he couldn’t see anything during the process of childbirth.

Shanks was standing at her bedside as Benn leaned back against the wall.

Rouge looked so happy.

A smile on her face as she cradled the baby. “Ann if it’s a girl… Ace if it’s a boy. Those names… he picked them.” Rouge stated, the tears coming to her eyes for a moment. “So, his name is… Gol D. Ace.” She leaned in, rubbing her cheek against the baby’s—no, his name was Ace. “Our son. Ace.” She had sat there in silence for a moment, basking in the afterglow of giving birth. Holding the life that she had done everything she could to protect.

That’s when it all went down hill as Rouge’s eyes slipped shut and she started to fall back. Shanks felt the air catch in his throat as he yelled out her name, filling in with the chorus of the nurses and doctors. He reached forward, catching Ace before he could slip off of his mother. His eyes landed on Rouge, the fear coursing through him.

“Rouge…” He whispered. He had Ace secured in his arms now as he was forced away from Rouge. Benn’s hands landed on his shoulders, keeping him from trying to move forward. Shanks started to shake his head. This was a possibility, but he didn’t think it would actually happen. He couldn’t hear a thing as the ringing filled his ears, looking at his sister’s face. Her eyes were closed but the smile was on her face. He went to move forward but was stopped by an arm coming in front of him and Garp was standing there with a dark look on his face. The sympathetic look that he was giving.

He started immediately shaking his head, the denials flying from his mouth as he wished that this wasn’t true. He could see the doctors and nurses attempting to do something. Trying to restart Rouge’s heart.

“Please… no.”

He went to move forward again as he saw the looks come to the medical staff’s face. The doctor looking up and shaking her head.

“Please. No, no, no!” Shanks exclaimed, trying to break away from Garp and Benn, “She can’t be! She had done everything—”

“I’m so sorry, kid.” Garp whispered, physically stopping Shanks from moving. “She’s gone.” Shanks continued to shake his head, the tears stinging his eyes. Ace was crying in his arms, and he curled his arm tighter around his nephew as he felt his knees give out and he had all but collapsed into Garp’s chest. The Marine continued to shush him quietly. An arm wrapped around his back and the other handing on the back of his head. “She’s gone. There’s nothing you can do.”

Rouge had been officially pronounced dead. Her cause of death being told as exhaustion. That her body was just too tired between what she had done and going through the already exhausting process that was childbirth. They had said it was a miracle Ace had survived. That Rouge’s will had been enforced onto her baby and it kept him alive.

Shanks hadn’t let Ace go. Keeping ahold of him. Ace was now asleep. Tucked against his chest as he rocked on his feet. His heart hurt, screaming for Rouge, but he had no tears left.

He had lost her too.

All he had now was Ace.

Then he realized exactly why Garp was here. The actual reason that he had shown up. He must have known what was going to happen and had every intention of taking Ace away from here. Maybe it had been the look on Garp’s face. Shanks had curled up, using his legs like a shield between them. Benn was standing between the two of them, not relenting and allowing Garp to get close.

“Kid, you can’t do this alone.” Garp stated. “He’s better off with me.”

Shanks looked up, sending a glare at Garp. “You are a Marine. One that travels a lot. You aren’t going to raise him.” Shanks muttered. “You’ll just pawn him off on someone.”

Garp shook his head, “I will give him someone who can keep him safe and hide him.”

Shanks gritted his teeth. “You’ll have to kill me to take him from me.” He looked down at Ace. Seeing the tuff of black hair on his head, the freckles across his cheeks. He looked like Rouge. All except for his hair. That was Roger’s. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let you take him. How do I know that you weren’t waiting for her to die… just so you could take him away.”

“I told you—”

“I don’t care.” Shanks stated, glaring at Garp for a moment. “You aren’t taking him from me.” He had made his decision. He would fight his way out of here. Sure, his haki wasn’t nearly as strong as it should be, but it was the only thing he could think of.

Garp lifted his hand, turning back towards where Rouge’s body was covered. “Hmm… This woman was never pregnant.” Shanks eyed him for a second in surprise, looking at Benn for a second. Garp wasn’t looking at them. Shanks understood in seconds what he was doing. The nurse had slipped a bag to Benn and the two shared a look. Shanks nodded as Benn helped him stand up. Garp kept his back to them the entire time as they started to walk out. Just before the door closed, he heard, “I promised to keep that child safe. Do not make me regret this decision. I’ll check on the both of you soon. I will keep my promise.”

Shanks barely whispered out a, “Thank you.” Before the door was closing behind them and he had bolted with Benn on his heel.

This is not what he imagined would happen when he had started to seek out Rouge. Now having a baby on his ship. As they traveled, they gained more nakama alongside them and Ace had started to grow. He looked so much like Rouge, but Shanks knew there was a bit of Roger in there.

He smiled as he held Ace in his arms, the giggling toddler clapping his hands together as Shanks played along with him. He had been keeping a low profile while still gaining his notoriety. Doing everything that he could to make sure that Ace had everything that he needed. Everything he could ever want. When he got old enough, Shanks would tell him about his parents. The bravery that Roger had. The love that Rouge had for him. This wasn’t ideal, but he would make do with it.

Roger did it for him.

He would do it for Ace.

“Boss!” Shanks looked away from Ace for a moment, setting the toddler down onto the deck as he looked up at the crow’s nest. Lime Juice was up there, pointing out to the sea. “Vice Admiral Garp is heading this way!”

Shanks smiled.

Garp was keeping his promise.

He didn’t give an order, waiting for Garp to come to the ship. It didn’t take long before Garp had jumped from his ship, landing on his. Ace had been roaming the deck, laughing, and causing havoc in his wake before he stopped as Garp stepped onto the deck. Laughing again as he reached his arms up towards Garp.

Garp made a face that only made Ace laugh more before he was picking the toddler up. “How’s my grandson doing?” Garp questioned.

“Terrorizing my crew.” Shanks stated, smiling fondly as Garp placed Ace back down and the toddler took off once more. Heading straight for where Hongo and Yasopp were.

With Ace growing up on the ship, he knew that he would never change this. That little boy was his Captain’s legacy. Rouge’s legacy. “You training my boy to be a Marine?” Garp questioned.

Shanks scoffed. “As if.”

Garp grumbled, cracking his knuckles, “He will be a Marine.”

“He will be whatever he wants to be.” Shanks immediately shot back. He didn’t have to see into the future to know what path Ace might choose. Though, he would have to keep a close eye on him. He hummed for a moment, “The choice is his and no one can ever change that. Not the Captain, not me, and not you.”

Garp chuckled for a second, “We’ll see about that.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”