Chapter Text
One Year Later
The day of Straw Hat’s wedding, Tim woke up to being kidnapped by his family and friends out of the men’s room in the Alabastan Royal Palace.
He should have expected this.
“Tradition from our world,” Dick said as he fireman-carried his compliant brother. He had blindfolded Tim before carrying him out of their quarters. “You can’t see the groom before the wedding! It’s bad luck.”
“You do realize we’re not getting married in the romantic sense, right? And that there are many grooms?” he asked his oldest brother. He was summarily ignored.
“Tradition!” Kon said cheerfully. Great, his friends were in on it too. Judging by how he heard other voices echoing the word? They were also referencing Fiddler on the Roof. “We’ll bring him to the ceremony in one piece.”
This was revenge for the bachelor/bachelorette party, huh?
If there were a camera, then Tim would have stared into it with such a blank expression. Instead, he heard laughter from his crew as he was carried out to get ready by his loved ones, who made the cross-dimensional trip to see him get married.
“See you at the ceremony, Tim!” Chopper called happily. He was being ushered off with Doctor Kureha and Carrot. Apparently, the Batfamily had spread the news to the others, who had gotten ideas.
“Hey morons! Take the fucking bentos,” Sanji said angrily. “I still gotta finish the wedding cake.”
“You’re making your own wedding cake?” Bruce asked. A strange tightness suddenly hit Tim’s throat. That his mentor/father figure came to do something silly like this, that he was allowing himself to do something silly like this.
“I can’t cook the meal. The Old Man and those fuckers would be on my ass, but I’m going to make my own wedding cake,” the cook said. “Now take the damn bento boxes and make sure Tim eats something other than coffee.”
“See you at the ceremony, hot stuff,” he called from over his brother’s shoulder, where the blood was rushing to his head.
“Fuck you,” Sanji’s tone was fond.
Momonosuke and Vivi had arm wrestled over it, and Vivi won. So, of course, that was why they were in Alabasta for the ceremony. It was a little easier to get people there than into the New World as well. Politely, the mostly restored World Government or the United World Government or whatever they were calling it, and the newly revamped Navy were looking the other way for the saviors of the world getting married.
And ignoring those who were attending the wedding as well.
Not that Luffy liked being called such a thing because they were pirates, but the sentiment stood. They helped save the world, after a fashion. They left something new in its wake.
This was a gift before bounties were reinstated at some point in the future, or whatever is decided to deal with pirates. But, for now, the Straw Hats and company were safe on Alabasta.
They would always be safe on Alabasta.
(Plus, it meant something to their captain, being married on the last island, he had a truly fun and easy time with Ace. And the Straw Hat Pirates were nothing if not accommodating to Luffy, who brought them all together and made them whole.)
Tim had been ushered/carried into a different room in the palace, given how their steps echoed off the halls and how he could hear Terracotta and Zeff in the distance as they prepared the feast for the guests, the brides/grooms, and, most of all, Luffy, Bonney, Sabo, and Loki in the same vicinity and eating together. He hoped that all involved got a raise and all expenses paid vacation for a month.
“Did you all really have to kidnap me from my bed for this?”
“Tradition!” Bart declared. He was wearing loose linen pants already and was shirtless. Cassie was attempting to wrestle his hair into something like order for his big flower boy moment.
“There’s no tradition like that.”
“You don’t know all the traditions of this world.”
Tim flipped him off, and Bart blew out a raspberry before Cassie made him sit back down.
“Master Tim,” Alfred said. His attention snapped to the older man, who smiled gently at him. “My dear boy, it makes me so happy to see one of you walk down the aisle.”
His throat tightened again. He never thought of himself as a crier at weddings, but maybe his own wedding was an exception to the rule.
“I know that the traditions of our world are not of this world,” the butler said, taking out a slim box. “But I hope you do not mind taking something down the aisle of your parents and adopted grandparents.”
Tim opened the slim box presented to him, and his throat caught.
An earring from a set his mother often wore and another earring that had to be from Martha Wayne for his piercings, a lovely silk pocket square from his father with J.D. embroidered on it, and a leather switchblade with T.W. embossed in golden thread.
Complicated as his feelings toward his parents could be, it was nice to have something of theirs down the aisle. He knew that Nami’s sister had brought her a cloth from one of Belle-mere’s shirts to sew into her wedding dress. And he’s sure the others had their own ways to symbolize lost loved ones who were there in spirit with them as well.
And Bruce was hard to part with anything of his parents. Gifting Tim something of Martha and Thomas Wayne, even through Alfred? It really meant the world. It really felt like a sign the man was healing.
Was getting happier.
He hugged the butler.
“Thank you, Alfie.”
“You’re quite welcome, my dear boy,” the old man said, hugging Tim close. “I am endlessly proud of the man that you have grown into.”
Dammit, he was going to be a teary mess all day, wasn’t he?
Tim’s eyes flicked over to Bruce as he pulled away, who was smiling. It was a small, awkward thing, but real and reached his eyes.
And he knew what he wanted from that man.
“Can you give me away, B?” he asked.
He hadn’t chosen anyone yet. Tim knew he was the last holdout on it. Everyone had someone in mind for the honor, asked and answered. But he wasn’t sure if he wanted Bruce or Dick to do it. After everything, however, and with the gift of something from the Waynes in his hands, he knew he wanted one of his fathers to walk him down the aisle.
Jack Drake was dead.
And, maybe, he wanted the one dad that he did have to do something distinctly Dad-like. Also, hopefully, there wouldn’t be a fight like that one that went down between Sabo and Shanks over who got to give Luffy away.
Sabo won.
Bruce stared at him with slightly wide eyes: a true sign of his shock. And then he saw some tears gather in them.
“It would be my honor, Tim,” he said softly.
Behind him, Cass gave Tim two thumbs up and a big smile.
Maybe weddings could bring people together after all.
“Right!” he said, wiping his eyes and looking at his gathered loved ones. “Sanji made bentos, and I got to get ready for this disaster.”
“HELL YEAH!” Bart said excitedly, holding the bentos excitedly. “That’s the spirit.”
“Do not eat my bento, Allen,” Tim threatened as he went to lunge at him.
Somewhere, he heard a camera click, but all he could do in the moment was laugh.
Vivi had organized the Royal Gardens as their wedding venue: a lush and verdant oasis in the middle of the desert island. It had grown and healed beautifully over the years since Crocodile’s attempted takeover of the kingdom. There were actually ten paths to the central fountain in the Royal Gardens, which probably had something to do with the Void Century, but they weren’t thinking about such things today.
Instead, Tim was dressed in the flowing linen suit that he had landed on for a wedding in a desert climate. The earrings of his mother and adopted grandmother were safely in his ears, his adopted grandfather’s switchblade was tucked away, and his father’s pocket square was folded carefully into his suit.
Bruce’s arm was a steady presence as he walked down the aisle with him to where all the Straw Hats would meet in front of the fountain, where Shanks was waiting, a smile on his face.
Distantly, Tim realized, he could hear Buggy already sobbing.
Huh.
He did not know that Buggy cared so much.
Or maybe he was just a crier at weddings.
Either way, Tim saw his crew: all dressed in their version of wedding clothes, matching at least one member of the crew. Luffy’s ribbon on his straw hat had sunflowers poking out of it, which matched the cheery flowers on Brook’s pants. Zoro and Jinbe were wearing surprisingly ornate yukatas from Wano. Nami’s wedding dress was a pretty light blue, while Robin wore a similar style dress in a dusky shade of lavender. Sanji had gone the linen suit route with Tim, though slightly more form-fitting and white over Tim’s light blue. Franky, Usopp, and Chopper all had on matching bowties in a bright, bold red and yellow that brought to mind the Sunny.
Tim untucked his hand from Bruce’s arm and hugged him.
“I love you, chum,” he whispered into his hair. “I am so proud of the man you are. I am so happy that you found people with whom you want to be with forever.”
The lump had firmly lodged in his throat now, but he was going to power through it.
“I love you too, B,” he said, and Bruce smiled.
It was hard to believe a year ago that Tim couldn’t remember the last time he had seen his adopted father smile. Now, it felt like a far more common occurrence than an auspicious occasion.
“Guys!” Luffy shouted excitedly. “You all look so pretty!”
The audience laughed or groaned depending on how they knew the captain. Tim could hear money already exchanging hands, but it broke the tension.
Their wedding was never going to be a serious affair.
“You look pretty as well, Captain,” Robin said fondly. “I quite like the flowers.”
Luffy grinned brightly at that.
“If I may, Anchor?” Shanks asked, looking bemused.
“Shishishi, sorry, Shanks!”
But that grin was definitely unrepentant.
Tim shook his head fondly as he went to stand between Brook, who wrapped an arm around him, and Zoro, who knocked their hands together.
“Alright then,” Shanks began, projecting his voice to the crowd. “How are we doing, everyone?”
More groans from the crowd. Beck called out, “We fucking talked about this, Captain!”
Tim was biting the inside of his cheek.
“What? I can’t ask a question, Beck? Alright. Alright. Don’t get yourself in a twist,” the Emperor said.
He put on a distinguished pair of reading glasses and opened a folded piece of paper.
“We have gathered here today in the company of friends and allies, comrades and former enemies, lovers and families, to celebrate the marriage of the Straw Hat crew. In this most sacred act, the bond of love between these people is recognized and celebrated,” he shook his head. “Enough serious stuff for you all?”
Tim could hear Jinbe laugh down the line. Beck groaned while the Red-Haired Pirates snickered at their first mate’s misfortune.
“Right, if you’ll allow an old man to speak from the heart.”
“You’re not that old, Shanks!” Luffy said loyally.
“Tell that to my knees, Anchor.”
“Your knees can talk?”
Dead silence.
Chopper sighed.
“Anyway,” Shanks said, derailing that train of conversation. Tim was pressing his face into Zoro’s shaking shoulder. This ceremony was already a disaster; it was the best thing ever. God, he loved these people so damn much.
When he recovered enough to look up at their officiant, the man was smiling softly at them all.
“Love is one of the most powerful forces in this world. It motivates us and drives us. Without love, we cannot do the impossible. Or, at the least, the impossible would feel meaningless without it. It binds us together, and those who claim that they do not need it are truly without goals, ambitions, or dreams. For without love, there is nothing except a colder and darker world.”
The man stared off for a second as a hush fell on the crowd.
“If you allow an old pirate a chance to prattle, then it’s my opinion that we put too much stock in romantic love. Like that is the be-all and end-all for the emotion. Love comes in so many forms, in so many expressions, to merely limit the emotion to romance does it a disservice. We are gathered here today to celebrate these eleven people who truly love each other in something that defies labels. People who have made miracles happen out of love for each other and love for themselves. And that is a love worthy of being celebrated and worthy of being honored.”
Tim caught Robin’s eye, and she winked at him before handing Franky a tissue. Chopper was sniffling in Usopp’s arms. Nami was dabbing at her eyes while Luffy beamed so brightly that his eyes were nearly shut. Jinbe and Sanji looked softer somehow after having that.
Brook was sobbing, and he handed the skeleton a tissue. Next time, Zoro seemed to radiate contentment.
“With that, I believe that the group has written their own vows. For the sake of time and some of the more wandering attention spans, these vows have been written to the group as a collective. I understand the order has been predetermined.”
“Captain first,” the swordsman said. “And the rest of us drew lots.”
Tim was going to be last, which was…okay. He just hoped he ended on a strong note.
Vows Of Monkey D. Luffy, King of the Pirates and Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates
Hi everyone! Alright, I think this seems a little silly because my nakama know how much I love them. But it’s important, Robin and Tim said, to make vows in front of everyone. So I’ll do it! I promise you all that I will protect you and love you. And I promise that we will go on all the adventures we can together! I want to see everything and do everything with you all. There’s no other people I would want to do that with, even if we get sick or need time for quiet. It doesn’t matter. Every day is an adventure with you all.
So yeah! That’s what I promise. And that’s what I’ll stick to. And I know you all will protect me and love me too. Because it’s easy even when things seem hard with you all.
Vows of Jinbe, First Son of the Sea and Helmsman of the Straw Hat Pirates
I believe that my Captain throwing himself at me means that it is my turn.
I will keep this simple, as my people do not put much into vows. I was the last to join the Straw Hats, but I felt no less welcomed for it. I had served under an amazing captain and captained myself a great crew. But there was something so easy about joining this group on their adventure, and it felt like they were always waiting for me to join them. I am honored that they have given me this joy and this freedom. I vow to them that I will be by their side, fighting until my last, and living in the joy that we have made for each other.
Vows of “God” Usopp, Sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates
In all my life, I don’t think I could ever come up with a story as wild and wonderful as the one I have been involved in. Granted, there were so many times that I was terrified and wanted to run away.
But knowing all of you or being near you or just…I don’t know. You all made me brave or gave me the courage to be brave in the face of things I never wanted to do. Or never thought I could do. I once did something really stupid back in Water 7, but watching you guys sail away. I will say a thousand apologies now. I would trust your judgement utterly. The Great Usopp never breaks a promise now. And I promise to be there because being without you all makes the world a little duller for it. I am so lucky to have all of you.
Vows of “Devil Child” Nico Robin, Archeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates
To study history is to study the worst parts of all of us: the wars, the tragedies, the disasters. It could jade people over time to the realities of the world. Perhaps, early on, I allowed myself to drift down the path of cynicism, allowing myself to become jaded with the world. To open oneself to joy is to also open oneself to optimism, to the deepest sort of pain as well. But it is an infinitely better way to live.
I have long since shed the chains of the jaded cynicism that I wrapped myself in my younger years to keep myself safe. With you all, I promise that I will always strive for life. There is nothing I want more than to sail the seas with you all. The highs can be as high as the sky itself, and the lows feel less low when we have each other to support us through it. History is full of examples of the worst of us.
Perhaps it is time for us to document the best of us as well. Every joy I share with you all is a blessing. My vow is to never let any of you forget what a miracle you are to me, just by being alive, just by existing.
Vows of Tony Tony Chopper, Noted Cotton Candy Lover and Doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates
Thanks, Robin! Sorry, everyone, I needed something to stand on. Or in this case, Robin’s hands!
Alright. I don’t really know what to say because everything I want to say I’ve already said to these people. So I’ll keep it simple. People may see me as a monster, and that’s okay. I’m proud to be a monster now because it lets me protect the people I love. So, I vow to always be your monster because I know you’ll always be mine. I vow to heal your injuries, even if some of you never sit still long enough to let it heal properly. And I vow to be there when you need someone to hug or to just have a space to be quiet while I make medicine.
We already do it. Keeping these vows will be easy as breathing.
Vows Of “Black Leg” Sanji, Left Wing of the Pirate King and Cook of the Straw Hat Pirates
Love is the most precious thing in the world. Food and water nourish the body, but it is love that nourishes the mind and the soul. I know what it means to be starved of both things: going hungry without food and going hungry without love. I know the relief we get when, after feeling like going years without, we have a meal yet again.
Meeting you all and loving you all, it felt like a feast for the heart after years of starving myself. If I had any walls, then they were knocked down as easily as the walls in the Baratie were destroyed. Those two years separated from you all, the only thing that kept me going forward was the knowledge that we would meet again. If that isn’t the truest sort of love in this world, then I don’t know what is. I am starving when we are parted from each other, and I am full when we are together.
And I promise all of you the same sort of nourishment: body, mind, and soul. Though, Luffy, you’re still not allowed to fucking raid the fridge at night.
Vows Of Roronoa Zoro, Right Wing of the Pirate King and Swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates
I’m going to keep this brief, unlike the cook. Because while we don’t agree on most things, we agree on this.
I will protect you all because you are all the most important thing to me. There is nothing I won’t do for any single one of you. I know what it is to be without you, and it’s boring. I don’t like it. So, I’m not going anywhere, and I know you’re not going anywhere.
Vows Of “Cyborg” Franky, Shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates
Okay, now that we stopped our bros, Sanji and Zoro, from ruining the altar, it’s my turn!
I’m also not really one for words either. Or, at least, not being earth-shaking speeches or anything. Plus, I would much rather be partying with everyone anyway.
You all, every single one of you, are SUPER. There is no one else I’d’ve gone on this insane journey with than any of you. We’ve taken the Sunny everywhere, and there are still more places to go see. I don’t want to miss a single moment because I know with you all it will be an adventure. It will be everything. We all have found our reasons to exist in this world, and we have all made something wonderful together.
There’s nothing else I want from this life than to keep on sailing with each and every single one of you.
Vows of “Cat Burglar” Nami, Navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates
I should have traded with someone earlier in the order because it has been a battle not to sob and ruin my makeup.
Mapping an island out, it requires patience and precision. There’s logic in it and calculations. I like that sort of thought process. It’s clean, and everything feels more manageable, even when they have totally spun out of control. You all are not logical, manageable, or, honestly, clean most days.
What, however, is joy itself. For a good part of my life, I woke up and tried to get through the day the best I could. It was repetition, the same steps over and over again. And, honestly, that is not the way to live: knowing that your life would be the same in five or ten years. Every day, I wake up to chaos, but my heart is full to the bursting with you all. Even if you are all the craziest people I know, I like that sort of crazy.
I want to have a life with you all. I want to truly live together and not know that sort of soul-sucking monotony again.
Vows of “Soul King” Brook, Musician of the Straw Hat Pirates
Loneliness is something that can make the world seem so cold. It worms its way into the very marrow of your bones. I’m something of an expert on that, given that I’m a skeleton! Yohoho.
All jokes aside, life has been a dream since I met you all in the nightmare I had spent decades in. Being welcomed into the Straw Hat Pirates felt like drinking a perfectly brewed cup of tea on a cold winter’s day. The warmth had seeped into me and settled there to chase out the echoes of tragedy.
I still acknowledge those who could not be here with me today. I miss them deeply. But I know they would have been happy to see me so happy as well. And all I want to promise now is that I will help bring you comfort with my song and, if you allow it, my presence, because you will never be lonely so long as I am here with you all.
Vows of Drake Tim, The Pirate King’s Shadow and Intelligence Officer of the Straw Hat Pirates
Best for last, huh? No. I’m just joking.
Six years ago, when I woke up on the Merry with all of you there, I could never have guessed that we’d end up here, entering a queerplatonic group marriage with each other. Life is a trip sometimes. I was, however, in one of the darkest places in my life when I met you all. And suddenly, there was light. Suddenly, I was given the space to breathe and just be. And no one made me define what that looked like to me. I was just allowed to figure out who Tim was.
I told Luffy that my dream would be fulfilled when he took me to the end of the Grand Line and became the Pirate King. I think I lied. Sorry. I think this is my dream being fulfilled. Having you all around me, vowing to stay, vowing to be together. With you all, I’m not afraid of being left behind.
In fact, I know we will come together. Just as you know that I will be in all of your shadows, making sure that you are safe.
Bruce watched as Tim stepped away from the podium, joining the others of his crew. He couldn’t read his son’s face. But he must have teared up as Franky, oh so gently, put one of his giant fingers to Tim’s cheek and wiped away something.
The red-haired captain/officiant smiled at the sight. He stamped his foot in lieu of clapping with a wide, friendly smile on his face.
“Alright! You’ve made your vows now, either kiss or hug or whatever the hell. And let’s party! You’re married.”
“Yay!” Monkey D. Luffy wrapped an arm around Tim and laid a huge, wet smack on his cheek.
Robin kissed Chopper’s cheek, who laughed in joy. Franky and Jinbe shared a kiss that seemed a tinge more romantic. Usopp and Nami laughed and hugged each other tightly. Zoro and Sanji both gave each other a Look before each kissing one of Brook’s cheekbones.
The crowd erupted in noise, which had Bruce tensing. He took a deep breath and pulled out the specialized earplugs his therapist insisted on if he was going to be in a loud and overwhelming environment. His hand shook oh so slightly when one of Jason’s hands appeared in his vision.
“I got it,” his son murmured, opening the case and handing it over.
“Thanks, Jaylad.”
His second son paused at that; the green had faded from his eyes oh so slightly since Luffy had “broken” the chains of the Lazarus Pit. But it was still a process, as everything in life was.
“Yeah, whatever,” his second son said. “Good ceremony. Can’t believe Timmers is married now.”
Bruce watched as his third son was pulled into a huge hug by Nami, the two of them laughing in joy. His face was flushed, and his smile was wide on his face. It hurt, sometimes, knowing that Tim had found this joy so far from his home, from his own universe. But the part of himself that he locked away and ignored for so long was so happy for his child.
Was happy that Tim found his joy.
He wished he had let that part out sooner.
“No. I always thought you would get married first.”
Jason’s head whipped around at him in shock.
“Really?”
Bruce nodded, “You were the romantic of my children, Jaylad.”
His son flushed at that but rubbed the back of his neck before looking at the happy chaos before them.
“Maybe one day.”
“Maybe,” he agreed warmly.
Dick had to admit that he thought superheroes partied hard when the universe didn’t end.
Clearly, he had never been to a pirate wedding before. He was unfamiliar with their game.
His cup never went empty, not once. The food was delicious and plentiful. Enough that he had to wonder if the kitchen staff of the Alabastan Royal Family, and apparently the rough and tumble folk who staffed the Baratie, were okay. Though Vivi, the Queen, and Nami’s romantic partner said that they liked the challenge her friends brought when they visited. Sanji’s dad Zeff, merely huffed and said like hell he wouldn’t be involved in cooking for “the brat’s” wedding day.
He was going to have to take her word there, honestly. She then stole Alfred off for a conversation, and the last time Dick saw the butler, he was talking to a large man with tattoos over half of his body, a scarf that hid his mouth, and spiky purple-red hair. It was par for the course of this world. No wonder Tim said he had multiple breakdowns over trying to make some of his Bat-skills transfer over.
Alfred seemed to be having fun, though.
There was endless music from Brook or a band or even a speaker system that the Straw Hats’ “Inventor Trio” had jerry-rigged to play playlists from an MP3 device they had cobbled together. There was a giant photo display from Tim, showcasing moments of the Straw Hat crew’s day-to-day lives. Something in Dick’s heart warmed at the sight of his brother’s interest in his photography again.
Bart was resting on the knee of one of the giants from Elbaf, Loki, as the two of them made their way through a large pile of food. Cassie was filming it on her phone, laughing and chatting with a preteen with a cheek piercing who introduced herself as Bonney, and another woman who had been in tears throughout the ceremony with snake earrings.
Steph and Cass were in the middle of Shanks’ crew, teaching them all drinking games from their world (Steph) and beating them all at arm wrestling (Cass). Damian was nearby, chatting with some of the animal people, Minks Tim called them.
Kon was bent over in half, laughing at something Yamato had said. The other man had also thrown his head back in the laugh, almost knocking into a sculpture with one of his horns. He did catch Dick’s eyes, though, and winked at him, making the hero flush. He seemed pretty fun when they talked earlier, and had promised the hero a dance. Jason was with Luffy’s brother Sabo in a corner somewhere, but seemed happy enough and not in need of rescue.
And Bruce was…
Somewhere.
Dick turned to look around. He saw some of the Straw Hats out on the dance floor together or with other partners. And there were just so many people all around, it felt almost overwhelming. All who wanted to celebrate with his brother and the people he had chosen to be with.
“Dick?”
He turned, seeing the tired eyes of Trafalagar Law, Tim’s romantic/sexual partner outside of his crew. The other man tilted his head and had two glasses of something to drink.
“Hey, Law,” he said. They’ve talked, but usually with Tim there as a buffer.
Or maybe Law is using him as a self-imposed buffer.
Dick definitely was using his baby brother as a buffer.
“Are you looking for someone? Robin took Tim to dance with her.”
Well, that’s where his brother ended up then. The vigilante thought he saw him in the mass of Straw Hats.
“I was just looking for Bruce,” he said awkwardly. “I just wanted to make sure he was okay.”
“Queen Vivi cordoned off an area for some guests who would appreciate a place to decompress away from the noise,” he said. “She informed me of it. Crowds can be…loud.”
Dick laughed, “Especially this one?”
The pirate captain gave a half-smirk.
“They’re all a lot. I don’t think Straw Hat-ya has met an extrovert he hasn’t immediately befriended, bonus points if they are loud.”
Dick snorted at that. Law’s droll sense of humor reminded him of Babs at times.
“Something like that. Are you getting a drink for Tim then?”
“Mmm, for when he was done. I promised him a dance as well.”
“You seem to be enjoying the wedding,” he said.
He was curious about what the other romantic partners to the Straw Hats thought of this. Nami and Usopp were in long-distance relationships with Queen Vivi and a lovely doctor named Kaya, respectively. Tim and Law saw each other more by virtue of being in the same profession and having a stable alliance between their crews.
“It makes Tim happy,” the man said with a shrug. “So I’m happy for him. Marriage wouldn’t work for us. It might seem odd to you. Tim said your world is a little more rigid than ours in terms of such things.”
“He’s not wrong,” Dick said, thinking of how polycules were just now starting to appear more and more. Or they always existed, but now people were just existing with it.
“Your world is odd,” Law said. “Too strict. I don’t think I would like it there. But it gave me Tim, so it balances out.”
And then the man exited the conversation to give Robin and Tim drinks.
His little brother must have said something because the stoic man turned bright red.
Dick shook his head and headed to find the cordoned area to see if Bruce was there.
Tim needed a moment.
The joy from the day left him utterly giddy. The sake and the food left him loose-limbed and warm. His feet were going to hurt from the dancing that he did. It felt like he danced with every single member of his crew at least three times, Law twice, and everyone else at least once. He just wanted a moment in the quiet area Vivi set up to gather himself.
He didn’t know he could be so happy. Everything felt like Cloud Nine.
The gardens for the quiet area were as lovely as the rest of the royal venue that the Straw Hats had been given. You could barely hear the noise or the din of voices that were a few minutes' walk away.
Some people Tim walked past were passed out in the bushes or on the walkway.
He paused when he saw Bruce and Dick sitting together. His elder brother had his head on Bruce’s shoulder, reminding Tim of photos that he had taken of the pair for what felt like a whole lifetime ago.
“Needed a break?” the older man asked, opening an eye.
“Just a few minutes,” Tim agreed, heading to sit on his other side. “Otherwise, I think one of my spouses is going to come looking for me.”
They had gotten tattoos after the ceremony. Tim’s left hand ached ever so slightly; hand tattoos tended to hurt, but it was worth it. He knew the salve that Chopper had made would do its job.
“It would be a beautiful ceremony, Tim,” Bruce offered.
“So you said, but thank you.”
He closed his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Tim opened his eyes and looked at Bruce.
“For?”
“Everything,” the older man said. “I know I apologized to you before. But all I can think is that we could have had…this. Seeing you so happy if I got my shit together sooner.”
Bruce had apologized so many times over the past year. But each one felt a little closer to earning his full forgiveness.
“You can’t self-flagellate. All we can do is move on. Besides, Luffy wouldn’t have let most of you guys on the Sunny to visit if he didn’t believe you were sincere. Let alone anywhere near our wedding.”
That had been a time, over a couple of months, with the various Bats coming to this world to see why Tim loved it so much. Since his coming to family therapy was hit or miss due to his lifestyle, it had been suggested by the family therapist as a way for them to understand him more. Shout out to the only woman brave enough to take the Batfamily on for family therapy, Doctor Holden.
But, yeah, if the captain didn’t want them on the ship, then they weren’t going to get on the ship.
Out of all of them, Luffy was the most serious about making sure that they would be surrounded by people who would care about their happiness and joy.
Instead, he nudged his adopted father’s foot.
“Let’s just enjoy the rest of the night, yeah?”
Bruce laughed.
“Yes. Sorry.”
“I do appreciate your apology, but you don’t need to keep apologizing, B. Just…be, you know?”
Tim was definitely appreciating that now.
Just being.
Bruce smiled and kissed the top of his head.
“You’ve grown so much, Tim,” he said softly. “I am so proud of you.”
He smiled at that.
“TIM!!!” Luffy’s voice cut through the quiet. He laughed and watched as his Captain rounded the corner. “Nami wants more pictures and—”
He paused and looked at the startled awake Dick, the surprised Bruce, and the bemused Tim.
“Did I interrupt something?”
“Nah,” Tim said, standing and brushing off his suit pants. “Just some brief family bonding, Captain.”
Luffy stared at Tim then at Bruce, with that blank expression, before nodding.
“Okay!”
He stretched out an arm to grab Tim’s hand.
“C’mon! Sanji said we can have more cake after the photos.”
They still had more cake? The giant one Sanji made had been devoured in precisely fifteen seconds by the horde of locusts they called their loved ones.
“I’m surprised some exists.”
Luffy leaned in excitedly.
“He made a special cake for us!”
That made more sense.
“I’m coming,” he squeezed Luffy’s hand before turning to look at Bruce and Dick. “C’mon. I want some family photos too.”
Dick beamed at him, and Bruce gave that small yet genuine smile.
Tim squeezed Luffy’s hand with his slightly sore tattooed one, their future together as a crew never felt more assured now, and he held out his other hand to his past, to his family.
“Come on,” Tim Drake, Shadow of the Pirate King, Intelligence Officer of the Straw Hat Pirates, and former superhero/vigilante, said with a smile. “I want some cake.”