Work Text:
Benn hummed softly to himself as he carefully carved the sea stone in his hands, slow and sure of each move and pressure on the carving knife, turning it this way and that in the lamplight to see if it needed to be shaped further. He couldn't sleep, not with how injured Shanks was and the oncoming of an infection, or how the crew were just as concerned.
They were supposed to be leaving Dawn in a week, but now it seemed they were staying for a bit longer, Hongo's orders. Not that any of them minded much, Foosha treated them well and they were all struggling with them all leaving Luffy. Their little Anchor.
That kid was a ball of rageful sunshine, impossible to understand most days and yet loveable, nevertheless. Benn and Shanks had long discussions about the kid, about how anyone could abandon him for the community to raise. They had thought he was being looked after by Makino, had until they overheard two villagers complaining about having to feed Luffy.
Confronting Makino on what was said and overheard shed a light on the topic, she was young still and tried her best, but Luffy lived mainly by himself, she tried to get him to stay with her, but Luffy did what he always did, whatever he wanted and only stayed with her some nights. He'd been staying with her longer since they had been coming to Dawn frequently.
Luffy's living arrangements and circumstances have been a tension between them both because Beckman just wants to wrap the kid up and keep him with them when they leave and as much as Shanks does as well, he also doesn't want Luffy to experience the things he did growing up on a ship.
Glancing up he sees Luffy peering around the door, something that suspiciously looks like Shanks's cloak wrapped around him.
"You should be sleeping, Anchor." He states sternly, placing the carving knife and sea stone down before opening his arms for Luffy to join him.
Luffy sleepily toddles forward, fist rubbing at his stitched eye with a wince. "Had a nightmare, couldn't sleep and Hongo said Shanks needed sleeps, so I came to find you."
Benn felt his frown melt away as he pulled Luffy into his arms, wrapping the cloak around him more to ward off the chill and brushed away the tears. "Was it about the Sea King again?"
Luffy merely pushed his head into Benn's chest with a sniffle. "Shanks was gone, you were gone, everyone was gone. I was alone again."
Oh, now didn't that just kick you in the chest… Benn thought as the words hit him fully.
"We're all here and Captains just fine, Hongo will make sure of it Anchor." Benn tried to soothe, running his fingers gently through Luffy's hair.
Anchor snuggled deeper into his chest, eyes turning to what was on the table with interest. "What were you doing?"
"I was carving bullets, that's sea stone, it harms devil fruit users like you, so don't touch it." He explained. "Anchor, don't touch." He iterated as he saw Luffy struggle to free himself, knowing exactly what he was going to do.
"Can... can you teach me?" Luffy asked slowly, unsure. It was something that took Benn by surprise as the kid was anything but shy or uncertain of himself. "I've seen you and others carve other things and me toys..."
Beckman smiled and reached over for a soft piece of scrap wood; he was going to use it for something else, but it was a good piece for Anchor to start on. He grabbed the roughing knife out of his kit and allowed Luffy to free his arms, wrapping the small hand around the handle.
"You have to be careful okay, go slow, let the blade follow the wood." He explained, carefully guiding Anchor's hand along the grain. "Make sure you keep your other fingers away, you'll do this till you get all the bark off, then when you know what shape, you wish to make your technique will change… it's the way you carve is different. Now this is a roughing knife, it helps you with quick and easy."
Luffy stuck his tongue out as he did what Benn instructed with a little struggle, but still, he sent the older man a large grin as the first bit of park came off, dropping to the floor with a flutter. He knew it was mainly because Benn guided his hands and as he tried to do the next section he struggled, but in the end was able to do it. It wasn't as neat as the slice Benn helped him with.
"It takes a lot of practice, Anchor, to get a smooth glide, I wasn't very good when my Da taught me," Benn explained with a chuckle as he saw the pout. "If you practise and stick with it, you'll be as good at whittling as Yasopp and I."
"Then… then I'll have to practise really hard!" Luffy exclaimed, eyes never leaving the wood in his hands as he tried again.
He had watched Yasopp and Benn carve one night as they all had a small bonfire on the beach, it had amazed him as they took something that he thought was only good for burning or building big things turn into a tiny turtle and a ship! He watched them when he could without them knowing and he wanted to learn.
He wanted to make cool things for the people he cared about!
"We'll go until all the bark is off the piece and then we'll get you settled to bed once again," Benn stated firmly, hands coming up to shift Luffy's grip once again when he began to struggle with the next shave of wood.
Luffy stiffened slightly, he didn't want to go back to sleep, not where the nightmares happened, and he was alone. Awake he was surrounded by people, he was safe because he could hear and see Beckman and Shanks, the crew! "I don't wanna sleep again, don't wanna be alone."
"You won't be alone, you can stay with me tonight and in the morning, we can go check on Captain, or you can sleep in the cabin with the crew, they won't mind," Benn explained softly, hands coming up to take the knife from Luffy's slack hands before he dropped it and hurt himself. "You won't be alone, Anchor."
"Promise?" Luffy sniffled, looking up at him through dark lashes.
Pulling him close Benn nuzzled the kid's hair. "Promise Anchor. Now, you want to finish this?"
Luffy turned back to the wood in Benn's hand and nodded, he said he wanted to learn and though he was getting sleepy, he wanted to finish the task Beckman first set before he slept. He took the wood and knife again, feeling much better about the fact he wouldn't be alone again and got to work.
Benn only had to help him a few more times, but soon enough Luffy had finished removing the bark off the wood, exposing the soft pale colour below. It was rough, but it looked like the first piece and every bit after that till he grew confident in what he was doing.
"Let's get you to bed, Anchor," Benn murmured as he began to pack everything away, locking it in one of the chests by his side. He'll deal with everything tomorrow, cleaning up the scraps, for now, there was something – someone – more important.
"Can I stay with you, Beck?" Luffy asked with a small yawn, hand coming up to rub at his eye again, snuggling deeper into Benn's embrace. "… feel safe with you…"
Tiny snores were instant after that soft sleepy confession, something that tore at Beckman's heart in a good way. This child was a wonder, a true miracle and a treasure to the entirety of the crew. They were pirates, though their Captain was a fun relaxed man, he was raised on the Oro Jackson, raised by the Pirate King himself and could just be as brutal if Nakama was threatened.
They all were like that.
They pillaged and plundered those who deserved it, merciless when it came to the Marines. All of them had blood on their hands and many people who crossed them knew it.
Then came along Luffy, who looked at them and saw people, not monsters, who laughed with them and trusted them instantly when he really shouldn't have. Not because they would ever harm a child or innocents like Foosha but because they were strangers, pirates in general.
He wormed his way into all their hearts, starting with Shanks and then himself. He was theirs within the week, from the very second day the moment Luffy held up his tiny hand for Shanks to take with utmost trust and stars in his eyes.
No one would dare try and break the trust the kid placed in them, nor would they ever squander the love he freely gave them as well.
"You have us wrapped around your finger Anchor and don't even know it." Benn chuckled softly as he pushed open the door to the small room they were given near the docks. He would have taken them back to his and Shanks's cabin, but Hongo was adamant that the room stay as sterile as possible while Captain was recovering… and well Benn wasn't going to turn down a free room on land.
Turning down the bed he gently placed Luffy on the far edge, pulling the spare blanket over from the chair and tucked it around the kid with Shanks's cloak, God he wished he had a cameko to capture it, his husband was going to be so upset at missing this view. With a soft smile, he took off his cloak and draped it over the chair, unclasping his belts and weapons, placing them within reach and hid his knife under the mattress.
He settled down on the bed, a grin tugging at his lips as he took sight of the small block of wood on the table, pleased he could pass on the teachings his Da taught him long ago.
X
Benn was starting to see a pattern and he wasn't too sure if he should be worried about it or not. Anchor was still having trouble sleeping most nights, though the only one he seemed to be going to was Benn, even with Shanks healed and them both back at their cabin.
He had almost given Bonk a heart attack when he saw Luffy climb up the rigging on the side because someone pulled up the gangplank.
"Another nightmare Anchor?" Benn asked softly as he heard the door open, careful not to wake his husband.
Luffy shook his head and held up the piece of wood in his hands, the shape still unknown to Beckman's eyes. "Can you help me?"
Blinking slowly Benn got to his feet and pulled his cloak on, lifting Luffy into his arms once he grabbed his carving kit off the table. He led them towards the galley where he knew they would be able to talk without waking the crew, fingers tickling Anchor's side causing him to giggle.
"You should be sleeping Anchor; Makino tells me you've been napping in the daytime," Benn stated sternly. His eyes flickered up to Lucky who was about to put out the lantern on his way to bed, distracting Luffy from seeing him.
Lucky's gaze flicked worriedly to Anchor and back up to Beckman, vanishing from the room in a blink when Benn shook his head. Luffy was none the wiser that the man was ever in the room to begin with.
"So?" Luffy replied as he wiggled to sit down on the tabletop, waiting for Benn to set up.
"You need sleep Anchor, that isn't in the middle of the day," Benn replied softly before getting comfortable, Anchor diving into his lap in an instant waiting for Benn to pass on the carving knife. "You'll miss all the fun things that can be seen, what's so special about the nighttime that's keeping you up?"
Luffy paused after a beat, turning to gaze heavily at Benn. "Because it's our time, time where I can spend it with just you, so you can teach me how to carve things… I don't wanna miss that too!"
"Anchor," Benn managed to get out through the sudden lump in his throat, warmth blooming in his chest. "We can do this during the day too. I would rather you sleep at night."
"But… but you're busy during the day and we don't get inter-terbed and it's Shanks's time… unless… unless you don't wanna show me anymore?" Luffy's voice grew smaller throughout his explanation, hands dropping to his lap, eyes welling with tears as he stared at his gift in his hand.
He was trying to make a little anchor, for Benn, cause… cause it was his first work and Benn always told him how his Da kept his first work close at hand so he could see it every day. It stayed with him till he passed and Luffy… Luffy knew that they were leaving soon, he knew they wouldn't stay forever no matter how much he wanted them to, and he wished for them to have something he made!
Plus, he thought that Beckman enjoyed their – what did Makino call it? – bonding time? He always looked so happy when he thought Luffy wasn't looking… but then again, he did just wake him up… Has been for the last few nights since Shanks is better now and…
Benn felt the panic rise in his chest as he watched the wood fall from Luffy's hands with a clatter, the knife barely being caught in time as tears began to pool down Anchor's face. The little sniffles broke his heart because this was a type of cry, they hadn't seen Anchor do before. Usually it was angry and loud, because he was wounded, not this, not this broken soft thing.
"Shh Anchor, of course I do," He quickly reassured, holding the kid close. "I cherish each moment that I get to spend time with you, teach you the things my Da taught me. I'm just worried about you not sleeping enough, like any other parent would."
Luffy blinked up at him, a furrow forming between his brows. "Parent? What's that?"
Oh god, he wished he had the person who abandoned Luffy here in front of him… "Well, like the other kids you see, they have a mom and a dad or one, or even both of each, that's a parent, someone who looks after you, loves you. A parent's job is to worry over their kid, make sure they're safe and loved, teach them things."
"Oh… like what you and Shanks do?" He asked simply, causing Benn to blink.
"Yes, like Captain and I do." He said slowly, he didn't know how to react to Luffy's simple question that wasn't. It was no secret between the crew and the town that Benn and Shanks had basically adopted the kid, he was theirs. Except, they didn't think that Anchor would see it too.
Because leaving with this knowledge was going to be hard enough… they didn't want Anchor to suffer too…
Luffy nodded and looked from the nearly complete carving then back to Benn. "So, if you're teaching me this like your Da taught you… does that make you my Da?"
Warmth flooded through Benn at the question, at the awe that was barely hidden in Anchor's gaze. He didn't even hesitate in reply. "Yes, if that is what you'd like Anchor."
"Yes!" He cheered, throwing his little arms in the air with gleeful laughter.
Benn couldn't help but smile and laugh along with him, making sure the knife in Anchor's hand didn't strike anything or drop. "Careful now."
"Oops!" Luffy giggled, bringing his hands back down to continue his carving, more focused now than he was before on finishing it. "So, if you're my Da, does that make Shanks my mom?"
It took every ounce of willpower for Benn to not react strongly to the question, to not succumb to the laughter that bubbled up in his throat, he couldn't stop the smile from pulling at his lips though. "You know what Anchor, yes, he is. Do me a favour and call him that forever."
"Of course, I will! Da is silly." Luffy replied with a wide grin that matched Benn's.
"Okay, what do you need my help with?" Beckman asked as they got back into position, his hands turning the slowly coming-to-shape figure in his hands. He had a feeling about what it would be, but still, he wasn't too sure.
Luffy grinned and started to explain what he wanted, taking chunks further out of the sides to create the main shape. Benn hummed and pulled out the carving kit he carried always now, pulling out the shorter blade with deft fingers. He walked Luffy through the process once again, showing him how to do push cuts with ease, a little furrow in his brows.
"Let's stop for now Anchor, let me show you how to sharpen and care for the blades," Beckman said after a while, noticing how the blade was getting tougher for Luffy to push.
He gathered the whetstone from his kit and placed it on the table before them both, wetting it with ease from the conveniently placed water jug at the end of the table. Lucky must have got it ready for them, the crew having caught on long ago that Benn was teaching Luffy how to carve and prepped a few things in the most likely rooms they escaped to.
"It's important you make sure that the whetstone is prepared properly, that there is enough water on it for an easy glide so it won't damage the blade." Benn started and grabbed the roughing knife, laying it flat at the top at an angle. "When sharpening it, make sure you put a little pressure on the blade when you pull it towards you, and none when you push it away and because this is a longer blade than the width of the whetstone you pull it down like this."
He showed Luffy how to move the blade, starting high close to the hilt and then finishing at the point of the blade as he pulled it towards them. He did it slowly, over and over before passing it to Anchor to do the other side, his hands coming up to guide him like he had done when they first started to whittle.
Benn winced as he watched Anchor roughly try to sharpen the blade, correcting him every time till he got the hang of it. It amazed how fast their little Anchor caught on to something, how fast he truly learned, and it made him question a few things, made them all question a few things as the Mayor had told them that Luffy wasn't one for learning.
Maybe because this was something he deemed important?
He watched with fondness, warmth, and pride pooling in his chest as he walked Luffy step by step through how to sharpen all his knives, including the bevelled-edged ones and the curved ones until he started to yawn.
"Alright Lu, let's get you to bed hmm?" He chuckled, packing away his things and cradling Anchor close. He dampened the light as he passed, pulling his cloak around them both tighter as the night air bit into their skin.
A soft smile pulled at his lips as Luffy snuggled closer to him, Beckman could see he was still trying to fight off sleep and shook his head, he's so much like Shanks it was both funny and concerning. Shaking his head he quickly and quietly made his way back to his cabin, pushing the door open and shushing Luffy as he went to speak.
Benn's gaze shifted up to see Shanks curled around his pillow, knee to chest and a furrow between his brows, the man was never one to sleep alone, always sleeping in fits. He felt a twinge of sorrow before carefully stepping inside and closing the door.
Luffy crawled over and flopped on Shanks the moment Beckman placed him on the bed, causing him to jolt and wake up in confusion. "Wha… 'nchor?"
"It's okay Captain, just us, go back to sleep." Benn soothed as he removed his cloak, set his pillow back into place and crawled into bed. He shifted Luffy to lay between them both, watching as he burrowed into Shanks's chest and said man to nuzzle his hair in return.
"Mmmkay, night Beck, night Anchor." He slurred, eyes already closed.
Luffy softly laughed as he burrowed deeper. "Night Mom, Da."
Benn bit his lip to stifle the laugh, body tensing to refrain from moving an inch as he saw Shanks's eyes snap open in startled shock, sleep no longer evident as he lifted his head to stare down at Anchor curled up and now snoring in his arms.
"Did he just call me mom?" Shanks asked turning his bewildered eyes upon Beck who looked away. "Beckman… Why did he call me mom?"
"Well, I found out the reason why he's been coming here at night because it's our time apparently. We discussed it and I mentioned how I worry like any parent would, then explained parents in general." He explained softly with a pointed look. "He took it from there, stating since I'm teaching him as my Da taught me, therefore I am his Da… which makes you mom."
A nearly inaudible groan escaped Shanks as he lowered his head. "And because you're you, I am never not going to be addressed as such. I wonder if I can bribe him to not say it in front of the crew."
Beckman chuckled low as his husband continued to whine and plot but Benn could hear the pleased fondness under it all, see it in the way Shanks's eyes never left Luffy's sleeping face or the subtle wave of Haki that washed over them both like a blanket.
"Let's get some sleep love," Benn murmured, rolling on his side and throwing his arm over both of his favourite people.
X
Beckman kneeled as Luffy sniffled, hand rubbing his eyes as the crew loaded up their provisions onto the Red Force. His heart was breaking, and tears had pooled in his own eyes but he refused to let them fall, not here, not yet and he could see that Shanks was the same.
"I have something for you Anchor." He murmured, hand pulling out his carving kit from his cloak. "I want you to have these, practise more okay and when we see each other again I want to see how much you've improved."
Luffy took the leather case and held it close to his chest, his lip wobbled but Benn could see the determination shining in his watery eyes. "I'll practise every day, till I can be better than even you Da!"
"Better than even me huh? Promise?" He teased with a grin.
"I promise!"
Chuckling, Benn ruffled Anchor's hair, he turned to go take over for Shanks so his Captain could have his own moment with their little Anchor, only to stop when he felt a little hand tug on his cloak. He turned back around with a quip on his lips, only for the words to die in his throat as Anchor held up a little crudely but completed carving of an anchor in his hand.
"It's for you and mom, to remember me, I finished it last night," Luffy whispered shyly, proudly, and still a little wet with tears.
Benn swallowed thickly as he reached for the carving in Luffy's outstretched hand, his own shook as he grasped it and pulled it close, turning it this way and that to inspect it. There was even some colouring wrapped around it, reds and yellows and he couldn't help but smile in pride. "I love it, Anchor, it looks amazing, thank you, we'll… I'll treasure this always."
The smile that Luffy gave in return was wide and bright, joyful, the laugh was just the same and it warmed Beck down to the very bones.
He watched as his Captain said goodbye to Anchor, the tears, the Oath made by a small voice with a big spirit that could barely be contained in such a small body. He let the tears fall as Shanks took off his prized Straw Hat and crowned their son before turning away, his entire frame trembling.
They cheered and hollered their love and goodbyes, every single one of the crew to their Anchor as they sailed, Shanks and Benn staying until the island was but a mere speck in the distance.
"He'll be alright," Benn murmured as Shanks finally turned away.
"I know." Shanks sighed, eyes closed, shoulders drooped. "But I will miss him, we'll miss so much."
A pang ran through Benn at the thought, but he still couldn't help but smile as he pulled out the little anchor carving Luffy had given him.
"That may be so but we both have things we are going to be waiting for. Promises he made to us both." Benn chuckled as he handed over the carving to Shanks who looked at it with awe and pride.
A chuckle escaped Shanks. "That kid, he swore that he was going to surpass us, you with the carving and me with being King of the Pirates. I'm so proud of him, I can't wait for the day it finally happens."
"Neither can I Captain, neither can I," Benn replied with a chuckle as they began to make their way to the lower deck. "I wonder what other things he will come up with, he said he was going to practise every day."
"He will too," Shanks chuckled before giving his orders to Bonk Punch to set their course for the calm belt back into paradise.
Benn shook his head and laughed. "Yeah, he will and not even I was that dedicated at his age, but I saw his determination. It was nearly on par with his desire to become Pirate King and I also have no doubt Luffy will achieve that goal too."
There was a faraway look in Shanks's eyes when Benn turned around to face him, one that he was familiar with, one that he hadn't seen in a very long time, not since it was just the two of them and he told him his story. Told him all about his Captain father, about Blue and their adventures in the New World… and how it all ended.
It was a look of sad fondness.
"He will take the seas by storm and if anyone can do it, I truly believe it will be him," Shanks replied still far away. "He reminds me so much of my old Captain, his Will echoing exactly the same… when the time comes Beck, when Luffy sets sail, the world won't know what hit it and I cannot wait to see the chaos he brings."
The crew around them roared their agreement to their Captain's last boisterous cheer.
X
Beckman flickered his gaze from the sea stone bullet he was carving in his hands to his Captain who was laying in the hammock before him, hand covering his eyes. Today was a bad day, a day where everything was sinking into him and the regrets that hung over his shoulders grew too much. It didn't help that it was the day they sailed away from their son, and Shanks woke with an ache in his arm that caused him to bite through the strip of leather as Benn massaged the ragged flesh.
Shanks missed Luffy and Benn did too.
It had been years since they saw him, that they even had word on him. Garp chasing them for three years after the fact about them being 'no good grandson corrupters' and yelling about Luffy's antics didn't count.
It wasn't enough and many times Benn had to talk Shanks out of going back to Dawn, in fact, there had been so many instances they all as one had to talk everyone out about returning.
The entirety of their crew that were with them at Dawn were sombre, the day was beautiful, and it only added to their pain because this island, this island they chose to rest on reflected Dawn. Its peace only adding salt to the ragged wound upon their hearts.
'Would he still even remember us, Beck? Would he remember how much we love him?' those questions always lingered in both their minds.
His fingers brushed over the anchor carving he always kept on him, wondering to himself if Luffy still practised, if he still remembered all his lessons.
"Captain, Mihawk on the horizon!" A rookie yelled from the distance and Benn instantly put away his tools and sea stone, making sure his rifle was loaded.
His eyes shifted to his captain who didn't move, didn't even twitch at the announcement and something churned in Benn's stomach. Either he knew already – and considering his Captain's haki that's probably true – and wasn't worried or he didn't and… well… a warlord approaching them was never good, even if it was Mihawk.
They hadn't seen Mihawk since he came to duel once they hit the Grand Line and saw Shanks missing an arm. Which is why Benn was on high alert.
"You're a hard man to find Red-Hair, this is an unusual place for a man of your stature to be." Mihawk's voice was toneless as always, his golden eyes roaming over them all as the crew rose to their feet with their hands ready on their weapons.
Shanks sighed and got up with a groan, head pounding. "Today isn't a good day Hawkeye, I am in no mood for a duel."
"I'm not here for that, not when you're half the man you used to be since you lost your left arm," Hawkeye replied with a bored sigh and began to walk towards them, hand going into his jacket.
"Then why are you here?" Beckman asked gruffly, stepping forward and stopping the Warlord from getting closer.
His Captain could defend himself, but today was not a good day, today would end in bloodshed with one wrong move and it would not be them that would be taking the damage. A rippling of Haki hit Beckman as his captain got to his feet and brushed past him.
"I could still take you, with or without my arm." The tone was low and rough, it had everyone on edge.
If Mihawk was affected by the tone or the Haki, he didn't let it show, only tilting his head as he removed a rolled-up paper from his pocket. "I recently came across an interesting pirate, one that a Vice Admiral asked me to collect personally, at first I was frustrated that they would send me for something so… mundane… but meeting him reminded me of something."
A sense of unease rippled down Benn's spine and his eyes flickered to the rest of the crew, they too could feel it and from the sudden tensing of his Captain's shoulders… it didn't seem like this was going to end well at all.
"Oh? Doing the Marines milk runs are you now Hawkeye?" Shanks asked with a bite, his hand grasping the hilt of his sword tightly.
"If you call going to collect a boy, one that sounded familiar, one that you mentioned so long ago a milk run… then yes," Mihawk replied while handing over the bounty in his hand. "Though I didn't take him to the vice admiral, not after I saw his hat."
Shanks surged forward, taking the paper with a shaking hand, and unfurling it. Luffy's face came into view, a bright sunny smile on his face, the crown he placed so long ago on his head as a child still adorned it. He looked so happy.
"Anchor," He breathed out in awe, in pride. "He really did it."
The crew swarmed around him, pulling the poster this way and that so they could view it, but Shanks wouldn't let it go.
Lucky Roux laughed excitedly as he saw it. "It's Luffy! He's a pirate!"
"He did it!" Limejuice exclaimed just as joyously and pulled Hongo and Bonk Punch into a hug.
Benn couldn't help but laugh as Shanks handed it over to him, a question in his eyes one that Benn could read easily. His Captain wished to know their son's starting bounty and he couldn't unfurl it fully with one hand.
"Let's see what his starting boun…" The words died off as he unfurled it fully, his eyes catching on the name.
Shanks and the crew cast weary glances as Benn trailed off, the smoke in his mouth falling to the sands. They grew worried when their First Mate's normally steady hands began to shake. "Beck? What is it?"
"He's a captain," Benn stated roughly, swallowing the pooled saliva, and forcing down the tears. "30 million Berri bounty!"
There was silence for a moment as the crew took in what Benn just told them before exploding into cheers because they knew the bounties in East Blue were low, the highest being Arlong and that was only because he was part of the Sun Pirates. What had Luffy done to receive such a high bounty so early? Either way it was a cause to celebrate, and Shanks had stated as such.
The crew cheered and raced off to gather the reserve booze while Shanks invited Mihawk to celebrate with them, to thank him for this gift but Benn didn't pay attention to that, he still couldn't tear his eyes away from the bounty, not till Shanks rested his hand on his arm.
"What is it?" Shanks asked concerned.
Swallowing, Benn tilted the bounty for Shanks to see.
Red eyes scanned the paper, a smile pulling at his lips as he took in the image before widening as he saw what had Benn so shocked. Warmth flooded him, his own tears pooling at the implications… They had expected Monkey D. Luffy, but instead… instead it read Benn D. Luffy.
"Seems he never forgot us after all, huh love?" Benn murmured wetly and oh so soft.
"I bet Garp is having kittens with it." Shanks chuckled as he pulled Benn close.
It wasn't till later, till the sun had set and the crew deep into their cups, till Benn, Shanks and Mihawk sat comfortably around the fire that Shanks asked Mihawk about his interaction with Luffy and his crew.
"It was his First Mate that challenged me to a duel, his life's ambition is to be better than me. Impressive really, and so is that son of yours." Gold eyes flickered up and both Benn and Shanks felt their jaw drop slightly at the praise. "He made sure that the duel wasn't interrupted, did not attack until I landed the final blow, didn't stop till I told him the boy would live."
"Anchors first mate impressed you that much?" Shanks asked with raised brows.
Mihawk hummed. "Yes, reminds me of myself when I was younger, he has the potential to beat even me someday and it is quite fitting since he will be the right hand to the Pirate King, he's very much like you Red-Hair in personality and I weep for his crew."
Benn couldn't help but snort in amusement at that, ignoring his husband's offended look.
"I stayed and watched him fight Don Krieg, the supposed King of East Blue." The word was drawled in a slight sneer. "I was curious to see how this child had earned such loyalty, how he had managed to sway the most famed bounty hunter in East Blue to his side and pledge himself so thoroughly."
"And?"
"He reminds me of you both. Childish and yet smart, uncaring for the damage he received in a battle, but I could see he thought through each attack and weighed the pros and cons of each wound it would bring. He's charismatic and selfish, but overall, he is kind." Mihawk spoke and both men couldn't believe the emotion that reflected in each word, the respect. "I spoke with him afterwards before he moved on."
Shanks and Benn leant forward, eager to hear more, pride swelling their hearts.
Exasperation was clear on Mihawks face as he reached into his jacket once more and pulled out a small parcel wrapped hastily in paper. "Apparently he knew me, not from Roronoa Zoro but because he heard about me from you both and decided we were… friends. I somehow was convinced to find you both and give you this Beckman specifically, still unsure how he managed it."
Laughter left Benn's lips as he took the parcel from Mihawk's hands. "He's sneaky, I've seen that kid convince Shanks and half the crew into giving him their dinner a many of times."
His brows shot up at the weight of it and he wondered what it could be, it was small enough in size to fit inside Mihawk's coat but large that it could be a multitude of things. A furrow began to form as he thought further, it had the same weight and size as his old carving kit, the very one he left with Luffy long ago. But it was lumpy instead of flat.
With careful fingers he quickly untied the parcel and gaped in awe as what was nestled inside came into view. Laughter tore free from him as he picked up the carvings to view it better in the light. Two mini ships a replica of the Red Force they had in Dawn, exquisitely carved, and detailed down to the very colour.
The other wasn't as detailed, still rough but in a way that showed that Anchor hadn't spent enough time with it to reach the same quality as the Red Force replica. It was a caravel with a ram's head as its figurehead, a smile tugging at his lips as he saw Luffy's Jolly Roger painted on the small sails.
Shanks's laughter pulled his eyes away from the carvings to see him looking at the paper it was wrapped in, the laugh turning into hysterical giggles that only their son seemed to cause as he showed Benn what set him off.
There on the page in a rough chicken scratch of a hand was a note, the words sending him into his own hysterics.
'I kept our promise Da, practised every day. When I see you next, I will definitely be better than you! Tell Mom I love him, love you too.
Anchor.'
The two ships found themselves in a place of pride in their cabin in front of Luffy's first bounty, the crude little anchor from long ago sitting between them.
A legacy shown in wood and paper.
