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Party's Bar is a sort of homey that has latched on to a deep part of Shanks he thought he could never find again. The entirety of Foosha was like that in a way, he thought. It reeks of a life that at one point he considered trying to live. But for every moment longing, Shanks has spent twice as many content at sea. So he sits with his crew spread around the building, holed up in this quaint establishment, and tries to convince himself that in another life he is satisfied here.
That's why he savors every drink that Makino serves, even though it will never be as strong as the ones he's had during his time sailing as a teen. Although in this moment, he wishes it was; because Lucky Roux and Yasopp have taken to telling stories of his most embarrassing moments to a very young, very captive audience, consisting of one Monkey D. Unfortunately, to add on to his suffering, he'd pissed off Benn this morning so now incredible detail is being added to the ammunition.
Shanks steals a glance at the boy seated next to him at the bar, Anchor's eyes are focused and spellbound on the story tellers. Like their words meaning far beyond stupid decisions and stupider consequences. The kid reminds him a bit of his old captain, but every time he thinks of that, he is reminded of Anchor's family tree and oh, Shanks can feel his hairs raising on his arm at the mere thought of a certain old marine. Actually, ever since he'd learned of Anchor's relation to the man, a question has been nagging at the back of Shanks' mind.
"...And that's how I met Captain!" Lucky Roux exclaims, bringing said man back to reality. At this point, Anchor had stars in his eyes and was soaking up every word like a dying man in the desert.
Wow that's sooo cool!!" Is Anchor's response, not that it's surprising, (even though Shanks could see Lucky Roux preening under the praise) this is probably the most interesting thing Anchor's heard all year. Foosha was homey, and that's probably all it will ever be. And sometimes, when Anchor looks Shanks in the eye, truly looks; because the kid will see you and then he will see you, in a way so raw, so terrifyingly similar to another man, another king; (and there are very few things that Shanks will cower from, but old memories will always be one of them).
When Shanks meets Anchor's eyes in those moments, he sees a desire festering under the kid's skin. Screaming to be somewhere, anywhere; unsatisfied but trying it's best to not let anyone notice. And while Shanks knows that Foosha is homey, he also knows that it is not home for anyone who hungers. And he wonders, not in a kind way, for he has been around too long for unnecessary kindness; whether the kid knows this himself. But Shanks is fond of Anchor. So he figures that he might as well help him along.
"Anchor," he calls. The boy's attention snaps towards him. Eyes boring into Shanks, but not peering, not yet anyway. There's no need for that, because nothing has happened. Foosha Village is safe and homey, after all. Shanks meets his gaze and asks as innocently as possible, "Your grandpa is Garp, right?"
"Yeah," Anchor tilts his head and oh he probably thinks Shanks is stupid. Or drunk. Probably both. "I thought everyone knew this." Shanks' question has quieted the bar, now his crew in their drunk stupor, has decided that wherever this is going is far more interesting than their side conversations. Even Makino pauses as she pushes Anchor some milk and Shanks another beer.
And here he goes, Shanks steels himself for his next question and swallows a sigh. It's a good thing that this beer isn't strong, he thinks, because Shanks can feel the eyes on him and the thought of a mini Marine Hero almost sends a shiver down his spine. "Why don't you want to become a marine like him?"
The room immediately erupts into chaos. Anchor explodes into movement, complaints rolling off his tongue. Shanks gets bits and pieces of it. Monkey Training - What? Being thrown into the woods - Huh? Hunting while being carried down the river - Shanks quickly concludes that the greatest threat to the world is not pirates, rather Garp with children.
Those are only the parts that Shanks can hear because his crew is whooping and hollering, mostly about how much of a hardass Garp is - which, true. But their brains have revered back into slush; and while he wishes he could join them, there is a point to his questioning. Well, everyone except Benn of course; he looks over at his captain with a raised eyebrow. Shanks knows he can never get anything past his first mate, but like he said earlier, Benn is not quite in the best of moods to truly care about Shanks' ulterior motives. So Shanks just halfheartedly waves, which is good enough because Benn returns to his drink, and maybe a migraine. Probably both.
"He's so annoying. Gramps just shows up randomly and screams about training. He makes me memorize all these rules and codes, it's so boring! And that's not even talking about the Fist of Love!" Right, Shanks thinks, the kid. Shanks looks back at Anchor, now red in the face with how he's been wronged and subjected through such terrible grandpa-grandson bonding. And Shanks sees this glint, so tiny but Shanks has been around for a while; maybe not as long as others, but around while the best were. And he knows, like how he knows the sea since he was a child; the way the tides will rise and fall, the way his crew send their prayers to an unmerciful maiden. He knows that that is not the true reason.
So he hums in response; and while Lucky Roux and Yasopp are debating whether Garp had a son or daughter; and while Benn is debating mutiny against the entire crew; and while Makino is debating what food and drink she should get out of the bar's storage. And while its only Shanks and Anchor, surrounded by hushed, cacophony; he prompts, "And the other reason?"
And while the rest of the bar is lively, it is safe, it is homey; Anchor's gaze is frigid, calculating. Anchor himself, is quiet. And there are few things that Shanks will bow to, but kings not crowned are not one of them. Anchor scrutinizes him for a little while longer; and Shanks can't tell if he likes or hates what he sees but eventually, the kid drops his eyes and focuses on the glass of milk in front of him. Shanks can't help but wonder whether he passed a test or if Anchor lost a battle. He chooses not to think about it. At least when he's this sober, anyway.
Luffy likes Shanks. No, Luffy adores Shanks. He's so cool and has so many stories to tell! Way better than anything Foosha has. Luffy knows all their stories, even the whispered ones that come from the mountains or the city, despite how rare those are. But sometimes Shanks is annoying. Sometimes he looks at him like how Mayor Woop Slap looks when Luffy does anything fun; like trying to teach the fish how to eat peanuts! But sometimes, Shanks looks at him and doesn't actually see him; that's when hes the most annoying. It's like Shanks is looking for someone older, someone who probably also has cool adventures!
When Shanks asks that question, when Shanks looks at him like that; Luffy feels as if the older man can see all the things that Luffy chooses not to think about. Like how the windmills will spin for almost five hours after the wind stops, but that's boring so Luffy tries not to keep track. Like how the fishing boats come back at the same time, and each fisherman to a different house; every house but his, of course. But that's no fun because they don't let him eat any of the catches anyway. Like how Makino will wake before him to work the bar and leave after him, and some days Makino cannot spare him a moment except when to place down a meal in front of him. But that's fine because Makino is busy and Luffy can find something else to do to take the load off her shoulders.
Like how he has a nickname for everyone in the village, because he cannot call them by their name. Because if he calls them their name, it is proof; unchangeable, undeniable truth, not that they are permanent parts of Foosha; but rather that they are permanent parts of him. And what does that mean, because he knows that they will never leave this shore, this home; and Luffy knows that he will never leave those he calls home. And he simply can't force himself to do that, and he can't force those he loves to do the former. So does the issue lie with him or with everyone else? He doesn't know or maybe he doesn't want to know.
So Luffy chooses not to think about it. But sometimes, as Luffy turns the cup of milk and watches the condensation drip down onto the bar top. Sometimes, Shanks makes him think about it. And in those moments, Luffy adores him a little less.
So Luffy stares at his milk, and thinks about the things that he chooses not to think about. Because if Shanks decides that this is important enough for him to look at Luffy for, only Luffy, and not the ghosts that he sometimes gets lost in; then maybe Luffy can do the same in return. So while he feels the red-haired man staring at him, he does not turn to meet his eyes; almost as if he's bowing, conceding. Luffy instead takes a deep breath and says into the quiet, lively bar,
"Sometimes, Gramps comes home just to come home."
And Luffy is five again, five and his grandpa is visiting! And he's still happy that this happens, because even though Gramps' Fist of Love hurts, sometimes the months in-between visits hurts a little more. So when Luffy spots The Jackal on the horizon, he breaks out in a grin. And also mentally prepares himself for a fist shaped injury.
When Garp arrives on shore, he is loud and boisterous as usual. But Foosha has housed Garp for just as long as he's been away, and the people here can tell when there is stillness in the air and mourning in the marine's shoulders. Some start to retreat back into their houses; they figure that the less they know, the easier it is to sleep at night; at least that's what one of the drunks at the bar told Luffy one night when his house was just a little too empty, so he waited for Makino to get off work.
Luffy greets Garp as he walks down the gangplank, matching his energy; but to his surprise, instead of being greeted with a Fist of Love, Garp places a hand on Luffy's head and simply says, "Brat!" He laughs his signature guffaw and stalks in the direction of Party's Bar. Luffy accepts the pat and stares at his grandfather's retreating silhouette and pretends like his Gramps' hand wasn't shaking. Maybe the townspeople are right, Luffy thinks.
When Luffy goes looking for his Gramps as the sun starts to set, he stops by the bar. He is not surprised when Gramps isn't there, though. He greets Makino and the subdued atmosphere like he greets everything else in his life, with blatant disregard for manners and subtleties. The rest of the occupants are not amused, but he manages to get a small smile out of Makino for his disturbance, so he counts it as a success.
When he reaches the back of the bar, Makino hands Luffy the usual bottle, unlabeled, and a little worn from frequent pouring; and he continues his journey. He ignores the pitying looks he receives from the villagers as he walks out of town and towards the woods.
Luffy's mind wanders on the trek, but his feet know where to go. He knows this path like how he knows when the sun will rise and the waves will fall; like how he knows when Foosha will wake and when Foosha will sleep. But he will pretend to be surprised, nevertheless. Because if he puts a name to it, acknowledges it, then he becomes apart of it. And Luffy is five and he is too young to leave and so, so very old to stay.
So instead he chooses to walk up his favorite hill, surrounded by scant trees and foliage, but granting one of the most breathtaking views of the sea. (Second to only one other place, but one that will not be found for a few more years.) And he acts surprised when he finds his Gramps already there, four bottles deep and a fifth half empty. There lies an empty cup in the grass, most likely abandoned early in favor of drinking straight from the source. The bottle in Luffy's hand feels a little heavier, but he ignores it and pushes on.
"You're in my spot, Stupid Gramps." He tells the drunkard, and he is not surprised when he doesn't receive a response. Instead, he sits on the left side of the man and joins in at staring at the waves. He places the bottle Makino gave him next to Garp's cup. Luffy then takes Garp's half empty bottle and sniffs it. The stench is strong and already makes him woozy, and Luffy quickly concludes that it's not one of Party's Bar. He places it back down on his left, so it lies closer to him than Garp.
Finally, Luffy waits. He chooses not to remember what he waits for, because that would mean that this is routine, and it isn't. But eventually, when the sun is less than an hour before completing its descent into the horizon, Garp speaks.
"What color are my hands, Bogard?" Garp holds his hands in his lap like they're the most fragile, disgusting thing to inhabit the world.
Luffy looks at his hands and chooses not to think of when Gramps used to toss him in the air when he was younger. He hums and replies, "I'm not Bogard, I'm Luffy. Bogard's on The Jackal, remember?" He picks up the bottle he brought up the hill and continues, "They just look like the color of hands to me, but does it matter what I think?" Luffy pours the drink into Garp's cup, water comes out.
Garp takes the cup and throws it back. He doesn't seem to notice the change. Luffy pretends that he's surprised. They sit in silence once more, even though Luffy's stomach thunders from lack of dinner.
-
Garp asks again, "Are we really in the right, Senny? Is this the justice we were taught? What if it is, what then?"
Luffy picks up the bottle once more and begins to pour another cup, "I'm not Senny, I'm Luffy." He places the bottle back down and chooses not to think of when he used to play Marines and Pirates with Gramps, "I can't decide that for you. How did you decide in the first place?"
Garp takes the cup and throws it back. The silence returns despite the waves dancing along the coast and leaves singing through the air.
-
Garp begins again, "How could you do this to me, Roger? The kid hates your guts and its a miracle he even likes Rogue. Every time I see him, I think of you. Every time I see him, I see your head roll. How could you force me to do this?"
Luffy fills the cup once again and spies the moon climbing further into the sky. He responds, "I'm not Roger, I'm Luffy." Not once has he looked at his grandfather, but it's okay because Gramps hasn't looked at his company either. He wonders if his Gramps will disappear up the mountain for a few days, like always. "And I can't force you to do anything." Luffy chooses not to think of when he was younger and used to ask Gramps to stay.
Garp takes the cup and throws it back.The bottle is now past half empty. Absentmindedly, Luffy wishes he brought two. The silence settles back in as the crickets begin to chirp their poems into the wind.
-
Garp starts to open his mouth and Luffy's hand already starts towards the water. Before he can grasp it, Garp calls, "Luffy," And Luffy's hand freezes before falling back at his side, because this is new; and Luffy does not know how to deal, how to cope. He doesn't know if he has to.
"Luffy," Garp speaks to the sea, because his audience does not meet; no, rather chooses not to meet his eyes, "become a marine." The 'please' is not spoken but it is heard anyway. If Garp was a younger man, a naive man, then he might mistake the sharp intake of breath at his side as shock. But Garp has been around a long time, and it's starting to feel like too long; so he continues to stare out at sea. This time Gramps waits, because this is new and this is change. And this is no longer routine, and maybe it's hope, and maybe-
"Like you?" And Luffy is regarding his grandfather for the first time since he has docked on shore, because this is the first time his grandfather has spoken to him. Like this? Luffy thinks to himself.
He looks at his grandfather and Vice Admiral Garp does not beg, but Luffy's Gramps sits on his knees and tries and fails to drink his regrets away. And Luffy knows, like he knows the sun and the sea. Like he knows how Foosha was, like Foosha is, like how Foosha will be. Like he knows that he loves his Gramps but just like his Gramps; his love for something else, something bigger and greater, although not yet found; triumphs that. Like he knows that Gramps has asked him to trade a cage for another.
And there are so many things that Luffy doesn't know but this Luffy knows. He knows that he cannot be a marine. So Gramps sighs in response and turns back to the ocean, because Gramps knows that as well. And for the first time in a very long while, Luffy is faintly surprised. This time, Luffy grabs the sake bottle instead and pours it into the cup. Garp savors it. The night continues on, and it is loud.
And when The Jackal prepares to leave a few days later, Garp places his hand on his grandson's head and the only thing he asks of him is to be well.
"Sometimes, Gramps comes home just to come home." And Luffy is seven again, seven and Foosha offers few surprises but recently his list of things he does not know has become longer than its counterpart.
Luffy turns back to Shanks and he meets the older man's eyes. Because his eyes scream of adventure and Luffy wants, he wants so much, so badly. And he cannot keep waiting for someone to break the routine for him. He has to reach out and take it himself.
So he looks at Shanks and continues, "And when it's time for him to leave, he looks more worn out than he arrived." And there is gravity to the kid's statement, one that Shanks does not understand and may never will, but one that he acknowledges. "Those visits are the worst."
Luffy knows the sun and the sea and the wind; he knows Foosha and her people and her routines. So when Shanks appears with his crew and his stories and his unknown, Luffy can't help but be enamored.
So when Shanks breaks out in a grin, wicked and sweet and the opposite of everything Luffy has ever known; and says, "Did you know, Luffy, that pirates are the freest people in the world?" Luffy can't help but to chase the home he speaks about.