Chapter Text
"This has gone on long enough. You need to forgive yourself, Franky."
It felt a little weird. Being a part of this deep and emotional moment. You really couldn't help but feel as if you were intruding on something you shouldn't. Especially when said deep and emotional moment was happening while a man was half nude for all to see.
To call this surreal was an understatement.
"Do you see him?"
…
'No. I don't.' Your eyes narrowed, now constantly doing sweeps of the piles of scrap material before you, 'But what about Usopp?'
"Are you going to be alright if, and keep in mind that's a big IF," Mello added as your lips began to purse in some unknown emotion, "he is allowed back onto the crew. Of course I would much rather he doesn't return, however I am getting a strange feeling that our journey would be incomplete without him."
Yeah. Funnily enough you were getting that same feeling too. Which was… weird. You weren't quite sure how to feel about that.
'I guess we'll just have to take it as it comes.' Your hand reached out to gently rub Mello's beak. Both of you taking comfort in each other. 'I understand why he was angry but…'
The beak flexed a little, nuzzling into your palm, "Understanding and accepting are two different things, Missy. Just because you may comprehend someone's reasons for going against you does not mean that you have to forgive them. You do remember his appalling attempt at an apology correct?"
Oh you did. Your knuckles clenched. You really did. That had left a bitter taste in your mouth.
"I believe you were fully in your right to act as you did," Mello said. His voice low and comforting inside your head. "And if the rest of the crew has any sense, they would agree with me."
You resisted the urge to look in their direction. For some reason, Mello's complete certainty felt like a block in your throat. And this entire conversation was triggering an all too familiar ache in your temples.
"Missy…you are allowed to be angry. In fact I would be worried if you weren't."
A beat passed. During which the Franky Family aggressively chucked a fully packed suitcase into Franky's body.
'I wasn't angry at Vivi.'
That argument felt so long ago now. Years even. That time in Alabasta called you a murderer right to your face and implied you were the scum of the earth. And yet once the blinding redness of your emotions had faded all you felt was… regret. For not handling things as you could have done.
"Well, you were in a very different frame of mind back then. And I believe it was easier for you in a way… since you used to refer to yourself in a similar manner." Wrinkles of frustration appeared on his beak. "And while I do not exactly condone such behaviour, I can unfortunately understand it. This situation, on the other hand…" He turned to you. And although he had no face, you could sense the softness in his gaze. "You really don't realise how much you've grown, do you?"
You… cocked your head at that. Squinting at Mello's beak with an arched and accusatory brow.
He snorted. "Well, aside from your physical power. I am talking about your emotional growth, Missy. That isn't a change that should be treated lightly."
Franky was sobbing again. Practically rolling over clutching his unmentionables… although you could swear that Robin had long since lowered her arms.
'I suppose.' You subconsciously glanced over to where you'd seen Usopp. Trying to catch even the slightest hint of a nose peeking out. 'Thanks. It's sometimes hard to see those sorta things… when they're actually happening to you.' The beak felt warm beneath your fingertips. 'You've changed too y'know? You're speaking up a lot more than you used to. I feel like I'm getting to know you better.'
"Is… that so?"
'Mhm.'
The air felt cold. Colder than normal sea air in this sunny weather.
'Lets… keep doing this together. Keep on growing and changing. Yeah?'
"I would not have it any other way, Missy."
"MAKE NO MISTAKE, BIG BRO! NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE YOU'LL ALWAYS BE OUR BOSS!"
Oh they were still going were they? Well you shouldn't really be surprised, since that little mental conversation you'd just had couldn't have taken more than a few minutes. But damn the love those guys had for Franky. It almost made you guilty that your crew was making them separate.
"OI! LUFFY!"
Your head perked up instinctively at the familiar voices. Two lone figures had leapt down from the broken stairway above, landed, and promptly started booking it as fast as they possibly could across Scrapheap Island towards the boat.
"Hm?" Luffy blinked the excitement away from his eyes. "Zoro, Sanji? What's up?"
Sanji was grimacing. Expression so tense it looked practically painful. "We've got bad news, Capta-!"
"That stupid Grandpa of yours came back for us, Luffy!" Zoro barked, earning him a terse look from Sanji next to him. "He's got a whole bunch of Marines gathering on the other side of the island getting ready to hunt us down and take us out!"
Aw fuck .
"Huuuh?!" Luffy's face became enshrouded in confused fear. "I thought he said he was leaving!"
"Who knows what that geezer is thinking, we don't have time to figure that out! Just said sail! Oh…" Pace slowing, Sanji gave Franky's foetal position on the ground a mild glance over. "Dammit Franky put your underwear on already. Jeez…"
Luffy balled the offending cloth in his hands, "Catch!"
As he did so you were already bracing Mello against your arm- "Guys, hang on!"- before he stretched out to close the distance between Sanji and Zoro at a rapid pace. The moment you felt their hands close firmly around the metal you yanked . One foot skidding backwards with the effort of resisting the immense recoil.
They were on the deck in seconds. The only thanks you received was a grunt and a few muttered words before they were off, racing to where they'd normally start dealing with the sails… before promptly realising that this was a completely new ship and they had no idea where anything was. In unison, they turned helplessly towards Nami.
Who ran a hand down her face, "Oh for crying out loud…"
"Well? What're you waiting for?" You glanced back to where Luffy was still balanced on the railing, facing Franky down below. "Get on my ship!" He smirked. "Captain's orders."
"Heh." Franky reached lazily up and flicked his shades over his eyes. "So it's your ship already, huh?" A grin split his face. "An amateur like you will probably sink her in less than a week. You got the finest vessel on the sea and no shipwright? A real pity… for the ship, I mean."
"This would be such an impactful scene if he wasn't half nude."
'Oh shut up already. I almost think you're more bothered about seeing anything than I am.'
"I AM NOT!"
"So what can I say?" Franky stood. Cracking his neck from side to side. "You don't leave me much choice. I gotta take care of my masterpiece after all. So you guys set sail, since I'm joining the crew!"
"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAH!" Luffy lept several feet into the air, "WE GOT OURSELVES A SHIPWRIGHT!"
Your fist slammed into the air, a stupidly big grin on your face. Yes ! He was actually joining! Well you knew he would be, since no one could say no to Luffy when he'd decided on something, but it still felt so exciting ! Oooh you were going to make the best cola based cocktails the Grand Line had ever seen!
With Chopper you had been filled with an overwhelming protectiveness, and the newfound responsibilities of being a 'Big Sis'. With Robin, while you were still ecstatic she'd joined, you'd kinda had no choice. Since she'd just shown up once you were away from land claiming that Luffy had to 'take responsibility for her'.
This… This was something else.
Watching Franky wave and… dance his tearful goodbyes to the equally sobbing Franky Family just felt, touching. There was something that just felt like a puzzle piece slotting into place.
Like your family was gaining something it needed.
"I am not dragging him up here."
'Wow, way to ruin the moment Mello.'
"Well I will not! We cannot take his weight!"
'Uhuh, sure. THAT'S what you're worried about. Not the slim chance of you accidentally touching his-'
"MISSY YOU STOP THAT THOUGHT RIGHT THERE!"
The sails unfurled under your fingertips. Now that Franky had managed to get onboard (despite Mello's moaning), preparations were moving smoother than ever. You weren't sure how he'd done it, but the way this ship was built made it ridiculously easy to manage. Perhaps because it was obvious Franky had made it for you guys. There were small hooks up around the sails, because he knew that you would be the most likely person to do them. The doors didn't require opposable thumbs to open them, because he knew that Chopper only had cloven hooves and because he knew that Sanji occasionally moved through the ship with his arms laden with various plates of food. Most of it done without even being told.
The details were there. So small that you really had to focus on them to even register that they existed in the first place. You only noticed the parts that were relevant to you and Chopper- the only reason you knew about Sanji's was because the cook had started raving about them to you when he took you to the wine cellar- and there were probably far more that the others had picked up because they were relevant to their own routine.
You stood on the deck. Wind in your face and the grass of the new lawn rustling under your feet. As a hand traced a familiar block of wood that now lived permanently on your side pouch.
This was awesome. Well and truly awesome.
"So," Nami crossed her arms once you'd successfully pulled away from the shoreline. "That's just it then Luffy? We're going?"
Chopper's face was dark. As if he wanted to cry and protest, but was trying to stifle his emotions within. You patted his hat, and he sniffled.
"It's your last call, Straw Hat." Franky (now thankfully clothed) warned. "Since it seems like we're still missing one more person."
Luffy forced out a choked laugh, trying to remain jovial despite his leg bouncing so fast it was almost a blur. "Ha nope! It's okay! We've waited long enough already and he never bothered to show up."
Silence.
Pure… simple… silence.
You didn't need to ask who he was talking about.
Beads of sweat were pooling down Luffy's skin. "We went over all this back at Galley La. Everyone agreed on what to do."
Huh ?!
"H-Hang on." You raised a confused hand. "What's this about agreeing on something? I don't remember any of that."
"We talked about it when you weren't there, Missy." Zoro slouched back against the railing. "Figured that after that shitshow on the Merry you wouldn't want anything to do with him."
The nausea roiled back.
"We all thought that was a good idea," Nami added. She turned to Mello, "Sorry we couldn't tell you, but considering your relationship with (y/n) we felt it was probably better to talk about it without you."
You opened your mouth to protest… only to shut it again a few moments later. Hadn't you literally just been thinking about how confused you felt about Usopp? Having the entire crew try and make a decision around you would have been mind whirling, no matter what conclusion they came up with.
At least now… you knew they were serious about this choice. Whatever that choice might be. And knowing that you hadn't directly influenced it one way or the other was strangely comforting for some reason.
"I…" You swallowed the memory of meeting Usopp a few days ago down. It wasn't worth it. "In any case… and no matter what you guys decide… I personally, dunno about Mello, am not going to accept him as a crew member unless he gives me a proper, heartfelt apology."
They all… blinked at you.
Nami arched a brow, "Are you… sure ? Since in all honesty, I was expecting way worse."
"I had all my supplies stocked to properly deal with any injuries you wanted to afflict upon him," squeaked Chopper.
"If you don't want to get your hands dirty, I can always kick his face in for you!"
"Just," you grimaced. Trying to ignore the rather tempted look on Mello's face, "quit it alright? From what I've heard, this isn't the worst thing that he's done." Without meaning to, your gaze flicked to Luffy. "I can get my dues out of him later. Making sure the captain gets the respect he deserves, my stuff can come after. And besides… he wants to be a brave warrior of the seas, doesn't he?"
A smile flittered across your face. A smile which, judging by the sheer horror and surprise staring back at you from your crew, must have contained no small amount of Kronos imbued malice.
"If he can't handle a simple apology, then he should probably give up now."
What was what he called you back then? A freak of nature? That sounded right. So it was only right to act like one for a bit, don't you think?
The corner of Zoro's lips quirked up for a split second, before settling back into white knuckled tension
"Well…" Luffy's tense smile grew even more twitchy. "We waited for him for all that time… For both me and (y/n)'s apologies… but he never bothered to come. Soooo I guess we have our answer."
Franky readjusted his shades, somewhat awkward around these crew dynamics he had no part in. "It's your call. If you're gonna make a decision, just stick with it."
"He'll be fine. And it's not like he quit being a pirate. It's a big world out there, but I'm sure we'll run into him again someday. Hah…" Luffy's eyes grew wide. Impossibly so.
It was then that the most heartbreaking thing happened. Luffy… laughed . But it wasn't like any of his usual laughs. This one was… tense. Overly forced even. Almost as if it came from a place of someone trying not to cry.
He'd grown so much, even over the short time since you'd known him. For him to be like this regarding someone who was one of his closest friends… someone who was on the crew before even you were. That wasn't easy. You couldn't be prouder of him. Even if that pride was somewhat bittersweet.
"Should I…?" You gestured vaguely towards the crow's nest. "It'd be good for someone to keep a lookout on… things."
Nami's brow furrowed, "Won't we see him just fine from here. There's no reason fo you to separate from u-"
KA-SPLOOOOSH!
A pillar of water erupted from the once calm surface of the water quickly followed by a second, sending the entire ship lurching dangerously under your feet.
You swung Mello into your grip, " That was what I wanted to keep an eye on."
"Yeah bad news, guys!" Franky raised a hand from where he'd been sprawled against the railing, eyes focused at the row of sails appearing around the curve of the island. "Those Marines have showed up!"
Luffy sprung to his feet. "G-Gramps?!"
"It was a bit presumptuous to assume we could sail away without consequences…" Mello muttered.
"OI LUFFY! CAN YA HEAR ME!" The voice was tinny over the loud speaker, but still carried all the power and gravitas Monkey D Garp embodied. "THIS IS YOUR GRANDPA SPEAKING! DON'T TRY TO IGNORE ME!"
This wasn't good. You needed to focus. Your eyes slammed shut, hands over your ears as you tried to tune out the bellowing argument between grandfather and grandson. Get honed into your future predicting. But for some reason you found it especially difficult to get an accurate read of things. Almost as if your Kronos-senses weren't giving you enough forewarning.
With lips pursed into a line, you checked your pulse.
Yup. Completely normal. Damn.
"After the past few days, do you really think that something as simple as being chased by Marines would be enough to raise our adrenaline level?"
'I mean this is Mad Dog Garp we're talking about. So yeah. Kinda.' Snapping out of your head, you turned to Robin, "Mind doing me a massive favour?"
Her eyes glimmered, "But of course."
"Slap me. Hard ."
"H-Hang on a second!" Nami sputtered. "There's no need for any of tha-."
WHACK!
"Is that better, Little Missy?"
"Yeah." You rubbed your throbbing cheek with glee, sensing the pure panic the pain sent through your bloodstream. "That seems to have done iiiiii- FUCK LEFT LEFT LEFT SAIL LEFT DAMMIT!"
The cannonball missed the ship by a hairs breadth. Sailing into the waves just to the right of you and erupting into a tower of flaming water. The boat groaned, blast sending the great structure skipping over the waves like a pebble.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Sanji picked himself up from the deck. "He just threw that… with his bare hands ?!"
Metal sang as Zoro unsheathed his swords, "That flew faster than any cannonball I've ever seen… and he pitched it like a baseball!"
Welp your adrenaline was definitely spiking now!
"Right-" Franky's head snapped in your direction- "you're by the wheel. I just finished building my ship of dreams and I SUPER don't want to start repairing it by the next day. So you holler if you sense one of those heading our way."
"Gotcha."
And everyone was off. Running for rigging and ropes and wheel and anything else that could even slightly raise your chances of survival.
"FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
"EVERYONE PROTECT THE SHIP FROM THOSE CANNONBALLS!"
You were halted by a tug on your shirt.
"Big Sis… Big Bro…"
The atmosphere hung frozen for a moment as you turned to stare at Chopper. More specifically… at his twitching blue nose.
"He's here."
…
It was amazing the impact those two words had. Particularly with the heavily stifled emotion that was glinting in Chopper's eyes. You placed a hand on his head. You didn't know why, but you did. It felt appropriate.
"He… came back after all."
"Yeah." Your voice felt blank. As if you weren't actually saying anything. "He did."
Robin slowed from her sprint as she overheard. "Are you quite sure?"
She needn't have asked. Usopp was perfectly visible now, perched on the broken stairs only slightly ahead of the amassed crowd. Why he had chosen that moment to show up, when only a few hours earlier the commotion of a rampaging half nude cyborg had sent the entire city into hysterics… you didn't know.
He must have known you all would be leaving. He must have.
Sucking in a breath, you squinted your eyes shut.
You… couldn't deal with this.
…
So you turned away, dashing towards the wheel where Nami was hastily barking out orders.
And became numb.
It was too hard to avoid each individual cannon ball, since Garp was lobbing them faster than you could have possibly thought possible. Every other second you used every fibre of your willpower to help Mello deflect a small wave… and that was only a small fraction of the assault. There were countless others that Zoro sliced in half, and Sanji kicked away, and Franky gunned down, and Robin sprouted arms to deflect, and L-
"Luffy!" Chopper's voice sounded tense. Not quite on the bridge of desperation like he once would have been, but almost nearing that edge. "Usopp's calling for us!"
Luffy kicked away a stray cannonball. Face as tense and blank as you felt inside.
"I can't hear him."
And it was as simple as that.
"Z-Zoro!"
"I don't hear a thing!"
Chopper's nose twitched. "Liar! He's right there! B-Big sis!"
No. You gritted your teeth as you followed your base instincts to where the next barrage would lead. Please don't.
"You tell them! You saw him didn't you? Tell them that you saw him! That you can hear hi-"
"I don't!"
It felt vile to say. To completely break the high level of trust that he honoured you with. But… you couldn't help but feel relief. That you didn't have to put up with the level of bullshit you were used to.
"I don't hear… a single thing !"
Mello's blade connected with the cannonballs, and for a second you both were speaking. Two voices emerging from the same mouth with the same levels of intensity. You swung, and the cannonballs flew off. Splashing down in a far off area of the ocean.
Far, far, away.
The tug on your elbow vanished. Dropping away to nothing. And Chopper walked off. Not saying a single word more.
For a while you relished the angry silence. Usopp seemed to have realised that shouting was futile over the din of cannonballs hurtling through the air, and was now quiet. It was just as well. What he was saying (at least the little that filtered into your subconscious unwillingly) was beginning to set fire to your nerves.
If you guys just turn around and pick me up right now, then I'll be happy to be your Vice Captain!
I know you're nervous about seeing me again guys, but we're all buddies here!
Sure we had a little disagreement, but we're still friends! RIGHT?!
It was enough to make your stomach churn
Sometimes you forgot that he was young. Just like Luffy. The only difference was that Luffy had strangely enough matured a lot faster than Usopp. He knew that his actions had consequences… he just didn't care about them as much.
You'd thought that your brief conversation with Usopp would have helped him realise the amount of growing he'd have to do. But maybe you were wrong. Although…
Mello stretched open his beak to catch a cannonball before promptly spitting back towards another oncoming wave.
…part of you wasn't so sure. There was a small section within you, almost completely buried under all the hurt and the bad memories, that shone with hope. A conversation that you'd practically forgotten since it felt like an age ago. Between you and Usopp, in that small cablecar on Drum. Before the argument, and Skypiea, and Alabasta. Before Chopper had even joined the crew. In that strange transitionary period before your crew had stared civil war in the face and against all odds won .
You had told Usopp all the ways he was brave. All the small ways that proved he had the courage to make it, even if he didn't believe it himself. And he had smiled, listing through all the things that made him happy and that he was proud of doing. It might have made a difference, it might have not. But the fact of the matter was, you'd said it .
If you could remember that, when it wasn't even that important to you, then maybe… there was a chance that Usopp did too. And if he did… If by some strange coincidence that memory had resurfaced for him as well… then just maybe…
"I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRYYYYYY!"
Your arm froze mid sweep. Luffy's snapped back mid sweep.
"I'M TOO STUBBORN, I KNOW!" Usopp's tear laden voice bellowed. Just a tiny figure on the edge of the island now. "I TAKE BACK EVERY WORD I SAID!"
It was like a bullet through your chest.
"Heh." Zoro smirked behind you. "That's more like it."
The light grew. Hope billowing like a phoenix within your heart. And that was when you realised- you would be sad if Usopp wasn't around. For all those harsh words he'd said, you would still miss him if he'd left.
He was a part of your home, just like the rest of the crew.
"It took him long enough," Mello sniffed in somewhat disgruntled pride.
"I…" Usopp's tiny figure on the shore thudded onto its knees, then collapsed further into a weak, wet, and pitiful heap. "I know I'm being pathetic. I know I already said I quit. And said really awful stuff to both Luffy and (y/n). But…"
You squinted. Barely able to make out his face as he raised it. It seemed to be… glistening with tears and snot, contorted into pure unbridled emotion that felt too raw and powerful for you to properly comprehend.
"WILL YOU LET ME TAKE IT ALL BACK?! PLEEEEEAAASE?!"
Luffy was standing perfectly still, never once tearing his eyes away from the figure on the shore. A cannonball flew towards his head but was halved by one of Zoro's katanas. You instinctively gripped Mello and twirled away another flurry, it all a blur within your head as your focus remained elsewhere.
"I-I'M BEGGING YOU! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I'M I'M NOT WITH YOU GUYS, THERE'S NO POINT! JUST- hic- JUST DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! I NEED YOU GUYS!"
Was it just you… or was he looking directly at you? It was impossible surely. The boat was too far out to see, and quite frankly you couldn't be sure which part of Usopp was his actual face or a layer of snotty tears. But you could feel it. All the same.
"I'LL DO ANYTHING!" JUST PLEASE!" Usopp propped himself up on hands and knees, then bowed . Not quite a full dogeza, but enough of a position of weakness that made it obvious he was showing his powerlessness- "PLEASE LET ME JOIN THE CREW! JUST ONE MORE TIME!"
Ba-dump… Ba-dump… Ba-dump…
The sound of exploding water faded. Leaving the beat of your heart to ricochet around your head. So much uh… Excitement? Joy? Trepidation? Fear? Hope? It was so hard to tell. Emotions coiling and churning and changing before you could properly get a finger on which damn one you were feeling . But one thing you did know.
Whatever this emotion was, you had people you could figure it out with.
Your fingers closed tighter around Mello. Asking silent permission.
"But of course." He hummed, twitching just slightly in encouragement. "I am looking forwards to seeing how much he continues to grow after all."
You smiled. Small at tight lipped. 'Thanks Mello.' Then, you squared your shoulders. Speaking verbally, "Luffy."
He froze, arm ready to zip forwards in a moment's notice. "Are you… cool with this?"
As if you were even given a choice. The look on his face made it obvious what decision he'd made.
With a sweeping motion, you gestured to your outstretched scythe. "I'll get you halfway there."
It was an unnecessary gesture. He could stretch the entire way if he really wanted to. But you wanted to be a part of this. To offer your own hand to Usopp, and say that you were willing to be open.
Luffy's face brightened like a child's, eyes already beginning to glisten. Without saying another word he hopped onto Mello's blade, rolling his shoulder around and around and around as Mello extended out across the water. The shaft arched occasionally, shifting and skidding to avoid stray cannonballs as a few Marines noticed the strange item stretching across the water. Your muscles screamed. But you held firm. Only feeling the strain when Mello ran out of reach about halfway over the ocean.
That was when Luffy extended his arm.
His outstretched hand paused a small distance from Usopp's bowed face. Just enough for him to notice it, and jerk his head up in surprise. "L-Luffy… (y/n)?"
Luffy raised his head. Shoulders squared and…
"JUST HURRY UP AND GRAB ON ALREADY! UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
You sighed out a laugh. Well, you couldn't expect your captain to always seem cool and collected. This, if anything, was a relief to hear. Just as much as it was a relief to hear Usopp's own cries rise up to join Luffy's.
"You say that as if you were not crying yourself, Missy."
'I know.' Your nose gave an almighty sniff, doing absolutely nothing to cease the wave of sobs that were trembling your body and sending tears streaming down your face, 'But it's still good to hear!'
"Now that-"
Usopp's hand reached out…
"-I firmly agree with."
…and clasped tightly onto Luffy's.
Sanji beamed, leaping and punching both fists into the air.
"Yeah you guys'd better not drop him." Zoro barked with a smirk from nearby. "It'd be a pain after all this hassle."
"Pffft!" Nami's shoulders shook with laughter. Her smile widening as she rubbed at tears threatening her eyes. "Pretty lame, you two. Pull it together!"
"You got him Mello?!"
"My beak has clamped onto his ankle."
"Then HANG ON !"
Looking back, it was a funny sight. Seeing Usopp being tugged by Luffy being tugged by Mello being tugged by you. All framed by a sea that was exploding. It must have been quite the picture. But the most memorable thing to you about back then was when the three of you finally connected, all of your heads somehow managing to bang against each other at exactly the same time.
You stumbled, collapsing backwards with the two other bodies sprawled in an untidy pile on top of you. Soaking your clothes and practically deafening you with the volume of their sobs. But you all laughed. Bright and happy and relieved .
Some things hadn't quite been worked out yet. But that was okay. Those would take time. And sailing together on the seas… your family… you would have all the time in the world.
"Alright!" Flipping to his feet Luffy flexed his arms, a bead of snot still hanging from his nose. "The gang's all here! We're gonna get away from these stupid cannonballs, then head TO THE NEW WORLD!"
You… froze.
…
Oh.
"YEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
As reality crashed back down on top of you.