Figuring it Out [Whitebeard Pirates x Child? Reader]

11. Warming up

-March 1st

M/n had gotten better-ish, Though despite the wise words of the Old man he still wasn't sure what he should do. So, he's been using all of his brainpower to figure it out. The family had seen that M/n looked like he was warming up to them but something was holding him back from fully staying with them. Lidia had gotten him some shoes... that he's going to be forced to wear if he decides to go back to the junkyard.

Though currently, M/n stared out the window, not wanting to put shoes on but if he had too he would. The snow was melting but not melting... So that was interesting to M/n keeping him at least a little entertained. Luffy jumped up behind him, wrapping his arms around M/ns neck.

"C'mon! Let's goo!" Luffy whined, he had trying to get M/n out of the house... Just to go outside though.

M/n huffed, finally giving in and putting the shoes on, tying the laces perfectly. Luffy quirked a brow, not even Marco or Pops could tye shoelaces that well. M/n frowned, not liking the feeling of his feet in shoes, sighing, and deciding if this is what he had to do to get out of the house. He'd do it, and just take them off later. Luffy went bounding outside, M/n following at a slower pace. His hands shoved into his pockets. Luffy went on and On about different things and different people. Telling M/n he needed to meet his friends again because they didn't get to know him. 

A Small circular blush appeared on M/ns face, If meeting Luffy's friends again meant he got to see the blonde again he wasn't sure if he should. he made a complete fool of himself last time. M/n shook his head, walking around town with Luffy, ignoring the passing glares that were delivered to him. M/n spotted something out of the corner of his eye, whipping his head in that direction before Pulling Luffy into an Alleyway with him.

"I know a shortcut..." M/n grumbled, starting to walk towards Makino's bar. She was a sweet lady that M/n had yet to meet. Luffy just never stopped talking about everyone he knew, gushing about them. it made M/n wonder if that's what Luffy did to his friends about him. M/n walked back out onto the sidewalk with Luffy, seeing the bar name. Luffy jumped up and down with excitement. Rushing into the bar, M/n fixed his hat, keeping his hood over it. Maybe Ace was right... Maybe he did look like a drug dealer.

M/n followed Luffy into the place, all eyes landing on him. Luffy came bounding towards him. Ready to introduce him.

"Shanks! Benn! Makino! This is M/n! He's the boy I was telling you about! The one who got my hat back!" Luffy explained excitedly, M/n coughed, 

'Shanks? Who names their kid Shanks?' M/n thought, coming up with 100 different nicknames for the man already. M/n simply waved, not saying a word. Luffy dragged M/n towards a red-haired man, M/n could only assume this was shanks.

"Nice ta' meet You," Shanks stuck out his hand, M/n did not shake the man's hand. But simply looked at it and dismissed it. Shanks companion chuckled.

"Tch, What's funny chuckles?" M/n hummed

"You." He hummed, "I'm Benn." The man hummed, not bothering to introduce himself any further than that.

M/n looked around the bar, seeing quite the variety of patrons. This place must be neutral ground. M/n's jaw went slack, looking at a man whose coat had lit on fire.

"Oi! Bird Man! Your coats on fire!" M/n informed, Said bird man had water dumped on him by a few patrons. It seemed to have taken everyone a minute to register what M/n had called him, the Bar soon erupting into laughter.

"That's not new~ But it's not bad either, fufufu" A Man in a bright pink suit chuckled, getting out of his seat, leaning down towards M/n. It didn't take M/n long to recognize him.