Savior -Luffy-

-3-

HIGHLY SUGGEST LISTENING TO THIS AS YOU READ CAUSE IT'S WHAT I TYPED TO:

"You miss him, huh?" I turn around to look at Shanks with a heavy sigh.

"I knew his future, and I told him, but he still didn't change it for the sake that I would be wrong in my predictions," I whine. "I just wanted him to know that he could change his fate."

"Ace wouldn't have changed his fate even if you begged him." Shanks took a seat next to me on the edge of the ship as the waves crashed gently on the bottom of the hull. "That's why it's called fate, Maylene."

"You don't understand the burden I've been given," I cry out. "I am left knowing everyone's past and future, all because I was given another chance in life. I know when people get hurt, when they die, even when they pick their damn nose!" Tears streaked my face quickly. "I knew I shouldn't have gotten attached to him, but damn if he didn't make it easy to love him."

"He was like a brother to you, right?" I nod. "Then mourn for your brother." I'm quiet as he continues on. "No one is going to judge you for your sadness. We all have lost someone close to us." I frowned, burying my head into my knees as they tugged close to my chest.

"I don't want to be sad!" I argue. "I want to accept this. I want to move on and know that it was meant to happen!"

"You shouldn't have gone with us to Marineford..." His trailed words sent a pang of guilt through my chest.

"Shanks-"

"If you didn't see that in person it wouldn't have been so surreal for you."

"I chose to go. No one could have stopped me."

"I know that you would have gone anyways, but I could have at least made the effort to stop you." I'm silent as I stare at the deck between my thighs. "Your help with the proper burial was hope that you could accept and move on from this. However, it seems to have made it worse." He sighs and pulls his arm up, yanking my shoulders to him. He was balancing awkwardly with his only arm around me now instead of on the deck for support. I scooted closer, diving my head into his shoulder and using myself as his new stilt.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I wish I could have changed it or at least made it easier, but I couldn't..."

"You're not a god, May." He rubs my shoulder in comfort. "No one expects you to get everything right nor change the wrong. You're human no matter how much you think you aren't." I groaned, hating that he was so good at giving advice. "Now come on. It's time for lunch."

I shut the book I wasn't even reading anymore as my chest tightened at the memory of Ace's death and how I had trouble healing after. I knew how hard it was for Luffy as well. I looked over at the man who was napping quietly beside me, cuddled into my forearm and thigh. I smiled and placed my hand against his cheek. The waves that crashed outside in the night reminded me of that moment in time. It was hard to ignore since it was a big turning point for me. I'm not the same naive Maylene I was. My temper and anger have mellowed and I am no longer putting others before myself constantly. I've learned to care about myself equally for once. Thanks to The Red-Haired Pirates I became even more skilled with my sword, hunting, fishing, and tactical movements. Shanks treated me like he would have treated Uta if she was still around, but I knew I couldn't take her place as his daughter. I slowly peeled Luffy's limbs from mine, but not without a mutter of protest from the rubber man. I smiled lightly and finally broke free from his grasp. I step out of the room in my robe and nightgown, feet padding gently on the cold deck flooring. I sighed when I finally reached the railing of the ship and the smell of salt filled my senses.