Jordansdevil: I hope you like the ending!Thank you for being a regular reviewer. I really liked reading your comments.

Kira494: Yeah, it's sad Luffy's wings were amputated. But there is more stuff about that in this chapter, so look forward to reading it!

Magic Morgana: Yeah, they didn't favor Luffy as much as Ace since Luffy was gone for longer. Thatch really liked Luffy, but it was hard for them to really get to know Luffy since he was unable to communicate directly. Plus, he was unknown and many people react badly to the unknown. But there is closure in this chapter about that. They also got to know and grow close to Ace because of the situation. Before Luffy got kidnapped, Ace was a bit snappy and closed off. But that changed later on.

Ocii99: Thank you! I'm sad to say this is the last chapter. :(

Here we are. The end of this story. I've never been so sad to stop posting a story, and most of them are coming closer to being wrapped up. Only a few more chapters of To Raise a Vampire, which has by far been my most popular story. :( I'm gonna miss my regular reviewers. Thank you for sticking with it, I know it's been a long one. Anyways, I hope you like the ending. And wish me luck on my programming midterm tomorrow! Coding is the worst.

I could have split this chapter into two due to the length, but it wouldn't flow right. Enjoy~

Luffy stayed on Shanks ship for the time he waited for Ace to come get him. It felt like it had been years since he'd been with his big brother. He was worried Ace might not care about him as much as he used to. He had assimilated closer into the Whitebeard crew. Maybe he'd forgotten about Luffy. Maybe he didn't love him so much anymore. Luffy had stopped responding, so maybe Ace could be angry about that.

He was stressed about it, but couldn't bring himself to ask about Ace's thoughts on it. He was afraid of the answer, or that he'd hurt Ace's feelings by thinking he had grown out of his precious brother.

Now that Ace had a solid seat in the crew, as an important member, maybe Luffy wouldn't be included anymore. But, if Ace wasn't there for him, he'd be all alone again. No way to talk to anyone. Ace would be more important to the crew.

Luffy put his hands over his eyes as he lay on his stomach, nervous about meeting everyone again. He was also embarrassed to see them all, after everything that had happened. How he never made it home and instead got eaten by a sea king and lost his ability to fly.

He was a bad brother, letting Ace think he was dead. He never wanted to succumb to his dragon side again. Lose everything human about him and become feral. If it hadn't been Shanks who found him, Luffy would have no doubt killed anyone who came to get him. Would he have recognized Ace? Would he have attacked his overjoyed big brother?

Was he really a monster? That's what everyone on the island thought. Luffy was beast, not a dragon, without his wings. He raised his head to look back at the skin and boney stumps where his wings had been. But, Katakuri had done the right thing with having both wings amputated. At least at the time, it was correct to do.

Luffy had been unable to walk a single step after he lost the use of one of his wings. Maybe that's what kept him from outright attacking the big man. He really wished he could have shown his gratitude to the man. He was nice to him. It hadn't clicked who he was, since Luffy had lost all his memories for those months away and on a different ship.

The day Ace was to arrive, Luffy hid inside the ship, barely fitting through the halls. The good thing about being on Katakuri's ship was that he was big, like Whitebeard, so Luffy could fit inside.

Luffy was worried about meeting Ace. He was excited to be reunited, but didnt know what to expect. He shed more than a few tears thinking about what could go wrong.

-x-

Ace stood on the yardarm, watching the island get closer and closer. He then saw Shanks's ship. Luffy was there. He really hoped Luffy wasn't upset with him not being able to save him. For putting him through all of those terrible days and those mysterious months, where he didnt know what Luffy was doing or where he was. And why he had stopped responding.

Ace became too impatient with the ship's slow pace. He didn't care about everyone knowing if he was a devil fruit user or not anymore. He dropped down to the deck easily, and jumped over the side of the ship and into the water, swimming quickly to the shore.

"Hey, Ace! What are you doing?!" Haruta shouted in anger. They were almost there, why did he endanger himself by swimming in New World waters? And he clearly didn't give a shit anymore about people thinking he was a devil fruit user. Well, everyone knew he wasn't normal due to his little slip up while drunk. But, thankfully, no one shunned him. They were just painfully curious.

Ace jumped onto the dock, warming himself so he was completely dry, and ran to Shanks's ship. He jumped onto the deck and looked around for Luffy. Where was he? Ace was sure he'd be waiting out on deck for him, and grew worried when he wasn't.

"Shanks, where's Luffy?" Ace asked worriedly.

"Inside. He seems nervous to meet you again," Shanks informed as he lead Ace inside and to the storage room Luffy could barely fit in. He was hiding in the dark behind some crates. Ace frowned at Shanks's words, but when the door opened and he saw Luffy, all attention was on his brother.

Shanks left the room to give them some alone time. Ace had tears in his eyes as he staggered to his brother and collapsed against him, hugging around his thick neck. Ace ignored the sight of the missing wings, and closed his eyes, just resting against the most important person in his life.

"I missed you so much, Luffy," Ace said, finally able to speak to Luffy aloud.

I'm sorry, Luffy whispered as he wrapped one arm around Ace's back, rubbing his head on Ace's shoulder. I'm sorry I stopped responding, I'm sorry I got eaten by a sea king, I'm sorry I let you think I was dead, I'm sorry I got kidnapped, I'm sorry-"

"Why are you apologizing to me? I'm the one who let you get taken, and couldn't do anything to get you back," Ace countered, confused as to why Luffy was acting like this.

The dragon looked at the floor and not Ace. "What's wrong?"

Now that you're important on the ship, will you still spend time with me? Luffy asked, with shiny eyes. Can I still be important to you? The younger brother begged. Ace gently took his face and lifted it so Luffy was facing him.

"You will always be the most important person in my life. Always. I want us to stay with the Whitebeards, but my condition of still being a commander was that you are one, too. Joint with me, even though you won't be able to speak. You're going to be with me all day, every day. I'll resign if there's not enough time for both of us.

"My role as your brother is so much more important to me than being someone in charge on the ship. You will never be put below someone else. And if you don't want to stay on the ship, I'll go with you. Never again will we be apart," Ace explained slowly, keeping eye contact with Luffy to show how much he meant his words.

Luffy had tears streaming down his face as he looked at Ace. Thank you. I… I want to stay on the ship. I don't want to endanger you, now that I'm useless.

Ace frowned. "What do you mean 'useless'?"

My wings. They're gone. Now I really am just a monster. I'm not a dragon anymore, Luffy explained sadly. Ace looked to the thick pink scars running along Luffy's back and sides. He gently ran his finger against it, feeling the harsh scar, though it was softer than the rest of Luffy's skin.

"Who cares if you're a dragon? Who cares if I'm a human? It doesn't matter, losing your wings has done nothing to change who you are. You're still my baby brother. And you still have your ice powers, right?" Luffy nodded, pushing his forehead against Ace's neck.

I missed you.

"I missed you so much it hurt physically. Like part of me was ripped away when I thought you died." Luffy looked ashamed at that.

I lost my human side. All I thought about was surviving. It was Katakuri who saved me from starving and being eaten by a sea king. Hey, do you know what mochi is? It tastes really good. It's a type of candy, Luffy said with a smile.

"W-what? That billion bounty pirate saved you?" Ace asked in shock, sitting down, with Luffy's head on his lap. It wasn't possible for him to knead Ace in this position, so he kneaded the air, something he hadn't done in a long, long time. Not since he was kidnapped.

Yeah. He was the one who amputated my wings, and helped me recover. We went to near the beginning of the New World on his business, and then back. He dropped me off here and went back to his home land. I wasn't myself when I was with him. I was… feral. I even tried to attack Shanks. It was only something he did that brought me back.

For months, I didn't think of or remember you or who I was. I never want that to happen again. Never again, Luffy explained.

Ace grinned. "See, there are nice humans out there. Not all are bad, right?" Luffy nodded in agreement. "I wish I could thank him."

Maybe someday I'll see him again.

"Hopefully. Do you wanna go back to the ship now? Everyone wants to see you."

I wanna go home. You are home, Luffy said softly, nuzzling Ace again. The young man grinned and nodded, standing up and leading Luffy back to the deck, where he saw all of the commanders and captain standing on the shore. Luffy looked at all of their happy faces, all wearing a smile, even Marco. Thatch had tears in his eyes, Izo handing him a handkerchief.

"Luffy! We missed you!" Thatch cried. Luffy gave a small smile, nodding in response. Ace walked forwards and turned to Shanks, going up to him and hugging him, something he usually wouldn't do with anyone besides Luffy or one of his closer friends on the ship.

"Thank you, so much Shanks," Ace said, getting the hug returned.

"Anytime, Ace. Luffy, stay safe, okay?" Shanks asked, turning to the dragon, who nodded back. "But, don't let the unknown terrify you." Luffy smiled and bowed his head in thanks, walking against with Ace to the plank to come off the ship and back to home. What was Ace's home was Luffy's home.

Ace knew that the commanders were bothered by the sight of Luffy's missing wings and the harsh, thick scars in their stead, but didn't react to it outwardly so Luffy could tell. He was glad of this, knowing that the wings was a sore subject for his baby brother.

It was a welcome back party and a celebration of Luffy being alive that night. Luffy and Ace both didn't drink any alcohol, Luffy hating it and Ace not wanting to get shit faced again and embarrass himself in front of Luffy. He didn't want to be a giggling mess when he was supposed to be focusing on Luffy and his comfort.

Luffy was finally in a position where he could knead Ace, which calmed him down drastically and he was visibly relaxed by doing so.

Luffy, I told Whitebeard my secrets. He didn't judge, so I think I'm gonna tell the rest of the commanders now that you're here again, Ace said as he listened to the deep purring from the body on top of him.

Okay, Luffy replied sleepily. Luffy then drifted off to sleep, more relaxed and peaceful than he had been in five months. While he was asleep, Ace told his crew about Luffy's time with Katakuri, which shocked everyone but Whitebeard.

Yes, Dogtooth was brutal to enemies, but he was also extremely loyal to his family and professional with his work. Luffy was not an enemy, so he wasn't surprised that Dogtooth would have been kind to him. He was, however, surprised with the fact that the man hadn't brought the rare creature back to his mother, who was known to collect rare creatures. But, they were all thankful for the big man's kindness.

When many of the pirates and commanders were passed out, Ace turned to Whitebeard. "I said I would tell everybody once Luffy got back. I have him back," the older teen said. Those who were still awake of the commanders looked at him in shock. None of them had actually expected Ace to tell them, and they didn't know he had already spilled the beans to the captain.

"Alright. We'll have this conversation when your new brothers are awake and not hung over," Whitebeard replied, though it got a frown from Ace. "What is it?" he asked in concern.

"Please don't call everyone my brothers. Not yet. Luffy just needs to be my only brother right now. Things… they got bad while Luffy was away. And his missing wings have affected his low-self esteem, too, it seems," Ace explained vaguely. But whitebeard agreed, and told Ace he wouldn't address him as son or call the crew his brothers for the time being, which Ace was grateful for.

Ace hadn't wanted to wake Luffy up, but he wanted to go to bed, and being sandwiched between his brother's heavy body and the hard deck was not a comfortable place to sleep. He really wished he could pick Luffy up and just carry him to bed, but those days were long over.

"Lu?" Ace asked, gently shaking his brother. "Luffy, let's go to our room," he said, waking the dragon up, who yawned, eyes wide open before realizing he was finally home. He purred happily, even as they both walked to Ace's new room, which was now Luffy's as well. There sure was enough room for both of them.

Someone had already dragged in the large mattress for Luffy, and when Luffy laid down on it, Ace curled up next to Luffy. He remembered when baby Luffy would sleep at his side, so tiny. Now, Ace was the smaller one who took up less of the mattress. His brother was home. Finally.

Luffy woke up with a whimper, dreaming of being eaten alive by the sea king. But Ace was there immediately, shushing Luffy's whines and whispering kind words. "You're home, and safe. We'll never let anyone or anything hurt you again," Ace reassured. Luffy fell asleep quickly after that, and didn't wake up again.

-x-

Being back on this ship was weird for Luffy. It had been so long. He's only been on the ship about a month, while Ace had been for over five. He felt a bit out of the loop. Well, a lot out of the loop, but people didn't stare at him anymore, even if they often glanced to his ugly scars. Though he couldn't blame them. They stood out quite a lot against his black skin.

But, people were genuinely happy to see him, and that he was okay. Some told him how much Ace had missed him, but it just made Luffy feel guilty. At the same time, though, he was glad he had never been forgotten by his brother, even if he never wished him to be depressed.

The crew were all hung over besides a few, so Ace and Luffy had all the food they wanted in front of them. Thatch had done his best not to get too intoxicated so he could cook a perfect breakfast for their returning member.

It was the usual food, only there were fat, chocolate chip pancakes, delicious fresh bread, special drinks and anything Luffy had even liked to eat. Thatch had been grinning as Luffy ate everything made for him with tears in his eyes.

Tell Thatch thank you so much, Luffy said as he laid on his side near the table, stuffed and very satisfied. Ace grinned and passed the message along.

"I don't know how long it's been since you've had large meals three times a day, but that is most definitely what you will get here. Promise. I hope that Katakuri kept you well fed." He nodded in gladness when Ace told him that the man had been feeding Luffy, just not his favorites as he had no way to communicate with him, and he had been "feral" and hadn't known how to express his favorites even in body language.

"I wish I could thank him," Ace said sadly, a nod coming from a very content Luffy below him. "I'm assuming you don't have his number, so maybe someday we'll come across him and get to thank him. Luffy can finally say something." Luffy nodded again, and then scooched closer to rest his head on Ace's boot, purring happily, drifting to blissful, relaxing sleep.

Thatch smiled down at him, tears in his eyes. Ace was in the same state, biting his lip to try and anchor himself. He would let Luffy sleep, not glomp him and wake him up to cuddle, though he probably wouldn't mind that. He looked down, happy until his eyes slid to the missing wings. Poor Lu.

But, maybe they would grow back. There was no telling for a creature such a mystery as Luffy.

"So, you're going to tell all of the commanders today?" Thatch asked curiously. Ace nodded, informing the chef that he had already told the captain. Thatch looked surprised. There had been no indication that Whitebeard had learned anything new or game changing from Ace, like he seemed to think there would be.

Maybe Ace and them had been playing it up too big. Maybe it was just something small. Well, he'd know soon enough, and couldn't help but look forward to finally having the mystery solved. Ace didn't even look nervous about it anymore, which Thatch was sure was a good sign.

It was late in the afternoon when the meeting of the commanders, captain, and Luffy was held, after everyone had had some time to fight off the hangovers. They were clearly used to them as they didn't cripple them all day. Ace sure was lucky, even if he wanted to drink, the hangovers wouldn't affect him.

The table was quiet as Ace collected himself, finally feeling nervous. "Take your time," Whitebeard said patiently, knowing this would be hard for Ace to say. Much easier with Whitebeard; it was one person, someone who would clearly not care. But, some of the commanders he was not close to, such as Kingdew, who was probably Ace's least favorite, might make him more hesitant to tell everyone. But he couldn't bring himself to just exclude some of his fellow commanders. He didn't want them to hate him. At least not for something that was in his control.

Luffy was sitting next to Ace's chair, his head level with Ace's while sitting down. Luffy nudged his arm lovingly. You trust them, right?

"Yeah…" Ace replied, and this was what was able to get him talking. He took a deep breath. "Me and Luffy are blood brothers. Our father was a human, who fell in love with a woman who could turn into a dragon. She died giving birth to me and Luffy. Luffy In her dragon form and me in her human. I'm not a full human, and I don't have a devil fruit.

"My powers came to me when Luffy hatched when I was six. When I read my mid twenties, I'll stop aging. I'll live centuries at least. Luffy will live thousands of years, at least. I can hold my breath for eleven minutes under water, so there's no need to worry about me drowning.

"I have no heartbeat, because I'm completely made of fire. I have no blood able to be drawn. Nothing can kill me, but I had been affected by drugs and alcohol, but now I can burn them from my system.

"Our dad is also Gol D. Roger. We took our mother's name if anyone ever asks. Portgas D. Ace is my full name, though I never use it. That's really all," Ace finished strongly. Many of the commanders looked shocked, while many also gave him supporting looks, like nothing he said bothered them.

"So… you're both immortal?" Thatch asked in awe.

"So far," Ace replied.

"...So cool!" the cook cheered. "You're gonna stay young forever? Wow! I'm so jealous, honestly."

"I'm mostly surprised by the fact that your dad is Gold Roger. I assumed you were part dragon, as you're blood related to one," Marco commented smoothly. A few commanders nodded in agreement.

"You're not mad at us? At me, for lying?" Ace asked quietly.

"Nah, we're not mad. It's important information. I wouldn't have told anyone those things if I had just met them. I'm sure everyone agrees," Vista replied, getting nods from all of the others. "I'm just glad we don't need to worry about you drowning."

Ace smiled smally. "Thank you, everyone," the teen said sincerely. Luffy was beaming, and rubbed his head on Ace's shoulder.

They are nice people, Luffy said cheerfully. Ace just nodded in agreement. Whitebeard then spoke, changing the subject.

"I need to tell Luffy something. Ace is now a commander, and I'm sure Ace has told you that you have that position as well. You can attend meetings, and of course still sit at our table. We'll take into consideration to your wishes and opinions, if you'd like. You were just reunited with your family after over five months of being missing. No one will force you away from him. Not now, not ever," the captain explained. "I've adopted Ace as a son, and I'd like to do the same to you."

Luffy's big eyes were wide in surprise. If he could have, he probably would have blushed. I don't think I'm right for being someone important to the ship. I never really wanted to be a pirate captain, I just wanted to be with you and Sabo, Luffy confessed to the only person who could hear him.

"It also just means we will spend all the time together, even if I have other responsibilities," Ace added, rubbing his hand down Luffy's cheek and jaw. Luffy nodded, understanding. "Even if you don't feel ready for such a role, it's always open for you."

Okay.

"Luffy, I have a question," Izo suddenly said, and continued when Luffy nodded. "What happened to Teach?" Luffy's face grew dark and angry.

He's dead. I escaped his darkness and destroyed his ship. I spiked him and the other two. He drowned, and sea kings came for him and the other two he was sailing with. He's dead. Ace translated this for him, and it got cruel smiles on everyone's faces, glad he had suffered.

"On behalf of all of us, we are extremely sorry and regretful we couldn't stop him before he took you," Whitebeard said sincerely.

"He knows. He forgave everyone much easier than I did," Ace replied for his brother. The others smiled in relief.

-x-

Luffy was honestly treated like royalty. It was strange having everyone happy to see him, and no one saying anything mean. Maybe some things had changed while he was away. Whatever it was, he liked it. He was left alone to nap in the sun. No one tried to touch him and he didn't feel stares from anyone.

He hadn't been able to sleep in the sun in a long time. Even when he was with Katakuri, and safe, he wasn't himself, and never napped just to feel better. He only napped when he was tired. He had been craving candy and mochi, which Ace and Thatch thought was silly and made no sense until he told them of Katakuri's devil fruit.

Ace grew horrified, thinking that Luffy had just been eating Katakuri, not that he could produce the candy, even if he still thought it was gross to eat something like that. But Thatch had just laughed it off, telling him he'd try to find out how to cook the sweet.

It was four days after settling back into the routine, which had gone smoothly and his transition back to this life had been quicker than anyone thought it would be, when a new wanted poster came in the mail.

Of course, there were sightings of Luffy, and someone had taken a new photo. But this time, it was in favor for the dragon. It was a photo of his whole body, wings missing and everything, but he was standing near Ace, who had his back to the camera, but the Whitebeard tattoo was clearly visible. Now, everyone knew he was under the care of the Yonko. Maybe Doflamingo and his men would leave him alone.

He hadn't seen the man in a long time, and didn't understand when something had happened on Katakuri's ship, as he had no memory. A crew on a large ship had approached the ship, and threatened Katakuri to give over the dragon.

Thinking back about it, the sail of the ship had been the mark of Doflamingo. The face of his pirate mark. Katakuri had ushered Luffy inside, but he'd been discovered. The fight lasted a very short time, with Katakuri defeating all of them single handedly. He hadn't noticed the black flag that had some other sign on it, but the ship was clearly related to Doflamingo.

There hadn't been another ship like that to come after Luffy. So, the warlord still clearly needed the dragon, stuck in that ice. Luffy almost felt pity for him, but wouldn't just go and free him. No, the man would no doubt be furious with him and want to take revenge for the months of being trapped in ice.

And Luffy couldn't melt the ice from a distance. The only way would be to get close to him, and even if he wanted to, Ace wouldn't ever let him. The rest of the crew would probably be against it, too. Well, that's what the man got for trying to trap Luffy and keep him as some sort of slave, or pet.

Luffy was sad he'd never see the minks again. He had no way to contact them, and the dragon could no longer fly away and search for the gigantic elephant. He hoped they were alright, and hadn't been tracked down.

"Well, Luffy has a new bounty, but it's a good one. Now people know who they're messing with," Ace said at the breakfast table, not at all mad about the bounty, even if it showed him as well. "It's a much better picture than your last one," he commented and pat Luffy on the head. When it was Ace who did it, it wasn't offensive. If anyone else did it, Luffy would feel it had been demeaning.

"You're back is in it, too," Izo commented after sipping his tea. "I guess that tattoo is lucky, though, isn't it?" The others all nodded in agreement. "So, Luffy. What happened with Doflamingo. I heard in the paper his kingdom had revolted, and is now under a new ruler. Do you have anything to do with that?"

Luffy shrugged. Ace translated for him. Probably. I trapped him and some of his men in a bird cage with my ice, and his feet and arms were bound in the ice. I'm not going back to melt them, even if I do feel pity for him. But, he tried to attack and trap me, he got what was coming to him.

Ace then said the next part quieter so no one but those at the table could hear. I'm surprised no one has looked at that ice and made the connection to the Massacre.

"Yeah, you'd think so. The Government has been picking up the pieces slowly while you were gone. They decided to not rebuild Mary Geious. At least not anytime soon, that is," Izo explained. "They're focusing more on trying to find new leaders, though it's taking some time, and the Red Line is still being trafficked. Fishman island has lost a lot of resources and money due to the fact that visitors aren't coming anymore.

"You won't be crossing any time soon, even if you choose to leave this ship." He paused then, wondering whether he should ask something. Luffy cocked his head, asking what he wanted to say. "Can I ask… what happened when Ace was sure you had died? And y-you're wings?" everyone at the table grew silent, having all had those questions as well, since they had never gotten answers from Ace on the subject.

I got caught by a sea king. Tried to eat me and ripped off one of my wings. After that, I remember I was talking to Ace, saying goodbye because I was going to starve or get eaten or taken by pirates. Then, I just turned… feral. I didn't remember anything about myself or my life, and stopped responding.

Then, Katakuri came across me and had both of my wings amputated so I could walk again. He helped me heal enough that I could function on my own. Then, he didn't want to put me in danger by taking me with him, so he dropped me off at Shanks's island. Then Shanks found me and brought me back to you.

Ace had translated the whole thing, feeling down at remembering the pain of thinking, feeling, that his last brother had died. The table's mood turned somber. "Maybe someday they'll grow back," Haruta offered kindly.

Hope so.

"I love you, Luffy. I couldn't be happier that you're back and alive," Ace said in a fond voice, overflowing with so much love it touched those at the table, and made Luffy's big eyes a bit shiny. Luffy just nodded before sitting on his hind legs and hugging Ace tightly.

Love you, too. We'll never be apart, ever again.

"Damn right, we won't."

-Two years later-

As second division member of the Whitebeard pirates, Ace eventually got a wanted poster and bounty, higher than Luffy's was by 100,000,000 berris. This was his official poster as the government had given up on finding the culprits of the terrorist attack, so that large bounty with a blank face and name plate was revoked. Ace's pirate name was "Fire-fist Ace". He was very pleased with it.

Luffy had grown a bit bigger, but seemed to have stopped, as Ace wasn't growing anymore either, even though he was still supposed to be aging. But, Garp and told him anything could happen. He wasn't that sad about looking twenty one his whole life, so he put that thought behind him.

The entire crew had come to know about Ace and Luffy's family situation, and no one had turned them in or looked at either of them in any other way, though if Ace hadn't been at least part human, things might have been a bit different.

Over the time, Luffy's wings' bones had started to grow a bit more, but it was messy. The bones were shown growing, but the skin was taking longer, and it hurt every now and then. But, he had thousands of years, so he'd be patient with their growth, even if he had started to miss flying again.

Luffy had been able to get a tattoo on his chest, a white one of the jolly roger, though it was much smaller than Ace's but still visible if he wished it to be. Pirates had still been after him, but had zero chance to succeed, and Doflamingo had been taken to prison for some of the things he had done to his country that had been unraveled.

The crew joked about the fact that the only way they could have gotten him out was to dig up the ground under his feet to get into the cage and separate the ex-warlord's feet from the ground, as he was still eternally trapped in ice. The brothers were staying on the crew indefinitely, as it was their home now, though they did go off the ship on some islands, wanted or not.

Izo had been merciless with teasing Ace about the girls that tried to flirt with him on the islands. He wasn't interested, and was actually quite rude with his rejections. He just wasn't a people person, and had only really grown to love and cherish his crew due to the shared struggles he had with them for all those months.

Life was good again. The brothers were both happy with where they were, and sure Sabo wouldn't be disappointed in them for not becoming pirates of their own. He would want them both to be happy. And, plus, they were both sure Sabo would have enjoyed the ship and crew as well. Especially Marco, who they could have nerded out with about books.

Life was good. No matter that they would outlive everyone on their crew, there was nothing they could do about it, and had come to peace with that. They would just enjoy the time they had with them.

-x-

Luffy was napping on the deck one day when he smelled something very sweet and memorable. Some sort of candy. It woke him up, and he looked around in confusion, wondering where the smell had come from and where he recognized it from. Then he turned his head and saw a very familiar ship, passing them, but not too close.

He recognized the large figure on the deck, and didn't wait to roar loudly and jump off the ship, freezing the water as he ran across the surface and to the familiar ship. Ace came running out, freaking out about Luffy and how he was running away from the ship, onto the water of the sea.

He then saw the ship Luffy was heading for, recognizing the jolly roger and the big man he'd barely glimpsed before. He ran to the side of the ship and jumped off, following Luffy on his icy trail, grinning, but also a bit nervous. After all, this man had over a billion berri bounty.

Luffy leapt onto the ship, scaring and shocking everyone on board by the loud beast that had landed with a heavy thump. He tackled into Katakuri and rubbed his face on the larger man's, who looked shocked but then smiled behind his scarf. He hadn't seen his dragon friend in a long time.

When Ace landed on the ship, grinning, multiple weapons were pointed at him. Luffy saw this and darted over to his brother, shielding him to show the people on the ship that Ace was with him.

Ace confidently strode to the much larger man and beamed at him. "Thank you so much for taking care of Luffy when he needed it," the twenty one year old said with a bow.

"Luffy, huh? Well, you're very welcome. It was my pleasure," Katakuri said politely, though his smile was hidden from them, they could hear it in his voice. "I was surprised to learn he had joined the Whitebeard's ship."

"Yeah. It's a very long story, but Luffy is my little brother. We got separated for a long time, and I thought he was dead but you saved him. We can't thank you enough. The island you left him at was run by Shanks, a friend of ours who reunited us. We will be eternally grateful for your kindness," Ace explained.

Mochi, mochi?! Luffy asked, bouncing on his toes. Ace chuckled.

"Luffy would like some mochi," he said with a grin aimed at Katakuri. A giant stack of mochi was formed from Katakuri's hands, and Luffy immediately dug in, purring from the familiar and delicious taste.

Katakuri hadn't seen this aspect of Luffy. When he had been with him on this ship, Luffy had often been cranky and cold towards others, though seemed happy when it was just him and the captain.

By now, the anchor had been dropped on both ships, sails furled. The brothers could hear their crew mates shouting at them, asking what the hell they were doing, but too scared of the Big Mom pirate to come and see what was going on. Well, most of them. Marco was brave enough to fly over to the ship his youngest brothers were on.

"May I land?" he asked as he hovered near the railing. Katakuri's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded and gave permission. "So, this is where Luffy ran off to. Not surprised. I'm sure Ace has already, but everyone on our crew are thankful for you helping Luffy when we weren't with him."

"You're welcome," Katakuri said simply, the warmth in his voice gone as he spoke with the enemy pirate, though they weren't at the moment.

Luffy stayed on the ship with him, Ace translating, as the dragon rambled "thank you"s and random stories he had never been able to tell the man he was fond of. Katakuri listened patiently, enjoying meeting Luffy again.

Personally, he had wished to bring the dragon home with him, as he had taken a liking to him, but he wouldn't put him in harm's way with his mother. At least he knew he was happy, though. It made his day, well, most likely his week.

When the brothers returned to the ship for dinner, they were both the happiest they'd been in a long time, glad they were able to thank Luffy's savior. Ace hugged Luffy tightly, beaming as they headed inside to eat their delicious dinner.