#T Bone | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

wolkemesser · 2 months ago

Text

Everything Nice

Please also check out the full fanfic on Ao3. Tremendous thanks to Juana da eel for the terrific art!

little damn marines.

bad enough I'm out here sailing to godforsaken wano. bad enough that little rubber brat and his little tub of bratty little pirates made a fool out of the Big Mom pirates. bad enough their useless little cook ruined my brilliant plan to wipe out those awful vinsmoke fools. my daughter my flesh and blood my beautiful pudding and he just runs away and they insult me like this and-

and now there's marines to deal with. annoying.

ANNOYING!

the island is a little speck on a speck on the horizon ahead but I can already see the marine sails in port. three? four? probably more floating out of sight, damn them.

what a bother; we’ve got to sail past to get to wano. to stupid wano and that idiot kaido useless useless USELESS.

and these marines right in MY ship’s way. at LEAST four ships.

it won't be enough to save them. there's no sailor in all the marines who I can't put in the ground, whose ships I can’t sink straight to the bottom of the…

...hmph...

...well…

...IF we have to deal with these marines...

...I could stand to burn off a bit of stress, actually.

it's been a miserable few days. I could use the distraction. remind these seas why Big Mom is destined to be King of the Pirates.

perospero has already ordered the ships to sail full ahead. what a good boy.

crack my knuckles. tell the cooks to prepare some tea for the harbor.

mmmm...hungry too...some cakes and refreshments will do as well, before we get to cracking heads.

what a bother...marines...so annoying.

but what's annoying can be fun.

sometimes.

* * *

Rear Admiral T Bone paced the deck of his flagship, eyes fixed on the horizon, back turned to, but mind very much on, the quartet of marine vessels bobbing in the harbor.

“Sir?”

His charges. His privilege.

His serious responsibility.

“Sir?”

T Bone turned at last. Lieutenant Commander Culver stood there at attention, hat tucked under his arm, forehead bare and shimmering with beads of sweat from the hot afternoon sun. He looked agitated, which was understandable given the approaching threat, but could also mean-

“Have you been hydrating, sailor?”

Culver nodded, curt. “Every hour, Admiral.”

“The sweat does not bother me,” he added, before T Bone could even offer the sleeve of his jacket to clear the perspiration from Culver’s brow.

T Bone nodded. “Report.”

“Estimates put the Big Mom pirates at less than twenty minutes from the port.” Culver nodded toward the stern. “We’ve sent an emergency call out on the transponder snails, but with the state of things-”

T Bone nodded, grim. “Unlikely we’d see reinforcements any sooner than sunrise tomorrow. Have Captain Makota send fifty of her sailors to the town square in case the pirates decide to attack the town. Have the citizens ready to evacuate on my flagship if it comes to that."

"Understood."

T Bone glanced toward the sea again. The ship approaching the island was large beyond imagining. Not the biggest in all the seas, but it made his fleet look like lily-pads. That it was bright pastel colors and covered clearly even from this distance, in cakes and ice-creams and sweets, was no comfort whatsoever.

The Big Mom Chanter, flagship of the Big Mom pirates, and emperor of the Sea, Charlotte Linlin.

"We will fight if it comes to fighting. If Linlin threatens the citizens here, we will intervene. Otherwise..." T Bone looked over his ship, and the other marine ships anchored at harbor. "...I cannot guarantee a sporting chance against her crew, and I will not risk my sailors initiating a battle this unpromising."

He winced as a tight pang twisted his stomach. Danger was to be expected on the Grand Line, but this...an emperor of the sea...this was something else entirely.

You better resolve this peacefully or people will get hurt. You better be ready to fight for them with everything you’ve got

"I will parlay with her myself. If anything should happen to me, Captain Tikker is to take command of the remainder of the armada and defend the village at all costs, until the evacuation is complete."

Culver saluted and moved to go.

“Wait.”

Culver turned on his heels. There was a pained look on his face. Concerning, but first things first.

“Sir?”

“There’s a tear in your jacket, Marine. Right under the armpit.”

Culver did a double-take at his arm, and flushed.

“A-apologies sir! It’s from the skirmish yesterday morning; I haven’t had a chance-”

“No apologies needed, Sailor, but you must be cold with a hole in your clothing.” T Bone produced a needle from his pocket. “I haven’t got any thread left, but perhaps-” He reached up and tugged at one of his hairs. It would do in a pinch.

Cold leads to sickness, sickness to death, the death of even a single person must be avoided at all costs

“No!” Culver held up his hands. “With all due respect sir, it’s just a small tear. And, well...” He pointed over T Bone’s shoulder. The ship was drawing closer by the moment. "...It's not necessary, sir."

T Bone frowned. It certainly seemed necessary, but time was of the essence.

“We’ll see to that jacket later, Sailor.” T Bone put a hand to his own sword. “Go. Quickly. We need to get the villagers to safety.”

“Sir!”

A good Marine. They all are.

* * *

sniveling marine fools in their childish neckerchiefs and caps stamping around their toy boats like ants.

amusing enough to make the smile on my face feel real after grimacing through the indignity of running myself ragged after that straw-hat rubber brat and his little friends.

and here I was ready to have fun and open fire on their sorry little tub fleet and then they send up a flag to parlay. stupid marines. stupid rules of engagement on the high seas. when I’M King of the Pirates no formalities will stop me from taking whatever I want.

but the children get SO disagreeable and bratty when it comes to the marines and if it were just a captain there wouldn’t be a problem but now perospero and the older ones will insist we make parlay with the Marines to avoid trouble and ooooh!

I just know they’ll be all “with how bad things are with the world government and the celestial dragons getting all riled up there’s no need to bring down the attention of the navy if they’re not offering battle first.”

as if the world government scares me one bit.

so now I’m just sitting here and I’ll have to TALK to one of them and find a way to trick them into attacking US first so that we can just flatten the little rats and there won’t be any fuss from the children.

why can’t things just be NICE?

My fingers are itching but if the children want to deal with this then I guess its fine but UGH.

I HATE it when the children fuss it’s so much nicer when everyone is just HAPPY.

right now there’s only biscuits to snack on at the table and the tea is still cooling down and the children are off seeing to the marines. The only homies I have with me are Napoleon and Hera and Prometheus and they’re being dull right nor so the only entertainment I have is watching these little dull marines run back and forth they’re even evacuating the town AS IF I WOULD OFFER A NEW ISLAND ANYTHING OTHER THAN PROTECTION and they all look the same in their stupid white uniforms and-

THERE!!

one of the little marines looks MUCH more interesting than the others. I'm sure I've seen him before and I remember he looks like that great little creature I found when I was trying to marry pudding to that miserable little vinsmoke boy and then I lost it and it made me SO angry.

a little skeleton marine. how delightful!

I tell perospero to bring me THAT marine. damn the admiral, this one is the most interesting one and I don't want to speak with any of the other little sailors right now. perospero says that IS the admiral and I don't know why he's telling me useless things and not bringing me what I want. he's usually such a good, clever boy.

* * *

Charlotte Linlin’s ship was a cheery place, at least. It smelled pleasant: scents of baked goods and sugar, and the walls below-decks were painted with bright colors.

Not how T Bone would have chosen to decorate a war vessel, but it had its charm.

He stopped to offer rations to his modest entourage of Marines several times as they traversed the walkways of the massive ship, in case the smell was making them hungry.

Hunger leads to distraction leads to carelessness and carelessness kills

They mostly declined the food, except for one who took a packet of dried meat after the third time he offered. She did not chew it with much enthusiasm, but T Bone nonetheless felt relieved that he had made the wise choice to keep a small satchel of snacks on hand for his hungry lads.

They were so far maintaining the veneer of meeting on equal terms, but a quick assessment of Big Mom's ship made it plain that T Bone’s current armada of marines would be unsalvageably outmatched if it came to battle.

His stomach felt unsettled in a way he'd not felt since he was a raw recruit to the Marines, barely a month fresh and undergoing basic training.

Hunger, maybe? It wouldn’t do to eat through his snacks with such an important diplomatic task ahead of him. And what if his other marines did become hungry while they were here?

His entourage turned a corner, and a tall fellow all in yellow hailed them with a broad grin on his face. Linlin’s oldest – T Bone recalled the pattern of his hair from an intelligence brief years ago. Linlin Perospero.

“Welcome, Marines, to our mother’s ship! She's prepared tea for your parlay, admiral.”

Perospero led them down another walkway and up the companionway, to the quarterdeck and back into the open air.

T Bone was used to the shock of Haki, but even so he had to take a half-second to steel himself against the wave that struck him even before he took the final steps up and into the afternoon sun.

His marines faltered behind him as they emerged onto the quarterdeck, one almost falling back down the companionway. The man's fellow sailors caught him, and T Bone extended a hand to the foremost one and pulled them all back up, while they supported one another’s shoulders.

Looking after each other. Such fine Marines.

They helped each other to their feet. To T Bone’s surprise, Perospero, and another of Linlin’s children, a long-legged pirate with white hair, aided them as well, although Perospero kept that strange, cruel smile on his face while he did so.

Once he’d looked them over, T Bone nodded to his escort of marines. “Remain steady, and do nothing to risk the safety of yourselves or our comrades on the ships.” He turned back to Perospero and nodded. “I’ll be back presently.”

He ascended to the forecastle.

"Lucky you!"

Linlin waved a hand at the empty chair nearest her, set at the side of the table adjacent to he own.

"Today, you get to dine at the table of the future King of the Pirates!"

It was one thing to hear tales of Charlotte Linlin, Emperor of the seas. Plenty of Marines, from admirals to corpsmen, had anecdotes of glimpsing her in some pitched battle or island raid.

None of it prepared him for the truth of her. She radiated power. She was tremendous in stature, yes, but it was not her size that made her presence awesome, it was more as if...as if the majesty inside her could not have been contained by an average person's frame.

And her face – there was a predator’s gaze in her eyes, no mistaking it – a sharpness that extended to her smile and her deft movements, even if those movements right now were mostly just moving scones from her plate to her mouth.

New generations of pirates had come and gone in her pirating career, but there was no doubt in T Bone's mind she was a match for any one of them.

She felt like the sun falling out of the sky, down on his head.

“Well?”

T Bone blinked. Perospero had descended back to the quarterdeck. There was nothing between him and Linlin’s table but a length of plush purple carpeting.

Linlin was tapping her fingers along the edge of the table, a shark’s smile radiating from her face.

Charlotte Linlin was so arresting, so striking, that T Bone did not even begin to take in the rest of the forecastle until he took his first step toward the table.

The sweet-themed decorations had been obvious even from a distance, as had the size of the ship, but standing on it felt like what he imagined standing in a theme park as a small child must feel like. The entire forecastle was shaped like a massive mound of pudding, and titanic sweets loomed in every corner. The entire quarterdeck of the vessel was so large they’d be able to conduct their parlay at a shout without those even a third of a way across the ship overhearing.

T Bone’s seat was not across from Linlin, as he had expected, but at the side of the table adjacent to hers. The arrangement left him forced to turn slightly in his chair to meet her eyes – an intimidation tactic planned deliberately by the Big Mom pirates, perhaps.

To their credit, if that was the case, he was completely unable to take his eyes off of her.

This is for the best; an averted gaze is weakness. Weakness kills where pirates are concerned.

Doubly so for emperors of the sea.

* * *

the little marine has good eyes. takes everything in before he's even taken three steps toward me. an observant type, not like some of these other fools.

observant, but we'll see if he's appreciative.

we'll see if I even let him live.

he sits properly and politely and takes his hat off at the table. good. he has a pleasant smell to him, but austere. like smoke and incense in a church like Mother Carmel used to smell like.

hm.

(She’s safely set in a padded chair across from me.

where she cannot topple over.

good.

can't be too safe)

he sits and I let him know just how PLEASED I am that he and his bunch of tugboats were here to greet us and how it’s brave of him not to turn tail and run like the cowardly dogs most marines are and-

oh! snacks! finally!

cakes and candies and pastries and cookies. AND, as I remind streusen as the fruity cream puffs (so tasty!) hit the table this is of course just the first of many courses.

after all, pirating is hungry work!

I tell that last bit to the intriguing little marine sitting at my table. good to remind them you’re a pirate.

anyways, let’s test his mettle.

* * *

“Will you fight like a man, or surrender?” Linlin speared a cream puff with her fork and tore it in half with a snap of her jaw. “Put yourself at my mercy now and I might just let you and your fleet depart if you can work out a proper tribute.”

T Bone shook his head.

"I can do neither. I have a duty to protect the people here." He paused, thinking over his next few words. "It would be...unacceptable for me to surrender, or to leave a defenseless village while a pirate of your caliber has anchored in port."

“Then why are we even talking? What other options do you think you have? If you mean to be difficult, let’s have a fight.”

“I’m obligated to pursue any pirate that we cross in these seas, but my priority is the safety of my crew and the people here. I have no reason to offer battle if you take no hostile action against them. But if you do take hostile action, you should know that I can bring significant marine forces to bear on this location.”

The second half of the cream puff disappeared.

“But not before I sink you and your ships here now to the ocean floor. Right?”

“Maybe not.” T Bone nodded his thanks to one of Linlin’s chefs as he filled a cup of tea. “But if you leave me no other choice, then we’ll fight to the last man to defend this place. You can count on THAT.”

“Defend it from who?” She leaned in, and, without looking, thrust her fork into the center of another puff, and held it aloft. “They’re in no danger. This is a lucky day for this island! Today they get a taste of the wonder of Totto Land!”

“...and what would that mean for them, exactly?”

"It can mean many things, little marine. For now it means that if the islanders do as they're told, they have nothing to worry about."

"Pirates rarely make reasonable demands."

"That's a pirate's privilege." Linlin smiled broadly. "Protection comes at a price."

T Bone shook his head. "This island is not part of the Big Mom pirates protectorate, or Totto land."

"Not yet. That’s exactly why today marks such a wonderful opportunity for them." Her eyes shot up, past his head. "Your marines seem nervous."

T Bone didn't pivot to look over to where his escort stood. His men would of course not betray any fear, but it was difficult not to worry about them.

"Marines face the danger in front of them no matter the threat." T Bone spared a glance to where Linlin’s children were idling about. "And marines at least pay attention when the situation demands it."

At the mention of her children, Linlin did look up from her food, and scowled. Perospero, the white-haired woman, and a clutch of other colorful-looking characters were the only other people on the deck, save for his marines. None of them seemed especially interested in the happenings around them, and they were simply chatting amongst themselves.

“You lazy louts,” she shouted, Haki palpable in her voice, “we have guests! Get a table and some refreshments.” Linlin’s children cringed under the rebuke, and sped into action. “When would we ever let Marines stand around unchaperoned on our ship?”

She turned back to T Bone, shaking her head.

"Children - no matter how much love you show them, you've got to keep scolding them."

He nodded. Rebuking, to be fair, was part of a leader’s duty, whether it was chiding a pirate for not keeping guard or reprimanding a Marine for not getting enough sleep while off-duty.

The tightness in his stomach was growing, but it wasn't a queasiness, and despite it all he felt it wasn't fear. Looking at Linlin didn't make it worse, he was sure, but it had been growing since he'd set foot in the ship.

He'd felt the pain before, during his first real action at sea.

An evacuation of an island in the North Blue. They'd had to bunker down in a cave while a volcanic eruption had filled the land and skies and sea above with ash and burning hot avalanches of rock and dust.

The heat had been unbearable. The crowding was miserable. Half the marines down there had died before the end.

But it hadn't been fear then. He knew it hadn't been.

And it wasn’t fear now.

“My sailors are worried. Of course they are – it’s our job to be worried about people. That’s what it means to be a protector.” T Bone glanced at Linlin’s chastened children. “I’m sure you know what that’s like.”

“Obviously.” Linlin took a long draught of tea from a cup the size of a bathtub. “It’s a bigger responsibility than people give it credit for.” She set her cup down, and leaned over to peer at T Bone. The smell of sweets, and something floral that was not food, drifted from her hair to his nose.

Not at all unpleasant.

“YOU look uneasy too, admiral.” She grinned. “Frightened?”

T Bone blinked. He wasn’t. Not really. In awe of her, maybe, but not scared. Why-?

Focus.

“My only concern is for the safety of my Marines and the public. Again, I’m sure you feel the same way about your own crew.”

“Only concern? I’m not small-minded like that.” Linlin set her teacup down with a thump. “I have many, many concerns on my mind at any given second. I rule an entire kingdom, as you might know.”

“There’s nothing small-minded about good leadership.”

T Bone flinched. His voice had risen without him meaning to.

But I have a point to make. If I can make the point well enough, maybe this goes well.

“Overseeing, anything, be it a kingdom or a ship, means being concerned for the people in it. First and foremost and always.”

“I am always concerned about people.” Linlin’s smile thinned. Like she was also peeved. “No-one in the world is better taken care of than the Big Mom pirates, or the citizens of Totto land.”

He couldn’t help but scoff at that. “All the world? Really?”

“That’s right. I’d challenge any parent, any captain, anywhere in the world to match the care I offer.”

“I guess every good captain or parent worth their salt feels that way,” T Bone offered as riposte. “I have my own pride as an admiral, you know.”

Linlin cackled. “You may be a good leader, little marine, but my crew are practically pampered!”

“You might have me there.” T Bone gave a wry smile, despite himself. “Although, you should see how well the World Dragons are looked after.” His smile wrinkled a bit with his own distaste, again, despite himself. “Their pampering might have us both beat.”

Linlin laughed so suddenly and loudly at that, and slapped the tabletop with such force, that her children looked up from their table-setting in momentary alarm.

“Mamamamamamamaa! They are quite the self-pampered bunch!” Then, just as suddenly as she had laughed, she spat with pointed venom over the rail of her ship.

“Self-centered, useless bores, all of them. Does it make you proud to serve the world they’ve made?”

T Bone pursed his lips. “It makes me proud to serve the people of the world. Whatever nobles happen to benefit is besides the point.”

“It really isn’t, and you’re dodging the question.” Linlin grabbed a fistful of cookies and dunked them in her tea. “Do you like serving the world nobles? You weren’t afraid to bring them up, but now you’re mincing words. Answer me and answer me honestly.”

She threw back her head and tossed the fistful of cookies past her lips.

It’s impressive, actually, the gusto she eats with.

T Bone regarded her a moment as she chewed.

A Marine doesn’t bow to pirate threats, although...

“You’re right. It’s wicked behavior to mince words during an honest parley. That was beneath me.”

“It was!” She seemed satisfied that her point had gotten across. “Well, I’m glad that you see your mistake! A lady like me shouldn’t spit either, I guess, but there you go.”

T Bone shrugged. “If you’re disgusted, spit. It’s an honest reaction.”

That seemed to please her, too. At least, she was smiling even broader now.

“I have a difficult time fitting the World Nobles into a just picture of the world.” T Bone paused, considering his next words. These were thoughts that had been with him for some years, but that he hadn’t said aloud before. “I have seen how they behave, admittedly only a small handful of times, and I hope the behavior I saw was an exception, and not the rule.”

“If you saw them acting like foolish, cruel, selfish bores then you saw them the way they are.” Linlin dunked another handful of cookies, sending up a splash of tea when she pulled her hand back. “They want all the world in chains, and people follow them?”

“As opposed to a pirate?”

Linlin smacked her belly. “As opposed to a pirate like ME. I am building a world with no prejudice or outsiders! Where everyone is embraced in the great big hug of Big Mom!”

“A genuinely admirable goal,” T Bone offered, “And feeling the way you seem to feel about your people and your crew, you’ll understand why this parlay between us must end peacefully for all.”

“Oh, must it?” Linlin picked up a cookie and spun it on her finger. “If you had me outgunned, not that such a thing is possible, would you be talking peace? Would you just let pirates in your power go?”

“…no. Not if I could capture you with no risk to civilians. But that is not the situation we’re in, and I don’t see the point in talking hypotheticals when real lives are on the line.”

“Honest. Good.” She smiled at him, and he had to catch himself before he nodded in thanks.

It’s simply right to try and make people happy, even if they’re a pirate. So long as it does no harm.

“So you fancy you’re an Admiral of the people, huh?”

“Whenever I can be. If ever they need anything.”

“Anything?”

“Well, if they need help, I give it to them. If I can patch a Marine’s jacket, I’ll do it for them. If I can feed them when they’re hungry, I’m happy to pick up a spoon. When...”

* * *

isn’t that sweet. a caring marine. and honest, if you just prod him right.

well, the world is full of stranger things I guess – like three-eyed girls and long-legged people. and how tasty the world is to be full of such strange things!”

still!

now he’s going on and on about the things he’s done for his marines! and what petty things!

what a bore, what a bore! who needs someone fussing over them like that, like some mother hen? even I let my children see to their inconveniences on their own; how else are they supposed to become strong?

this is no way to live

the little marine is so interesting to look at though. I'm STILL bitter about LOSING my wonderful little skeleton, and now the world puts another one right into my clutches. I'll not let this one go. I think that’s what I’ll do. probably have to kill all these marines if I take their admiral but maybe we just leave with him and they’ll be grateful we didn’t level this whole island.

they’d better be grateful.

and of course when I come back to add them to the Big Mom family they’ll be so grateful.

hmph.

hungry still.

streusen!

it takes the chefs a full three minutes and thirty-one seconds to bring up cupcakes and I’m about hungry enough to eat my own tongue by the time the silver platter and a bouquet of hot cake and frosting in rainbow colors hit the table.

the marine creature makes a remark in praise of my cooks and I’d scold him for saying nice things to THEM when they’ve just made ME unhappy, but it’s more fun to delight in sweets than be sour about the failings of useless people so I show him my favorite flavors.

the skeleton remarks that we treat our guests well and I tell him of course. the bounty of Totto land is unmatched. I tell streusen to send pastries to their ship for his other little marine friends and when the marine creature makes sounds to object I poke him in his chest and tell him someone who clearly does not eat enough himself is in no place to refuse food offered to others.

(it is odd though despite his emaciation he has a firm chest, proud and supple with muscle, not unlike some of my more proper husbands).

he just nods and says that’s fine, but when I ask him why he isn’t eating he says he isn’t hungry.

fine.

enough pleasantries, then. I ask him what he plans to offer the Big Mom pirates.

he plays coy. pretends the debts owed by the weak to the strong does not exist. pretends that the umbrella of protection offered by a mother does not deserve reciprocation.

fine. fine.

fine.

We'll play this game.

I tell him I will order my children to bring his marines up to the foc’scle and I sweep napoleon off my head, blade out.

the little marine doesn’t draw his sword, not quite, but he's shifted in his seat and his sword is in his lap and his hand is on the hilt and he's looking right at me to let me know that his hand is on the hilt.

I don't sit back down, but I do crack my knuckles and grin down at him to ask what he plans to do with that strong, straight sword of his.

* * *

"Whatever I must do with it to protect my fleet and this island."

Linlin laughed. "What about diplomacy, huh?"

"If diplomacy fails, swords must be drawn." T Bone gestured to his crew, far across the deck who were on their feet, hands on their own swords.

Brave Marines, one and all.

He gave them a gesture to be at ease and they sat again, though they shot anxious glances at the table. Neither of Linlin’s children had risen from the table, or seemed to think there was anything out of the ordinary about blades drawn during a parlay.

“Mamamama! Don’t fret, admiral. I’m having too much fun to cut our talk short.” She thrust the blade of her sword into the deck of the ship, and returned to her cupcakes.

T Bone appraised her, looking for a sign that she intended to go for her sword again. It seemed not, but she was fast and strong enough that he could not be sure of getting his blade out in time to stop her, or that he was even strong enough to meaningfully delay her.

If she cuts through you she cuts through the crew and she cuts through everyone the crew protects and you will have FAILED if she cuts through you.

“You lied.”

“Lied?”

“You wanted me to think you were about to kill my Marines. You made me dread for their safety, and therefore the safety of this whole island.”

“I guess so. So what?”

“You asked me to be honest. I ask the same of you. Lying is beneath a pirate as powerful as you are.”

He didn’t know what to make of her face as he said that. She was still smiling – does she always have that wonderful...that powerful smile? - But it didn’t look quite the same just then. Her eyes looked different, like she was trying to look into his head.

Maybe it was just that she looked different without the hat on. Even with just a bandanna on, her soft pink strands rolling out from beneath it like sunrise sun through the clouds, they looked imposing. Mighty.

She sniffed, and sat back in her chair, tossing a cookie into her maw.

“Fine. Honesty. I’ll tell you any truth you want. You're right; I’m strong enough to not need lies.”

"What brings you sailing this way? Away from Totto Land?"

"Trying to gather a bit of marine intelligence?" Linlin snorted. "I've always thought that’s an oxymoron, don't you think?"

T Bone said nothing.

"Hmph." She chomped down on a peppermint cake roll, and chewed it slowly, eyeing him. "I'm chasing that little rubber brat. The pirate with the straw hat."

"Why?"

"He offended me. He and his little rat crew." She snatched another cake roll and squeezed it in her fist. "That's all you need to know."

“You’re chasing him across the seas yourself for giving offense?”

“I’ve chased after less for less.” She considered the mass of sweets in her hand staring at it, then glanced at T Bone. “I might even chase after a tasty morsel like you if I could spare the time.”

Then she shoved the mashed cake into her mouth.

* * *

he’s fun to tease and not like the way the fools that get scared are fun to tease but more fun than the other stoic bastards who defy me when the time comes to spin the wheel and pretend they’re not scared of me when I KNOW they’re scared of me.

not this one though.

honest actions honest reactions and when he defies me he means it even though I know he knows I know I could crush him like cake.

so I ask if he wants to be a husband.

he goes quiet and I think after a minute I even see a bit of pink on that pale face and that makes my next bite of chocolate taste all the better and it’s already pretty good, creamy and sweet and nutty and a hint of mint.

he wants to know why. Mamamamamamamamama. sometimes they are confused and ask why. don’t understand why they’ve gotten so lucky.

I like taking things from the marines and that’s all he needs to know right now.

* * *

His face felt like it had been shoved into an oven. A very sweet-smelling, but uncomfortably warm oven.

Where did that come from??

“Is-is there even a place for a father on Big Mom’s crew?”

“Like you say, Admiral, it’s a big family. I’ve got.” Linlin shrugged, and helped herself to a newly-arrived plate of red-bean buns. “There’s only room for one Mom, but no limit on uncles, aunts and fathers.”

“No limit on fathers?”

“I’m very open-minded,” she said, giving T Bone a massive, conspicuous wink.

T Bone suddenly had a powerful urge to pull back his collar, which had become spotted with sweat, and was sticking to the nape of his neck.

"I've heard husbands and fathers don't last long in your kingdom."

She frowned. "Nonsense. There's plenty of husbands and fathers! On all the islands!"

"Your husbands. Your childrens' fathers."

"What about them?"

"...Where are they now?"

"Who cares? What are you getting at?"

"I don't think I want to share their fate."

Linlin scoffed. “Those were husbands for making babies. Who holds onto a cupcake wrapper after the you eat the cupcake? I want amusements now, and you, admiral, are amusing.”

“A genuinely flattering offer,” he managed after several seconds longer than he would’ve preferred it take him to form a response, “but I believe a sailor should see the commitments they’ve made through, and should see to the end what they’ve started. I will be a Marine until the day I die.”

Linlin snorted, “And I say a man shouldn’t be allowed to turn down a life that would make him happier, just because he’s too thick-skulled to see it.”

“...happier how?”

“I know people like you.” She leaned forward and prodded him on the shoulder with a single finger. “Only good at taking care of other people when they stop taking care of themselves, which is just another way of saying that you’re bad at taking care of your family.”

T-bone pressed his lips together

“I’ll accept criticism, but I won’t be told I don’t look after my sailors”

“I didn’t say you don’t look after your sailors, I just said you’re probably no good at it”

* * *

the little marine is all confused. normally, I can’t be bothered to explain myself, but he seems brighter than most so I give him a chance.

I explain how a dead person can’t take care of a family. he doesn’t say anything right away to that, but he is paying attention at least, so I explained further: a corpse is a terrible mother, and a corpse is what a mother will become if she doesn’t feed her herself while she’s feeding her family. I, obviously could never be accused of not feeding myself, and as he can see, there is no stronger or more robust a mother than ME.

now he’s thinking about what I’m saying. maybe he’ll see.

maybe he’ll see.

well, if he wants to sit and be silent and think I might as well take a good look at him. less of an amusing novelty than the straw hat skeleton. delightful as that little thing was, it was like a toy clown or a jack-in-the-box, and this marine is more of a man. emaciated, but he just needs to eat more and find some cheer in his life.

he’s looking at his crew now and he’s talking again all soft-like in a whisper and he’s asking what good he is to them if he doesn’t lay down his life for them and hmmmm.

that’s sad. that’s a sad way of thinking. doesn’t he understand that that’s no good?

I ask him also what good it does him to throw his body in front of a cannonball if what he wants is to protect his crew. after the first cannonball comes another and another and another and the captain who uses their body to shield against that first fire can do nothing to protect his crew from the hundreds that will follow.

then I help myself to some crème brulee. the spoon sinks into the sweet, smooth stuff with just the right amount of resistance, and the cream melts on the tongue slowly, notes of vanilla and cardamom and hazelnut and-

he tells me I have a point just as I'm scooping up my fourth bite which makes it taste twice as sweet and yummy. I tell him of course I do, which delays my next bite but it's worth it to tell him.

then he asks me what I do to protect my crew.

* * *

“I’m the strongest in the whole world.” She didn’t even seem offended by the question, more like she was confused that the answer wasn’t obvious to T Bone. “And I’m building the strongest family in the whole world. Who would dare harm my children?”

“But your children have been harmed,” T Bone said. “The straw-hat pirates...the very ones you're chasing now...didn't they hurt your children? Isn’t that why you’re pursuing them? Besides...taking care of our crews...our families...there’s more to it than just fighting for them. They could catch cold, or they could get lost at sea, or they could eat spoiled food and get sick, or they could-”

“I've raised 85 children; you don’t think I know that?”

T Bone trailed off. She looked vexed still, and more than a little annoyed.

Right. Whatever else she’s done, she’s raised strong children.

“...I think you know that better than most. So one caretaker to another, don’t you agree we have to do more than just draw our swords for them?”

“That’s true when they’re children children,” She said, shaking her head. “You’ve got to let them be their own people – fight their own battles – once they’re grown.”

T Bone looked over to the table Linlin's children had set up, where they and his marines were now sitting, slightly awkwardly, and making small talk. Someone had brought them tea, but only the white-haired woman had partaken so far.

“It’s different when we’re not their parents, though." He turned back to Linlin. "Or not just their parents, in your case. We’re their captains. Their leaders. Their lives are to follow us, and we owe them to return some care for their lives.”

She didn’t answer that right away. She looked like she was considering what he said, but she might have also been considering the taste of her funnel cakes.

T Bone creased his brow.

How to say this?

“Would you give your life for your children?”

“What??”

The question looked like it vexed Linlin, and hopefully threw her off balance enough for him to regroup and get a handle back on the conversation.

“I accept your proposition – that a parent-”

“You accept my proposal?”

Linlin was grinning at him and T Bone belatedly remembered he had technically been offered a marriage earlier in the conversation.

“N-no. I mean...that is, I am not accepting that proposal at this time, but what I mean is-”

Linlin’s brow furrowed.

“I mean your conversational proposition that a good parent needs to be alive and healthy to best take care of their children...or subordinates or crew or whatever the case might be.”

She shrugs, and falls back into her seat, scooping up a handful of chocolates as she goes, spreading it on a heap of funnel cakes, and popping it all into her mouth.

“But I think a parent should be prepared to die for their children, if it comes to it.”

She crossed her arms. She was chewing. Frowning.

“Death should be avoided, obviously-” T Bone began.

“By keeping yourself hale and healthy.”

T Bone nodded. “Of course, but if your child was about to die-”

“I would kill whoever was about to kill the child and be on my way.”

“What if it was you or them?”

“Then I still have dozens of others,” Linlin said, waving at the cluster of children clustered down on the quarterdeck, “and a nation that depends on me for protection and leadership. I can’t be dying over one child if I leave so many behind.”

“Yes, but what if-”

“And when would it ever be me or them?” Linlin's brow was raised, and she was leaning toward him.

“Well, imagine in my-”

“You’re making up situations now; why would I be made to give up my own life for all of my children? When would I even be in that situation??”

“I’m in that situation right now.”

“And I’m not. I thought you didn’t like hypotheticals.”

“I’m not asking you to consider a hypothetical, I’m asking you to consider me. Humor me and the situation I am in now. I'm just asking what if"

She looked offended now. T Bone felt a prickle across his shoulders. Had he overplayed his hand? Not just diplomatically, but had he been rude to push the question too far for her comfort?

"They're my precious children. Try and hurt them and you'll see what happens to you."

"Mm." T Bone looked away from her, and at the settings in front of him. He could see the faint reflection of her in the glaze of the teapot, and the sheen of the icing on the cinnamon rolls the chefs had just deposited on the table. "That's a strong answer."

She didn't respond. She was gazing at her children on-deck. Perospero was sitting and laughing with T Bone’s marines, who were variously uneasily participating in the conversation and genuinely laughing at whatever the pirate had said. There was still a frown on Charlotte's lips, but her eyes looked merry.

Sharp. Harsh. But merry.

He cleared his throat.

"A marine should only threaten if they plan to act on it. I spoke without considering that my words could seem a threat."

She kept her eyes on the far table. On his Marines, as best he could tell.

"Like your children, huh?" She said, finally.

T Bone nodded. "My sailors. my charges. My responsibility." He took his teacup from the table. The heat from the porcelain felt soothing under his sore fingers. "My privilege. Children...something like that. But they're grown and capable men and women."

"Even when they're grown, they're still your children." Charlotte swiped a chocolate from the table, and held it between two fingers, not looking at it. "Even when they're grown, you still want them to be safe from the world."

"And sometimes we stifle them, trying to protect them."

Linlin looked back at him, and the smile returned to her face. “Maybe.”

“Those marines down there...” T Bone shifted in his chair to look toward the docks. “I could not love them any more if they were my own sons and daughters. There is nothing I would not do to protect them.” He met her gaze. “Nothing. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“Like family.”

“Exactly. Like family. You’d protect your children if they were threatened, of course?”

“Well, if it happened right in front of me...” Big Mom frowned. “Can’t your little marines fight their own battles?”

“Of course they can, but I will be there by their side, fighting the battles with them. We are one fleet, and one cause, and if I can stand alongside them while they risk their lives, I will be there.”

“But what if you die?” She jabbed a fork, laden with pie, in his direction. “Then you’ve left them without a leader! Irresponsible!! A leader should avoid risks like that. That’s the whole point of a hierarchy, whether it’s a family or a crew!”

“That...that is true, but...”

“But nothing!”

“I have able subordinates who I trust. When I am gone, I am confident they’ll be able to take over-”

“You’ve babied them all this time. How could they be ready?”

T Bone laughed with a wry scoff. “Well, the Marines know my nature. They’ve been giving me self-sufficient captains to serve under me.”

“Well, lucky you to have as wide a choice of crew as the Navy gives you.”

“Yes, I…I am very lucky.” He glanced over at his marines, and gave them a reassuring gesture when a few responded to his look with creases of concern. “Still, my question to you – how far would you go for your children?”

* * *

of course I would never let a marine lay a single filthy finger on by children. what kind of mother does he think I am…?

* * *

“I’m building an empire for them. I’m building a whole swath of the world for my children to thrive in. My children and other people’s children. If that’s not enough dedication to make you happy, well, then that’s your problem.”

“For them or for-”

“It’s for all of us. Why can’t something nice be for me AND for them?”

“...No reason. That’s a fine point.”

“But I see you’re not in the business of making yourself happy.”

“We all have work to do-”

"Exactly! We’ve ALL got work to do. You. Them. And they can’t always be doing it with you holding their hand. You've got to let them fight their own battles sometimes. Isn't that what you Marines sign up to do in the first place?"

“We do.”

It was true. That had always been true. But not every marine understood that when they joined. He had had an idea of what it would mean, but the truth of service was something else.

The worst that could happen...

His stomach thrummed with discomfort.

The meat rations had been the first to go, despite their best efforts. Then the bread. Then the water.

Then it had just been them, underground in the dark, listening to the sounds of the eruption and landslides above.

The heat killed.

The thirst killed.

The hunger killed.

When at last they were rescued, he and the other marines that had survived were little more than taut skin and empty stomachs.

He should have been used to it. He'd had hungry times as a child, but they'd never lasted that long. He'd never been so tempted to take what wasn't his.

He shook his head.

Back to the present.

His stomach’s state was not improving.

"We should be looking after each other," T Bone replied. "You're right. I can be protective. And it’s not always welcomed. And there's a time and a place for it. But there IS a time to lay your body on the line for those we protect, and what I hear and know of Charlotte Linlin…”

He fortified himself with a breath.

"...Everything I demand of my Sailors, I demand because I believe it is in their interest as much as mine. Every risk I ask them to assume, I ask of them because I believe we are making the seas...the world, a better place. I think the world benefits, ultimately. When you demand tribute from the islands under your protection, whose benefit is that for?"

"Mine."

She didn't spare even a moment considering the answer. In fact, the way she was looking at him expectantly, T Bone was sure she thought that was a prelude to a second question.

Better weave one, then.

"That's selfish, then."

Hm. Not a question. Oops.

"What the hell did you say to me?"

"Isn't it?" he folded his hands in front of him. "If you had to explain the point of demanding tribute, what would you say?"

"I do not have to explain anything about what I do."

"But I'm curious. Truly. You've accomplished incredible things as a pirate. I want to know what there is to how you operate. You seem too driven a person to do something for no good reason at all."

Big Mom smirked. "Don't you Marines believe in Black and White? Good and Evil? Maybe I'm just evil."

"Maybe." T Bone clasped his hands a little tighter. "But I know you don’t think that, and...this world we live in becomes more complicated with every day I spend in it. I would like things to be black and white, but I've learned at least that what seems black on the surface can contain a multitude of layers below."

* * *

he's a thoughtful one this little marine and that's a refreshing gulp of tea, sure, but I've seen this sort of thinking and it's a trap of thinking that just because YOU'VE changed your mind about something and thought more about it you suddenly think everyone else has had those deeper thoughts too and it's just not true.

the world is still full of fools and dullards even if you make yourself smarter.

so I tell him he's an idiot if he thinks all marines think like that. the marines are full of bullies and cowards and idiots and I ask him doesn't he know that?

the thoughtful little marine looks at me and he looks sad when I say that but it's the truth so why shouldn't I say it?

but he nods still and says I'm right (of course I'm right) and that makes it all the more important for him to put all of himself into being a just marine.

foolish. if an apple is rotten you can't fix it by putting more caramel on it.

I tell him that.

* * *

"The alternative is giving up. I won't do that."

"Hmph." She didn't seem satisfied by that, but she plucked up a candied cherry and chewed it in silence.

When given an opening, sail ahead.

"The Marines can do better," he continued. "We can all, always, do better, but it has to be...that is, I believe it has to be the Marines. I take your analogy about apples, but you can't throw away an institution without hurting the people it protects. And whatever you think about the Marines, we protect more people than either you or I could imagine."

Linlin twisted her lips. “But even a bad parent can protect their children sometimes. It doesn’t mean they’re not a bad parent. It doesn’t-”

She fell quiet, then reached for another cherry, frowning to herself.

“Hm.”

She didn’t eat the cherry right away, but stared into the glossy, sugar-coated shell, pressing her lips together and relaxing them. Her brow was furrowed.

She seemed...frustrated? But also like she was thinking about something that had nothing to do with the here and now.

Do I reach out in this moment?

Maybe?

How do I address her, to begin with? Not captain, certainly. Linlin feels insulting. Big Mom feels...wrong.

“You’re right, of course,” T Bone said, finally. “But even a bad parent is obligated to keep protecting their children. Just as they are obligated to try and be a better parent.”

“That’s what you do is it?” She glanced at him, and though her face focused, her eyes took a longer time returning from wherever she’d gone. “Protect.”

“It is the first and most important of our responsibilities, in my humble opinion. The just world we seek can’t exist unless we protect.”

"That's fine. I'd almost say I respect it, if I respected anything you marines do." She tilted toward him, leaning her arm over the side of her chair. "So why is it you marines have such a problem with a pioneer like me, trying to make a just world in my own way?"

“You think you’re just?”

“Of course!”

“You have many virtues, I am sure, Charlotte Linlin.” T Bone set his palms against his legs. “Strength. Courage. Ambition. High intentions, even. But you are not just.”

“Nonsense. I might have been a Marine myself, if I had been born without glorious vision. I build. I give. I protect and I fight. I do not compromise.”

“But you take.” T Bone’s fingers dug into his knees. “You take as well, from anyone who isn’t your crew. You can’t tell me you don’t.”

He thought that would have made her angry. Maybe it did. The way her grin returned and broadened as she leered over him, it was hard to tell.

“I take. That’s right. I take to feed my dream and my kingdom and my family.”

She waved her hand, indicating toward the decks of her ship. Over the colorful, whimsical, yet inarguably intimidating sails and rails and gleaming cannons.

Over the table where marines and pirates were sharing tea and cakes and, for better or worse, enjoying each other’s company.

Then she pointed to T Bone’s fleet in the harbor.

“But it’s the same with you marines.”

He blinked. Frowned. “We don’t rob whole countries blind to serve our own ends.”

“Now you’re being dishonest again. I can open any copy of one of Morgans’ news rags and find reported cases of marines disgraced for extortion.”

“Disgraced, though. A Marine who extorts is a disgrace. A pirate who extorts is doing exactly what everyone knows they intend to do.”

She waved that comment away. “The marines recruit. I’ve seen how aggressively the marines recruit. That’s taking in it’s most dishonest form. How many of your sailors were press ganged into service? I don’t do a single thing that the marines haven’t done a million times over.”

“Recruiting isn’t-”

“Look at me and tell me the marines don’t lie and coerce and use every tool of guilt and jingoism when you get young people to throw away their lives. I believe that you believe in the marines, but you can’t tell me they don’t throw the youths of the world into the damn sausage mill every day, every week, every year.”

T Bone crossed his arms. “I am looking at you, and I’ve acknowledged the Marines have sins on their hands.” She grunted. She hadn’t gone for a sweet on the table for several minutes now.

Was she feeling alright?

Charlotte Linlin tapped her fingers on the tabletop rapidly.

“I’m asking you seriously. What’s the difference? The Marines say that they fight for Justice. I am trying to build a world where everyone is welcome. aren’t those equally wonderful goals? And so what if I want to be the King of the Pirates? A pirate can be any damn thing these days, apparently.” Charlotte scowled as she said that last part. T Bone thought back to his own encounters with the newest generation of pirates. They certainly had...unique and varied perspectives on what it meant to bear the title. “I can’t speak for the marines,” he said. “I can only speak for my own self and my own corner of the world.” He gestured at the ships in the harbor. “I’d like to think I’m doing a good job, so far. If I joined, you, became one of your pirates…”

He paused. His mind sprinted down a dozen rabbit-holes at once of falling dominoes – the cause and effect of the harm possible if he were to ever leave his station...leave his Marines behind.

He shook his head, more to clear it than anything. “If I joined you, I’d have no honor. I’d be irresponsible in the extreme. When someone starts a job, they should see it through to the end, don’t you think?”

She didn’t respond right away. She looked peeved, but she also looked like she was thinking. “Wouldn’t you?” he ventured. She crossed her arms “I would.” “Well, that’s what I’m trying to do here. That’s what I’d like to keep doing, if we could see our way to live and let live.” Charlotte raised her eyebrow at him. He stared at her a moment, and then a small laugh fell past his lips “That wasn’t very honest of me, was it?” She laughed. “At least I didn’t have to say it. Live and let live? if there was anything of consequence worth fighting over on this island, I’d have squashed you an hour ago.”

“Of consequence?”

“What do I care for the people here?” It was his turn to raise an eyebrow at her. “So no need to add them to Totto Land?” She scowled again, but laughed through grit teeth. “Fine. People are worth fighting over, if only to make sure they join the right side.”

* * *

We’re laughing. it’s wonderful to laugh.

laughter from the tables, too. My children are being good hosts. good. these marines will see how nice it is to live Big Mom’s way and they’ll tell others and people will want to come live in the kingdom of the King of the Pirates.

and his marines are having a good time laughing and eating as they should but their hands still stray near their swords and they still look nervous and all up at the table at me.

hm, well not at me I guess.

at him?

him?

hm.

hm!

they’re worried about him. he must be a good admiral, I guess.

* * *

“Snickerdoodle?”

Charlotte was holding out a plate for him. Brown, soft cookies, still palpably warm from the oven and giving off a scent that made his mouth water.

Those would probably taste lovely.

"I don't go in for that sort of food."

“You said that before.” Linlin frowned down at him. "But really, sweets? You don't like sweets??"

"Nothing against sweets, but cookies have eggs in them. I don't eat eggs. or meat. Just a personal preference."

"Hmph." Linlin flipped the cookie up into her own mouth. "Suit yourself. I'll have them bring some gelato or something for you instead."

"Gelato has eggs in it."

"Must be why it tastes so good!" She popped another cookie between her lips and chewed with that blissful relish of hers. “I’ll send some down for your crew, if it’s wasted on you.”

“Very kind, but-”

She waved a hand, dismissing his objection. “Sweets are best at a party, and it’s hardly a party if only one person is having fun, sourpuss. No, you sit and enjoy your tea. I will dine. You’re so concerned that your marines are well and looked after. What about you? What’s good for them isn’t good enough for you?”

“I’m happy to see them happy...” T Bone glanced at his marines. There were already a modest helping of refreshments at their smaller table, and Charlotte’s cooks were bringing more cookies just then. “But earthly joys, food and wine and company and leisure...well, they’re all fine things and I’m happy to make sure my crew has the chance to enjoy them but...they’re fleeting...”

He was holding his cup of tea just then. A fine, rosy blend, but probably better with milk and honey. He could not remember the last time he’d had tea with milk and honey.

Only when he had decided he wouldn’t do so ever again.

Hot, it had been. Hot, dark, and frightening.

“...I decided a long time ago I can go without them. Too many people have caused too much harm to themselves and others in the pursuit of fleeting joys.”

“Mamamamamamama! Earthly joys are fleeting? Of course they are! So you go out and find new pleasures to delight your tongue once the old ones have fled!”

She spread her hands across the table. “Candies! Cakes! Fruits and jams and creams! And these are just the delights of the tongue! I won’t have people who are sour grapes and wring themselves in knots being guilty about feeling happy tell me I can’t find new joys every day of my life! I won’t let someone else tell me I shouldn’t seek out a delicious life just because nothing tastes good to them.”

“Life can’t just be the pursuit of pleasure-”

“No, you listen, admiral. It is good to make yourself happy. It is healthy. I know what small-minded people say about me. And yes, I eat more than most. I enjoy life more than most. But most people I’ve met outside my kingdom could stand to enjoy life a little more than they do. It’s like you said. The world out there is big and scary and life could end suddenly and horribly at any moment. And people like you go around spouting this dangerous idea that people who live in this scary, dangerous world should shirk pleasure?? That it’s a virtue to shirk pleasure?? Bah! Just because the celestial dragons have made life all about their pleasure doesn’t mean the rest of us have to give pleasure up. I wouldn’t give those arrogant bastards the satisfaction!”

She beat the air dismissively, then turned back to her cookies, dunking one daintily into her teacup.

T Bone watched her for several silent seconds.

"You want people to be happy."

"Of course!" Charlotte leaned in, fixing T bone with a stern look. Something about it sent goosebumps drifting across his shoulders. "People should be happy, shouldn't they? Or do the Marines endorse misery?"

"No, no I was just thinking..." He did his best to match his gaze. it was easy enough, for all its intensity, as her eyes were quite pleasant. "I pride myself on the happiness of my sailors. It's an admirable thing to want."

"Well, thank you."

"But it’s like you said before. It's entirely possible to be...overbearing? In looking out for others." T Bone glanced toward the pirate ship looming over the port. "As an emperor of the sea, you must have had just as many innocents reject your brand of happiness...that is, your protection, as accept it."

“Fools who don’t know what’s best for them.” Linlin raised an eyebrow. “You think I’m overbearing?”

“I was thinking more about myself,” he said, shoulders sagging a bit. He worked the movement into a stretch, and re-tensed them. “I do push what I see as a virtue on my sailors, and I do it because I do really think it’s the right thing to do, but it’s...it soothes my soul as well, to do it.”

“Well do it then; I’m not telling you to stop doing what makes you happy.” She took a sip of her tea. “But-”

“-but it’s no less selfish to force something on people because my conscience tells me to than it is if it were my own...cupidity telling me too.”

Charlotte didn’t comment on that, but she was smiling broadly as she took her next sip.

T Bone cleared his throat.

“I don’t know if I’d call you overbearing. I don’t know if that’s the right word, and I don’t know your relationship with your children. But I do know you demand a price from those in your kingdom, and I know the cost of not paying that price is steep. It’s too...it’s too transactional for my taste.”

“Too transactional...” Charlotte set her teacup down. “They pay tribute to me, but they also pay tribute to each other. Totto land must feed itself, and that doesn’t happen if all the parts aren’t doing something for each other.”

T Bone nodded at that, templing his fingers.

A fair point, but...

“Let them be motivated by helping each other, then,” He said. “Better we work out of love for each other than fear.”

“Love!” Charlotte’s smile looked strained now. “Love...love is not enough, admiral. Do you really think it is?”

“I think…I think it feels good to do good for others. Don’t you feel good when you provide for your kingdom? Whenever you protect them from other pirates, or from want?”

“Hm.” She pressed her lips together, frowning.

T Bone sat forward, wrists resting on the edge of the table.

“I’d be proud, in your place, having established a kingdom that provides for so many. Aren’t you proud? Doesn’t it feel better to have given to so many than any other accomplishment? I think it’s magnificent.”

Charlotte blinked. She looked taken aback, but smiled.

“I could ask the same of you? Aren’t you proud of your fleet? Don’t you feel good leading them? You don’t allow yourself any other pleasures, so you must enjoy it.”

“Yes. And I understand what you mean about a table for all. Anyone could be a marine-”

“Anyone?”

He shrugged, nodding. “Acceptance. Another place where the Marines could do better. But I like the ideal you fight for. Letting anyone join and contribute-”

“Or be protected.”

"Or be protected. Exactly. It's why I do what I do. For anyone and everyone. If my Marines came from hell itself, it would not increase or decrease the care I extend to them one bit."

"Right. That's right. Anyone can join a family!" Linlin slapped the tabletop. "My family, your family. All that matters is that the one in charge is strong enough to protect it!"

"The problems you point out with the Marines..."

"...it's because we strive to aim higher than our means. Often. Which is...which is not bad, I don't think, but...there are repercussions. I think the whole world isn't meant to be ruled by one power, sometimes, but I trust the Marines most of all."

"Out of EVERYONE?"

"...everyone who I think could actually pull off guarding the world."

“Watch me. Keep watching me.” She snatched up her spoon as all sorts of iced creams and pudding treats were whisked out onto the table by her chefs. “I’ll match them soon enough, and the world will be better for it.”

There was something about the way she ate that he didn’t think he’d grow tired of watching. The joy of the act radiated from her every movement and expression. Her smile, which had felt like staring down a shark's grimace, glowed with a real warmth every time she took a bite.

“I don’t doubt that you could,” T Bone said, softly. It wasn’t something an Admiral should concede to a pirate, but it was the honest truth of how he felt, just then.

She smiled at him, and it seemed like an amplification of her joy at the desserts in front of her.

“But you don’t trust me.”

"Well...” He frowned to himself. “My point is...even if I did trust your intentions and your methods...and I don't, not fully...the world is too big for any one person to oversee. Even someone as magnificent as you."

"As magnificent as me?"

"You've nurtured a mighty empire, no-one can deny it - but what works for your kingdom is not necessarily what will work for the world. And if you are anything like the other pirates I've met in my career, I would bet my bones there's those in your empire that are less than content. Why just two months ago-”

* * *

He called me magnificent again.

He's got good judgment, this dapper little marine. not enough people recognize my magnificence, and too many of the ones who do recognize it are just cowards or ass-kissers or just useless.

there's NO good reason to want to impress this little Marine, but I DO want to and even though his questions are ANNOYING I want to have good answers for them anyways because he's right I AM magnificent and he makes me feel MAGNIFICENT (because I am), but then also asks these questions that make me feel not so good and make me think about how the Big Mom pirates can best operate and-

oh blast, he's been saying something and I haven't been paying attention at all.

the little marine, the one who called me magnificent.

he’s trailed off now, and I don’t know what he was saying just now but obviously there’s no way to ask him to say it again and now he’s not saying anything so hmm I guess I’ll tell him about growing up with Mother Caramel.

that’s a good story, and an interesting one, and he’ll like it.

but for whatever reason once I’ve told him he isn’t smiling, even though he smiled once or twice WHILE I was telling the story but now he looks sad and I don’t like him looking sad at me like that so um we should talk about something else what about something from when he was growing up? what about the marines?

so he tells me a story.

it's a story about his childhood? no, when he joined the marines? a volcano? something about being trapped?

hm.

oh, he lost his friends.

that *is* sad. it's terribly sad to lose friends. I hate losing friends, but it happens so much.

oh.

oh NO.

he was hungry...they were all hungry.

that's sad

He looks sad.

I want to embrace him. it is horrid to go hungry. to go denied. I want to embrace him but I obviously won't.

a bowl of pistachio ice cream cheers me up. I push one in front of the little marine but he says that there are eggs in it and he won't be having any. I hiss at streusen to find or make food something anything with no meat or eggs or milk or that sort of thing, but the sad, dashing little marine says that he’s okay.

that’s obviously not true. He’s obviously NOT okay. look at him.

but he wants to fight his own little fights. I guess I should let him?

hmph.

still I see how beloved a father he is. or admiral. same thing. I’m looking at his crew again and they do seem content and healthy and better fed than him not that that is a high-hanging fruit. he’s doing something right, maybe.

something to think about I suppose. it’s a headache, to be honest, but It’s something to think about.

it IS nice to make my family happy. but a person has to have their ambitions, after all. that’s what separates the cream of the crop. and what is nice, anyways. I ask him that. doesn’t he carry a sword, after all? is he nice to people when he uses that sword?

the little marine tells me that if he could just make his way in the world being kind that he would – but the world doesn’t give him much choice but to wear a sword and I nod and I let him know he’s making sense – even I carry a sword, after all.

(a better sword)

but wouldn’t it be nice if we could just give without having to take, and he’s talking not just to me I think because he’s looking down at his plate when he says it and he hasn’t been afraid to meet my gaze so far so it can’t be fear.

it would be nice. it’s frankly a bother to have to swing a sword sometimes, even though it’s fun at other times. do people really think I wouldn’t rather just sing and eat sweets sometimes than have to bother with all the unpleasant sorts of people that insist on getting in my way all the time? of course it would be nicer, obviously.

now I’m annoyed again. why can’t life always be tea parties? everyone would be much much much happier if it were.

the little marine is looking at me again and he says that I’ve probably made life for some people such that they can’t have tea parties because they’re worried about making me happy.

hmph.

what does he mean by that?

I’ve been called cruel.

I don’t think I’m cruel. The world is that way, and if I match the way the world is how can I be called cruel in comparison?

I am proud of what I’ve provided to my crew. to my Kingdom.

well, don’t I do everything in my power to keep my children happy? isn’t Big Mom’s crew the best crew a pirate could be blessed to join?

obviously yes. obviously. but the little marine doesn’t say yes right away.

now we’re both quiet again and while it’s nice to have a sip of tea in quiet now and then I don’t like this silence because the conversation isn’t going as well as it should be.

He asks me what I’m thinking.

hm!

yes!

so few people ask me that! and there’s such wonderful things in my head to share!

I'm deciding what to do with him. with his little tub of marines. there's not even a drip of sweat on his brow when I tell him that.

what resolve! too many men don't even have a drop of it. but this amusing little marine...this charming man...I'm smiling, and for the first time in a long time, I'm thinking about the fact that I'm smiling. a smile like this deserves a sweet, and as luck would have it there is a fresh plate of lovely plump candied cherries in front of me. the red sugar splits neatly in my hands, and half of a half is already coating my tongue in its sweet tartness as I set the other half in front of T Bone.

no eggs in that. He takes a bite and seems like he enjoys it.

hm.

sharing.

I could have him spin the wheel but I don't really feel any desire to. he might agree to do it and I don't like the thought of that; it wouldn't suit the flavor of man that I'm sure he is. how distasteful if an Admiral groveled in that sort of way.

he might say no and I'd have to kill him. that would be a waste. you don't throw away good food, or a good man.

if only he would smile

I'm enjoying the warm sweetness of a sugar cookie. plenty of butter and such in these and that comes from cows so the little marine probably doesn't want that but I think of something else that will make him smile again instead and I tell him I won't bother with asking anything of the village people.

He doesn't smile at that so I say it again. He probably didn't hear me.

"Ah"

that's the sound he makes, and he doesn't quite smile, but something about him seems not so disagreeable anymore and that is quite nice as well. A man shouldn't look so sour all the time, anyways.

I’ll probably actually leave the villagers alone anyways. why not? they’ll love me and what do they have that I REALLY want, anyways?

* * *

“That would be good.”

Charlotte nodded. “Obviously it will be good. It’s all you want, isn’t it?”

“Right now, more than anything.”

“More than anything,” she smirked, but it seemed like a smirk of real amusement. “Not very ambitious, are you, admiral?”

“I’d say I enjoy simple things, but as you pointed out, that’s not often the case.”

She laughed.

“I’m ambitious. It’s a wonderful way to live.”

“I suppose...I suppose I admire ambitious people, in a way. But I don’t understand how ambitious people think, so I can’t ever truly trust them.”

“But you trust me?” Charlotte asked. “To leave this place unharmed?”

“It’s not my place to say what is yours is not beneath you,” T-bone said, “but it is beneath an emperor of the seas, and beneath the future king of the pirates, to exact terror on villagers who have done nothing wrong to them? “Little marine,” she replied, “someone less gracious than me might think that you were trying to speak for me.” “Like I said,” T-bone replied, meeting her gaze, “it would not be my place to assume anything like that.” “My ship will restock supplies, and that is all. We’ll take what we need and we will be on our way. No terror or harm will come to the people here.” “That’s comforting to hear.” “I will need you and your fleet to sail away first, of course. It will do no good to let people think Big Mom was chased away by any admiral, even one so fine.”

She twirled her finger in his direction, and he felt his cheeks grow warm.

“...I will trust you, Charlotte Linlin, because I think you are genuine. But know that if I learn even the smallest harm came to this island because of you or your crew-”

“You’ll pursue me?” She fanned herself in mock embarrassment, winking.

“I will. With all my resources and energy.”

She set an elbow on the table and leaned on her own fist. “As much as I think I might like that, you’ll hear nothing but the most glowing reports of how the citizens here are treated this evening. I won’t even mention them joining the kingdom, though they’d be lucky for the chance. I might even have my chefs whip them up desserts as a treat.” T-bones gaze wandered back to the table on the far side of the deck, where Charlotte’s children and his crew still sat, speaking and laughing openly now, despite it all “I can say confidently that your chefs are unmatched in all my experience on the Grand Line. If the smiles on my Sailors are any indication, a gift of food to the island, whatever your ship can spare after taking on supplies, would be tremendously welcome.” “And that would make you comfortable with leaving first?” T Bone’s fingers tensed. The rabbit-holes of consequences bore into his mind for several seconds, before he banished them with an effort.

“As comfortable as I can hope for.” He tipped the last of his tea past his lips. “I think, when this island and village are left peacefully by a pirate as renowned as yourself, I think the Marines can only call that a victory. “Based on what Marines and pirates tend to think of each other, of course,” he added. “Glad to hear it,” Charlotte said, hefting another cherry. This one she took a smaller bite of, but savored for second longer than previous bites.

* * *

well that’s good and settled.

good.

see what happens when people can be REASONABLE and make deals agreeably? why can’t all men be as agreeable as this dashing marine?

well, he’s almost reasonable.

He's quiet and he still isn't touching any of the GREAT sweets I've set out at my table. more for me. but still.

surprising that even the marines can produce something...someone sweet.

He turns his chair around on the deck. He's graceful about it. doesn't drag the legs on the deck or anything crass like that, put picks the chair up and turns it and sets it down again so here's not some dreadful scraping sound that would ruin teatime.

rude to turn away from the table, though.

but I'm enjoying crumpets and jam just now so I turn my own chair around to see what it is he's looking at.

ah.

that is nice.

mm.

He’s still looking out to sea, but it doesn’t annoy me.

it’s nice.

beautiful pinks and reds and oranges under deep blue. the sky on fire as the sun sets and lights the horizon up all sorts of candy colors. warm winds drift in from the port behind us and it's one of the most comfortable afternoons there's been in a long, long time. I don't even care about the little straw-hat twerp and his rats for a moment.

the little marine looks peaceful. Smiling. It suits him.

this is what it’s all about.

He agrees.

I remember what the colors make me think of and I call for the cooks to bring us some bowls of sherbet and sorbet.

He looks confused when it comes and I put a bowl of the beautiful rainbow stuff in his hands. I tell him there’s no eggs in the sherbert and even if there is a bit of milk in the sherbert the sorbet doesn’t have any of either so he can eat that and that it will go nice with the lovely sunset and I hope he tries it at least.

He reaches for the spoon.

yes!

He gives it a taste.

yay!

He’s smiling.

* * *

T Bone was melting.

How could something taste this good?

It was nothing like the iced cream rations he’d had as an ensign – mealy, gritty stuff they’d usually eaten lukewarm and half-spoiled. This was like cool snowclouds made of fresh fruit.

And she was right – it did suit the sunset. In appearance and in loveliness.

It was, for whatever reason, the lightest he’d felt in months. Maybe years?

Lovely.

…

If only he didn’t still have this ache in his stomach.

“When will you leave?”

He didn’t want to spoil the moment with the question, but it was necessary.

She didn’t look over at him, but, using thumb and forefinger, slipped a spoon into his bowl and scooped up a small bit of his sorbet.

“As soon as you’re past the horizon. Enough time so these islanders don’t get the wrong idea about who is mightier than who.”

“And the islanders themselves will be left comfortable with dessert to warm their bellies tonight.”

He didn’t say it as a question. It wouldn’t do to insult her like that. He didn’t want to insult her like that.

"I have bigger fritters to fry than terrorizing backwater islands." Charlotte tapped a stack of syrup-crystalled flapjacks in front of her with that little spoon for emphasis. "There’s plenty on my plate right now, and when I deal with this island, or with you, admiral, it will be with my full attention.

“Now, can I trust you won’t send your marine friends after me to Wano?” She slipped the spoon under the top pancake and flipped it into her mouth.

“Rely on it.”

“Mamamamahaha! Can your sense of justice stand letting me go, then?”

T Bone smiled, thought tightly.

“I suppose...one pirate going after another solves a problem for the Marines without us having to endanger Marine lives.”

“Efficient.”

“Yes.”

They sat that way a while longer, eating and silent, watching the sun shift lower in a cloud-streaked panorama of blues and pinks and brilliant oranges.

No sound but the seas and the wind. The waves and the gulls.

Sailor’s music.

“I suppose,” T-bone said at last, “that concludes our parlay.” Big mom frowned, but nodded. “I guess so.”

* * *

the little Marine is up out of his chair before I can say anything else, and before I can even start to rise, he has put his hand on the back of my chair and is pulling it out for me as I rise. a marine gentleman. will wonders never cease. I’m frustrated negotiations are ending, and frustrated that I’m frustrated because negotiations are boring, especially when I don’t have a delightful little scheme in place to undermine them. it’s been a long while since it’s been just nice to talk to someone who isn’t one of my children or a homie or a sycophant. the little marine starts to say goodbye, but I don’t want him to say goodbye, so I’m telling him that I will go down to the jetty with him to see to our agreement and our arrangements. I call for my son, and he gets up, and he’s always a smiler, my son, but it’s…. … well it’s always nice to see your children getting along with other peoples children, especially the children of such a gentleman.

or sailors. same thing. the marine gentleman(who called me, magnificent, by the way)’s children look nervous again, but something about him is reassuring to them, and when we tell them what is to be done, everyone looks quite relieved, which is good. it’s good that I am so good at negotiations, and that this dashing little marine is a reasonable sort of man.

they look very relieved actually, and when the sailors on the other marine ships look over and see we are letting the dashing handsome little marine go they look relieved and happy as well.

hmph, well

I’m sure MY children look at me the same way when I’m not looking. they just know I don’t like simpering fools.

I guess he does take good care of his marines. I hope he takes care of himself too, though.

that’s his business though, obviously.

a short walk of the ship and no we’re on the jetty and he’s offering me his arm. he’s too short for all that but he’s offering his arm and I almost wish he was tall enough that I could take it with ease.

he knows this too so he shifts his arm and instead he’s offering me his hand, raised just above his head and (very very graciously) I accept it and we walk down to the end of the jetty, toward where the sun has tucked away under the water and the line between sea and sky glows red.

I expected him to rush off and start fretting over his crew while his ships make the needed preparations to re-settle the locals and cast off and my crew works on distributing cakes (soaked in yummy honey and rum with fresh cream and starfruit! LUCKY!), but clearly he is a proper gentleman and knows a lady should not be abandoned like that even after a parlay is over.

and besides the ocean is too lovely this evening not to relish.

He’s enjoying the colors over the water I think but he’s antsy and he’s fidgeting with his fingers. not everyone would notice it, but a mother and a captain learns to have a keen eye for these kinds of things.

* * *

“Let them do their jobs”

T Bone glanced up at Charlotte, who nodded toward the horizon. He returned his gaze to the ocean. “I do trust them, I just worry.” “Quietly then; if you want to sacrifice yourself for them so badly, then look at it like this: you being uncomfortable with letting them work without you is that sacrifice.” “Something about discretion being the better part of valor,” T-bone muttered, half to himself, though Charlotte laughed at it “Sure. Sometimes children should be let alone to do their chores. Some children like the lack of supervision.”

T Bone smiled. “Some even thrive off of it?”

“Now you get it.” She put gentle pressure on his hand. “I don’t dislike that part of you though, admiral. That part that wants to help. Good help is so hard to find these days.”

“Hm.”

In the distance, maybe a mile out, a massive dolphin slipped above the waves, flicking up a spray of water that caught the red light at the horizon.

Charlotte cleared her throat.

"I meant what I said. You could leave the Marines and join your fleet to my kingdom. There's a sweeter life you could live."

"I know you were serious. But I will not accept. These Marines are not mine to give, only mine to protect and to guide.

"But I thank you for the kindness of your offer,” he added. To his surprise, he found he meant it.

"I've killed men for defying me. I just wanted you to know that.”

"And I thank you for your honesty as well."

Another stretch of silence. The air was stirring pleasantly, the smells of saltwater and sweets mixing in the wind. When he broke the silence again, it was with the utmost reluctance.

“We’re too far apart, you and I.”

Charlotte pursed her lips. “We’ll be far apart for a long time.”

“Possibly forever.”

“Maybe forever.”

“The world might change.” T Bone felt a lump in his throat saying it. He wanted to put a comforting pressure on her hand, but that felt…

..selfish?

“Neither of us will. Even if it does.” She grasped his hand slightly firmer. “My way is my way.”

He nodded. “Mine is mine.

“Still,” he added. “I will allow myself the comfort...the luxury of hope. If that’s not too presumptive.”

Another squeeze of the hand. “Just take it. No need to ask.

“What use do I have for hope, anyways?” She added, with a smile.

Their hands parted, and returned to their respective sides, slowly. T Bone’s fingers hummed with the lingering warmth.

“Well, thank you. I’ll feel better, leaving a loose end, if I have hope.”

"We're both leaving loose ends." Charlotte sniffed. There was a tint of disdain in her voice, but a smirk still on her face. "You could betray me as easily as I betray you. Of course, against an emperor of the sea, one Rear Admiral is no meaningful threat."

"Soon to be Vice Admiral."

"Eh?"

T Bone did not respond right away. Why did I mention that? Bragging was not in his repertoire, and unbecoming of a Marine.

But he wanted her to know.

Well, what's the harm?

"There's a great need in the Marines for capable leaders at the higher ranks." T Bone paused. "Piracy is on a sharp rise, after all."

"Mamamamama!" Charlotte's laugh shook the docks. "Upstarts and brats! Not real pirates like back in the day. You're wasted on chasing after this new generation."

"I'll leave them to you, then?"

* * *

He took her hand and pecked her forefinger, so quickly she didn’t even realize he’d done it until he was already straightening up, though he still held her hand a moment longer.

sly

sly!

I’m blushing, I know. slick little marine.

I’m being underestimated. I know men. I know a thing or two myself.

I pull my hand back to myself, slowly, so he doesn’t get the idea that I’m not pleased with what he’s done.

I lick the finger. Not sloppily, not over-eager. demure and quickly, but not too-quickly. lingering over the kissed spot like it had frosting on it.

the red on his face is not just from the setting sun’s light, I’m sure.

so, a Vice Admiral, huh?

* * *

“Ah...yes.”

"Impressive." "The Marines aren't good for much, but at least they know how to recognize talent."

"Kind of you to say." T Bone pulled a handkerchief from his pocket - the crew insisted he keep at least one on his person at all times these days - and mopped his brow. Odd. he hadn't exerted himself much at all this afternoon, but now he felt the exhilaration of having just finished a sprint.

He realized, belatedly, that it was just the two of them standing on this stretch of the jetty. His crew was largely aboard, and those not yet on the ships were making the final preparations to cast off. Charlotte's crew, even the most closely hovering of her children, had made themselves scarce.

Beyond them, the last light of the long-ago-set sun glowed with a deep red hue - a fire ceding the sky slowly, peacefully to the falling night. The breeze of the land had cooled, making T Bone's cape and Charlotte's hair billow out toward the sea.

"Well," He said at last. "I'll take my leave. There's work to be done."

"Hm."

“Don’t be glum, Charlotte.” He smiled. Smiled, so she wouldn’t feel so bad. “We may see each other again. Marines and pirates clash all the time, and the world is getting smaller every day.”

Hopefully it comforts her. The thought of having to meet again in battle...

He turned and strode off. The twilight breeze pushed past him, and he frowned as he considered the report he’d have to make of all this. And his marines...hopefully they would not be too shaken by this afternoon’s encounter with an Emperor of the Seas.

...having to fight her crew or being unable to protect my own-

“T Bone!”

He stopped, almost faltered a step, but recovered to spin on his heel (hopefully?) gracefully.

She was turned back to look at him, the sky a smoldering line behind her. She was smiling, as ever.

“Don’t you look glum either, admiral. You’ve saved an entire island today.”

* * *

I'll have him, eventually.

what Mom wants, Mom gets. even if Mom has to wait for it. even if Mom HATES waiting.

I’ll have Admiral T Bone. count on it.

the ship is sailing away from the island and its shrinking in the distance but I can still smell the sweet scent of cakes rolling toward us over the waves on that inland breeze.

a small price to pay to win the hearts of the people from the marines – who wants guns and guardians when Big Mom offers you treats and sweets?

still, I wanted those cakes, and my mouth is watering and the bakers are NOT working quick enough to get me my evening snack. this chase keeps getting worse and worse. I’ll use that little rubber brat for dental floss when I find him.

but now I’m thinking about what T Bone and I have said would be good to do in a situation like this, and now I want to know what my children would like to eat and perospero is here on the foc’scle but I know that if I ask him, my eldest son is too clever not to know that it would normally be a test.

so instead, I have to cross my arms and act all frustrated and say that I am too tired to think of what to eat, and say that I want him to decide what we will eat tonight, and he’ll probably to figure out what I want, because he is such a good son, but maybe it will be a good start for a different kind of relationship.

He’s looking at me now and I don’t know what to make of the look but then he calls his siblings up to the foc’scle and they are all talking excitedly and chattering about what dishes they’d all like for the evening.

He's smiling now and so are Smoothie and Citron and Nusstorte and Snack and Amande and Raisin and Galette and Angel and Kato and Cornstarch and Basskarte and Broye and Dosmarche and Daifuku and Compote and Mont-d’or and Custard and Tablet and Mobile and Cinnamon and Flampe and it’s not the shark smiles my brave little children face the world with but the smiles I remember from when they were wee and new in the world.

I'd like to see them smile again, that way.

I’d like to see admiral T Bone again.

I'd like to see him again, he's given me a lot to think about. some things I'd like to talk about more, maybe.

maybe.

I guess I'll see. it'll probably be a while until we see each other again.

but a face like his, I'll remember.

I don’t forget easily.

* * *

"This arrangement must look strange."

T Bone had convened a meeting of his fleet captains not long after the mast of Charlotte's ship had sunk beneath the horizon behind them. The captains of each vessel were there in his quarters, along with Culver, debriefing on the afternoon's events.

"I hope I have not given any of you a reason to think I would be anything but fully loyal to the Marines and our duty to protect the seas, but I understand if you have questions about what transpired here today."

If I am court-martialed or sent elsewhere I will be fine but my crew might be demoralized and then they would be in danger of being unprepared the next time they have to protect the innocent and then there could be suffering all because of-

"It will look strange," Captain Gills said, after a moment's silence. "Are we making deals with pirates now?

"I mean," he added quickly, as Captains Tikker and Makota side-eyed him, "I'm relieved it did not come to fighting, and that the village is safe, but-"

"No one will question your motives, Vice Admiral" Makota cut in, ignoring Gills' half-stuttered attempts to continue his point, "And no one can question the result. If I ever truly thought you were planning to betray the Marines to the Big Mom Pirates, I would have cut you down with my own cannons."

"Your honesty is appreciated, as ever," T Bone said, nodding to both of them.

"What are they about, anyways?" Tikker asked. He was leaned up against the far wall, arms crossed. "Odd to see Linlin herself out sightseeing, rather than sending a toady."

"Pursuing Straw Hat Luffy and his crew. In the direction of Wano." T Bone unrolled a map of the New World onto his desk Gills and Makota leaned over it and followed his finger as he traced out a likely route for the Big Mom pirates’ pursuit.

Makota laughed, humorlessly. "Kaido will eat that boy alive before she even makes it to the shore, assuming either of them can get anywhere near the mainland."

“One can only hope,” Gills muttered with a grin. That got him another sharp look from Makota.

"Strange times," Captain Olome muttered. She was reading over a report that had come via transponder earlier. Something about strange activity in the South Blue. “Pirates liberating slaves. World Nobles getting socked in the jaw. Topsy-turvy, and not always to my disliking.”

T Bone sighed mightily at that. His stomach was not so tight any more. It wasn't sitting quite right, either.

If things go poorly in Wano there could be great collateral damage and upheaval and what if people suffer because of it? What if-

Culver seemed to sense his unease. “Well, our job is the same as ever, yes?” He looked from face to face in the cabin. “We fight for justice, and there’s injustice yet for us to chase down.”

“Maybe things aren’t always so simple.”

“Sir?”

T Bone shook his head. “Pay me no mind.” He looked Culver over. “You’re pale, Marine. Let me fetch you some food from the canteen.”

If he grows weak or sick, not only will he suffer, but also the others will think me a feeble leader and they might think I won’t look after them and when they’re in trouble they might not come to me for help like they should and I won’t be able to help them and-

Culver was indeed pale, and if anything, went paler when T Bone made the offer. The young lad made to sit at the admiral’s table, while the other captains looked on.

“Actually-”

Culver looked up. The lad did look tired. But there was nothing for him to do in this cabin but sit and fret. That wasn’t doing him the least bit of good.

“Please fetch me a plate for dinner, Culver. And one for yourself. You can take your supper in the mess.”

Relief, unmistakable relief, flooded the young sailor’s face.

“Right away, admiral.”

"Not going to cook for us tonight?" Tikker ventured, as the door closed behind Culver. He said it with the cadence of a joke, but flushed and fell silent when every other captain in the room shot him a look.

“Not that I need. it. Good to see you looking after your own self, Admiral.”

No-one else commented on that, but Olome did smile at the remark.

“And well done today after all, I suppose.” Gills yawned, stretched, and scratched at his beard. “Maybe the Straw Hat brat will hobble an emperor of the sea for us before all’s said and done.”

Makota slammed a hand on the desk.

"When pirates clash, the innocent suffer."

"The Straw Hat Pirates have solved a problem or two for the innocents of the world," Olome offered. She shrugged as Makota rounded on her. "Well, for what it's worth."

"They stir up trouble, that much is sure." Tikker observed. "Innocents are getting hurt every day in this damn world. If there are fewer pirates in the world on the other side of this...one less emperor of the sea,' I'll call it a win."

T Bone continued to examine the map as the captains squabbled. It was a dangerous situation Charlotte was sailing into. It had been easy to forget being in her presence, but no pirate, no marine, was invincible. No one was beyond the danger of harm and death.

It made not just his stomach, but also his chest, tight to think about it.

She is a pirate but she does protect a kingdom and if something should happen to her what happens to the citizens of Totto Land? It is not always so simple as removing a pirate from power, and she does care, I think.

Culver broke the argument a minute later, striding back into the room with a steaming plate of supper. T Bone found his mouth watering as the smell filled the room, his captains likewise fell silent, and the gurgle of Olome’s stomach betrayed everyone’s thoughts just then.

Makota tapped her pistol, and sighed. “We’ll leave you to supper, Admiral?”

“Thank you, Captain.” He nodded to her, and the others. “And thank you, Culver. Make sure you feed yourselves before it gets too late.”

They filed out, the chatter between them resolving into more productive-sounding discussion. Something for them to make bricks from tomorrow.

He sighed and sat, then frowned. The wooden chair was rough and worn, and hard on his legs. He got up and took a pillow, dusty and unused, from under his cot, and set it on the chair.

Much better. Soft. He pushed open the window of his office to let the warm breeze in.

After a few mouthfuls of stew, he found his stomach felt perfectly fine.

#One Piece #Fan fiction #Big Mom #T Bone #Charlotte Linlin

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