akagami no shanks x f!reader.
From afar, you couldn't discern the face that had marines and pirates agape, but you could sense him. The change in the wind, how the skies slightly darkened, the trembling of people's feet at his Haki.
Currently, you were kneeling before the dead body of your younger brother. How he managed to smile, even in death, came as a surprise. The boy who was filled with so much hate grew to love life in the end. It was all thanks to you, Luffy and Sabo.
You felt as though you failed him. It was your job as the eldest to protect your little brothers and you failed.
You never wanted to see Shanks again.
"I'll deal with Ace, you deal with Whitebeard." You say, leaving no room for an argument, but you knew your husband better than anyone. He was all about arguing.
"Wouldn't it make sense to bury them together?"
He was right. You look at Ace's face. Soft, gentle, smiling. You place your hand to his cheek, reminiscing the times you shared together, and pull your hand back to stand.
"You're right." You whisper. "Can you handle it?"
Shanks stared at you. He was going to handle it to begin with; that's why he was here. "What will you do?"
You stare at the sky. The azure was covered by the pearl-grey smoke, threatening to break free. Even in the saddest day in history, the clear sky wanted to come out and become a beacon of hope not just to you, but to all those affected by the War.
You lost hope the second Akainu's fist went through Ace's stomach.
Seeing his smiling face made you wonder: is death more beautiful than life?
As if sensing your curiosity, Shanks put his coat over your shoulder. You look at the face you loved for almost a decade.
He didn't need to say anything. He had already made his decision: you were staying with him. Too tired to fight, too tired to argue, you agree and watch as Yasopp picked up Ace's body and Beckman picked up Whitebeard.
"Akagami," Sengoku says, and all eyes were on him. "I agreed to the bodies being in your possession, not her. She's a wanted criminal, just like her brothers."
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sengoku?" Shanks asked calmly, his arm around your shoulder as he guided you away from the battlefield. He stopped in his tracks. Barely glanced at him. "We can start a whole new war. That is, if you make the wrong choice."
Sengoku's hands balled tightly, his jaw clenching. He knew better than to agitate Shanks. Nothing was said, even as Shanks began to move again with you close to him.
"Don't worry," Shanks says once he's out of earshot. "I'll make sure that everything will be fine."
You let out a tiny scoff. "After all these years, you still have the audacity to show your face before me."
"You're still wearing your ring, are you not?"
"Thanks for reminding me to take it off."
Shanks smirked slightly. It didn't meet his eye.
"You'll stay with me for the time being." Shanks says, the two of you on the deck. He ordered the guys to set sail. Looked at you.
You were looking at Marineford.
"I'm going to murder him." You say, eyes on Akainu, who watched as you left with the Red Haired Pirates.
Shanks continued to stare at you.
Finally, you meet his gaze. Soft, loving.
You look to the ground, and turn your back on Marineford.
Shanks betrayed you by leaving you behind. However, he'd never lie to you.
You move away from him. "I trust you enough to know you'll keep your word."
He watched as you left, no doubt to sit with Ace until his burial, and his eyes softened. His thumb brushed against his wedding ring.
Shanks had a lot to make up for but for now, he'll settle on being there for you.