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Homing wasn't sure where exactly he went wrong. Everything he did was in the best interest of his family. Regardless of how callous or cruel it seemed, it was always for them. Yet somehow he ended up here. Alone, barely healed from his latest run in with the locals on some barely alive island in the New World.
“You seem lost. Can I help you?” A kind looking older man approaches him. “I'm King Riku, not that the title means much these days.”
“I doubt it. The kind of lost I am can only be fixed by me.” Homing answers with a sigh.
“True. But like a ship lost in a storm we all need a safe harbor to gain our bearings.” The King laughs. “Come tell me of your woes, I will do my best not to judge, lost Dragon.”
Homing twitches at the way he said Dragon. It's not with contempt like Mink during their last talk, with regret like Materia, shame like his boys or rage like the civilians. If he had to guess, he'd say it's pity.
“If you're sure. I'm Homing.” He answers and follows the man.
“I figured. You look like a DonQuixote and are too old to be one of the kids.” The man laughs. “Dresrosa never forgets her rulers, for good or ill.”
Oh, so that's where he was. It's poetic really, that he'd either die or find mercy on the island his ancient ancestors once destroyed.
As promised the king listens to his tale. He does reserve judgment but his wife doesn't.
“You, are an idiot.” She starts raising her hand to shush her sputtering husband. “A well meaning idiot, but an idiot regardless. That wife of yours is a saint in the biblical sense, for putting up with you this long. I'd have pushed you over board during the first storm.”
“Now Delacore, sweety let's not…” Riku goes to calm her only to get stopped by the guard.
“Let her speak, my king.” Kyros sighs. “This man is lost because he refuses to face the hard truths. Until he does he will stay that way.”
“A fair point.” The man agrees.
“Thank you Kyros. As I was saying, you meant well but you also removed your small children from the guaranteed safety of the Holy City and exposed them to the bloody mire below.” The woman continues, gently but firmly. “This world is harsh and cruel to her own children, she gives but only to those strong enough to take it. For a gentle child, like your young Roci, she'd chew them up and spit them out without a second thought. Assuming the children who survive don't.”
Homing looks down, an unfamiliar feeling in his chest again. This one burns and clogs his throat, makes it hard to face them. It's not one he's felt before. (Lies. He felt it the day he watched his father almost kill Mink as he stood by doing nothing.)
“You've seen this first hand. Felt your blood stain the ground as an offering to this cruel lower world. Your children have paid the price, your refusal to acknowledge that cost you your remaining family.” She hisses out, second hand maternal rage surfacing. Riku looks a bit conflicted but Kyros keeps him quiet. “In another world you might not have lived to regret it, might have forced your kids into a no win scenario. Instead the Admiral gave you a safe haven and your jealousy caused you to flee. Twice it seems.”
“And shame.” Kyros adds on. “That burning thing in your chest, the one that has you looking away, that's shame.”
Oh. Is that what this twisting beast was? Jealousy. Fear. Shame. All fused into one endless ache.
“That's the bitter curse of living down here.” Riku finally joins in. “There is so much life to experience but you must take the good with the bad. You must Wade through the bloody muck and rancid mire in order to find its greatest treasures and hidden gems.”
“Can you teach me?” He asks the Queen.
“Of course, but only if you are willing to learn.” The queen answers with a soft smile. “I will be harsh, but not as harsh as this world has been.”
He agrees and the lessons begin. As promised she is harsh but kind. The locals are patient though the traveling merchants occasionally give him odd looks. Delacore shuts down whatever they are about to say and drags him off to a new area.
*********
It's three months in that something old surfaces and a few things click. It's as they're strolling through the meat market and the fishing fleet comes in that be smells something familiar. The smell is rancid and off putting but so very familiar.
“Never had someone look so sad but happy when they smell something like that.” The shop keeper laughs. “Well not anyone who didn't have a fisherman as a father.”
“Ah, it reminds me of my boys. They used to run off and be gone for hours, when they returned they always smelt like that but had fresh produce in hand.” He explains a bit sheepishly.
“What island? My brother ran a business in South Blue and used to tell stories of two kids with cheaply dyed hair who'd trade fresh seafood for produce or medicine.” The man explains sadly. “Stories stopped a few years ago after tales of a wayward dragon started up. Always wondered what happened.”
Oh. So that's how they did it. Guilt rears its ugly head as the memory surfaces. The argument still fresh.
“I've told you kids before, no matter how desperate we get, we can't resort to thieving.” Homing scolds the kids for the third time this week. The food was appreciated and he knew they meant well but the locals couldn't afford the lost income.
“But we aren't stealing.” Doflamingo would argue. “The Admiral would never approve of that. Puppy taught us, foraging back in the City and Thatch kinda taught us how to pick out good produce.”
“He also tried to teach me to cook but……I'm too accident prone.” Roci laughs.
“Kids, I know we don't have money for this.” He keeps his tone firm. “How else would we afford it.”
“Pearls come from shellfish and Mina and Koko showed us which ones produce the best pearls.” Doflamingo would argue. He'd get that look, the one that said ‘you're supposed to be smarter than this’.
“We gather the shellfish and sell them to the fish market vendors and use the money on other foods.” Roci would continue when Doffy got to frustrated to talk. “Thatch showed me how to make the best use of questionable produce, it's why all the soup. A little goes a long way.”
“We weren't there long enough.” He'd argue. “Please stop thieving.”
He'd walk away after that. Sure that his kids were thieves due to necessity, because all Dragons were liars and criminals. He always refused to accept the truth. Because if he did, that meant he didn't know his kids at all.
“You ok?” Delacore asks him. It drags him out if the past and to the present. He's back in the castle, the walk home a blur.
“Sorry. Those were probably my boys. I never did believe that they were actually fishing of all things.” He apologizes. “Kyros really did have a point about avoiding hard truths.”
“Of course you did. But, you're getting better.” She smiles softly. “Better late than never.”
******
It becomes a trend. He'll be walking through the town, talking with shop keepers and trades men and women and then a memory would surface. Every time he'd zone out and the poor patient people would sit him down and wait.
“Momma look I made a scarf!” Doffy was holding up an awkwardly ruffled thing that was mostly black with white furry stripes. “Think Kuri-nij will like it.”
“Of course, but why a scarf?” Materia answers, eyes gleaming with maternal pride.
“I may have accidentally ruined his during training.” Roci admits, cheeks a bit red. “He wasn't mad but he's sensitive about his looks so we thought we'd make a replacement as an apology.”
“Aren't marine colors White and Blue?” He asks the two boys. It wouldn't do to give him something he couldn't use.
“Yeah but it was his free time scarf, not his uniform one.” Roci argues.
“Besides..” Doffy gets that ‘you're an idiot’ look to him, “...this fits him better.”
He looks at the striped scarf with the odd spikey white fluff. It doesn't fit the kid at all. He's too friendly, if cautious, for the all black accessory.
When he sees the kid wearing it afterwards he politely tells the kid he didn't need to wear just because it was a gift. The kid gives him the same look as Doflamingo did and walks off. The kids avoid him for days after. The next time he sees them they're sitting on Newgate's lap and ranting about their dad's idiocy. (Materia and Mink yell at him later and she stops sharing a room with him.)
“You ok?” The seamstress asks. There is concern and understanding in her eyes. She hands him a newspaper, on the cover is a very familiar kid, if older, wearing a fancier version of the fluffy scarf. “You remembered something and said the name Katakuri. It's why I stock these, folks love them.”
“Sorry my memory is a little off.” Apologies are getting easier. His pride finally wore down enough. Though the emotions from the memories have names now. And that was jealousy, just a small ember, but there. He was jealous of Newgate. Jealous of the way his kids latched onto the Admiral and went to him for everything. He brings this up to Riku.
“Finally realized it huh. The way you say his name you'd think he stole your wife.” Kyros laughs.
“It's only natural.” Riku gives the gladiator turned guard a stern look, the laughing dies down but the mirth is still there. “Those boys used to see you as the center of their world. However the fall broke their faith in you, so they turned to a stable adult.”
“Besides..” Delacore gets that mischievous look in her eyes. “That man radiates Father energy. Even kids in good homes with great parents are drawn to him. There isn't a child in the blue seas who wouldn't want to be a child of Whitebeard.”
“Except maybe the children of Sengoku.” Riku points out. Homing chews on that statement for a few days. He can't disagree, there was something about that man that radiated safety.
******
The next memory to surface hits him in the soul with the haki infused spiked mace Admiral Kaido preferred. He's walking through the back area of the island, the fields full of fresh flowers grown for dyes, when something rotten hits him. It reminds him of the years before they left. And yet another argument.
“Homing your kids’ little pet is getting out of hand.” Saint Marville hisses. “She's leaving foul smelling things all over the roofs and it's ruining the scenery.”
“I'll see what I can do.” He reassures the seething saint.
“Awww I'll be more careful. I'm trying to make something for the boys.” She sounds a bit upset. “They saw something I brought in the other day and loved it. But they're hard to keep so I've been practicing.”
“Don't waste your energy.” He tells the young CP agent.(ouch. The way that must've come off to her.) “Anything they want or need can be gotten from the traders.”
“Ok. I'm sorry but…the boys asked so nicely. Especially Mingo and that's rare.” Her shoulders have dropped and she sounds more upset. “That's why l was practicing. Only the best for my sheepies.”
Two weeks later the kids were seen curled up in an expensive furred sea king pelt. The deep black color with iridescent highlights were expensive in the markets. It was a luxury he'd never approve of.
“where'd you get that thing?” He asks, far tougher than he should have.
“It's a gift from Puppy!” Roci happily exclaims. “Isn't it so soft and pretty? She says she got it for us cause we thought the last one she caught was soooooooo pretty.”
“It was a pink n purple striped one, kinda like a feathered zebra eel.” Doffy explains a bit hesitantly. There is distrust and child like rage radiating from him. “She was upset she couldn't save that one, something about the feathers being difficult.”
“This is a luxury item.” Homing looks at his kids. (His reflection in the mirror shows something like disappointment on his face.) “Your puppy definitely couldn't afford something like this. Please have her return it.”
His kids get up, grab the pelt and leave. He assumes until the boat incident that it was done. Doffy never really looked at him the same after. He always assumed it was him being petulant.
“You told my sheepies to return their gift?” Chimera corners him the next day. There's something like betrayal in her eyes.
“Yes. King pelts are a luxury item, you could hardly afford to buy one.” He tells the Young CP agent. “Save your money, they don't need you spoiling them anymore than the servants do.”
She looks surprised then gets a familiar look. It's the same one Doffy has been wearing lately. The one that says he's being dumb.
“You ok Homi?” One of the tanners is standing over him.
“How hard is it to tan a sea king pelt?” He asks almost out of the blue.
“Fairly easy, though there are different grades to it.” The man starts. “Can you describe it?”
“Black, like midnight black but with iridescent purple patches to it.” He starts. “The fur is thick and soft, almost like a Samoyed but silky like an Arctic hare's.”
“The leathery part, is it textured or smooth?” The man asks excitedly.
“Smooth, like velvet soft. Though you could see faint rake like marks on it.” He has to dig a bit. The memory of taking it to Newgate is buried deep. He hated how much he acted like his father there, needlessly cruel to prove a point, the embodiment of everything he didn't want to be.
“Deep sea king then. A relatively expensive meat fish but the pelts are usually tossed. It's considered a scrap pelt to most tanners since it takes days to remove the fat and weeks of beating to seal the pores to make it water proof.” The man happily explains. “The fur is the trickiest part and will make or break it. To have it stay that thick and shiny, with no matting is a labor of love few tanners will take on. If your kids received one, it was made by the gifter. I have one my Nana made that only lasted this long because she used Haki to reinforce it. Thus the purple hues.”
“Would you be willing to show me?” He asks hesitantly. The guilt was eating him alive. That child, and she was a child, hand made his sons a gift unrivalled by most and he rejected it and told her not to try again. “I think I fucked up royally.”
“Let me guess…” The man gives him a sympathetic look, one he didn't deserve. “...you assumed the person spent a metric fuck ton of money on it and told your kids to return it.”
He nods weakly in agreement. The man smiles sadly and pats him on the back. There's something like understanding there.
“My dad did the same. He knew grammy couldn't afford the market price for even a poor quality one.” He explains as they walk down the foul smelling aisles. Pelts of all types were hanging up to cure. “Grammy ripped him a new one about how she can spend her time however she pleases and it shut him down fast. He had to EXPLAIN why he freaked out over it. You probably never did, did you.”
“Unfortunately not. In hindsight I probably came off as an entitled and spoiled brat who didn't think her efforts were good enough.” Homing sighs, the bitter ache of regret in his chest.
“Hindsight is always 20/20.” The man laughs. “Perhaps you'll get a chance to explain later.”
“Perhaps.” He hopes so but knows he doesn't deserve it.
****
The years pass on Dressrosa and the memories come and go. Each one is bitter sweet and fills him with more regret and guilt and shame. His last fight with Materia and the accusations thrown about reek of insecurity and jealousy. He's not fond of that sour flavor but it coats every memory of that base.
“What was your breaking point?” Delacore asks him one day. Her daughters are playing nearby as Kyros watches over them. The oldest constantly bouncing between friendly and pissed off where he's concerned. The youngest is constantly trying to keep the peace.
“The final straw was when Chimera came to visit. I never did learn her name. Like I never learnt Mink's.” He freezes and shudders. Some humble ass he was. “I was going to Newgate's office to talk to him about relocating to Lulusia when I heard them talking.”
He pauses to shove down the bitter wave of jealousy that surfaces. It's not the Admiral's fault he saw him as a threat. He's not sure where it came it why.
“She, the boys and Newgate's menagerie were playing in the woods by the pond. She'd asked how they were doing and……well Doffy called him pops. He'd never referred to me as anything but Homing.” He pauses a bit, taking deep shuddering breaths. The jealousy was surging and churning like a wounded dragon, fitting he supposed. “Materia was Momma Ram, Mink was Big kitty and Chimera was Puppy. But I was just Homing.”
“Did you ever try telling them you wanted one?” Riku tries.
“No, nicknames come naturally. Forcing it would've only strained the bond more.” Scarlett points out.
“Maybe it was the dynamic from your home island?” Viola whispers. “Machi is from Baratachi and they are big on gifts. Like a bad or repeat gift is instant death for the whole family. Parents will ignore kids or leave them with protected artisans to learn a craft to spare them in case of a slaughter.”
Riku and Delacore trade looks. Kyros pales and starts stammering as Rebecca just face plants on the table. Homing is humbled enough to admit she has a point.
“There is merit to the idea.” He slowly admits. “I can't go into detail for reasons beyond my control. And while it's not something I pushed, there are others who would've.”
“It never occurred to you before?” Delacore asks.
“It's not something that I could do anything about before and after…” he freezes again, tears falling. “..after it was probably too late. They latched onto Mink and then Newgate.”
“Hmmmm. We'll see about that.” Riku sighs.
“No, I'm afraid to admit I was an ass during our last fall out. Said things I'd rather not admit to. Things that can't be taken back or shouldn't be forgiven. In that moment I was everything I hated most about my father including the self-righteous fury he always justified with stupid excuses.” He admits between sobs.
“Then we let them know, and let them decide for themselves.” Delacore declares.
“You've taken enough choices from them.” Riku points out, the harshest he's been though his touch is still gentle.
“You don't get to take this one too.” Kyros finishes. Homing agrees.
******
Twelve years after landing in Dresrosa an albatross lands on their shore. The woman has silvery blue hawk like eyes and long black feathery hair. Her golden wings were tucked away though her infamous blades weren't. Nor was the equally famous one her golden eyed companion was carrying.
“I've come to make you an offer, honorable king Riku and fierce lady Delacore. If you have the time to chat that is.” The corvious bows, wings sweeping forward to hide her grin. “It's nothing bad, just heard a rumor, that if true, will benefit us both greatly.”
The king ushers her into a rather nice waiting area. The old but still grand interior was stunning in a tasteful way, focused more on tiny details than expensive fixtures. It's the library that draws her attention. It's the window seat that snags her companion.
“Already napping on the job Hawky?” She teases, her companion cracks open one golden eye to glare.
“You know how much I detest that nickname.” He sighs before closing his eyes again.
“Give me another to use then, Drakky.” She laughs as he shudders in response.
“Hawky it is.” He mutters. “Never utter that other one again.”
“Awwwww but you won't accept pre..” She's stopped by him jumping up and putting his hand over her mouth. “Fine.”
“Hello.” A dark haired girl walks into the room. “I'm princess Viola, you need anything?”
“We're fine.” Mihawk quickly answers. “Just need to discuss something with King Riku quickly.”
“He'll be up in a second.” The woman answers. “Though…….much like uncle he seems to live on denial island.”
“He's tsundere bastard, that's for sure.” Hatsuki answers as Mihawk positions himself to guard her back. “If it's about Homing, we already and are grateful for your help with him. Despite what he thinks we aren't looking for his head.”
“That's a relief.” Delacore says as she enters the room. “Though my husband is a bit busy soothing that skittish cat.”
“Understandable. We've come to offer Dressrosa all the perks and protections of an affiliated without the cost.” She passes the Queen a thick stack of papers. “The details are here, you don't need to decide right away, it'll stay open as a thank you for housing and successfully adjusting him to life down here.”
“We also have this.” Mihawk hands her a small projector snail. “It'd be a shame if he misses his eldest's wedding because of some major miscommunication issues.”
“It does seem to be his vice of choice.” Delacore sighs out. “That and nobody seeking clarification.”
“Dragon's are raised not to question their parents or elders. Their word is law and unquestionable, to do so is blasphemy.” Hatsuki explains. “Homing fell not because he was soft or weak but because he refused to be what his father wanted and openly questioned his peers. That is simply not done. The kids and Materia were only allowed to follow because he said they would.”
“I see.” She flips through the papers and it seems fair. “Let us discuss it and we'll get back to you. No need to wait it may take a while.”
“As I said, no need to rush.” Hatsuki bias though she keeps her wings back. “Though do let him know he owes Sengoku big time. The man found a memory less Rosi and took him in.”
“That man is worse than Newgate when it comes to kids.” Her companion mutters. “I think they're competing.”
“He did?” The queen asks. Hatsuki grins as Mihawk passes her the posters.
“He's up for Warlord consideration and will get it if he's interested in it.” Hatsuki explains. “Pops and uncle Ro are softies and will do everything to keep the family from fighting each other.”
The two leave after that but Hatsuki is stopped by Viola.
“Don't use Pretty Eyes in public.” She warns the woman as a thank you. Try shortening it to the front instead.”
“Oh?” She goes to ask for more but the woman runs off.
“You coming? Or am I sailing off by myself.” Mihawk asks.
“Hakuna your tatas Miha, just talking to the host real quick.” She answers as she catches up.
“Acceptable.” He answers, cheeks a bit pink.
*******
The video is painful. It always would be but more so now after the introspection. Now he can look at them and know their puppy is responsible for everything. Their puppy and Newgate.
Doflamingo is standing before a man with a rather impressive afro, no doubt Sengoku. Across from him is his puppy, well Tsukari, looking divine in silver and gold. His iconic marine coat is a ridiculous pink feathered thing, similar to the final gift she gave him.
Rocinante is in common sailor clothes but sporting their original black pelt as a cloak. Besides him is a woman with deep purple braids and lavender eyes. She stays close both to support him and because they can.
The first dance is long and slow and their eyes full of so much love it hurts. Roci is still a disaster but his companion, Ume, does her best to guide him. It's as Materia passes by, in Sengoku's arms no less that he breaks. Mink can be seen watching from the guidelines, a small pink haired baby in his lap.
“That's Bonney, Kuma's kid. She's really sweet and hardly fussed. Materia loves babysitting all the kids at Pop's old base.” Hatsuki narrates in the video. “Daymon loves bringing her strays to care for. Almost left the gremlins there but the first time a merchant said something about her scars Sabo grabbed a pipe about it and there were consequences.”
The camera pans to a group of three kids, two with black hair and one blonde. They turn to wave before going back to their planning. The Golden eyed one is close by, paying enough attention to know what's going on while seemingly ignoring them and focusing on paperwork.
“Probable deniability pose #2.” She laughs. “Just because I'm here doesn't mean I'm paying attention enough to know the details. The blonde is the pipe happy Sabo, Luffy and Roger's bratling Ace. I swear introducing Materia to Rouge was the best decision ever.”
Everything burns but in a good way. His family is alive, together and happy. Doffy found love with Tsukari, Roci was free from the pressure of the city and dear sweet patient Materia got more kids. She always wanted a large family, though he expected it to be blood. This however was just as nice. (Sweet Dragon mothers were rare. Most were too self absorbed to bother with kids. Too high and mighty and self righteous to see the harm they did, like him. Others just didn't care.)
“We know where you are Homing. We have offered protection in exchange for housing you. And yes the boys and Momma Ram know as well.” Hatsuki turns the camera to face her. Her grin promises blood though her tone is gentle. “If they decide to forgive you, they know where to go. They will eventually need closure, can't heal without it. But it may take a while. Heavens knows these kids are scared inside and out from everything. We're trying but it takes time.”
“Just make sure that when they do come, don't waste it.” Her golden eyed friend says. “You won't get a second chance. Newgate and Roger may be merciful, but I am not.”
“Hawky place nice.” The trio of kids scold him. “If I can't get a pipe involved you can't have Yoru.”
“They've got a point.” She turns her attention back to the snail. “We aren't cruel enough to take family from them. But that only applies if they see you as family. You're on thin ice Homing, best start praying to Kuzan.”
He's not sure who that is. But he'll take her up on that offer, it can't hurt.