Baby on Board

Bugs and Silent Goodbyes

This chapter fulfills the drama category I put the story in. It's a bit dark, but don't worry because next chapter (the final chapter) makes up for it. And at the end, I think there's someone people will be happy to see.

Also, I made the symptoms of the bug because I can make it whatever I want. I also briefly researched what the thing would lead to. Enjoy~

The day seemed to go by quickly. Franky finally got time to show Luffy his invention, which was a mini rocking chair. It was easy and fun to make, and didn't take much time. At first, Luffy wasn't sure what it was and was startled when it moved after he touched it, but then he registered it was a chair, and he knew chairs were for sitting on. He bravely sat in the chair and rocked back and forth with his eyes wide. It felt familiar and he liked it. Now he just needed someone to sit on it so he could be in their lap.

"You like it?" Franky asked happily when Luffy rocked harder with a smile. "That's SUPER!" Franky exclaimed, putting his forearms together, startling the little one. Luffy continued to rock as he put his arms above his head to mimic what the big person had done. His arms aren't long enough to reach properly, but it was cute anyway, and made those on deck smile, somewhat sadly. There were two days left until they reached the next island and the crew knew they were becoming more attached to him. They each felt guilty about leaving him at the first good place they found. Deep inside, most of them wanted the next island to be uninhabited so he could stay with them a little longer. But they each wanted him to grow up in a safe and consistent environment. Not on a dangerous pirate ship like their own. So many things could go wrong with a set up like that.

Robin continued to sleep with him and be near him all day. She'd had never considered or wanted to be a mother, but she enjoyed this. Taking care of someone else instead of only herself for once in a long time. Luffy still cried a lot from small things. Every single time he lost balance doing something he burst into tears, though they were more easily subsided as he got to know the others more. He liked these people, except for the scary walking thing. He didn't run away from Brook, but he closed his eyes when he saw him. He liked the music he played, but Luffy did his best not to look. Brook didn't mind so much. Luffy enjoyed the music Book made, and that was enough. And the fact Luffy didn't scream in terror when he saw the walking skeleton. It was progress in a short amount of time. Maybe Brook would be able to say goodbye to him when they time came without Luffy feeling terror when Brook approached.

Zoro and Sanji continued their "lessons", both now using Copper as a spotter for their activities. The two still weren't good about calming Luffy down when he cried. It seemed only the women were good at that on the ship.

The next day, the day before they reached the next island, Luffy was made another pair of clothes by Nami. She tried to make this one better quality so he'd look nicer when he was brought to someone else. He'd been bathed only yesterday, but they gave him another bath in the morning after breakfast. Brook ate the meal with the rest regardless of Luffy not looking at him. Brook also didn't talk at all. He was still feeling a little depressed Luffy liked everyone but him.

Later, on the grassy deck, Luffy was playing with his blocks happily, taking occasional breaks to go on his small rocking chair just for him and rock happily for a few minutes with his teddy. Franky was feeling proud of his rocking chair. It was almost as special as Usopp's blocks and teddy bear. The little one was content to be all alone while he entertained himself, but the others wanted to spend more time with him on what they thought was their last day with the boy.

Strangely, Zoro and Sanji were the first to come over to him, followed by Usopp and Chopper. They sat next to him, Zoro and Sanji resisting the urge to beat eachother up.