Chapter Text
If there was anything he regretted in life, it was his current relationship with his son and how Dragon had drifted away from him. Yes, they had different ideals and priorities, and Dragon had left for a cause that Garp understood but also didn't agree with how it was born and methods that were used. As a Marine, he abided by the laws and the structure of his institution, even if he hated those above him that sought to control him and his beloved Marines.
That they mostly succeeded grated on him and made him further understand his son, even as he fought against such rebellion.
And yet, his son standing in front of him now, he wouldn't arrest him or even mention this meeting to anyone. When he could, Garp would do what he could to choose his family whenever he was able to (when he could get away with it).
"Dragon, it's been some time, huh? What're you here for? It's not family reunion time," he grumbled, though he did shuffle closer. It really had been a long time since he'd seen his son. "Going to say or do something that'll give me a heart attack again? Can't be as bad as you running off and becoming a criminal!" he groused.
Dragon grunted, averting his eyes. His son sighed, "I'm sorry for everything, Father. And for this."
He removed his cloak, revealing the sling he'd had on him, carrying the quiet baby Garp could barely see settled inside. Garp's stomach dropped and he flashbacked to when Gol D. Rogers asked him to take care of another baby.
"Will you take care of her?" Dragon asked, voice soft and gentle in his husky tone. "No one can know I have a daughter. I want her to live a happy, safe life —away from me and the violence the rebellion gets in. I wish she will grow up to be someone who can fulfill her dreams and love freely."
Garp watched his son, his son who had been a cynical person from his young teen years and who had left the Marines when he saw how they set about serving "justice", speak gently and tenderly about his daughter that he was giving up.
"Are you sure about this?" Garp asked gruffly, even as he took the baby from Dragon.
"She won't be safe with me."
Garp looked away as he secured the baby in his hold, watching the tiny girl in his arms yawn and stretch, before snuggling up to him. A smile twitched at his lips and he looked back up.
"Fine. What's her name —"
But Dragon was gone before he could finish asking. Sighing irritably, he tightened the blanket around her and found the answer to his question anyway, her name embroidered onto the blanket.
"Monkey D. Luffy, huh," he muttered.
A granddaughter. He had a granddaughter.
What on earth was he going to do with her?
As the hour passed, Garp was still asking himself this. Luffy was quiet and sleeping in his hold, and he continued to contemplate his next course of action.
He couldn't bring her with him —life on a ship wasn't a life for a baby. That wasn't even to be said, what with a ship and job like his; he was still a Marine and that was dangerous and careless to bring a baby into the mix of things, especially with inevitable clashes with pirates.
Oh, but he had a granddaughter. And she was adorable. He just got her and he didn't want to part with her. He also couldn't just leave her with anyone. There wasn't anyone he could really trust to take care of her; part of him thought of his home seas and his home village. The barmaid there was sweet and kind…but Makino had a bar to run and little time to take care of Luffy. She could share the load with the rest of the village, but there wouldn't be just one person that Garp could count on to reliably and safely raise his granddaughter and be consistent in that. There were also too many unsavory characters that could show up, not just in the bar but the island as a whole, that could corrupt his precious granddaughter.
There was Dandan too, but she already had her hands full with Ace. And the thought of his cute granddaughter being raised amongst ruffians…
If only he could find a way to raise Luffy safely, with a better chance of him being around more and for her to be around good, sturdy, responsible influences! Somewhere that could help him keep her in a safe environment, but also somewhere he could help teach her to be strong, be a lady, and give her a happy life. A place she could feel Marines were the ones she could count on —
And just like that, a lightbulb went off in Garp's head.
Gurgling sounds reached him and he looked down to see his granddaughter awake. She squirmed in his arms but seeing him have his attention on her made her smile widely and reach up to him with chubby hands. He grinned back widely and used a finger to tickle her tummy.
"We're going to Marineford," he told her brightly.
"…Sir? When did we acquire a baby?"
Garp inwardly laughed at Bogard's bewildered face, his second-in-command looking like he was trying to figure out if Garp had kidnapped a baby for some reason, or if this was some kind of prank that he decided to spring on Bogard.
"This is my granddaughter, Luffy!" Garp gushed, holding her out to Bogard proudly. "Isn't she the cutest?"
"…You have…a granddaughter, Garp?"
"Ah, yes, about that…I only found out a few hours ago," he revealed sheepishly, even as he gently swung his arms.
Bogard twitched before reaching out and grabbing Garp's arms. "Gentler, Garp."
He blinked. "That wasn't gentle enough?"
Bogard only sighed and swayed Garp's in a more correct motion. He hmmed to himself, looking at the sleeping baby and finding himself smiling at the cute expression on the girl.
"Are we taking her to Dawn Island?" he assumed.
"Uh, no…Not this time," Garp adjusted his arms as Bogard looked at him in question. "We are heading to Marineford. As soon as we get there, I will be needing you to find a small home near headquarters, and then a handful of women that can be trusted to take care of a baby and keep quiet."
Bogard's mind was already shifting to the closest but safest neighborhoods near Marine Headquarters, familiar with the areas and ready to personally visit the ones that catered the most to their specifications.
"I understand, Garp. I'll have it done as soon as we arrive at port."
"Good man, good man," Garp said distractedly, moving Luffy to the crook of his arm as he looked at her sweet face adoringly. He ran a finger down her face softly and smiled widely.
"You're going to be a Marine, just like Grandpa!" He laughed, thinking about it and wishing another child he'd taken in would follow his example too.
Bogard sweatdropped at his commander.
Once they'd arrived at Marineford, Bogard disembarked first to handle finding a home for little Luffy. Garp, in the manner Bogard had shown him, swayed his granddaughter in his arms.
"So tiny," he murmured, looking down at her. Her cheeks were chubby and squishy and he hadn't been able to stop himself from poking them and grinning as his granddaughter puffed out her cheeks in her sleep. And yet…
The Will of D will be strong in her, he knew. He could feel it deep down in his bones.
He'd have to make her strong and prepare her for the future. She would need to defend herself and find those who she could love and trust to be around her.
But she'll always have her grandfather at least.
Garp hummed along to the song playing in the background as he swayed and danced gently to it, granddaughter secure in his arms.
"I want you to live a happy and full life, Luffy," he murmured. "So please choose a path I can follow you through."
Started 4/27/24 — Completed 5/7/24 (12:26 am)