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Luffy had been agitated for days. It was nearing the anniversary of Ace's death and all he could feel was cold. It's not like the other Straw Hats didn't notice the change in their captain's usual goofy behavior, but none of them really knew what to do about it. They all knew what had happened that day on Marineford, having read the papers, but this was the first time they were around Luffy when the anniversary came about.
"You know something Luffy," Robin said gently as she came to stand beside him while on the top deck. He turned to look at his crew member. "You should talk to Franky."
"Why's that?" Robin wasn't looking at him. Her gaze was focused on the horizon ahead of them. There was a soft smile playing on her lips, like she knew something Luffy didn't.
"You lost your older brother. In someways he was your guide, yes?" Luffy could only nod as his words got caught in his throat. "Franky has always cared for his friends like they were younger siblings. He may not be a replacement, but he may be of some comfort."
Robin finally turned to look at her captain. It was impossible to miss the way his eyes were glossy from unshed tears. One might've expected this conversation to have come from his first mate Zoro, who might be the closest to understanding the gut wrenching feeling of losing a sibling. Instead, it came from someone who understood the pain of loss beyond words. Luffy had been able to see right through her when they came to rescue her on Ennies Lobby, and now Robin could see through him.
"You might be right." Luffy said softly. He thought a lot about what Robin had said, mulling it over as he watched the waves ebb and flow. He stayed there until the sun started going down, long after the breeze had turned more frigid. But it's not like it made a difference to Luffy. Sighing, the rubber man sought out the cyborg.
Franky was found in his weapons development room, tinkering on something that just looked like junk to Luffy. The older man was sitting criss-cross on the floor, with more metal scraps and tools strewn about in front of him. Upon hearing Luffy approach, Franky turned his head to grin at his captain, the corners fading just a little when seeing his face.
"Woah bro. You're not looking very super. Is Sanji boycotting dinner or something?" He asked, trying to keep it light. Like all the Straw Hats, Franky would do anything to make his captain smile. Luffy didn't say anything. He just sat down with his back against Franky's and waited for his mind to clear. Franky, accepting Luffy's weight like it was nothing, continued to tinker with his latest creation.
"When Ace first left, I felt this ache, but it never really bothered me because I knew he was alive somewhere achieving his dream. Then after Alabasta, I felt it even less because he'd given me his vivre card. And now-" The captain cut himself off with a slight choke. Franky kept quiet, letting only the sound of metal scraping metal hang between them until Luffy was ready to speak again. "Now it feels like I'm constantly on the receiving end of Sanji's kicks."
Franky set his contraption down and let Luffy's words settle before speaking. "Luffy, I can't speak what it truly feels like to lose a sibling. Life can be more cruel to one than it is to another. But I can promise to be like an older brother when you need one."
Luffy didn't have the words to thank Franky for the comfort he'd been given. He pressed himself impossibly closer to the cyborg, hoping Franky might be able to understand. Luffy was finally warm again.