Archive of Our Own ^beta

The Sea is a mysterious place, an enigma that you can never fully fathom or understand. There’s as much as there are stars in the sky about her unknown to mankind and only little is known.

Still two things are for certain.

The Sea is as gentle and life-giving as she is ruthless and rough.

And there is no one who could possibly tame or predict her.

But there’s one more thing she would willingly tell everyone if they would just listen.

She loves her kings like they love her.

The Sea loved the old one. He like her was as gentle as he was ruthless, he was untameable and unpredictable. His spirit was strong. She could feel it, hear it wherever he went and further.

She lost him earlier than expected or hoped.

And then chaos broke lose.

The Sea also loves the new one. He’s similar, yet different. She would describe him neither as gentle nor as ruthless although he can be both when necessary. He is reckless and kind, unpredictable and untameable. His spirit is strong. She can feel it, hear it all over the world. He loves her, for she is freedom.

He tends to go against all expectations. He also always tended to go against the order of things. The Sea laughed when he did. But there are rules of the world even she can’t simply ignore.

So when Luffy falls the Sea welcomes him with open arms like she has always done.

Though this time she won’t let him go again.

She pulls him down, down, down and he sinks.

One of his companions jumps in after him, wants to save him. The Sea pities them and the world.

The Sea knows he can’t hear her but Luffy can.

I’m sorry, my king.

This is how it goes.

I have to lose you even earlier.

But you can’t be god of the sun and king of the sea.

(There’s a hint of a smile on his face when he breathes his last.)