Chapter Text
“Happy birthday…”
He draws in a breath, cheeks puffed out like he’s about to blow out the world.
“To you!”
The candles die one by one, smoke curling in the air. No one says anything about wishes.
A few people clap. Not loud, not coordinated. Just scattered noise that fills the pause. Luffy grins anyway. He looks around like he’s trying to catch the moment before it slips past.
Sabo and Ace are all teeth. Their grins stretch too wide, like boys who don’t know where to put their excitement. Zoro stands stiff, arms crossed, lips twitching but never quite turning upward. Sanji looks away from the table for once and meets Luffy’s eyes with a small, honest smile. It feels out of place when it's not directed towards a girl.
Nami and Usopp are laughing at something, not at him, but it feels close enough. Chopper waves from behind a stack of paper cups. Franky leans back, arms folded like he owns the room. Luffy fights back a giggle. Robin doesn’t say anything—just watches. Her hands are full of expensive gifts, though, that says enough.
His mom...
Mom– Makino. Makino is near the wall, smile fixed but not focused. It's barely there, more muscle memory than emotion. Her eyes stay on the floor. Luffy notices. She’s been like that more often lately. Is it those funny pills she takes acting out again?
“Now cut a slice, birthday boy!” Sabo calls out. It sounds natural, but too loud in the quiet.
Ace is already reaching for a plate.
Luffy grabs the knife. It’s dull, plastic-handled, and too big for his hand. He tries to line it up right—wants to be fair, not mess it up. Doesn’t want to disappoint anyone.
Then he feels them.
Hands. Heavy, rough, and sudden.
He turns. It’s Makino’s boyfriend.
Of course it is.
The man smiles like someone trying to pass off something rotten as ripe. His grip doesn’t loosen, not even a little. He presses Luffy’s hand down with his own, guiding the knife through soft frosting and sponge.
Luffy glances up, sees Sabo watching, jaw tight. Ace is too busy lusting over the cake to notice.
The man lets go and claps him on the back.
“Well done, kid!”
Luffy stares at the candle.
The wax on the number seven is melting sideways.
He forces another smile. It still works. Everyone smiles back. Makino is still unaware.
Then a balloon pops in the corner. No one laughs.
The party’s over.