Chapter Text
**
The first ten years of his life, Garling didn't even know that there were other beings on the planet they lived on. He had been raised by a wetnurse, maids and only recently became his father. As was the custom at Marigeose. Everyone was much too busy to be raising babies, so those were given to wetnurses and maids to raise until they were ten years old and able to fend for themselves.
Father explained that this mother had been one of the lesser folk, not that Garling had known what he meant by that. Seeing some of the people around walking with a collar made it clear that there were those out there who were *lesser* than them. People who didn't have godly blood running through their veins. He didn't ask questions, didn't even know what to ask given how young he was. So he followed along and learned as he went.
While they weren't on par with the Celestial Dragons, his father was the leader of the Gods' Knights and that counted for something. Already they were telling him that once he became old enough he would take over from his father and keep those living on the Red Line safe from the lesser Folk. He didn't understand it then, honestly thought that he would be doing the world a favor. It was only later, after he met *her* that Garling was confronted with the fact that the world wasn't looking like he thought it did. Those living on top of the Red Line were brought up believing a dogma, something that wasn't even close to the real truth.
However, it was seeing that truth that took a long time in the end. It wasn't something people whispered to you while you were in class. Nor was it in any way connected to others, as no contact with Lesse Folk was to be had (which became more difficult when he found out that none of the women here couldn't bare children. Just about everyone living on top of the Red Line was born from a Lesser Folk Mother, including himself).
Even at ten, when he was allowed off of the Red Line to start assembling his household, he could see that certain things weren't right. The slaves around them were terrified and his father didn't seem to mind. Telling Garling to choose those that none of the others choose, mentioning that the breeders were to be left alone until he was older.
The glint in his father's eyes was enough to see where his mother had been. What his mother had been, and how the poor woman must have suffered.
**
It was while he was looking at the remainder that his eyes fell on the person with the fiery eyes and dark hair. Part of him wondered if they were a woman, but he didn't think he should mention that. Women weren't seen as much on top of the Red Line, least of all Lesser Folk Women. If he could protect them by pretending they were a boy, he would do so.
She was amazing too, he realized once he did find out that she was a girl. Making sure to keep hidden as she was young now, but at one point she would mature and he didn't want to loose her. Rocks was a spitfire, someone who in the comfort of his own home didn't back down just because of who he was.
He liked that about her, liked the fire behind her eyes, the way she was not even slightly broken despite everything she had been put through.
She told him about the life outside of the life he had known about. Those of the Lesser Folk, making Garling think he might have liked it better there. There were more things to discover, less rules, and the rules that were out there could be bent if one was willing to become a pirate. Rocks had every intention of doing so, of getting away from there and setting out to bring down the World Government.
The strangest thing was that Garling could see her managing that as well. She would be able to burn down the world and make it start anew. To do away with archaic practices and a way of thinking that made it obvious almost no one on the Red Line had a true brain. Even if they had one, they didn't know how to use it.
"Why become a pirate though", he had asked her once, a couple of years after they spend together.
Rocks had smiled widely, "Because I'll be free like that. I won't be able to be free any other way."
It was said with so much conviction, in a way that made Garling believe it as well. Then again, he believed a lot when Rocks told him. She just was that kind of person, she was his rock in this world that wanted to drown him in a way of life he didn't agree with. Even more so now that he was living and training on his own. When he had to see several of his people (Slaves they might be) be taken away because they were maturing as a woman. He knew what happened to them and he wanted to be able to put a stop to it.
Part of that was why he didn't want Rocks to be discovered to be a woman. She was growing older too, developing in certain ways that he helped her cover up. They kept her hair short, her clothes baggy and hoped beyond hope that no one found out about what she was.
At twelve to his sixteen, he knew it was only a matter of time. But each time they didn't find out was a day they were able to spend together.
Garling realized he loved her at one point, when they had been talking for several hours and Rocks fell asleep against his shoulder. She looked so cute like that and for a moment he wished they had both been born somewhere else. If they had been born anywhere else there might have been a moment they could spend together.
"I will do whatever it is I can do to protect you from everything", he whispered into her hair, pressing a kiss into it. Knowing that this might be the last time. He hated that even with his standing and career he wasn't seen as the same rank as a Celestial Dragon. If one of them decided they wanted something he was supposed to just give it to them.
That didn' take away that despite everything he was trying to do, he could see her changing as well. If he noticed then others would too, and while Rocks didn't often leave his home, his father and some of the other Gods' Knights entered it. If one of them saw her now, they would made the connection and he knew what would follow. The only think that might give them a little more time was the fact she didn't bleed yet.
A girl's monthy bleed was what made them eligible for a *change in position* as they were ready to be bred and that was really all there was to it. He hated it as one of the girls he had working for him as a maid was exceptionally young when it happened. He had tried to cover that up too, but they found out regardless. She had been thirteen at the time. Last he heard she had died in childbirth with her third baby.
He didn't want that to happen to Rocks, he wanted to protect her. To have her at his side for as long as he lived.
Blinking once, he asked, "You want me to do what?"
Rocks shrugged, "It's only a matter of time now, Garling, I had my first bleed not too long ago. They are going to find out and we both know what happens then!"
She's breathing heavily, a flush on her cheeks, before she continues, "We can't stop it. There is nothing you can do about it either. But... We can do this, I want to make sure that the first time I have sex is with someone I love instead of one of those inbred morons. I want my first time to be with you, so at least they can't take that away from me."
Garling doesn't need long to think about it, having sex with Rocks had been on his mind more than once. Of course, that was always in the assumption that she would one day be his wife. Not like this, never like this. But who was he to deny her this, to make sure that the first time she did have sex it was as magical as it should be. As much as he hated it, as much as he wished he could do something else, he was well aware that he wouldn't be able to stop them once they found out that she had gotten her bleed. That she was a woman after all, and not just a feminine boy.
Instead of answering, he pulled her close by her hand, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. Kissing her as if she had been his wife, as if they had been married in holy matrimony. Leading her to his room and taking her to bed, intending to make her remember this for a long time. To make sure that at least part of him would remain with her even if it was just a memory.
She had looked amazing beneath him, utterly magical, her hair spread of his bedding as he took her. As he fucked into her in a way he knew they had both been dreaming about. Whispering about how good she felt and how he wouldn't want anyone else. A tear spilling down as he admitted that there would be no one else. That she had ruined him for other women from then on.
"You're everything I could ever want and I hate that after this, I cannot have you", he whispered. Seeing the way that impacted her as well. Tears gathering in her eyes but never spilling. Rocks didn't cry anymore, as crying didn't get her anywhere.
He made love to her several times that night, made sure that her first time was memorable. That she would never forget, as they didn't know when the last time would be that they saw the other. Soon her father would appear once more, going through his household as he often did, disposing of the elderly and making sure that the *ripe* girls were brought before the Celestial Dragons to be bred and give them all children they couldn't have with their wives.
Kissing her sweetly in the morning before going their own ways. His stomach turning in on itself as his gut was telling him this was the end.
His gut had been right, his father arrived not long after. Took one look at Rocks and grinning sharply. It would seem, even if he never told Garling, that he had suspected something. He had also told Garling more than once that the Lesser Folk Boy he spend so much time around wasn't good for him. There had been nothing he could do at that time however, Rocks always did what she needed to do. Worked until she bled if need be, just to keep appearances up.
Now, looking like the woman she was, his father could do away with her. In fact, chances were he would already know who to approach for a new breeding mare. It hurt and he tried to object, only to receive a slap to the cheek and his father hissing at him to keep quiet and adhere to the order of things. He was ordered to get more training, to prepare for his future role.
In reality it was indoctrination to make him break in a way that gave the Celestial Dragons their loyal knights. To make sure that he would believe in the dogma, wouldn't be able to think for himself and in turn never work against them or their way of life. He hated it, had always hated it, but couldn't help but hate it even more now that he knew they would be taking *everything* from him.
"You should listen to your elders, Sir Garling", one of his teachers stated, "They do, after all, know best."
The bastard was a sadistic piece of shit who reveled in hurting others. He had seen the man whip a young girl for no other reason than her being close when he needed a release. The look in his eyes was one he'd never forget as he was turned on by it. He loved inflicting in pain. In fact, the only reason he had never touched Garling like that was because he was higher in rank than the man. hurting him would bring about quite the issue, possibly revert him back to one of the Lesser Folk instead of a Gods' Knight and he didn't want that.
Exhausted and in pain, he smiled softly when Rocks was there waiting for him. Tears on her cheeks as she whispered that she had been *chosen*, that one of the Saints had come by that afternoon to look at her before telling his father to arrange for transport, "I did tell you it wouldn't take long."
She sounded miserable, which made Garling want to hold her and hide her from the world. In fact, he was willing to give it all up if he could keep her with him. Telling her as such, Rocks smiled softly, "That idiot inbred fool fell for my crocodile tears when I told him I would join him willingly if he allowed me to see the sea one more time. We're leaving in the morning and he won't be coming back here again."
She looked at him kindly, "That means that you have to be here when that happens, acting all shocked and mourn the great man he was. You are needed here in case someting happens and we need an inside man. I have every intention to burn this place down as soon as I'm able to, but that also means that I need to know what is happening here."
It's clear that she doesn't like asking this of him, but he understood. So he nodded, asking when they were coming to collect her and taking her to his bed once more. Making love to her, to the woman who in his heart would always be his wife. He whispered that to her, whispered how he would love her and only her. Before allowing her to go to her own room and rest there until the morning. Preparing himself for the news that would soon follow.
His father kept a hold on his shoulder as Saint Cherleck took her away. The greed in the false God's eyes enough to make Garling want to act. But he didn't, he couldn't. He hadn't slept much that night after Rocks went back to her room. He knew that whatever happened now it would change the world. Maybe not right away, but he knew that Rocks would do whatever it was she believed she needed to do to get her dream a reality. She would succeed too, of that he had no doubt. Chances were her name would be known all over the world and he would be one of the few (for now) who would know the real Rocks. Who knew who she really was, what she wanted and what she was willing to do to achieve it.
His heart broke at the notion that he wouldn't see her again, not for many years to come. But he knew that he had a role to play here. One she didn't even ask him to, but one he chose to do himself. A role where he would play along with these false gods, with his father, and with everyone on this disgusting mountain to the point that the New Dawn would rise. He couldn't just give away his cards, but when he wanted to be there, when he wanted to see just what happened once the Clan of D took down the Celestial Dragons.
"I see you finally realized that whore was not good for you", his father said with a pat to the shoulder.
Keeping his face stoic, Garling nodded, "Of course, Father."
The triumph in his old man's eyes was disgusting, but he would play along. Garling promised himself he would play alone as much as possible. He'd do it for decades even, but he would be there *on the other side of this age-old conflict* when it mattered.
Looking at the man who sired him, his face still carefully blank, "If you have the time, Father, could you show me what I'd need to do to become a God's Knight like yourself?"
That seemed to be the million berry question, something that had his training be upped even more. His teachers changing so he could be prepared for his destiny. Almost forgetting Rocks too, if he didn't dream of her every night.
Getting the news that the Bastard who took her was killed, that Rocks D. Xebec had taken over the ship and become a *pirate* he showed righteous anger. All the while he was laughing internally. This was truly the beginning, they had dared to release a caged bird and she turned into a bird of prey without any hesitation.
In front of everyone who didn't react, chosing to keep stoic and emotionless, but in the privacy of his own room he kept record of everything Rocks did. Of everything she accomplished no matter how big or small. He cheered her on with every milestone she accomplished. Never straying from his affections for her. Yet, his heart broke when news came to her that one of her crewmates was seen kissing her. His heart broke, but he knew that they never talked about this, that he couldn't expect her to wait for him or to stay loyal to a connection they never truly defined. He was happy to watch her from afar.
Until that moment when he was elected as the Captain of the God's Knights, after his father died after an accident linked to old age. Let it be known that Garling didn't mind patricide if it meant letting that bastard know that he truly did betray the Celestial Dragons and no one knew. He and his Father had been sparring, no one around, and Garling *slipped*, severing an artery and waiting until it was too late to call for help. Seeing the light leave his father's eyes and seeing him realize that the one to watch out for was the man he had assumed would be a worthy successor.
Garling had set himself up perfectly as the fox in the chicken coop. It made him smile just about every time he thought about it.
Taking on such a role had a downside though, there were people from all sides prodding him to procreate. To have a child to take inherit their position. Something he didn't want to put on anyone's shoulders. Least of all to some poor woman he got thrown at him because she was of a fertile age. His heart had been lost years ago, and he didn't want anyone else to touch him like that. To bare his children, the only one he would allow to do so was Rocks and she was somewhere else.
Luck would have it that he was on a mission Bellow and found her on this quiet little island. Seeing the children around her made it clear as day that this was a safe haven. He had heard that one of her crewmembers did hold a fondness for bearing children despite her profession. But what got him the most was the little girl who looked too much like Rocks to be anything but her daughter. Knowing she had someone in her life who had given her a child, he pondered on whether to act and ask or not.
Ofcourse, she noticed him before he could decide on leaving again. Her eyes finding his, and for a moment it seemed like she would attack until she recognized who it was that was standing there, "Garling... This is a surprise."
Smiling softly, he let go of all the masks he usually wears, stepping out of the shadow he had been hiding in and looking at Rocks now that he didn't need to do so in secret, "Rocks... You look as beautiful as the day I lost you."
There is a flush on her cheeks, before she ushers the children into the house and steps closer to him, "What can I do for you? As I imagine that you aren't here for pleasure."
Moving his hand in a so-so motion, he flushes as he admits to never being able to stop thinking about her. She did take his heart when she left Marigeose even if he agreed she would have been miserable there for longer. Taking a moment, he also mentioned his new role and how that came with the expectation to have children. He looks her in the eyes as he mentions, "There is no one else I can sleep with, except for you. I know it is a lot to ask and I know that there is someone elsE. But I was wondering if..."
To his surprise, she doesn't say no at the start, she does explain that while they aren't exclusive, Newgate is the father of her Little Pebble and she won't just let someone get between them. On top of them being on a crew together, she does like Newgate a lot and he's been there for her in times she needed someone at her side. Quickly adding that she knew why he stayed on top of the Red Line. Looking on surprised when Garling reveals he did that for her. That he made sure that she had someone in the enemy's field, so to say.
"I always knew you would bring a New Dawn to the world, and I wanted to be there to see it. This way at least you have an inkling as to what is going on", looking at the island and the children he can see looking out of the windows, he adds, "This way I can let you know when something is going on and how to act to prevent anything from happening. We both know you've gathered quite the fame right now. If the wrong people come to find out about this..."
He hates that he has to mention this, but he knows Rocks enough that this is also something on her mind. In the end, she asks for two days to contact Newgate and talk to him about all this. He agrees, as it isn't a no and he has some time to kill. Might as well make the most of it.
When he hears that Newgate agrees, that Rocks is his again; even if just for a night. He surges forward to press a kiss to her lips. Letting her lead him to a bedroom where she shows him just what is different from the last time they lay together. He shivers as she plays his body like a fiddle, more than aware of what she can do to him.
Garling lets her, looks on as she undresses, as she undresses him as well, before taking the lead and pushing him in the matrass before climbing on top of him. Moaning at the feel. Something he cannot help but mirror. She still felt so amazing, he still got lost in her eyes, in her body, in her warmth. He comes once, before she lets him cum another time, 'to make sure it takes'.
As he leaves the island his heart resides, he's certain that he's going to be a father.
Rocks manages to get a message to him about two months later, letting him know that she is indeed pregnant and by what her own doctor and Crocus (Gol D. Roger's doctor) said it's a large chance it's twins. He needs to sit down when he hears it, but starts letting the *right* people know he is going to be a father. No mention of who is carrying his offspring and no mention of it being twins. He'll deal with that later, for now he'll enjoy the news and see what needs to be done.
Those seven months remaining seem to crawl at a pace he hates. He wants to know if his children and his woman are alright. He can't leave Marigeose and he hates that he can't leave. But he needs to keep up appearances. Or he tries to, but is becomes harder and harder the closer it gets to the birth of the twins.
'Two boys', a letter reads that he gets delivered, a soft smile on his face at the notion that he has two healthy baby boys. He can't do anything else, chooses to wait and never happier when there is a notion of a new 'tournament' in the South Blue. Those bastards will fuck over another island or kingdom without even caring and he'll have to deal with all the mess. Still he gets a missive out and is surprised when once gets back to him about a 'plan'. Reading over it, he doesn't like the notion of Rocks dying, but he gets that in playing their cards right they can make the world believe she died (giving them a sense of ease that won't last). On top of that, if he managed to slip away he can meet his twin sons for the first time. They hadn't been named yet, so to be able to do that was a blessing he didn't know he needed.
Their 'plan' went off without a hitch, especially with more than one Pirate Crew entering the fray. The revolutionary army appearing and saving a lot of slaves also helped. Garling hated that they tried to give these people hope by telling them they would be released when they went without capture for the whole of the event. He knew it wasn't true, but no one would believe him if he had a chance to share that with them.
Once on their little safe heaven island, he gasped as one of the twins was placed into his arms, a tuff of red hair on his head and a carefree smile on their faces.
"They're perfect", he uttered.
Rocks just grinned, "Now they just need names, as I couldn't get over doing so without you. I can't keep calling them twin 1 and twin 2."
Laughing at that, he looks the both of them over, "Shamrock, for the eldest, and Shanks, for the youngest."
Smiling softly where she is holding the youngest, Rocks nodded, "Shamrock and Shanks, welcome to the family boys."
Given that Rocks is dead to the world, this means that she can spend a whole lot more time with the children. On top of that, Garling is able to sneak away now and again to spend time with her too, rekindling their pairing in a way he had dreamed would happen. He loved those stolen moments, those times where he could see his children and see them grow even if it was in fractioned moments.
Still, he was there for each and every major event. Them growing up, with Shanks at one point joining Roger's ship and eventually becoming a pirate in his own right.
It might have been the connection the man had with his youngest, or it was that Roger was a man unlike any other. But Garling was there when he had been brought in by Garp, posturing and acting every bit the part of God's Knight and 'killing' the pirate king. He never truly did, bringing Roger (and later the man's wife Rouge) to Paradise in an effort to make sure they were safe and could live a full life. Roger had been ill, but he managed to sneak away medicine from Marigeose which healed him right up. Someone who brought as much storm as Rocks did was more than needed for what was to come.
Clasping him on the shoulder, even if Shamrock announced he would be joining him in Marigeose to keep up appearances, Garling did not know what to do. Instead he asked Roger to look after *them*, to which the man replies, "I will, just as much as you look after us. You saved us, me and Rouge and our child."
He nodded, "You looked after Shanks when I couldn't, that counts for something."
When, years after that, he sees that Ace had been captured, he almost throws all his plans in the water to get to the boy. Roger had protected Shanks, Newgate had looked over the twins as if they were his own, this was the least he could do.
Until it wasn't needed, until he saw his step-grandson making sure the world remembered why D's were bringing up a storm. Monkey D. Luffy brought about the New Dawn, maybe not in the way that Garling or their generation had envisioned, but he brought it nonetheless. Enough that Garling was content in pretending a little longer. Getting to the right people in the best way and eventually securing a seat at the Elder Stars while Shamrock took over his title.
He let the family know of the change in positions and had to cover up a smile at the notion that he had managed to keep this farce going. He would keep it going until Luffy became King, as his Grandson would do so with all the might the World Government was scared of. A little god in human skin, Garling couldn't wait until he arrived here in Marigeose to tear these idiots from their thrones. He would wait and he would enjoy that moment so very much.