#extra angsty plot twist: the answering machine (the Snaswering machine if you will) is already full of Dragon messages so this one doesn’t-

[cryingpariah]

Gonna have to project on Dragon a little bit to get by today (like I don’t already).

Sometimes he calls his mom because he’s just… tired. Bone deep, soul-crushingly, heartbreakingly tired. Wishing all of this could stop for a little while and let him rest. Wishing it had never started to begin with. Wishing he could pass this burden on to someone else and walk away. Wishing anybody else could have been the one to wage this war.

He doesn’t want to do this anymore…

He just wants to go home…

He knew no one would answer. He knew it but there was a comfort in it he couldn’t properly explain. Maybe it was cruel or even masochistic but hearing Blanca dial a little flicker of hope settled into his stomach, maybe, maybe she would pick up and be alive and give him the advice and comforted he so sorely needed. Of course all he got was the answer mechanism on the snail (that hadn’t been damaged much in that apparent raid). Maybe worst of all was that it was the family snail and so the voice that greeted him wasn’t just hers but his Tayta, his brother, his sister, him. His own voice startled him. It was lighter and full of a joy he could no longer claim as his own. He listens as the family that no longer existed told him that they were probably too busy to come to the snail currently but please do leave a message and they get right back to him!

“Probably.” His father's voice chimed in his usual gleeful but unhelpful manner. Dragon heard a little smack before his Mamay's voice came back.

“We will. I’ll make sure of it.”

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Shit, that was his cue to say something! He quickly cleared his throat (accidentally trigger a light coughing fit) before starting to speak.

“Ma- *Koff* Mamay it's me, Dragon. I, uh, could really use some help right now. I’m just…so tired of everything Mamay. That’s not to say I think what I did was a mistake! It’s just….the fight continues to wage on. Good people, scared people, they look to me for the answers that I don’t have. Sometimes I wonder if I should have just stayed home and been a farmer. I’m not nearly as good as you were but- are, I meant are. I-I'm sorry. I don’t think you’re- I’m sure you’re-.”

He sighed, heavy and worn from the world and its sadistic need to inflict every pain and sorrow on him. He quickly ran a hand down his face, wordlessly wiping the stray tears that found their way down. Outside, a light drizzle had begun.

“Sorry, sorry I just…sorry. I don’t intend to give up, not ever it’s just…I never realized you could be so tired. I wanna lie down and just once not worry about budget or deadlines or whatever crockshit the World Government has decided next. Did you get tired too? Somehow I get the feeling you bore it better than I ever could. If-…If I did run, would you be disappointed in me? You always told me to finish what you start but I feel so empty Mamay. I wish you were here, I wish we were all together again, so you could all look at me and tell me I’m being a silly little overthinker. I wish you could meet Sabo, you’d love him to bits I know. I wish…I wish I could have introduced you to Luffy-.”

*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*

A cool automated voice spoke out to him.

“End of message. If you are satisfied with your message click 1, if you wish to delete your message click 2.”

He came back into focus to the feeling of a watery eyed Blanca nuzzling his hand and cooing softly. He scratched her chin before hesitantly pressing 1.