Author's Note: Okay, this was from a request I got about a month ago on Tumblr. I decided to move this fic here. It's a short alternative universe fic. I adore AceLu so damn much (just like SaboLu and ASL, of course) and it's funny how much I've actually written for this pairing but I just haven't POSTED much of it. Anyway, the scenario I imagined here would be Ace moving away after becoming an actual adult from the home Luffy and him grew up in. Ace figured Luffy would move on after being apart. But of course, we all know Luffy, he goes at his own pace. Romance AceLu for you all and uh, mentions of sex but nothing explicit at all. *throws fic at reader*
The morning should have been like every other, lonely, cold, and quiet. Instead, he had woken to being spooned by Luffy. He hadn't expected to see him again. He figured Luffy had another life by now, surrounded by people who loved him and needed him dearly, which at the back of his mind he felt like he was one of those people too but didn't date voicing that thought. After all, Monkey D. Luffy was a charming person. Ace remembered everything that happened last night, kind of similar to someone remembering a dream, one of those too good to be true type of moments. It was fuzzy around the edges after a certain hour in the night. In fact, until he realized he was pinned to his own bed, he thought last night hadn't happened.
Ace turned over and looked at his bed mate. Yeah, it was definitely Luffy, his Luffy. He was a bit taller than he last remembered. His hair, still ruffled and short. He was always lean muscled and he recalled Luffy complaining about it, how he wanted to be broader like Ace, but Ace still found him endearing as ever. It had been three whole years since he left the home they both grew up in.
Ace had mixed feelings of wanting Luffy to wake up so he could look at his eyes a bit, see if he wasn't still dreaming, but he also wanted him to keep sleeping soundly. Luffy's eyes always had an honest gleam to them. He was surprised when said person just came searching for him out of nowhere and literally pounced on him at the door. It just seemed so, Luffy. Despite being apart for a few years, the feelings he got from the other never changed. He always had Luffy on his mind, no matter the time of day. Ace hoped he wouldn't forget him, let the guy live his own life instead of being attached to Ace. Ace eventually started feeling like he didn't deserve to keep this person, this person who was all smiles and sincerity to himself. Ace found things to distract himself with, or at least he thought he had. In the end he sort of felt that Luffy wasn't the attached one, it was him.
Luffy wasn't even awake yet and Ace didn't want to leave him. He just wanted to continue lying there in his arms forever. Sappiness wasn't exactly a quality of his, but Luffy sort of brought it out of him. He didn't think he'd miss Luffy this much. Ace rolled back over and pushed his back against the other's chest. Luffy curled his arms a little tighter around Ace in his sleep, and Ace swore Luffy did these weird automatic things because he wasn't actually sleeping. He then tucked his knees up behind Ace. As Ace closed his eyes, he felt a nuzzle in the back of his neck. Ace liked the way that felt, it was affection he'd almost forgotten about but something that was missed. He immediately made up his mind. He would call work to let them know he wouldn't be going in later. He then recalled being out with Marco and Thatch last night before getting home, so they probably already gave a heads up to his boss for him.
His boss was pretty flexible with his employee's schedules. Ace felt a bit lucky for that, especially when he really did not want to get up. Being in Luffy's embrace was the best feeling he had ever felt, nothing could ever compare to it. The past four years had actually been lonely ones. He was thankful for making a few good and reliable friends, but he'd be lying if he said his life felt complete. Ace lied there between being awake and asleep for an hour, before he heard the intake of breath which signified that Luffy had woken up. Ace pouted when Luffy let go to stretch. He already missed that familiar warmth. Ace then rolled over just enough to look over at him.
"Hm?" Luffy stared back at Ace when he noticed the other focused on him. Luffy looked so innocent, especially with that warm, honest, and sleepy smile. Ace couldn't help the light blush that appeared on his face. He could maybe get used to mornings like this.
"Morning!" Luffy said a bit too chipper for Ace's taste, because that was also a bit too loud.
"Morning," Ace said lazily as he sat up.
He picked up his boxers off the floor and pulled them on as he made his way to the kitchen. Ace didn't completely anticipate on how much it would hurt to walk, but he took it in stride.
"Want breakfast?" he asked.
"Yeah! I'm hungry~" Luffy replied happily, as he sat up as well. "Why is Ace walking funny?" Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
Ace blushed a bit at the question and then felt his eyebrow twitch in obvious annoyance at the completely ridiculous question. "THIS is all YOUR doing, you know!"
"Shishishi~ Ops." Luffy didn't really sound apologetic, but Ace wouldn't complain this time around. Luffy was lucky that he missed him.
Said culprit of his pain walked out in shorts and an undershirt he had worn last night. Ace turned to his refrigerator to look for something to cook. He sighed. "I don't do things like this, I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do." He had put his hand over his face. Luffy raised an eyebrow. He knew Ace was talking about their current situation, but he didn't understand why Ace seemed a bit too flustered.
So Luffy smiled and looked back at him, "I missed cuddling with Ace."
"Huh?" Ace looked up as he moved his own hand away.
"Ace likes to cuddle too, so what's the problem?"
Ace's ears went red, as for his face, well, it was very obvious. "So...? What are you talking about Luffy?"
"Ace makes me happy and he looks happy too. That's all that matters right?" Luffy gave Ace a questioning look.
"Y-yeah…but it's been 4 years, and you come looking for me out of the blue. I thought you would have probably started a new life elsewhere or something. And then we just had sex last night…" That last sentence he struggled with, but managed to croak it out. He missed Luffy, but he didn't expect to go and have sex with the guy right away.
"I love Ace and Ace loves me. Soooo?" Luffy still didn't get the point Ace was making. When you love someone, the things you do together shouldn't matter as long as you're both enjoying yourselves right? At least, that's what Luffy thought.
"Yeah…but…"
"Ace is being an idiot!" Luffy said it matter-of-factly, in his usual blunt manner. He was rather done with Ace's wishy washiness.
Ace laughed a bit before he walked over and smooched Luffy.
Luffy was right. He was over thinking things way too much. Luffy reciprocated with the same action as he wrapped his arms over Ace. They continued to kiss until they were both out of breath and leaned away. "You always know what to say, Lu…"
"Shishishi~ Ace should just be himself," Luffy nuzzled Ace's neck until he started laughing and tickling Luffy in return. He missed feeling loved, he missed opening himself up like this and Luffy always gave him that wonderful gift, the gift of comfort, familiarity. He knew that wherever he'd go and however much time passed, Luffy would still be Luffy and that thought gave him hope.
As for Ace attempting to cook a meal, let's just say Luffy was lucky not seeing the failures. Ace wouldn't want Luffy to watch him cook anyway. Both males ended up ordering take out due to their impatient stomachs.
