Okay, so this is the first of many One Piece stories I have going on, lol. I actually thought I had this one all complete but, I decided to go back and revise it, thus it's so much better than what it originally was. I'm happier with it now.
Anyway, on to business...
Pairings: Ace/Smoker, Luffy/Shanks
Warnings: The usual, cursing, probably will be hints of yaoi and oh, yes... Male pregnancy! Ha, so sorry! But I REALLY wanted to write a story where Ace gets pregnant after I saw some fanart a long time ago... I was hesitant on posting this at first, and still am a wee bit nervous on what people will think of it but I fell in love with it the more I wrote it and decided to post it anyway.
Also, a big thanks to maybelady who got to read this when it was just starting out and this chapter was crappy. She's always a big reason why I'm going ahead and posting this. Because, heck, if her judgement on my stories are good, then they're clearly worth something!
There probably is grammar errors... I was re-read this and fix whatever was wrong but got distracted by a movie so... Yeah, that plan went down the drain. Kindly over look any errors, please. :D
He stood there, dark eyes darting between himself in the mirror, and the plastic stick he held up in front of him. He's well past shocked at the two lines – the second fainter than the first - symbolizing the test was positive. Now he was just caught up in how and why? How is this possible for him, a man?! And why him exactly out of the people in this world, why him?! It all seems so surreal…
There's a pounding knock on the door and the young man jolts back to reality and fear begins to settle in the pit of his stomach once again. From the beating the door is taking, he's pretty sure the knocking has been going on for some time now. He was just oblivious to it though, due to realizing something he didn't think was possible, was very well happening to him.
"Portgas! Brat! Ace!" The names were all exclaimed over the assault on the bathroom door.
The young man – Ace – gulped, giving one final look to the test stick in hand and he sighed. He can't tell him, there's no way he can tell him this. The man just would never understand. In fact, Ace felt his lover might just abandon him if he knew. After all, his lover had hardly the patience for him and all his need for attention. He couldn't deal with another, much younger, more energetic and louder version of Ace. Hell, Ace himself is not sure he can deal with that.
Ace released a deep breath and tried to bury the worry for now as he tossed the stick in the trash, of where it wouldn't be seen again and made his way toward the door. He opened it and was met by a very concerned lover.
"Smoker." Ace acknowledged, hoping his partner didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Then again, that was highly unlikely considering how long Ace had locked himself up in that bathroom. He could always lie though because the last thing he needed was Smoker prying, at least until he could figure out a way to tell him exactly. He's well aware that he has to tell him, eventually. Just not yet; not today. He needs to think on this, and at the same time figure out a way to break the news to Smoker in a way that won't completely stun the man, or bring about any panic.
That sounds a little unavoidable though when Ace thinks about it because this is a very, very strange situation to him even… He can only imagine how Smoker will feel, and what his reaction will be when Ace does tell him that yeah, he's going to be having a baby – although he has no idea how that's possible or why.
"You were in there for half an hour… Are you alright?" Smoker questioned.
"Yeah… I'm fine… Perfectly and totally fine." Ace assured, with a grin and even though he hoped not to raise any suspicions, the moment he spoke the words it was clear to him that he had failed at the cause because the look of worry is still written clear on Smoker's face and Ace knows he's bound to push the matter further... "It's sweet of you to worry over me though, Taisa-San." He spoke once more, hoping to distract Smoker from his unconvincing answer.
Smoker stood there for a moment in silence, simply staring at him and Ace was starting to fear that he once again failed at reassuring the man nothing was wrong. However, finally the man scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Who said I was worried? I was just pointing out the obvious." Smoker retorted, although the pink tinting his cheeks clearly said otherwise.
Smoker liked to hide things too – although honest emotions were less serious than the secret Ace hoped to keep for some time to come.
Ace let out a nervous chuckle, sighing inwardly at the fact Smoker had actually over looked his odd behavior. "Riight."
"That aside, your brother's here." Smoker informed, hoping to change the uncomfortable subject. He too didn't exactly want Ace prying too deep into what it is he is feeling. The whole topic of emotions always unnerved him.
Ace blinked a few times, surprised at himself for not noticing Luffy's presence here sooner. Either he was completely and utterly lost in thought of his recent discovery and in his own little world of ' .fuck' or Luffy for once was being overly behaved and quiet.
"He is?" The younger man questioned stupidly.
"Yeah, he told you over the phone last night that he and the red-haired bastard were coming for a visit, remember?" Smoker asked, a brief hint of suspicion in his voice once again. He still wasn't buying the whole 'I'm fine thing' from Ace, what with all that's been happening recently. Today wasn't even the start of it, no. Ace has been acting off for a while now. Smoker has confronted him on it, but Ace – like today – just shrugged it off and told him nothing was wrong. Then again, Ace himself had no idea until today.
"Must've slipped my mind." Ace replied with a shrug of his shoulders and Smoker decided not to push the conversation any further and turned to make his leave. Ace sighed as the man walked off.
Forgetfulness, that was just one more clear sign that this was very real. He was a little oblivious to some things in the past, but never forgetful (especially on things Luffy planned), up until recently and he knows now that his miracle of a pregnancy is why.
As soon as Ace walked into the living room, he was met with the sight of Shanks – the room being absent of Luffy. Ace looked around the room in slight curiosity as to where his brother might be.
"He ran off into the kitchen, said he was starving… Smoker's in there in hopes of stopping him from eating you two out of a house and home." Shanks said with a chuckle, as if reading Ace's mind as to where the younger brother was. "I don't think Smoker has any chance though…" He snickered.
"Oh, okay." Ace wasn't all that surprised actually. Luffy always ended up in the kitchen at some point or another during his visits and raided their fridge. If Ace didn't know any better, he would've accused Shanks of not feeding the kid. However, that's just how Luffy's been, even since they were children even.
"Are you okay, Ace?" Shanks asked as the younger took a seat in one of the chairs of the living room, with a somewhat grim expression on his face. Shanks found that odd considering Ace was typically this smiling, chatty person. "You look as if you seen a ghost." Shanks pointed out, noticing the man was also paler than usual. In fact, Ace's whole aura seemed off. Something was different here, that much Shanks knew.
"Nah… I'm fine, just a little tired." Ace answered, offering a smile. It wasn't exactly a lie. He has been more tired than normal the past few weeks. But, he definitely did not need Shanks knowing the reason as to why. If Shanks knew, the whole damn town would know because Shanks' intentions of just telling a 'few' select people always end up turning into complete gossip and everyone knows everybody's business and Ace most certainly did not want that.
"You know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?" Shanks questioned in reassurance.
"Yeah, I know." Ace huffed, quickly growing irritated with the man. Luffy's boyfriend was a tolerable guy, until he started to pry into one's life, especially if said person was expecting and just a tad more moody than usual. Ace was trying to control his mixed emotions though, as to not give anything away yet.
"Ace!" Suddenly there was Luffy's voice, muffled by a mouth full of food. He grinned nonetheless despite chowing down on whatever he acquired in the kitchen as a snack.
Ace looked up at the younger boy, immediately regretting when he did so, for the sight of Luffy still continuing to stuff his face with the food he had gotten from their kitchen had Ace's stomach churning, and he had to look away as he fought the nausea off. It's not the first time he's felt like this… Just about every time Smoker's close to him, he has to fight off the urge to throw his insides up. He could hardly stomach the smell of the nicotine that clung to his lover, not to mention meal times where the smell of food is just something he no longer finds enjoyable nor drools over like he use to.
"You alright, Ace?" Luffy asked, picking up on the older's odd behavior just as easily as Shanks had. He's known Ace the longest after all, and although he's clueless on many things, that doesn't apply to when his brother of ten years is acting off.
"Yeah… I.. I'm okay." Ace responded once he'd gotten hold of himself.
"Want some?" Luffy questioned, holding what appeared to be a piece of meat up to Ace's face.
"No… No… That's alright Luffy. I'm not that hungry." Ace replied, turning away from what was offered to him.
Luffy shrugged, going to sit beside Shanks. "Suit yourself. More for me!" He grinned. Ace was acting strange yes, but if that meant more food for him, he'd turn a blind eye to it for now.
Ace sighed. He in fact did want a part of Luffy's chosen snacks but he knew better, if he wished to conceal his nausea.
"I'll be right back, think I'll go see what Smokey's up to." Shanks said, after a moment of silence and Ace watched as the man rose and made his way toward the kitchen. He was apprehensive toward Shanks, simply because even if the man appeared to be a complete moron like Luffy generally, he was actually very observant; more so than Smoker even and that definitely gave Ace something to be on the defense about.
"Whatcha doin'?" Shanks asked, upon entering the kitchen to see Smoker putting various foods back into the refrigerator and a cabinet.
"Cleaning up your brat's mess." Smoker answered with a sigh of irritation. "I have enough on my plate taking care of the kid in there... Let alone yours too." He informed, putting the last few things away. He shut the refrigerator door and turned to face Shanks. "What do you want anyway?"
"Actually, it's Ace I want to talk to you about." Shanks said, going to take a seat at the table.
Smoker quirked an eyebrow. "What about him?"
"He's not acting like himself. Is he sick or something? I mean, he completely turned down Luffy's offer of food and actually looked revolted by it." Shanks explained.
"He's been like that for a few months now... Well, it started out slow but, he's been acting stranger and stranger... Anyway, I don't know what the hell's wrong with him, he won't tell me." Smoker stated, leaning back against the counter, taking in a deep breath. "Not to mention, he's got me going outside to smoke now. Says it bothers him."
"Yeah, I noticed you're absent of the cigars…" Shanks trailed off for a moment, pondering it. "He looks tired too."
"Yup. He sleeps more now and days. I can hardly get him out of the house. He'd rather stay in bed."
"I think he should see a doctor. That's not normal, even for him… Unless…" Shanks paused again, this time grinning at a possible conclusion that popped into his mind so suddenly. Why didn't he think of this earlier? It all made sense now…
"Unless what?" Smoker countered, completely oblivious to whatever the hell it was Shanks was getting at.
"Oh, never mind. Forget I mentioned it… Just, take him to the doctor okay? And watch after him… Give him whatever he demands. Let him get his rest, and make sure he's eating right – not just chowing down on junk food. But if he asks for something, you better get it." Shanks instructed as he stood.
"Hold it. You're just going to demand what I should and shouldn't do and not even tell me why?" Smoker questioned.
Shanks nodded. "Yeah! Believe me, it's not my place to tell you and I might not even be right so just take him to the doctors."
Smoker sighed. "Sometimes you're just a pain in the ass you know? You're no help at all."
Shanks shrugged, paying little mind to Smoker's attempt at an insult and then he proceeded out of the room, leaving Smoker behind to attempt at figuring out all that's already happened this morning.
Morning turns to evening quickly, which turns to night in no time it seems.
Ace is lying in bed, curled up to Smoker like he usually is at night and typically, he's already asleep by now but the discovery this morning has him wide awake and his mind swarming with endless thoughts on the situation and on Smoker as well. He needs some indication that Smoker will take the news fairly okay, before he can muster up the courage to tell it… Thus he's currently trying to conjure up a way to get Smoker's take on it, without directly telling the man they are to be parents.
Ace is nervous, so very nervous just to even hint around to Smoker about it! But he must… Otherwise he simply wouldn't find any ease in it all.
"Taisa…" Ace muttered, in a tone so quiet he's not sure Smoker would hear. "You awake?" He questioned, a bit louder as he tilted his head up so he faced the man.
"Yeah." Smoker answered. For once, he too is having trouble sleeping, his own mind dwelling on what Shanks said the previous morning and what is wrong with Ace exactly. "What is it?" He asked, knowing it had to be something if Ace was still awake.
"Um… Nothing… I'm just curious on something… It's a completely random thought that's popped into my mind." Ace responded, looking back down, avoiding eye contact with Smoker.
"Well, what's that?" Smoker inquired.
"…Just… What do you think about kids? Little kids to be exact." Ace hoped he wasn't being too obvious here.
Smoker was taken by surprise with that question, but for once didn't seem to have any suspicion on it. "Depends on the kid… I most certainly don't like the obnoxious little brats that thing they are entitled to everything they want. But can you really blame them in the long run? It's all about the parents, how they raise their children." Smoker answered, and it was just the thing Ace had expected.
"Well, if you were to have such a responsibility as that, what would you make of it?" Ace continued, coming dangerously close to revealing his whole purpose for these questions.
"Why? What are you planning? You're not going to get a dog or something are you?" Smoker countered, now beginning to wonder himself why Ace was asking him such things.
"No, I'm just curious." Ace shrugged. "You don't have to answer though."
Smoker waited a moment, then sighed. "Ace, I can't answer that honestly. I've never had a child to raise… I've only had you for what, the past year?" He let a chuckle out. "But, you're like ten children and I've handled you pretty well."
Ace scowled up at the man playfully, and Smoker smirked down at him. "I'm not that bad." Ace retorted. However, Smoker's answer did give him some relief. At least Smoker wasn't completely terrified of the responsibility of raising a child (unlike him), and he didn't seem to be against the idea either.
"Nah… Suppose you're not…" Smoker trailed off, pulling Ace closer against him. "Anymore questions?"
"Nope." Ace smiled, perfectly content with the answer he received for now. "Goodnight, Hun."
"…Goodnight kid."
Ace snuggled into Smoker, and closed his eyes. With a little bit of his fears put to ease, maybe now he could get some sleep.
Smoker however, was just out of luck. He still had no answers to his on what Shanks had said, yet.
If you're so kind as to leave reviews, please do! You guys know by now that they're much loved and appreciated!
Not to mention, they're like a little boost to help keep the stories going...
Anyway, thank you for reading. :D