"Luffy! You need to get out." Ace knocked on the door anxiously, hoping his sister would answer.
He knocked once more and waited. Still nothing.
He tried to turn the knob - again, he lost count of how many times he did that after nearly an entire day standing in front of the bedroom, waiting patiently, knocking on the door and calling her out. Ace's voice was already hoarse and his knuckles throbbed as he sighed against the door, forehead thumping against the wooden barricade.
Maybe he'll grow a horn and impale that asshole.
Sighing, he leaned his back against the door and slid slowly until he sat down on the floor, running his hand through his hair, he thumped his head softly against the wooden door, "Lu, please."
Last time he checked, this thing only happened on sad music videos he watched on YourTube.
After the almost heart attack he had when Luffy didn't come home and didn't respond to his and Sabo's phone calls; Ace was so close to calling his grandfather and mobilizing a search team to find her sister.
Marco, his brothers and Luffy's friends — bless them — were such big help as they searched the town and asked people whether they saw Luffy around.
For crying out loud, the town wasn't even that big, Luffy couldn't have gone out of town without telling her brothers or her friends where she was going.
Praise Sabo for always being the levelheaded brother, one he could always count on when stress and concern overwhelmed Ace's rightful thinking, Ace found her sister in the tree house they made when they were younger.
She was already asleep, curled up hugging her blanket. He moved the worn blanket covering her face only to find her swollen eyes and tear streaked face. Her nose was still red from crying and Ace almost jumped down from their tree house to find out who the hell made her sister cry.
He softly woke Luffy up so she can move to their apartment. Her body was cold and was shivering when he carried her home.
Ace had given her hot coco to warm her up before he started asking his sister what happened but the girl was tight lipped.
Ace and Sabo always made fun of Luffy when she was younger about being a crybaby but right that moment, it broke Ace's heart seeing her sister cry.
She was quiet. She looked fragile as tears brimmed her hazel eyes, so not like the Luffy he grew up with. He ended up wishing it was the loud, obnoxious sobbing she always did when they were kids. When she was still that adorable little shit Ace and Sabo loved to tease and coddle. Not the girl crying her heart out in front of him.
No matter how hard Ace tried to pry off the details as to why she was sobbing, she never said anything.
He let her cry. His poor sister was clinging onto him, leaning deeper into his chest; snot and tears dampening the front of his shirt.
He had never felt so helpless as he hugged her tight.
After all the tears she shed, exhaustion finally caught up with Luffy and ended up falling asleep hugging him.
Ace called Marco and informed him that Luffy was home and that she was safe. He left the details, nobody needed to know that she was sobbing, doesn't matter if Marco was his boyfriend.
Turned out he didn't need to hide anything. He was the only one who didn't know what happened.
And it all made sense now — why his sister was inconsolable.
Ace was livid.
He was right from the start. He never trusted that guy. Sabo might have been bewitched but not him. He knew that guy was an asshole. A sister-stealing son of a bitch. He only stopped his constant nagging when Luffy asked him to understand her, to trust her because she sees what Law really was.
Look where that brought her.
Ace once questioned her choice in friends but they turned out to be trustworthy, they value Luffy like family. He saw how she attracts people in different walks of life, saw how they bare their souls to her, open up and became family.
Ace never doubted her after that.
God, he loves his sister. Cherishes her with all of his being. Both him and Sabo would offer their lives for hers, bend their will for hers.
He wished he argued more. If he did, this would've never happened. Luffy would've never hurt this much.
Ace would love to give the asshole a piece of his mind, a few fractured bones, a broken nose and a split lip. That bastard was lucky Sabo came home the exact moment Ace was about to leave their home and tear that motherfucker apart. Even Sabo, the mantle of common sense, lost his composure seeing Luffy's state.
"Let me fucking go, Sabo! I want to see that bastard hurting!"
"You are not leaving this place, I don't want you to end up in jail!"
"Oh trust me, I don't give a fuck if I end up in jail."
"You think Luffy will be happy with that, Ace? You think she'd be overjoyed that you took revenge because of her? Ace, think!"
"I am thinking! I'm thinking that that fucker needs how to know much pain Luffy is in!"
"Look, Ace. I'm mad too. I wanna beat something —someone. It hurts seeing her like this Ace, it hurts. But she wouldn't want anyone, even Law, to get hurt because of her. Let's — let's just stay here, calm ourselves down and wait for her to wake up and be there for her. She needs us Ace... More than ever."
"Lu, please. You need to eat." Ace knew it was really bad considering how much of a glutton his sister was.
He heard someone sigh and he looked up. Sabo was leaning against the wall, looking as haggard as him, blond hair going off into every direction, dark shadows below his blue eyes.
"Any progress?" the blond asked, raking his hands through his hair, back sagging.
Ace shook his head, frowning.
They would've never be in this situation if only Luffy didn't "fall in love". Ace was never worried about it, even laugh at Marco's grumbling about his younger siblings falling in love and how he has to ward of suitors because she never said it otherwise, she was outright honest about what she feels and praise thee she never mentioned romantic love.
She just didn't get it. She didn't see why love had to be labeled. Love is love. That was it. She loved everyone – her friends, family.
Everything in Ace's radar was peaceful…
Until that asshole came.
Sabo lumbered towards the door and sat down beside Ace, legs crossed. They remained silent for a while until they heard soft footsteps on the other side of the door.
Ace and Sabo looked at each other, wide eyed. They scrambled on their feet and faced the bedroom door in a flash.
Light thudding came closer. Both Ace and Sabo held their breaths as the footsteps halted in front of the door. Softly, the door creaked and cracked open revealing puffy eyes, red nose and messy short raven hair.
Both brothers immediately hugged their little sister. They stood there for a long time, hugging each other, rubbing Luffy's back, trying to soothe the ache she was feeling.
Ace promised he would never let anyone hurt her sister again and he knew Sabo thought the same too.
Ace led her back to her bed, letting her sit as Sabo crouched in front of Luffy.
"Hey Lu, I'm home," Sabo said. "I missed you a lot, no one was being noisy and loud at that place, and it was boring. The food was terrible too, imagine that? I should've just stayed and binged watch JoJo's Bizzare Adventures with you and Ace."
"Or we could've played Smash Vros," Sabo's voice lowered into a whisper, "we both know Ace sucks at it though."
"Hey!" Ace pouted. He heard Luffy snort and it was a breath of fresh air.
"You're very strong Luffy, you're amazing. Ace and I both love you so much. I know everything sucks right now but you're gonna pass this 'cause you're awesome and incredible. You can beat everything and kick your way through life." Luffy started to sniffle, Sabo immediately encased her in his arms, pulling her close and hugging her tight.
"It's okay to cry Lu, its okay. We're here for you."
Ace solemnly looked at his siblings. Sabo got this.
Ace headed back to the door, pressed the light and took in the condition of their room and groaned internally.
The bed was messy, the sheets were lying all crumpled up into one big nest. Clothes were haphazardly scattered everywhere, some hanging on the cabinet and even thrown near the window. Tissues full of snot were all over the floor and Ace couldn't help but cringe at the amount of junk food containers poking under the bed.
Where did she even get those?
Ace sighed as Sabo pulled Luffy up. "You stink, Lu." Sabo snickered as Luffy defensively groaned. "A'm not." She replied hoarsely, scrunching her red nose, lips pouting a bit and giving Sabo a stinky eye.
She looked ridiculous.
Ace could hug her to death.
"I'll be right back," He said, running towards their small kitchen which had seen better days. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and ran back to their bedroom.
"Here." Ace offered the bottle Luffy, nudging her to drink it.
He scrunched his nose. Huh, he didn't smell that at the door while they hugged. Man, feelings were trippy. "Sabo's right, you stink. Off to the bathroom with you."
"Told you." Sabo said smugly, giving Luffy the tongue.
"You guys are being mean. I'll tell grandpa." Luffy croaked.
On chorus, Ace and Sabo rolled their eyes. "As if."
And god, was it a blessing to hear and see her laugh again.
Sabo gently draped his arms on Luffy's shoulders, leading her to the bathroom. She started to squirm as her muddled mind caught up with Sabo's plan. She planted her foot on the floor, leaned back, trying to pull Sabo away from the bathroom.
"Lu, you need to clean up. You smell like shit –"
"And I feel like shit, Sabo." She added, softly sniffling. She paused and stopped her fruitless attempt to pull her brother away from the bathroom.
Sabo groaned as he turned the valve for the hot water to flow. He clicked his tongue."Language, young lady. What did Ace teach you while I was away?"
"You did say it too." She accused, pouting slightly.
"No, I didn't. What are you talking about?" He casually denied, chuckling at the betrayed look she had.
"Come on, a hot bath will help. Now strip off and I'll prepare clean clothes on your bed. We're going out and buying all the meat you want, kay?"
Luffy suddenly started sniffing again and her body sagged against the wall in their bathroom, big drops of tears flowed out of her dark eyes. Sabo softly wiped his sister's cheeks with his hand.
Right, this was going to take a while.
Leaving the bathroom door slightly opened, Sabo waited while Luffy took a bath just to make sure she doesn't end up collapsing and hurting herself. That happened before when she was in her normal state of mind, how much more if she was like this.
He could hear his brother mumbling something about scattered clothes.
He took a quick peek on their bedroom and saw Ace throwing whatever he deemed dirty into the laundry bin. He saw him zone his sight on the trash and narrowed his eyes at all the things hoarded in one corner.
Ace picked a shirt out of the bundle and gagged.
Sabo noticed all the smiley designs and knew it all came from Luffy's ex-boyfriend. Sabo chuckled as Ace casually dumped them all inside the trash bag and disinfected his hands.
Ace, dramatic as always.
Sabo shook his head. He'll have to check that, maybe the orphanage Koala volunteers at needed clothes for the kids.
The sound of squeaking valve made him turn around and saw Luffy coming out of the bathroom, towel barely covering herself.
Sabo sighed, his sister needs to learn a little something about decency. He grabbed an extra towel from the folded stuff on Luffy's bed and threw it over her head.
Ace suddenly popped out behind them holding a trash bag, casually throwing it to him. Sabo caught it easily and gave Ace a questioning look.
"Might want to give that to Koala." His brother replied making Sabo grin as he checked what was inside the bag.
Ace then pulled a white summer dress seemingly out of nowhere. "Lu, change into these."
Huh, who knew Luffy had those kind of clothes?
Sabo watched as Luffy resigned her fate to Ace as he shoved the dress in her arms. She dropped her towels and walked towards her room.
Ace and Sabo turned away and rolled their eyes, what were they going to do with their sister?
The siblings were walking down the bus station when people on the streets would glance at them, necks craning and eyes ever quick at checking their sister. They should probably apply for a security company, with their ability, they should be able to replace CCTV's.
They would whisper to whoever was beside them when they siblings pass. Seriously, these people needed another hobby.
Ace glared at them. Sabo held Luffy's hand, swinging it back and forth. He placed her straw hat on her head and patted her gently, hat covering half of her face as she giggled.
Sabo looked at him sternly over Luffy's head and mouthed, "Let them be."
Ace huffed. "Fine." He mouthed back. Stomping his foot as they passed by people.
He looked at Luffy, he couldn't help but gush over her. She's pretty damn cute, okay? Ace had the right to gloat about that.
The white sundress Luffy wore made her look so innocent. He was glad she was smiling again — not as bright as before but it was progress. He'll be damned if he doesn't see that smile again. His sister deserved all the love and affection in the world.
Ace and Sabo will be more than willing to give it to her.
The trip was quiet, Luffy leaned against Ace's shoulder and grabbed Sabo's arm while the freckled man gently combed her raven hair with his fingers. They should probably invest in a car. Nothing fancy, just something they could use when going out. Taking the bus was becoming a hassle.
High Town Supermarket was buzzling with people as the trio arrived. Ace choose the largest push cart available and propped Luffy inside the cart ignoring the shocked stares of other customers and warnings from the staff. Sabo gladly pushed the cart along the aisles maneuvering through every person and corner. Ace grabbed the stuff they needed for their impromptu camping in his own cart.
Yep, they were going on a hike as soon as they were done with buying the stuff they needed and enjoy nature. Let their sister merge herself into a competitive camping trip with her brothers.
It sure is going to be chaotic and fun.
Who cares, chaotic and fun were their middle names.
Ace paused and snapped his head back, almost getting a whiplash as he heard his siblings' laughter ringing in the aisle overwhelming the dumb mall jingle that was on loop.
Sabo and Luffy passed by him, the metal cart rattling as Sabo pushed it faster. "Git gud, Ace!" Luffy called out, laughing at a gaping Ace.
"Oh no, you don't." Ace gripped his cart hard and pushed it, catching up with Sabo and Luffy.
In the end they were stopped by the mall security and was guided to pay for the food and stuff they hoarded inside the cart, sheepishly and halfheartedly apologizing to the staff and security.
They may have been told that they'd be escorted every time they shop there but meh.
It was totally worth it.
Days passed.
The siblings would invite Makino over and go the beach or even have a picnic together. Pranks were played between the three and Ace's poor boyfriend, Marco, was the unfortunate victim. The man just rolls his eyes, tired and used to all the bullshit the siblings drag him into.
He signed up to it the moment he started dating Ace.
Weeks passed.
Sabo would bring Luffy to the orphanage his girlfriend worked. Koala loved Luffy, the kids loved having her around. The playground of the orphanage was always booming with laughter while she was around.
Luffy's friends — Nami and Usopp — would come visit her when they didn't attend their university classes. They ended up attending a martial arts class much to the disappointment of Usopp, who wanted nothing to do with it. Nami, on the other hand, cheered —snicked at Usopp— as the class started sparring.
Months passed.
Luffy started being her usual self. The sunny, lovely, young lady Wind Mill knew.
She eventually went to college as she found her passion. Her martial arts instructor, Jinbei, endorsed her to Grand Line University's team and their coach eagerly took her in after watching one of her matches giving her a fully paid scholarship.
Nami and Usopp tutored her with the classes she almost failed. One would eventually learn and remember things when Nami was their tutor.
"But Nami, I'm starving." She said as she rubbed her belly, looking at the orange-haired woman with puppy dog eyes.
Those were dangerous, Nami begrudgingly admitted. Too bad it doesn't work on her. "No." Luffy needed to finish her goddamn presentation.
"Damn it." Worth a shot Luffy thought.
"Luffy, language!" Sabo shouted from the living room.
"It was Nami!"
The siblings ended up moving to Saboady, it was nearer the university Luffy attends. Nami and Usopp's dorms were near their new place too, making it easier for them to help Ace and Sabo look after her grades.
Weeks turned to months and months turned to years.
Luffy woke up in the middle of the night. She slid her legs over the side of the bed and smiled gently at her brothers snoring on the futons placed on the floor.
They had three bedrooms in their new apartment but old habits die hard. They still sleep in one room.
Luffy loved it, she loves knowing they were around.
As slowly and softly as she can, she slipped off the bed. Her bare toes touched the wooden floor and she pushed herself up. She headed towards the glass door that lead to the veranda in their bedroom that overlooked their new neighborhood.
The bright lights reminded her of the stars her and his brothers used to see back in Windmill. She looked up and gazed at the bright moon. She sighed and glanced once more at the two men lying on the floor.
She huffed as she tiptoed to reach beam on the roof. Strong fingers exploring the area until she felt a box she had stashed there.
She grabbed the box and blew off the dust it had accumulated. She smiled softly as she opened it, revealing a photo of the man she loves.
It had been years.
Glistening hazel eyes stared at the person smiling on the photo. It reminded her of the good times they both shared together.
Beautiful grey eyes stared back at her.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath as her fingers slowly let go of the photo. Soft breeze carried it away from her. He was nothing but a memory, something she'll always treasure. Something she'll look back years from now and she'll smile through it all because what happened made her strong.
She can finally let go.
Her brothers were there for her. Nami, Usopp, Makino, her coaches Jinbei and Rayleigh, Marco and his brothers; even Dadan and Grandpa were there for her.
Her family.
They helped shaped who she was now.
The brave and strong, Monkey D. Luffy. Full of love, happiness and dreams.
There was a gentle shuffle on the floor and a sleepy voiced called out. Luffy turned around and hummed, acknowledging Sabo's call.
"What're you doin? Get back to bed, you have class tomorrow." He slurred, rubbing his eyes.
Ace squirmed in his futon, waking up and yawning. He patted the space between him and Sabo.
Luffy shivered as the breeze of the island drifted, she closed the door and nestled between the warmth of her brothers, a soft smile on her face.
She was finally happy.
~~~x~~~
"Dare I say you look miserable?" A tall, blonde man with a black fluffy feathered coat said as he eyed the disheveled mess called his son. The man sighed ignoring the disdainful glare of the kid.
Yeah. This person, this "Surgeon of the Year" will always be a kid in his eyes. His kid.
All things considered, he was proud of what his son had achieved after just five years in medical school.
Donquixote Rocinante leaned against the polished dark marble counter, located in the bar of their living room. He observed his son drinking whiskey. Drinking away years of misery.
He should've listened to his father and uncle. Even if the said uncle was deranged in some ways.
The blonde sighed. How was he supposed to deal with his son? His drinking was getting out of hand.
Five years ago they told him that he was making the worst choice in his life by letting go a certain sunny girl. It got blown into a rather upscale argument. Him and his brother Doffy versus a wild teen who just got his freedom back or so he says.
Roci and Doffy were awfully shocked when they heard the news. Doffy in a more creepy way considering he had a certain fascination with the girl. She was a walking wonder, he had once said.
They both loved Luffy.
Doffy was basically attached to the girl and almost acted like a doting father whenever she visits their home, no matter how creepy that was for Roci.
She had the ability to crack open Law's deeper emotions. She was the opposite of Law, she balances Law.
She was perfect.
Yet the idiot, seriously, Roci admitted that his adoptive son was in fact an idiot.
Law got the brains, the look, but apparently there was a side effect and it was called stupidity. Roci knew exactly how things went down between the former couple and he wanted nothing more than to call Luffy and hug her tight.
Which he actually did but the girl had changed her number or just didn't care to keep her phone on.
He tried seeing Luffy personally but her brothers were adamant of their wishes to let the family of the person who broke his sister's heart stay the fuck away from their beloved sister.
Who knew the blond one, Sabo was it? Could act like that. It was an experience.
And honestly? Roci understood.
If he was in their position, he'd do more than just threaten the bastard who broke Luffy's heart. Knowing the impulsive attitude of one her siblings, Roci knew that Luffy had a huge role on keeping Ace on tab.
Luffy was heartbroken and torn yet there she was, still thinking of Law's well-being considering there was no freckled man with murderous intent barging in their mansion's front door demanding bloodshed. Because for all he cares, Roci would let Ace beat the living daylights out of his son to gather up his haywire senses. Roci was even sure that Law's uncle Doffy would watch the scene unfold while sipping bourbon.
The blonde scratched his head.
What madness had his son done?