Sorry the late, hope you aren't mad at me :S

But there you go 'Chapter 4. The same'

We finished dinner with a much better humor. Since we no longer were going to a bar Marco was the one to pay, serves him right! Making me say all that without getting drunk. Marco definitely learned his lesson.

As we were living the restaurant Marco sees Luffy. - Isn't that Luffy? - he pulls me and points towards the direction of my apartment.

- Huh? - I look and confirm - Yeah... I guess I should go too.

- You better, I didn't just listen and pay you dinner for you to be the same!

- *smirk* Oh well that's what friends are for.

We part to go to our homes, I'm still wondering in the way to approach Luffy but I try to catch up with him and caught him by surprise.

- Lu! - As I'm getting closer I call him.

He turns around surprised. - Ace?

- Yeah, I finished early. - I put a smile, because I don't want him to notice that it was a lie from the beginning.

- That's great, you can't imagine what happened today at school. - He says that with a happy face and starting to jump with joy.

- I can see that it was a good thing.

- Yup. Shanks is back as my sensei.

You didn't even give me time to try and guess it *sigh* so like you Lu. Wha... Wait? What? - Who? - I manage to let out one of the many questions forming in my head.

- Shanks! You don't remember him?

- I do, but he wasn't a college teacher last time I checked.

- Yeah, but he's helping a friend by giving us the classes while he can't.

That is just what I was needing, couldn't it be someone else?Ace knew perfectly well who Shanks was, it was the man Luffy admired, the only teacher Luffy had ever liked and stayed friends with. Who the heck stayed friends with a teacher? But now was neither the time nor place to get jealous. First came an apology and explanation, in resume the talk they didn't had in the beginning.

- That's great. - I try not to sound that disappointed by the news or even show my jealousy.

- Hum... Anyway I'm happy you came back early, I have something to talk with you. - Luffy makes a serious face.

- Sure - strange...is he reading my mind or what? I was about to say that. - it's better if we hurry up then.

We reach the door of our apartment and Luffy already has his keys ready to open the door.

- That's rare.

Luffy looks at me with his big smile that always manages to make me shiver with the contagious happiness of his, but this time it was kind of like a bad feeling. We go inside and he even locks the door, he's doing what I always tell him to do but never does, something is really strange in all this. He pushes me towards the living room and makes me sit in the couch rather violently.

- Ouch that hurt Luffy! - what is going on? He usually isn't like this, did...My thoughts are suddenly interrupted by an extra weight and a tight hug. - Oi Lu...

- I'm sorry Ace, I really am sorry.

Somehow only this words from him was enough to make me understand what until a few moments ago I didn't. It all made sense now, Luffy telling me that Shanks was back, his sudden change of topic to say that we needed to talk, the hurry he had to get here and saying he was sorry, it could only mean one thing: he talked with Shanks! But I'm not going to let you say all that again by yourself, this time it's my turn.

- Lu, hey Lu, look at me.

- Huh?

- It's ok! - I let a sigh escape - Even though I told you not to tell anyone you went and said everything to Shanks didn't you?

- Ups... Uh... Why are you saying that? I... I di.. didn't tell anything. - I can see Luffy trembling and whistle while facing the other way. I grab his face with both my hands.

- I said it was ok, I can't be mad at you because even I told a friend of mine about us. Well actually it wasn't necessary, he guessed. Even today I still don't know how tough. But anyway, that's not important. I don't know what Shanks told you and for now I will let that pass, but you are definitely telling me all about it later! - Luffy nods. - I'm the one who should be apologizing so: I'm sorry Lu.

- Eh? Why is Ace the one who has to apologize?

- Because I treated you like a kid who didn't understand or care about anything, so I didn't say the most important thing.

- And what is that?

- I love you.

Luffy could tell that it was a different kind of "I love you" that he was used to hear. It had much more meaning, it contained all of the fillings that I have always had for him, it was stronger than ever like it was burning him from inside out.

- I never told you just how much important you were for me and cared about you. Never once thought about sharing my worries with you like a couple should. I guess it's time for me to admit that actually I never treated this relationship like one. Yeah it's true that I see you like a lover but... Lu you have to understand, with that comes a lot of... let's say... problems in our case.

- I know. I mean I understand it now, that was why I was saying sorry. Shanks scold me all afternoon and made me skip lunch because of that.

I grab Luffy's by his waist pulling us closer and bump my head with his putting our eye line at the same level. - Don't talk about another person, let alone another man, while I'm confessing to you! …Big idiot. - these words make Luffy turn completely red.

- This may mean problems, but I'm more than willing to try and overcome them together with you Lu. That is if you also want it, if this is what you wish, but more important if this are also your fillings!

There is an awkward silence after Ace saying that. Now that he had said all that to Luffy he admits once more that he was overreacting about everything.

- I... - Luffy finally speaks. - I had all this words formed in my head, that I wanted to say to Ace, but I can't seem to remember them. It all vanished while Ace was speaking. But... there is just this phrase that keeps screaming.

- Which one.

- It was the same from the beginning.

- Huh? You have to be more specific in that.

- Our love for each other. I mean what I have always felt towards Ace and, what Ace had always felt towards me… was the same all along.

I can't help and let a loud laugh come out - Guess you are right.

No more words are needed, just the feeling of touch. We look at each other and this time we both blush a slight crimson of red and move our lips together. As if we are reading each other's mind saying not enough I take the initiative and shove my tongue into his mouth. *nhg* that sound Luffy made was the reminder.

- Lu I also want it, but for now I don't want to ruin this simple and innocent moment.

- *shishishishi* Me neither, but I don't want to part just yet.

- How about we sleep together then?

- YAY! It's been a while; I want to sleep in Ace's room.

We get up and go to my room. Luffy goes to his first to change cloths and while I have to wait for him I do the same, since he takes a little longer I go ahead and open the bed, a single double sized bed, and lie in it. Luffy finally comes and immediately jumps towards the bed making it shake a little but I don't care. I pull him under the sheets and hold him.

- Good night Luffy.

- Night Ace.

:) did you liked it? I'm really sorry for the wait, but I have been busy and it's hard to write, since I don't want to disappoint you guys.

PS.: I know that I have been pushing that long enough but who knows if something happens in the next chapter... Keep on reading and of course don't forget to leave a review I appreciate it.

Thanks and see ya all soon.