Royal Love

With a grin from ear to ear Sabo stands besides Luffy's bedroom door, waiting for the younger to get dressed.

"Sabo tell me!" The boy's boisterous voice resonates from the bedroom onto the hallways.

"Luffy stay still, I can't zip it up like this!" Nami commands and the blond hears the teen whine on the other end. "Alright, you're ready to go." He hears the redhead say and seconds after the door flies open. The boy grabs Sabo's hand, trying to drag him along.

"Sabo tell me! Who is it?" Luffy asks impatiently as they walk down the hallways.

"You will see it for yourself in two minutes." He ruffles the teen's hair as said boy swats his hand away. He hates surprises! Well the younger likes them, he just hates waiting for them! When they reach the dining room the princess runs towards the door and pulls it open, blindly running inside as his eyes roam around the space. Luffy's heart skips beat and his smile widens to the extent his cheeks starts hurting, but he doesn't care. He runs into the arms awaiting his embrace, almost knocking the older over by doing so. Strong arms close around him as he smiles ecstatic.

"Ace! You're back!" He yells excited.

The prince holds his little brother as said teen hugs him tight- but he's sure his grip is even tighter as he buries his face in the boy's hair. "Luffy." He says softly as he rocks him back and forth. Saying his name out loud feels nostalgic, though it has only been three years. "Missed you."

Ace had been gone to explore the world and one self, now after three years his journey had come to an end and he's glad to be back and hold his precious, lively as ever brother in his arms.

When he looks up he sees the blond he trusted Luffy's safety with. The guard cracks a grin as Ace nods at him a single time, a rare broad smile across said man's features. The dark haired man notices his friend looks quite older and not to mention stronger too. They became friends at a younger age and when Ace went to leave for his trip, he offered Sabo a position to be the princesses guard which said man gladly accepted.

The teen in his arms looks up to his brother with big eyes. Ace plants a kiss on his forehead as Luffy giggles. "You've grown, Lu." He remarks, because he was sure the younger didn't reach his face when they said their goodbyes.

The younger nods proudly. "You've grown too! When did you come back?"

"Early this morning, I didn't want to wake you so I patiently waited." He ruffles the teen's hair and although Luffy frowns at the innocent gesture, for once he lets Ace do as he pleases. Right now nothing can diminish his beaming smile because his brother is finally back!

"Come on." Ace says, glancing between the boy in his arms and the guard. "Sanji made us breakfast."

The teen instinctively clutches his stomach. He's hungry!

The two guards together with the brothers sit at the breakfast table. Luffy as usual, talks with his mouth stuffed as he multi tasks- namely eating and attentively listening to Ace's adventurous stories. Said man is too busy talking to eat as Sabo leans his head onto his fist, listening with a continuous small smile across his features. Zoro and Luffy eat but in contrast to the green haired man, it seems as if the teen barely chews his food before he swallows large amounts.

The raven haired man told them about the amazing people he met on his trip, and how he traveled for quite a while with a large group. That is quite something for Ace, Sabo thinks. He was always a closed man and gave little to no notice to the people surrounding him, but it's good to know the prince had opened up to others.

Heavy snores suddenly interrupt the end of his current story as Zoro's head hangs to the side, his eyes closed as he drowsed away in his chair.

"He's still doing that?" Ace shakes his head at the guard with an amused smile.

"From what I remember, you're not any better, Ace." Sabo says as Luffy agrees.

"Did you fall asleep with your face in the food? I missed that!" Luffy laughs as his brother slaps his hand that was on his way to said man's plate.

"Only because then you can steal my food, idiot brother." Luffy pouts at the nickname. Ace missed that pure and innocent face the teen pulls whenever he teases the younger. "When I was in this restaurant I fell asleep, people thought I died during my meal! Can you believe that?"

Sabo can't hold his laughter that fills the room as he throws his head back. Luffy follows to laugh at his idiot brother's habit of falling asleep in the most random of places.

Ace contently leans onto his palm as he eyes the the two laughing before him.

How he missed this.

It's good to be back.

The remaining hours of the day, they spend together. Enjoying each other's presence accompanied by the warmth of the evening sun as they rest on the grass covered soil. Ace lies with his back against the tree as Luffy lies next to him, Sabo sitting against it.

After sharing his stories for hours on end he decides he has had his say for today. "Don't you guys have any stories to share?"

"Yours are more interesting anyways." The teen mutters.

The prince meets Sabo's eyes, noticing his grin. "Luffy almost beat up that boy with the bowl cut again."

"Sabo!" The youngest looks at said man. Why did he tell on him?

The blond sees the other man think before his eyes widen in realization and he looks at the embarrassed teen. "Luffy-"

"He talked bad about Sabo." The boy defends himself as he crosses his arms, challenging his brother's heavy gaze.

"So then you want to hit people?"

"Yes."

"So why didn't you?"

"Ace!" Now it's Sabo's turn to shout. He is not deliberately encouraging Luffy to fight. "Easy talking for you two but I have to deal with the mess afterwards. Problematic brothers." He mumbles the last part under his breath.

"But you love us." Ace smirks.

The guard eyes the princess and then the prince before he lets out a defeated sigh. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."

Luffy smiles fondly at Sabo. He's beyond lucky to have him here by his side everyday, and now with Ace being here too- it couldn't be any more perfect. He has nothing to complain about, he feels fulfilled and overjoyed in the moment and his broad smile only emphasizes that fact.

Startled both men look at Luffy who abruptly stands up and runs forward. Ace squints his eyes when he sees the younger run towards a man. Now he's no hero in remembering faces, but he's sure he sees this man for the first time. Mainly because he won't easily forget someone with a vivid blue hair colour like that.

"Who's that?" Ace asks, gaze glued to the man suspiciously. His brother is a good judge when it comes to character, however the teen is easy to trick because of his trusting nature.

"Luffy's new friend, he started working here little over a month ago." Sabo informs as he looks at a frowning Ace.

"Occupation?"

"Working among the medical staff. I've looked into it, it isn't hard to get a job there."

The prince looks over to Sabo who meets his eyes. He squats, leaning against the tree. "You're thinking what I'm thinking?"

The blond slowly nods. "I'm already keeping a close eye on him, Zoro too."

"You're the best." Ace grins. Sabo is sharp as ever, never lowering his guard regarding the younger's safety. He already knew, but he's always reminded that his friend is the best man to put by his brother's side. "Sabo." He eyes him seriously again. "Do you know about Luffy, and the prince from-"

"He will be married off, right?" Sabo clenches his jaw, trying to keep his feelings hidden as good as he's capable of in front of Ace who knows him too well when it comes to noticing his emotions. He doesn't want him to know he's as upset as he is. "I overheard."

The prince scratches his head and dry wipes his face. "Yeah, about that..." Sabo sees the older male thinking, eyes unfocused as he stares in the distance. "What do you think about it?" The man slowly turns his head to look at the blond.

The answer is obvious, if Ace knows him well, which he does, he knows that Sabo is against it. However... "What I think of it has no effect on the outcome." He states.

"I wish it did. Luffy... he'll be devastated." Ace slumps against the tree. Watching the younger in the distance with the weird looking man. "I really don't want him to go." Sabo listens as he stares at the still carefree Luffy in the distance.

Pretending he had been alright these two weeks while being well aware of the shocking news was draining to him. The teen not knowing, not being able to tell... It hurt him to look at the still oblivious and happy-go-lucky boy who walks the path of an unworried life, soon to be turned over as it will come crashing down on him.

Ace's words are like his own, they both resent the idea of Luffy leaving them. "I talked to Shanks this morning. He told me its for the sake of the country. It's his last measure as the King in order to make it grow strong again. It..." Ace swallows hard, feeling his throat tighten by the mere thought of it. "It just doesn't feel right." The guard notices the dark haired man bawling his fist, probably unconscionably as he has a troubled look on his face.

As Ace's friend Sabo would give his opinion on the matter, however the blond is in duty for the royal family. His friend is the prince and he's simply a guard, how close he may be to them. So instead he keeps his mouth shut on the sensitive subject. Ace turns his head to look at him when he receives no reply, but the blond guesses his silence alone tells the other all he needs to know.

"Ace!"

The younger comes running up to them, hand in hand with the blue haired man. "You haven't met Buggy yet! He's new here!" The boy introduces his friend proudly.

Both Ace and Sabo look at the man before them with cold eyes.

Said man notices as a cold sweat breaks out under their killing looks. Are they trying to put him to death him with their eyes?! "P-pleasure to meet you, your highness Monkey D. A-"

"Who gave you permission to hold hands with my little brother?" Ace asks, though it isn't a question- more like a get your fucking hands off him.

The man named Buggy shrieks away and let's go of the teen's hand as he wisely steps back. He holds his hands up in defense, muttering inaudible words as he suddenly turns and runs off without another coherent word.

"Wait Bu-" The princess turns around and reaches for the man but he's long gone. The teen turns around to meet his brother's eyes. "He did nothing wrong Ace! Stop scaring people away!"

"Sabo." The prince ignores the boy. "Make sure that man doesn't come anywhere near Luffy again."

"Roger that."

"Ace! Sabo!" The teen whines and frowns. Even so it doesn't last long as he sighs defeated and slumps down in between the two again. He's too cheerful to stay mad today.

The three of them remain silent as they watch the sunset, birds flying and clouds rolling by. Sabo looks down to the teen who slowly dozes away as Luffy's head falls against his leg. He softly strokes the boy's hair as his light snoring sounds vibrate into the open air.

Ace lies with his head backwards against the tree bark, when he opens them he sees his little brother lying against Sabo's lap, sleeping soundly. He's happy to see them like this. Ace can rest knowing that Luffy is in good hands. Shall we bring him to his room? He breaks the comfortable silence as the other slowly nods.

Ace himself is tired too, he arrived early morning, exhausted from his trip. But being awake and spending the first day of his return with them was more important and fulfilling. The man lifts the teen up as Luffy's head falls against his chest and the teen moves closer into his embrace as he rests against him. "It's like he didn't change at all." The man says in thought.

Both of them walk towards the princesses room as Sabo then opens the door so Ace can carry him inside.

The older brother gently lays the teen down as he starts undressing him so he won't have to wake him up. He swiftly looks over his shoulder to see Sabo sitting and staring at the ceiling, almost like he's daydreaming.

"What are you thinking about?" He asks said man who snaps out of his train thoughts. The blond looks at him as his eyes then shift to Luffy before he casts them downwards.

Ace sighs as he stands up and pulls the heavy gown from the lithe body. "Tomorrow." He answers. Sabo looks at him confused as he then elaborates. "In the morning a messenger arrives. Luffy will know tomorrow." He tugs the teen under the blankets who grabs his pillow and moves comfortably underneath the fabric surrounding him.

"Oh." Is Sabo's lack of a reply. He's sure right now Ace is able to read him like a book, but he doesn't try to hide his disappointment upon hearing the news. He didn't know it would all happen this soon.

Are his days with Luffy limited to mere weeks now?

When he looks to the older staring at his baby brother, occupied with thought running his mind, he sees his troubled face. Anyone can tell Ace is having a hard time accepting it, let alone the topic being the first thing addressed when he came back this morning before he even saw the younger. Now it will be Luffy leaving them, but sadly a longer time than just three years.

"Sabo." The prince sits on the bed next to the tranquil, peacefully sleeping boy as he watches him while talking. "Shanks and I talked this morning. There's something we'd like to discuss with you."

"Of course." The blond gets up from the chair and stands besides the door, watching Ace wishing the princess a good night's sleep followed by a kiss on his cheek before the male turns around and they both leave the room. The youngster will need a good night's rest before he'll be confronted with his decided fate tomorrow. Sabo will have to get himself together too. He can't even start to imagine Luffy's reaction when they'll tell him.

The blond follows the prince as they walk into the main room where Shanks talks with his right hand man, Benn.

"Sir." Sabo speaks up as he draws the King's attention.

"Sabo, you're here." The man says as he offers him a smile which the guard gladly returns. "It seems Ace has informed you about Luffy and the arrangements?"

"Yes sir."

"Call me Shanks." The red haired man corrects. How many times will he have to tell Sabo? "Now the reason we wanted to talk..." Ace sits next to the King as Benn stands beside him. Right now he really has to suppress his emotions because a set of three eyes are watching him as they talk about Luffy, marrying a prince.

"It is up to you to accept or deny the proposal I have for you, Sabo." Shanks starts. "I wish for you to continue being Luffy's guard. Even as he will live with the other royal family. Do you want to follow the princess over the border and continue your job of securing his safety? Of course, you may take the needed time to think about it. If not, we have a position for you here."

Sabo's eyes shift between the three men as he meets Benn's hard gaze, Shanks who awaits his reply and he sees the gentle smile on Ace's lips. His friend knows what the blonde's answer will be.

"I will follow Monkey D. Luffy anywhere, sir." Sabo bows as he stares to the marble floor and his blurred reflection, feeling relief on one end, but on the other realization hits him hard that this is in reality happening.

Luffy will marry someone else.

Luckily it was his turn for the night duty. He stands before the teen's door as he hears his snores from the other end. Slowly he turns the knob and closes the door behind his back again, soundlessly and making sure not to wake him.

He sees the vulnerable looking boy lying in bed, the sheets rising and falling in rhythm with his slow and soft intakes of breaths. He walks over to him and sits on the edge of the bed as he lifts the cover and lies besides the raven haired teen. Whenever the news will be revealed to the princess, he's sure the younger will catch up to the blonde's behavior he noticed the last two weeks. At times his barrier would crumble and Luffy never failed to see through him. However he had told Sabo to tell him whenever he felt like. That time will come very soon, unfortunately.

Luffy groans as he stirs awake. "Sa... bo...?" He mumbles, his voice slightly hoarse as he sees the older's face before him. Tiredly he rubs his eyes as he yawns and blinks again. Sabo is really lying with him. "Why are you here?" He asks as he wraps his arm around the other and scoots closer to the pleasantly warm body, humming happily with the unexpected visit.

He feels Sabo's lips softly pressing against his as he hugs Luffy back. Said teen is too tired to react to him, but he does enjoy it and smiles as the older pleasurably continues to gently kiss him on his lips.

"Just felt like lying with you." Sabo replies softly, resting his chin on top of Luffy's head as said teen places a kiss on his exposed neck.

"You can come more often if you'd like." The younger doesn't mind being woken in the middle of the night to the blonde's affection like this. Maybe Sabo will come frequently now. He smiles at that thought and leans his head back to look at the guard, but said man has a weary look.

Luffy sits up in bed as his head lightly spins because of his sudden action. When his eyes focus again he throws his leg over the guard as he straddles him. The teen pulls the cover over the both of them as he leans down for a kiss, seeing that Sabo's distressed face eases and brightens up again. The princess succeeds in making Sabo smile as he slowly continues to kiss him softly. As his eyelids become heavy again he lays with his face in the crook of the guards neck, lying down on the man's chest as he feels the other's steady heartbeat pulsing against his own. He lets out a satisfied sigh as he feels the warmth and the body underneath hugging him tightly.

Sabo watches Luffy fall asleep again on his chest that hurts upon that thought that keeps arising. Reality hitting him and stealing his moments of peace.

But now as he looks at the beautiful sleeping younger, his mind goes blank and only one pleasant thought floats around that he whispers aloud.

"I love you, Luffy."

Hope you liked this shorter chapter.

I never planned for Ace to be in this story but boy am I happy I did, yes for the protective bro.

~Rosedlevi