Luffy stared blankly at his desk; the clock seemed to be moving much much slower than usual as if it where mocking him. He was currently in Maths and did not have a clue on what he was doing which was strange even for him, he normally did good at Maths and to be fair he got good grades in all his classes but ever since his Mother came back from her long work course, things at home have been difficult. His Mother, Monet constantly made him do chores around the house such as cleaning, taking out the trash and staking the dishwasher and such. The reason she did not do any of this is because she claimed she had her own work to do and when to be fair, when she did clean she did a better job than Luffy himself.
His brother Law was hardly ever home, the night Monet came home he was up and gone and didn't come back until the next night. Luffy secretly liked that his brother was out of the house more, that meant he could plan more visits to Ace and It had been almost eight months since Luffy's last visit and he hated every second of it. The last time he had been at Aces house, somehow Law found out and let's just say the aftermath was not pretty. ….He fell downstairs and broken his wrist. That's what Law wanted him to say anyway…
It bothered Luffy so much! Why was Law so violent and angry when he went to see his brother…could it have been jealousy? Suddenly an idea sparked in the teens head. What if he brought Ace and Law together? Yeah! Maybe introduce each other and maybe if they got along then Law wouldn't mind Luffy's visits? It was a crazy idea to say the least but the raven haired teen was prepared to do anything. It just needed planning.
Luffy stared down at the piece of paper in front of him, a work sheet that had numerous problems and sums that just seemed to have no answer to them not matter how much he thought and thought. A couple of times, he saw his lecturers gaze fix onto him in a puzzling manner. Luffy was the best in the class so maybe he was just a little shocked to find him struggling?
Who knows?
At last the bell rang bell loudly throughout the entire school singling lunch time. With a sigh of relief, the class gathered up their things and piled out of the small stuffy room, not bothering to listen to the homework that was being given. Once everyone was gone, Luffy gathered his pens and water bottle and prepared to depart when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning his head, it was his teacher Mr Kuzan. The man was very tall with brown curly hair and a lazy tired expression that was always plastered on his long tan face but despite all that, he was a good teacher.
"Yes Sir?" Luffy asked while flinching at the touch, probably because there was a bruise there he got from bumping into the door.
"It has come to my attention that you appear to be failing this class and…I am slightly shocked" Kuzan said, the same tired lazy expression always glued on his face.
Luffy sighed, in a way he knew this was coming ever since the lecturer kept his eyes on him throughout the week, "I'm sorry Sir, and I just haven't been sleeping well. I promise I'll improve" He half lied half promised. Things at home were just busy and complicated even with Law not being around half the time and he just constantly thought about Ace, Sabo and Rebecca and what they were doing.
"Well I hope that's true, I hate to see my class failing and I won't let one boy ruin it for everyone else, Understand?" Kuzan's voice was hard and threatening but you never could take him seriously with always yawning and sometimes falling asleep at his desk.
Luffy nodded and before the taller man could get anymore words in, he rushed out of the classroom and to the library.
The school's library was empty as usual during lunch hours, only the librarian sat at her desk and typed away at her computer, glasses sitting on her nose not once looking up to see who had entered. So grabbing a book to make it look like he was reading something, Luffy sat at one of the desks and took out his note pad and pen. It was then he decided to plan for Ace and Laws day out as he liked to call it. But what could they do? It was weird, Ace was his blood brother and he didn't even know anything he liked…Law on the other had liked to go out to bars and clubs so maybe they could have a drink together? No, something told him that if Law got drunk then it might put Ace off and who knows, Ace might not drink alcohol!
"Damn it..." Luffy cursed, running his bony pale hand through his wild messy raven locks as he jerked his knee up and down out of frustration. Was it even necessary for those two to meet up?
The only reason the boy was planning this was because he thought Law would get to see how nice Ace was and let him visit as much times as he wanted…
So what could he do? I thought again for a while, even eating some of his lunch as he thought and doodled into his note pad. He desperately wanted to see Ace again, he would call but he misplaced the piece of paper with the man's number on it, it was all so frustrating. That's when he got an idea.
He could invite Ace round to his house to have dinner! It sounded like a good idea but what would Law think when Portgas turned up on his door step unexpectedly? Monet still didn't know that her son had been visiting people across town thanks to Law keeping it a secret so he wouldn't get into trouble. Would she mind it if Ace came round for dinner?
Taking a drink from his water bottle, Luffy scrunched up a piece of paper and began to draw again. If Law agreed to go out with Ace and maybe Rebecca then it would be easy picking a place. A café or restaurant perhaps. But the only problem was Law! Something told him that his brother would never agree to it and just get mad…
Maybe he should just leave it and see what Ace says about it, if he agrees then Luffy would defiantly tell Law. It was a promise.
Ace currently had bags under his eyes, his hair was a mess and he desperately needed a shower and constant ringing sounded in his ears. Having a child was so tiring…all they did was cry and cry and the sad part of it was it broke your heart to not know what they were crying about.
"What are we going to do? He hasn't stopped crying since we brought him home!" Ace sighed, walking around the house with the struggling, crying infant. Only two weeks old.
The baby was dressed in a white baby grow; his hair was black and awfully thick for his age. Right now he was busy crying into Aces shoulder making it wet with tears and drool. The baby's name was Akio, Rebecca thought it suited him and it was cute to say the least. "Rebecca!" Ace called again when he received no answer.
Walking over towards the kitchen he found that Rebecca was asleep at the sink while washing Akio's bottles and pacifiers. Sighing, Ace rolled his eyes and proceeded to walk back into the living where the child's basket was. Slowly and gently he lowered the still sobbing infant into the soft warm bed and prayed that he would sleep for a while but he only cried harder and louder. Huffing, Ace picked him back up again and bounced him up and down a little trying to lull the baby off to sleep which is what they all needed. Finally after what felt like hours, Akio stopped crying and settled for staring up to the freckled man with a distressed looking face. His little eyebrows were scrunched up into a worried expression while his huge owlish eyes gazed right into Aces tired grey ones.
"It's okay, shhh…" Ace cooed to the child, running his finger over the child's soft cheek hoping it would calm him down. "It's going to be alright..." He continued while gently lowering the child back into his little cot and this time instead of crying, Akio continued to stare up at his Father while making soft noises as his brown eyes fluttered closed.
"Thank the gods" Ace whispered to himself as he lay back down on the couch, hugging a pillow as his eyes closed as well.
Ever since Akio was brought home everything has just been hectic, Rebecca, Ace and the baby have not gotten a wink of sleep and on top if that they would need to return back to work soon. What would they do then? Sabo was a help, he and Koala came around to visit last week and stayed with the kid all day. But once they left the crying just restarted. Checking the child and changing him, checking if he was hungry and such didn't change anything, Akio just continued to cry and as much as Ace hated to admit it, it drove him up the walls. Akio looked more like Ace than Rebecca, although he had her eyes.
At first Ace had been scared to even hold him, what if he dropped him or something like that? Would he be a good father to little Akio? So many questions ran through the man's mind.
"Oh good, you got him down" Rebecca appeared at the door way, her usually neat braid was now just a loose ponytail that hung loose down past her shoulder. She too had bags under her brown eyes. "I'm sorry"
"For what?" Ace asked, not bothering to take the arm than lay over his eyes away. "I got him to sleep didn't I?"
He heard Rebecca sigh and take a seat on the chair opposite him. "I fell asleep earlier and it's all I have been doing lately…"
"Its fine, he always calms down in the end…" Ace spoke softly a hint of a chuckle in his voice.
"I'm going to take him out, to the park or something" She smiled, giggling a little. "He needs to see the ducks" Ace chuckled lightly. "Fine but once you have had a sleep. I don't want him to end up in the lake"
"Shut up you idiot!" She barked back at him.
A couple of hours later, Akio was sitting content in his stroller, His blue hat protected his head from the cold and his puffy coat made him look like a marshmallow. "He looks cute, I have to say" Rebecca laughed, placing his pacifier into his toothless mouth. Ace smirked and went to lie back on the couch, he was happy to have a few hours of rest.
"Sure, have fun okay" Ace replied with a kiss to Rebecca's lips and to the baby's forehead. With a quick smile, the girl departed the house with her son.
..
Rebecca pushed the stroller through the long lane of the park, it was a nice afternoon but it was a little chilly in the air. Gazing at her song, the pink haired girl noticed he was fast asleep with his dummy hanging out of his mouth. The girl smiled, despite all of the crying and midnight feedings and Aces huffing and puffing, Akio really brought life to their relationship.
Walking down the long park lane it was surprisingly empty for a Wednesday afternoon. Given the opportunity, Rebecca stuck one earphone into one ear and listened to the tune as she walked. It was so relaxing to say the least that she didn't notice one of Akio's spare blankets drop to the ground. The woman also didn't hear the voice calling to her to stop because of the music; she only got her attention grabbed when she felt a tug at her arm. Snapping back to her rational mind she turned around and at once she found the missing blanket shoved gently into her chest. "Oh did I drop that?" Rebecca questioned looking under the stroller only to find the original missing. "Oh dear, I'm sorry I'm just a little tired. Thank you by the way" The girl smiled taking the blanket into her arms again.
"You're welcome miss" The man replied, smiling a little. He stuffed his hands into his yellow and black hoody before walking onward throughout the park, keeping his head low.
Rebecca watched the stranger go until he was completely out of sight; the sound of a soft whimper broke the girls gaze. Rebecca sighed and smiled before moving on. "It seems you hate to be waiting don't you" She chuckled.
Three Days Later
Luffy was currently standing in his front hall in the process of taking off his warm jacket and hat before hanging it up on a hook. "Mum?" He called throughout the large house. The boy walked into the living room to find her sitting on the couch on the phone. "Where's Law?"
Instead of giving an answer to her son, she carried on talking.
"Mum?" Luffy asked again, walking closer to the couch.
With a huff, the woman put the palm of her hand to the bottom of the house phone and glared at her son with her green eyes. "What? He's in his room!" She answered back before continuing her conversation.
Nodding, the raven haired teen made his way up the set of stairs to his brother's room. Was he really going to do this, ask if Law would like to meet Ace? Yes, and if Law did get mad at least he tried.
Luffy pulled back his hand and let out a shuddering sigh then he knocked the white wooden door of Laws room.
"Come in" That almost bored sounding voice answered through the wall.
Balling his hands into fists, Luffy opened the door with a click and walked inside to the messy room of Trafalgar Law. "Hi"
Arching an eyebrow, Law scrolled his eyes upwards from his cell phone to look at the boy, "Yes?"
Luffy thought for a second, he could just lie about something and walk out and that would be that but he needed this off his chest if it meant getting to see Ace in peace without having to sneak around. "Um…"
He met the older brother's gaze for the first time and swallowed hard. "Are you busy this week?" Luffy managed to squeak out, covering his mouth with his sleeve that had dropped down over his hand.
Law yawned and stretched his arms, tossing down his phone in the process. "I don't know yet, why do you ask?"
This was it. Why was he so scared of Law?! He was his brother after all; they had been together for fifteen years. "I was wondering, if you're not busy then…" The nervous boy began to chew on the corner of his sleeve, making it damp. "…If you want I mean…"
"Luffy…what is it?" Law asked again, making the younger boy jump a little.
"…"
Sighing, Law pushed himself up off his bed and walked over to Luffy who scooted backwards, "If you're not going to tell me, then please leave" He began to usher the boy out of his room when Luffy turned his head around to meet his bored looking and unimpressed gaze. "Law I was wonder if…you would like to meet…Ace"
There he said it; he got it off his chest. Now he just had to wait for his brother's reaction.
Trafalgar Law stood there for a moment before realising what the youngest of the pair said. Meet Ace? "Why would I want to do that?" He asked, folding his arms and cocking his head slightly at the teen.
"N-No reason, just wondering but if you are busy its fine" Damn, he made it sound as if he didn't want Law and Ace to meet, which he really did! "So, yeah" He finished awkwardly.
Then his older brother began to do something that kind of gave the teen shivers. Law smirked and chuckled as he walked back over to his bed to sit and text on the phone some more. "Sure"
"I-I mean if you don't want to its-wait did you say okay?" Luffy asked, completely shocked. Law didn't even sound mad or anything but that smile that was still plastered on his face made it look as if he was joking. "You're sure?" Luffy asked once more.
Again Law nodded his head. "Yep, sounds fun"
Luffy was shocked; the reaction was something he would have never expected. Law was going to meet Ace for the first time. It all sounded crazy but it was great! "Oh okay, but I would have never expected…" Luffy trailed off seeing his brother's glare once more.
"What that I would agree?" Law began, "Little brother, there is a lot of things you don't know about me and besides it sounds fun"
The teen nodded and prepared to take his leave. "I'll let him know shall I?" After receiving a nod, Luffy made it his mission to try and persuade Ace next. He was going to do it right now.
Running back down the stairs, Luffy noticed his Mother was now watching the TV set so he simply told her he was going to see someone because they called, after she agreed he was out the door.
As he was rushing towards the bus stop, Luffy smiled excitedly to himself. Finally, Law did something he was asked to do!
Upon approaching the metal pole with the bus sign on top he was startled to find none other than Law standing right next to him. "Law…?"
"You're going to Ace's home now right?"
"…."
"So why not introduce me to him now, huh?"
Luffy was taken aback; sure he wanted them both to meet but not now! What if Ace and Rebecca were out or something or if he was extremely busy. But if that was the case, Luffy was sure that Ace wouldn't mind it if they just chatted and got to know each other. But something rang at the back of his head. Was it safe to be showing Law were Ace and Rebecca lived?
"Well?" Law broke his train of thought.
"S-Sure, he would like that"
So he and Law waited at the bus stop in silence…
Ace stirred the tea bag into the cup with sugar; it was currently far too hot to drink so he settled for leaving it off to the side until it cooled down.
"Akio, you having fun bud?" He asked sitting down on the arm chair as he watched the raven haired child kick and try to get the stuffed animals that hung above him while lying on the carpet on a blanket. The child acknowledged his Father and giggled a little prompting Ace to smile. Rebecca was visiting her Mother for the day and would be back in the morning. At first the girl declined the offer but Ace told her to go and that he could handle things here. So far everything was alright.
The phone rang leaving Ace no choice but to pick it up, sighing he got up off the comfy chair.
"Hello?" He answered, keeping his eyes on the baby who was still trying to catch the plush farm animals.
"Hey buddy! How are you?!" Sabo's over energetic voice screamed back to him happily. It was so loud that he had to take the phone away from his ear.
"I'm fine, Rebecca's gone so that just leaves me and the kid, but other than that how are you doing" Ace asked both cheerfully and tiredly back.
"Good, Koalas being annoying as usual but-"
"Sabo remember what happened last time, you being stubborn is what drove her away. Your damn well lucky she gave you another chance you idiot" Ace said with a sigh. Sabo could be too hyper sometimes.
The two men continued talking about work and things when the freckled man had to end the call because of a knock at the door. Hanging up the receiver, the man strolled over to the door and opened it up to see his now distant brother Luffy. And by distant he means that he never sees the teen anymore. It just seems that he shows up every few months out of the blue looking scruffy and out of breath.
"H-Hey Ace" Luffy managed to smile to his older brother. Something was off about the teen this time.
"Luffy! Long-time no see, where have you been?" Ace asked, he was happy to see Luffy and plus he wanted Luffy to see his…nephew. That sounded so morbid but it was the truth. Ace had decided it was going to be awkward as hell when Luffy seen Akio. It's not every day that you find out you have a nephew after all.
Luffy nodded showing he had been fine but he was still off. He had his woolly poof ball hat in his hands gripped tightly. Before Ace could ask any more questions Luffy cleared his throat. "Ace there's someone I want you to meet…"
Yosha! there we have it! law and Ace are about to meet! *puts on sunglasses and eats popcorn* oh yeah I have to write it... but never mind! Any how, I cant do reviews tonight as I just got back from watching The Theory To Everything. And I just want to say..It was extremely emotional.. :( Overall a good movie!
Also this is the first chapter to be written on my new laptop! It feels so weird not having to copy and paste my work! But next chapter I will do all the reviews! Even the ones from the previous chapters! Until then..Goodnight!
