Blah, blah, disclaimer... usual notes about crappy editing that I can't be fucked doing because it is still highly readable as it is... blah... enjoy! ACE! 3
Roronoa Zoro was sulking terribly.
And everybody knew it. Even the more recent members could tell almost instantly. That was because it wasn't Zoro's normal brooding and frowning type of sulking. It was a straight-out hostile aura that came with slanted eyes, gritted teeth, hunched shoulders and a snappy attitude. To Sanji, it was so damn obvious and offending to his sweet Nami and Vivi that they had already broken the average day's score of fights-based-on-almost-completely-nothing and turned it into a double record.
Luffy and Ace found that hilarious. The rest, not so much. Zoro not at all, because Ace and Luffy's happiness was one of the main bulging roots of his extremely bad mood, as well as Sanji, because he had to waste time beating down the crap Marmiro when he could be swooning over Nami and Vivi's lovely desert attire. Vivi, not at all, because she worried for their safely and didn't get the man code. Nami, annoyed, because those two were idiots and Sanji was an idiot for doting and Zoro was an even bigger idiot for acting like a spoiled two-year-old and Luffy was an idiot because he was too damn innocent for his own good. Usopp, pissed with a tint of fear, because when Luffy and Zoro hit a storm, they dragged all of them down to the violent depths with them. Chopper, uninterested, and cursing the heat. Eyelash just didn't care.
When it came down to it, Zoro was jealous.
Everything had been fine at the beginning with the introductions of Luffy's spirited older brother and his quick initiation into the crew, but that's where the peace ended. As days passed and they traversed more and more desert, the bond Luffy and Ace shared became more and more apparent. Luffy snatched Ace's food, they fought constantly, shared inside knock-knock jokes about some fat woman named Dadan and never stopped talking. And only the other night, Zoro had awoken in the middle of the night to discover the warmth curled against him was gone, and looked over to discover him and Ace nearby, lying there, talking and watching the stars together.
Before Zoro knew it, it didn't seem like Luffy had time for him anymore. But, even then, he was still holding up well.
He didn't voice his insecurities, nor force Luffy to come to him, but that resolve soon vanished when it became clear to him that Ace, through his own smarts or some other means was aware of the reason for his pissed off mental state. That wouldn't be so bad if it didn't openly amuse him.
'Oh, so you're Luffy's swordsman, huh? You wouldn't believe how much I just heard about you on the way here…'
'Oh yeah? What did Luffy say?'
'Mostly about how the sex is good, eh?' Ace stared laughing then, while Zoro coloured.
Zoro could tell he was actually a pretty pleasant guy. Ace was a likeable enough guy; fun, polite, easygoing and POWERFUL, but it was just that teensy tiny fact that he stole from Luffy from him. All the time. And hadn't even confronted him about it yet. (Unforgivable).
Although, just like always, Luffy acted as if nothing were amiss. He knew his swordsman, and he knew when his swordsman was in a bad mood, or in a BAD MOOD. And because of that as of late he had spent a good part of their journey thinking far too hard on what it could be that had gotten his swordsman so ticked. For his efforts; a healthy zero. So, there was nothing he could do but cheer Zoro up.
To Zoro, that almost made up for everything. He knew his captain, and from the way Luffy had held back and fell into step with him, chatting non-stop, had his heart melting inside it's fortress of steel. It was only unfortunate that when Ace swaggered up with that shit-eating lazy grin of his and proposed a race to the next outcropping, Luffy took off without a second thought.
'ACE! NO FAIR! YOU HAD A HEAD START!'
Zoro ground his teeth, trudging on and thumbing his swords with a little too much energy.
The next day, his silence cracked.
'I can't believe you never told me you had an older brother,' he said seemingly out of nowhere, mostly directed at Ace's mighty back, visible far ahead of the pack. Next to him, Luffy blinked those huge eyes.
'Do you have a brother?' he questioned back to Zoro. 'No,' was the short, dry answer. Luffy tilted his head, trying again. 'Do you have a sister?'
Zoro growled. 'No,' he said, his irritation growing. 'What's Zoro's point, then?' Luffy frowned slightly at Zoro's 'back-off' tone.
Dammnit, he was so pissed and wrongly taking it out on Luffy. Zoro was starting to feel hot and bothered, and barely caught Luffy's next sentence. 'Well, you never told me you didn't have a brother or a sister, so we're even!' he concluded with a cheerful whistle. Zoro grimaced, feeling his eye twtich.
'That makes no sense,' he snarled, slowing. 'Godamnit, stop being an idiot!'
Luffy's mouth opened at the injustice of it, looking wounded. 'Zoro's no fun…' he pouted angrily, speeding his pace. Zoro knew his captain. He caught the sadness in his tone. 'Luffy, wait-' He called, feeling his body seize with regret. He took a step forward, trying to grab Luffy, but Luffy had already started running.
Right up to the front where Ace was waiting, watching Zoro with raised eyebrows. Zoro's face darkened. He had literally been left in the dust, and the only one he could blame was himself. He sighed deeply, freezing as Usopp sniggered near him. Both of the girls were glaring at him, and curly brow had that infuriating disappointed scowl on.
Figures the damn rest of the crew were eavesdropping.
'Nicely handled,,' Usopp quipped, while the girls shook their heads. Before damnable love cook could open his stupid mouth Zoro snapped 'Shut it!' and hurriedly trudged ahead, feeling even more sorry for himself as he looked up to see Ace and Luffy silhouetted by the setting sun, their smiling faces highlighted.
It was later that night when Zoro had calmed slightly that he decided a direct approach would work; as always with Luffy. He could almost slap himself for not even thinking of that sooner.
Everyone was rushing about in preparation for the night; Chopper and Usopp were collecting what minimal plant fodder they could for that night's fire while Ace helped Sanji prepare ingredients for a simple broth. The girls were setting up their tent while Luffy frolicked inside the rising structure, peeking his head out to yell 'Boo!' continuously while Nami swore at him and Vivi laughed.
It was simple enough to head for the tent, grab Luffy and swing him over his shoulders so he could then walk off without as much a backwards glance. The crew stared for less than a second before they returned to their tasks.
'Zooooorrrrrroooo! Zoro! Zoro! Put me down! I can walk, Zoorroo!' Luffy whined, beating on Zoro's back. Zoro ignored him, secretly delighted at the breathlessly light giggles Luffy was slowly starting to release.
Ace lowered the pot and watched, one eyebrow raised. Next to him, Sanji shook his head patronisingly. 'There that pervert Marimo goes, off to molest your innocent little brother,' he slyly noted, glancing at Ace sideways with a grin. 'You gonna let him just do that?' Burn him to pieces, burn him to pieces-!
Ace shrugged, but the grin he wore brought hope soaring into Sanji's heart. 'I have a plan,' he stated, epically, before dropping the pot and following the two lovers, just as casually as that.
When Zoro reached the next outcropping of rocks not too far away and threw Luffy and himself to the ground, it soon became known that they had a visitor. Zoro momentarily paused in his attempts to licking at Luffy's scented neck and scowled extremely deeply.
There the bastard was. Sitting on a rock. Enjoying the show.
'You right there?' Zoro snarled out like a savage animal while crouched over Luffy almost possessively ('Ace! Hi! What are you doing here?!'). Luffy was ignored.
Ace merely blinked innocently. 'Yeah, I am, thanks for asking,' he smirked. Zoro growled, feeling his skin crawl. Then, with a huff, he turned back to Luffy and planted his lips firmly on Luffy's, muffling any sounds Luffy was about to make. Deciding to firmly ignore the bastard, he slipped his hand under Luffy's vest and pulled it open. Luffy was still looking at Ace in confusement, but arched up with a squeak as Zoro dug his fingers into his abdomen, running them up and down deeply.
Zoro's movements slowed when his senses informed him that Ace had gone nowhere. He steamed with fustration. Fine-! I'm not slowing for his sake at all!
Trying to ignore the other man again, he trailed one hand slowly down Luffy's stomach and slipped it into Luffy's pants- Shit! He just couldn't with Ace sitting there, watching them! It was, it was… wrong!
'Zorrrrrrrrro…' Luffy panted out. 'Why'd you stop?'
Godamnnit. God-fucking-damnnit. He absolutely loved it when Luffy rolled the R in that little bed-voice of his.
He sat up abruptly, and swung around to Ace. He smirked. 'Problem?' he asked.
'Fuck off,' Zoro said, low and dangerous.
'No,' said Ace neutrally.
Zoro's fists clenched. 'I'm serious,' he ground out. 'You've been stealing Luffy the whole trip!' Zoro knew he sounded like some three-year-old, but he never normally cared about that sort of stuff, and this was a special case. He really didn't care.
'Zoro's the one who's been ignoring me! Hey, you're doing it now! Zoro! Ace! I'm here too! Oooooi!'
'No I haven't. You've just been a cranky bastard.'
'That's it--!' Zoro screamed angrily, leaping off Luffy, Kitestu and Yubashiri already in hand. Luffy's eyes widened, and his gaze jumped from Ace to Zoro, both tense and standing off.
'If that's how you want it,' Ace said, his tone low as he tipped his hat up to catch Zoro's eye. He smirked, and flames started to erupt from his body. Zoro dashed forward, and that was it.
Ferocity poured from each side as they clashed, steel singing and flames dancing. Everytime Zoro slashed forward, Ace would simply disappear in a shower of sparks and send massive fireball driven canons of flame towards him. Zoro had no trouble deflecting these, and found himself enjoying the thrill of the battle as he lightly stepped between them, dodging this one, cutting through that one, deflecting another to send it spiralling back to Ace.
Ace seemed to be taking this seriously, for his concentration never wavered as he send fireball after fireball. Zoro was able to find gaps in Ace's random pattern of throwing and was able to get behind the flare-flare man a few times quick enough to slash diagonally through him. At these moments Zoro felt a deep sense of satisfaction rise up from him at the surprised look on Ace's face. Now, if only he could actually find a way to cut through Ace…
Meanwhile, poor Luffy was feeling very ignored. That, and annoyed. It was bad enough Zoro kept ignoring him, but now both him and Ace (especially Zoro, right when they were going to have some good sex!) were ignoring him in favour of a battle. He pouted. They could have at least included him.
Normally that wouldn't have bothered Luffy. He would have jumped in grinning, swinging his fists out of adrenaline. But those two were fighting about something serious… a matter to settle. Luffy didn't understand what it was, but he knew never to interrupt a man's duel.
He felt lonely, for that matter. Watching two of his favourite people in the world fight had been fun the first few minutes (they both looked so cool! And Zoro looked so hot! Even though Ace was actually hot, with his flames…), but soon after, when they hadn't stopped and Luffy had't been getting any more attention, he stood up, dusted himself off, buttoned up his shirt and wandered back to everyone, looking sulky.
At the crew's shock at him walking back alone looking miserable, his answer was 'Ace and Zoro are fighting and I don't know why! But now Zoro won't give me sex, and Ace won't give me a hug, and I'm bored and hungry!' His attention turned to the snickering Sanji. 'Sanji, I'm hungry!'
He was ignored yet again, as him and the rest of the crew looked towards the two men's direction, where various mounts of flames were visible shooting into the sky, and cussing and steel ringing could be heard. 'Ha, finally! That pervy Marimo is getting what's coming to him!'
'The biggest pervert of them all can talk,' Usopp growled with a roll of his eyes. Chopper giggled next to him as Luffy plopped down next to him, looking forlorn. 'Don't be sad, Luffy! They're both fighting for you!'
Luffy perked up, tiling his head. 'Eh? Me?'
'Yeah!' Chopper's eyes were shining. 'I get it! It happened all the time when I grew up! The two strong males fight to outdo each other for rights! And their doing it for you, Luffy! Isn't that sweet?'
'Not exactly...' Usopp commented, tilting his head. 'Not far off, though...' Nami rose an eyebrow. 'I'm interested to see who will win, though...'
'Yes, and if poor Luffy will ever get his Bushido time,' Vivi said with a laugh. Nami gagged while Usopp choked. 'V-v-v-vivi!' he squeaked. 'Don't ever say anything like that again!'
'You savage! Don't you dare speak to Vivi with a tone like that! She deserves the best of everything!'
In the background, Luffy had his arms crossed, and he looked more confused then ever. 'I don't get it…' he quietly said, sighing as his nakama fought around him.
Around an hour passed before Ace and Zoro's movements even slowed, and by then they were both exhausted. They stood panting, staring hard at each other. Despite the frigid air of the nighttime desert, heat sizzled across the battlefield, both from Ace's flames and Zoro's strong glare.
Then, suddenly, Ace straightened. He brushed his hair back casually and started laughing.
'What?' Zoro growled out as Ace grinned at him, his intensity and hostile aura suddenly completely gone.
'So you ARE good enough for my brother,' Ace cheerfully threw out, swaggering over to the still battle-ready Zoro and crossing his arms right in front of the man. 'I had a feeling, but you can never be too sure, you know? Especially when it's Luffy we're talking about.'
'Wha…?' Zoro stuttered out. He relaxed and lowered his swords, but remained slightly tense. 'What are you talking about…?'
Ace shook his head. 'Man, you really do match Luffy strength for strength and brains for brains.' (Zoro froze and growled). 'Listen, as I'm sure you already know, Luffy's a special guy. And in more ways than one. If you have the strength and guts to stay by his side, then I can't say anything.' His eyes narrowed slightly. 'If you didn't, however, you wouldn't be getting off as easy.'
Zoro's mouth opened slighty as the puzzle finally formed inside his mind. 'So that was a test?' He asked. 'What, to make sure I'm strong enough for Luffy or something?' He sounded a tad incredulous.
'No,' Ace said, and his tone was suddenly sharp, his face shadowed. 'Some day, things are going to get serious. This little game you've been playing, it will become hell. When that time comes, will you back down and run? Or will you choose to stand and fight, and stay by my brother's side? Would you risk yourself to protect him?'
Ace suddenly looked every bit as dangerous as the Marines classified him as. Zoro, despite his own impressive aura, felt a tiny shiver run up his spine. Even so, his expression hardened, and he looked insulted. 'I would never run from a fight, no more than I would ever leave Luffy,' he narrowed his eyes deeply. 'And anyone who has a problem with that can try to with their dead body. He is my Captain, and mine alone.'
Wind howled around them as they watched each other. There was no way Zoro was backing down now. He'd show Fire-Fist, make him rue the moment he thought that he would every give up on Luffy, or give up at all.
A few moments passed.
Ace started laughing. The spell broke, and Zoro watched in disbelief as Ace hunched over, slapping his knees. Okay… but man, what was I really expecting? This IS Luffy's brother, after all…
'Damn, you really DO have a scary face!' Ace said, pointing at Zoro, who frowned. 'And not many can hold their own against me… I'm impressed, Zoro.'
Ace plopped himself against the rocks and beckoned Zoro over, still grinning widely. Intrigued, Zoro quickly sheathed his swords and followed, seating himself gingerly in front of Ace. His interest spiked when Ace reached into his bag and withdrew a metal flask, which he popped off the cap and carelessly threw down a few good chugs. When he stopped, he exhaled with a sweet sigh.
'Here,' he grinned, throwing it to Zoro. 'You earned it.' Zoro caught it with ease and sniffed at the opening, thinking that if Ace was anything like Luffy in the liquid category it would probably be cider and he'd lose all respect for the older D. brother… but when a strong coppery tang assaulted his nostrils, he gave a hum of appreciation and took a few hearty gulps before passing it back.
He wasn't prepared for the overwhelming fiery explosion that burst on his tastebuds, and his eyes widened as he choked it down. That- that was some strong booze-!
Without caring, he snatched it back from Ace's open hand and took a few more mesmerising drinks. Ace's lip quirked upwards, but he grabbed it back before Zoro could take too much. 'One of Whitebeard's finest brews,' he said in answer to Zoro's hooked eyes. 'We like to call it the Pheonix's call.' And he smirked then, like he was sharing some inside joke with Zoro. 'Any man who can handle this is someone who I can trust my baby bro too,' Ace said with a bark of laughter. 'I can now rest easy.'
Zoro enjoyed the last of the booze burning it's way down his throat before he turned his attention back to Ace. 'He's really lucky to have a brother like you.'
Ace narrowed his eyes. 'No, he's really lucky to have nakama like you guys. And a man like you. I've gotta be serious. Ever since I left, Luffy was always there, at the back of my mind. You see, he's the kind of guy that doesn't only attract danger, but invites it to have him for dinner.'
If Zoro could have had a more deadpanned look, he would have. But there was only so much normal human features could do. 'Trust me when I say, I know exactly what you mean.'
Ace regarded him with amusement, and they shared a look of understanding. 'I guess what I meant was, I was worried. But now I'm not. Get it?' he took a final swig and offered Zoro the cask back. Zoro took it gratefully with a smirk. 'Got it,' he grunted as he tipped his head back. 'But there's really no point. He's in a league all on his own.'
Ace laughed softly, and his gaze travelled back to the light of the campfire to the West. 'Don't we all know that.' He grinned mischievously suddenly. 'You might wanna work on your jealousy problems. Even though I kinda like it cause it means you'll keep all those sickos away from him, you kept acting like I was gonna steal my own little bro away from you in the dark of the night and-'
Zoro cut him off with a mad grunt, his face reddening starkly. Ace laughed, and Zoro crossed his arms. 'Whatever,' he muttered.
A moment of contemplation overtook them in the quiet of the desert night, before Ace pushed himself up. The sounds of laughter and yelling drifted from the campsite. 'Come on,' he said, sniffing the air eagerly. 'Dinner!' He looked so much like an older and mature Luffy then that Zoro was struck dumb for a moment.
He followed Ace back, feeling much more at peace with himself, and Luffy's brother. Now he was certain that when he dragged Luffy off tonight, Ace wouldn't follow. Thank goodness (if he did, Zoro was certainly going all out this time, Fire-Fist brother or not).
And as Zoro suspected, when he not so discreetly pulled Luffy away from the others, Ace merely gave them a passing glance and a perverted grin before leaving them to their devices. In fact, there wasn't any issue until Ace realised that Zoro had never given him his special Pheonix alcohol back and stormed in on them blazing as Zoro was ripping Luffy's pants off (to which they both discovered that Luffy, as usual, had been going commando).
Zoro would curse the places he had burns in for the next few weeks.
Don't really have much to say. It was enjoyable to write, but a bit jumpy in some places, but that's because I've been busy working on another Zolu story, an AU original that has been in the back of my mind for almost a year now. I'm so excited to get going with it! Sometime in the forseeable future, maybe... Until next time!