Hey, faithful readers!* Here's another Chapter for you!* I apologize for the late update but here's your long awaited chapter!* Adult scenes up ahead!*

Here you go!*

Chapter 25

From when they could remember their life had been a tough piece of work but they managed to live through most of the hardships. Having a brother was all they needed to look forward and move on to get stronger.

They trained together to gain more experience and to become better than the best in the world. The two boy swordsman brothers on their own adventure towards the top. Nothing stood in their way and no one dared to stand in their way.

They were content until that day...

Lucio's eyes shot open and for a brief moment he could only see the red stains of blood in his vision before all color vanished. His vision quickly returned but his breathing was heavy and small trails of sweat trailed down his pale face.

Lucio ran his hands through his natural darkened hair and took a deep breath to calm down his rapid heartbeat. He had known that his older locked away memories would return after he had found his brother but that was all the more reason to travel so far.

He had to force himself to face his past so that he could fight against the Devil's Fruit that was trying to control him. That and the sea stone that hung around his neck were the only things he needed to fight against his powers, or so he believed.

"I refuse to lose you!"

Lucio let out an exasperated sigh and let his shoulder slump as he stared at the ground. Lucio was well aware of only having his brother left of his family and he would give his life to his brother. However, he wanted more than just to be able to see him once in a Decade.

Lucio wanted to live by his brother's side in peece, not wanting anything but being close to him without causing harm. Ever since they had separated paths, it was a goal he had always held in mind but as time passed so many other things changed that he had briefly forgotten about that goal.

In the mean while he had taken countless of lovers who were are killed and he was imprisoned. There was no reason for him to ever escape the hell of Impel Down until he was given a reason to see the light of the world once again.

By saving Ace he had been forced to look back into the world again and made his decision to set his plan in action. Finding new lovers who were to be free on the ocean and not compelled on a small island. It was his first step and all went well until he realized that he had let his guard drop.

Lucio caused Ace much pain and the guilt within his chest was starting to eat him up from the inside out. He had given his word that he would never touch Ace in any kind of sexual way but Lucio had forced his own hand and broken his word.

The hardest realization had hit him after the incident and it was the last push he needed to make his final decision. He was going to take back his emotions and he was going to be in charge of his powers. He was going to make sure that he could be human again.

Lucio pushed himself off from the large bed he had laid on before and moved towards the medium sized window at the side of the large room. It was more than what he needed but to stay in a castle meant you had to live the luxury.

He stared out of the window and immediately caught glance of a fire followed by a slash of a sword. His brows furrowed briefly before he saw Zoro and Ace fight against the baboons outside of the castle. Both had smirks plastered on their faces and above them floated the ghost woman known as Perona.

Lucio chuckled in amusement before he sat down on the window pane and stared at the two fighting. It was surprising as to how in sync they were and their movements flowed into one another. It was as if they were floating through the baboons that seemed to lose until more reinforcements came along.

Lucio's brows twitched as more baboons started to surround the two males and they backed up against each other. The Ghost Female had her teeth gritted and soon all of the baboons attacked the males again.

Lucio watched as there was a large explosion and most of the baboons were sent flying from both flames as well as dangerous slashes from Zoro's swords. Lucio caught sight of a few of baboons sulking in negativity and saw that the Ghost woman started to participate in the fight as well.

It looked interesting.

"Have your boredom forced you to look at those children's training, Lucio? Or are you interested in how each of them fights?" Mihawk's voiced reached Lucio's ears and a smirk came upon his dark facial features.

"Both" Lucio answered before he averted his eyes towards his brother who was standing in the doorway with a bored facial expression. "I take it that you took in a subordinate of your own... How strange of you indeed, Hawky"

Mihawk scowled at the name but said nothing more to show his agitation. Mihawk's eyes shifted towards the window and he let out a sigh before a chuckle escaped his dry lips. The memory of Zoro asking him for guidance lingered in his thoughts and he looked back at his brother.

"Roronoa let his own pride go so that he could become stronger for someone else's sake. That's the only reason that I agreed to train him. To train the one that wants to kill you. How idiotic can one be...?" Mihawk murmured as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Lucio scoffed and drew Mihawk's attention. "I believe that we have both made such a decision in our lives. I especially remember someone similar begging me to train them with the knowledge of a sword. Isn't that right, World's Strongest Swordsman?" Lucio teased and Mihawk chuckled.

"It was more killing than training, Lucio. You learnt me all the hard ways and now Roronoa has to suffer the same why I did" Mihawk stated and Lucio rolled his eyes. He turned towards his brother and raised an eyebrow.

"It wasn't that bad! You survived everything that was thrown at you and you killed anything you were thrown at!" Lucio pointed out and Mihawk snorted. If he hadn't done that, he would've died for sure because fighting against dangerous beasts is about survival or dying.

"What about you, Lucio? Are you planning on training 'Fire Fist' or are you merely observing from the sidelines?" Mihawk asked and Lucio's face immediately hardened at the mention of the name. Mihawk noted his brother's sudden change in behavior but waited for Lucio's response.

"I was asked, but I prefer it if I don't have to train anyone. My days of taking in subordinates have long since vanished." Lucio replied as he walked away from the window, not glancing back at the fight continuing outside.

Mihawk stared at his brother as he went to sit down on the large bed and immediately noted Lucio's black gloves again. He could still remember those black gloves well from their teenage years and the memories that came with them.

"Lucio, what happened seven years ago with your lovers? Were you truly the one who killed them or was it someone else?" Mihawk asked and Lucio blinked a few times in surprise before a dry chuckle escaped him.

Lucio ran a hand through his hair before letting his hand fall back onto his leg. He stared at his gloved hands before clenching them tightly. Mihawk studied his brother's actions and refrained from pushing the male to answer a question that seemed to bother the older male's conscious.

"I knew that you'd ask me about that, Mihawk, but I am surprised that you haven't heard about what really happened. Then again...the marines knew how to cover up everything they needed to..." Lucio murmured and he could feel frustration built up within him, yet kept his impassive tone.

"Seven years ago... On my island... Each and every one of my lovers were killed right in front of me and I was forced to look at the bloodshed." Lucio stated and Mihawk's eyes briefly widened before they narrowed dangerously.

"I would never kill them. They were more important to me than anyone except you would understand. I needed them to survive and they wished to be nowhere but with me. I vowed that I would never slaughter again and after their murders, I'm regretting that decision" Lucio explained in a raw tone.

"Who killed them? Who was the cause that you went to Impel Down, Lucio?" Mihawk asked in a low tone and watched as a shadow fell over Lucio's eyes. Lucio's lips curved into a frown and his hands entangled tightly.

"A name that I wish not to ever hear in my life again. A dangerous man that was the cause of this War of the Best and the same male who'll lead the world to the ultimate war... A true enemy of god..." Lucio murmured and Mihawk immediately followed his brother's words.

A silence started to linger around the two brother and no words were used by either of them. Mihawk knew it was difficult for Lucio to talk about the loss of his brother. He hadn't changed that much over the past decade and still refrained from talking about painful memories.

Despite being emotionless.

It was the only thing that bound Lucio to still being human. The feeling of loss. Mihawk knew the rest of the story well enough because of his title as a Warlord. However, he knew the reason behind Lucio's imprisonment as well and could only let out an exasperated sigh.

His brother was always harsh on himself.

"You need to stop torturing yourself, Lucio. You'll be dragged down into darkness without realizing it and when you do it'll be too late. Everyone has to lose something precious, otherwise we would never be able to deal with loss" Mihawk pointed out and the Lucio's lips curled up into a smirk.

Lucio had to admit that he had missed his younger brother's words of wisdom. It was always the small thing that was said that made him look up to move forward again. He made the right decision in coming back to his family after all.

"Hey, I'm supposed to be the wise one here, Young Brother. It's not fair when you steal my spotlight" Lucio pouted while his golden eyes danced with amusement. Mihawk rolled his eyes before he chuckled at his brother.

"Then stop slacking on the job, Lucio. One of these days I'm going to take the older role" Mihawk stated and Lucio smirked at Mihawk. His eyes darkened briefly and he could feel excitement start to boil within his veins.

"Are you challenging me, Hawky? You do know the consequences of challenging your older brother, do you not?" Lucio asked as his smirk widened into a grin and his eyes pierced his brother's eyes. Mihawk huffed and a smirk came upon his lips as well.

"It's you who should refrain from underestimating your younger brother, Lucio. After all, I'm not the same young boy you used to know-" Mihawk suddenly took in a sharp breath when Lucio appeared next to him in a flash with his hand outstretched against Mihawk's chest.

"I am more than aware of that, Hawky... But I'm not the same as well... Teasing is my new favorite game as well as accepting challenges..." Lucio rasped in Mihawk's ear, making the male stiffen at the close contact before Lucio chuckled.

"Well, how about we catch up then? I'm craving for some white wine over candlelight" Lucio tapped Mihawk on his shoulder making the male relax almost immediately. Mihawk was about to retort on Lucio's statement before he saw the innocent grin he was given and let out a sigh.

"I only have red"

Lucio burst out laughing at Mihawk's statement and shook his head before he walked towards the door with his grin not vanishing in the least. "I guess that'll have to do then, Hawky" Lucio winked at his brother before he walked out of the room.

Mihawk shook his head and turned to follow the male out of the room. His brother really hadn't changed at all and his charismatic behavior was flirtatious as ever. Despite being his own brother, Lucio didn't have an ounce of shame to flirt with him.

But that was who Lucio was...

That's all peoplez!* Finally being able to converse freely with each other Mihawk and Lucio had a bit of brother talk* Like always, they have a strong bond even after all these years!* However, what will become of Lucio's other strong bond?* Find out next time!*

Please Review or PM me if you have any questions!*