The whole ride home turned out to be way longer and exhausting than anyone expected, and the apparent silent treatment didn't make it better. Of course, everyone was- is trying to process, think, rationalize. The absurdity of the situation was making Ace feel like his head could explode any moment now and the pressure from the reporters and journalist and even just curious passerby who surrounded their car made him feel trapped. The slow flowing of the traffic didn't help either, instead even made things worse since people on foot could easily keep up the pace.
People were knocking on the windows, someone even trying to open the car's door to get a response. Ace tried his best to ignore them while taking in his family's expressions and new appearances: his mom was driving with a perfect straight face seemingly successful in shutting out the people outside, her wrinkles and messy hair bun feeling so familiar yet so out of place; his Dad had his arms crossed from what he could see from the backseat and a serious face on while glaring half-heartedly at the faces trying to get his attention. Has he recognized anyone in the crow? Ace thought stretching his neck only to see other cars in the same- or even worse situation. And Luffy, not-so-little Lu anymore, was sitting next to Ace playing with his hoody and stubbornly looking at his feet.
Ace still somehow hopes that the whole thing is just a sick joke and somewhere in the crowd little Luffy and their young mother was laughing to tears at his scowling confused face, because the alternative- if it was all true- then he and his dad just missed how many years? Six, seven? Of world's history, of his friends and family's lives. Did her mother have to work even harder? How did they deal with Luffy struggling with his memories? Too many questions to keep up but he couldn't help but wonder: I'm still your big brother, right? Ace risked another glance towards Luffy who obviously got caught staring and quicky returned to stress the fabric of his clothes.
"Luffy-"As soon as he spoke big brown and excepting eyes turned to him only growing wider in fear when a loud crash from behind them rang out interrupting him and made all of them jump from their seat. He didn't even realize he was moving until he felt Luffy's head tucked underneath his hand and his untamable hair tickling his chin in a rushed attempt to protect him from the glass that- wasn't there.
The car behind them got a side window broken and now the man responsible for the act and the woman sitting that side have started a heating argument while everyone else just contributed to makes a scene while trying to tear the man away from the car. Ace, still feeling abnormally on edge, automatically held tighter Luffy- who now was holding on his shirt with white knuckles- and turned away instead looking to their parents for comfort which they provided at sight. Somehow, looking at their eyes filled with worry and relief, helped him relax and exhale.
"Y-You're okey there?" Her mother stressed yet sweet voice grounded him and he nodded also giving his father a reassuringly look- which he hoped managed to be that way. He felt Luffy move slightly from his hug and could tell from the way he was trembling that his struggling to hold back more tears, as proved from his wavering voice when the younger replied with a small and quick "Yeah".
Their parents' hands reached out to them and gave a squeeze for each, and his mother muttered out a small apologize that to Ace and Roger didn't make sense at that moment. The shouts from outside were fading out as cops and other authorities helped defuse the situation and getting people away from the street making the traffic able to move faster, until they got away far enough that the only sound was from their and other cars' engine. The rest of the trip home was thankfully calm and eventful, leaving all of the passengers alone with their thoughts.
Guest: Thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you enjoyed the story this far! I apologize for the late updadte, but as promised it's here.
If you have any suggestions or correction please do say, there's no better way at learning than through others' feedback :)
