Luffy was covering his nose and mouth with a handkerchief preventing more blood to come out, knees close to his chest and Ace was sitting on the couch in front of him with his back tilted forward and a worried look on his face. It was only the first day back after the plane returned, and it seems it already started to impact -negatively- the life of the passengers' families.
"So, they're harassing you because of us coming back" The elder brother pointed out trying to get his thoughts in check.
Luffy shook his head and shifted nervously on place as soon as his brother started speaking preventing him to go further and apologize to which Ace replied by raising an eyebrow at him prompting him to explain.
"Okey, I mean, it's nothing new, so you don't have to be sorry- They're always been a bunch of jerks to me and my friends and now they're stupid, too." He spoke with a slightly muffled voice due to the handkerchief half-covering his mouth and he took a pause to adjust his held on it and his head angulation, probably feeling blood starting to flow down again before starting rabbling again. "They claim you aren't the same- that you're not human or that you've all been replaced with something else, alien even. They were being even more stupid than usual and so I told them off".
Ace almost laughed at that almost glad that his little brother was still a sassy and stubborn one even years apart, although that quirk surely got him into trouble. "So, you provoked them too"
His little brother spoke softly and suddenly found interesting his forgotten backpack on the floor "…Don't tell mom…"
"Hey, I won't. Tell me, have I ever ratted out my little brother?" He humored quickly reassuring him while reaching out to pat that black mess that was his brother's untamable hair and moving to Luffy's side to slightly remove the handkerchief to check if the bleeding stopped in the meantime to which the younger one replied with a bright smile while probably recalling their old dynamics.
"But those bullies didn't target you, did they? Well not after I've defended you that one time…" This time Ace was starting to dig into his memories, feeling like decades have passed instead of a couple of years… Well, from his perspective at least.
"You did scare them pretty well though big bro" Luffy chuckled and Ace felt himself relax at the familiar nickname and after that they fell into a comfortable silence
"And I'm proud of that" Ace ruffled his hair sounding rather smug, only to soften his smile seconds later. "You know, Lu, I'm glad you and mom don't think we're somehow… Not the same" Ace sincerely pointed out, remembering just how this morning: when he went to talk to his old boss Edward there were many people happy to see him back but there were also many others wary but thankfully not straight out offensive; sadly, his little brother wasn't as lucky even if it's just about a few arrogant kids. Hopefully they'll all calm down given some time. Expect for that voice but it was a one-time thing so he pretty much didn't think about it. Maybe he should talk about it with Marco, or anyway he couldn't hide that from him for long in any case and oh, he should also thank his friends for not freaking out too much over him being back from the dead and all.
"Hey I'm not stupid! And if you weren't you, I would know" His little brother replied instantly voice full of confidence. There it is again, the undeniably overwhelming faith Luffy put on those who he recognizes as worthy.
"Of course you would" Ace hummed in response thinking about how the little one was so sure of his words, but then again, it's a Luffy thing to do. "Ah, you said they were bothering your friends too, are they fine? And… Now that I think about it, are they the same ones from before?" He added on second thought now picturing a group of small colorful children laughing up at him and playing around outside in the garden.
"Uhm, yeah, actually…" Ace waited for him to continue noticing the sudden sternness of the small body next to him and the weird stuttering. Luffy diverted his gaze and started playing around with the handkerchief making sure his nose wasn't bleeding anymore, seemly trying working up some courage and that's what worried his older brother the most: Luffy had never missed a chance to stood up despite everything and he was always talking with him about anything his imaginative mind could come up with or about his personal problems. "Yeah, Zoro, Nami and I sticked together, but everyone else… Kind of left after the car accident".
Ace's shoulders went rigid at that and moved on the couch so that he was facing his little brother signaling him that he had his full attention, not daring to interrupt before he got more information on anything that happened while they were gone only making a sound of recognition at the names, green, black and orange appearing as silhouettes into his mind. Knowing that now they were older made him confused and he couldn't picture them as children anymore but still couldn't see them as teenagers yet.
"I was with Nami and Vivi in the backseat – light blue hair, remember?" Luffy paused waiting for any sign of recognition from his brother, moving to hug his knees closer and resting against the soft white cushions, still holding tight on the now ragged handkerchief in hand. "Vivi's parents were driving us home from the mall but a car hit us on the right side, where Vivi was sitting. She didn't make it". He stated the event as any other fact, but there was a hint of sadness just barely notable that could be overlooked at to someone who didn't interact much with him.
"Oh, I'm sorry Lu…" Ace scooted close enough to rest one hand above Luffy's, processing the news. "Did you get hurt too?"
"A little, yeah, 'cause I was sitting in the middle between Nami and Vivi" His voice cracked on the blue haired girl's name to his own annoyance. "D-Don't worry about me" He quickly added, blinking away the tears. "It happened a long time ago. I had a lot of trouble getting into a car after that- just like Nami. But we're doing good now". And yet, Ace could metaphorically put his hands over fire betting his little brother still had nightmares but decided now wasn't the best time to press on the matter so instead he opted for getting back to be the sweet older brother. Yeah, if Ace ever learned something from their childhood – well, just part of it since Luffy became a part of their family when he was already seven – is comfort first, rage and explanation later.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you" And I am now so I'm gonna make up for it, Ace thought. "Have you said that to Dad too?" He leaned back on the couch letting Luffy resting his head on his shoulder, breathing out shakingly. His little brother was touch-starved as a child, figures now after half a decade without seeing them. "Didn't really had a chance..." Luffy replied softly looking rather thoughtful. Well, fairly enough both of their parents were already out either working or trying to get back at it so they haven't seen them when they both woke up, but they did find some sweet messages and a huge breakfast waiting for them downstairs. Speaking of which…
"You'll get a chance eventually, how about we eat lunch now?"
Ace was throwing in the garbage can next to the garage's door the crumbles left on the tablecloth when he heard his own voice again speaking directly into his mind, making him jump slightly and accidentally almost internally missed the can.
Help him.
He quickly looked over his shoulder to check if Luffy noticed him but gladly he was turned to the sink, putting away the well cleaned dishes in their place. The older brother sighed in relief and started picking up and properly throwing away the crumbles ignoring that thought for now, or at least he wanted to but once again it resonated into his head, help him. Help who, Luffy? He was trying, even if he didn't know how. Help him, echoed stubbornly and louder making Ace bring a hand to his forehead. It was louder but… Now he could tell from where: the garage.
Well, it probably won't leave him alone if he didn't investigate so it was worth a shot. Ace put on a chair the tablecloth nicely folded and took the garbage's bag to bring it outside through the garage's backdoor. Help him, now the nicer and calmer voice was gently guiding him towards the wall, right- no, left wall and… Up.
Ace was looking at the box containing their photos that they found yesterday and was very, very confused to say the least. But some weird sense of urgence made him grab it and start digging through the slightly ruined photograph describing his early life… After all, they stopped when they started gushing about Luffy's graduation. Now he was looking at the first photo of him and Luffy, just a couple hours after they picked him up from the orphanage: the little boy was looking up at his younger self with a confused yet surprised and almost happy expression while holding onto his hand while Ace, little grumpy but sweetly so, was looking down on him.
He clearly remembered the moments this photo was taken, his parents talked him up to be a good big brother fearing that he would react bad to a new addition to the family but instead Ace surprised them and even himself quickly showing protective of his new little brother and how couldn't he- Luffy was so small, well, way smaller back then, and way more closed, shy, in fear of everything really.
Ace's line of thought was interrupted when another photo was basically begging for his attention: it was another where he was in it this time together with a familiar young blond child reading a book next to him while Ace's younger version was clearly making fun of him.
Help him, the voice sweetly but determined stated.
Ace couldn't bring himself to turn away from that piece of memory he was holding, and almost automatically called out for his little brother.
"Say, Lu. Can I tell you something really weird?"
Hello again and thanks for reading my story, see you next time!
