sairakanzaki: That won't happen lol. This story is almost purely fluff. No kidnapping allowed.
I just reached 10,000 views on this story! That's more than my previously popular one! I'm so happy! thank you everyone who has read my story. I appreciate it! There's more development in Luffy's powers this chapter. Enjoy~
The two days after Ace's feelings were revealed were surprisingly uneventful. Marco acted like nothing had happened, and Ace did his best to, too. Luffy hadn't had another melt-down, and though everyone knew about his powers now, no one seemed to shun him about it. Quite the opposite, actually. Luffy started putting on shows for pirates, creating various creatures and things to impress them. He had a lot of fun with this, and the Spades were very glad it hadn't made everyone hate the boy.
The brothers and their crew got to know many names from the pirates that weren't commanders. Ace had thought things would be more stressful after Luffy's episode and Ace's awkward moment, but it was the opposite. He didn't feel embarrassed about being around Marco, even if he didn't go out of his way to talk to him. None of the pirates had said anything to him about his crush on Marco, because the teen recognized that was what it was.
He now knew the vampires could tell when he blushed, which was still embarrassing, but they were nice about it and didn't comment or laugh. Thatch was happier, too, as he got to spend some time with Jojo after he failed miserably with making the blood candies, to his humiliation. But Jojo was nice about it and showed him how to make it. They had become quite popular among the vampires.
Luffy had been made more new clothes, and Ace and Sabo had a feeling it was the crew trying to tell them, inadvertently, that they wanted the Spades to stay forever. Sabo and Ace had both been told that they were wanted, but neither had told the other, thinking the other might be upset by it.
But neither brother knew if they wanted to stay. There were definitely pros and cons, but they both enjoyed being captains. If they joined, they'd be the regular "nobodies". They doubted either one of them would be made a commander. They would miss the freedom of making their own choices about where to go or what to do.
The major pro, though, was safety. None of the Spades had been ready to enter the Grand Line, even if Ace and Sabo were both very strong. Luffy was still so young. But, with the Whitebeards there to protect them, Luffy would be able to go onto an island safely with the vampires there with him.
It was a lot to think about, so they did their best not to at all. They didn't want to stress when Luffy was so happy. They did, however, become a bit jealous when Luffy would let go of their hands and run off to one of the commanders to talk to or show them something. He constantly went to Marco to ask to be flown, and the vampire was perfectly fine with it, humoring Luffy by flying a few meters up in the air.
Marco's willingness to go along with Luffy's requests just made Ace have a bigger crush, but he tried his hardest to ignore it. Just because Marco wasn't upset with him about it didn't mean he wanted to feel like this. Besides, Marco was a vampire. It would never work out.
That's what he did his best to convince himself of. Luffy hadn't brought the topic up again, to Ace's much thanks.
-x-
On the mark of the second week of the Spades residing on the Moby Dick, Luffy leapt forward so far in his abilities that everyone was shocked and even a bit worried. Whitebeard had to be the most excited one out of each person on the ship, besides the little boy of course.
Sabo and the Spades were bathing, Jojo in the kitchen baking with Thatch and swapping recipes, and Ace and Luffy were out on deck. The big brother played games with Luffy, playing with a ball, tag, and tossing Lu up in the air.
"I wanna play duck, duck, goose, Ace," Luffy said suddenly.
"Well, we can't right now. There aren't enough people. Everyone is busy at the moment. Why don't we wait a little bit? I'm sure they'll want to play with us once they're done with their tasks," Ace replied with a smile. Luffy frowned, wishing he could play right now. Who knows how long it'll take for the others to all finish?
Then, his face lit up and you could almost see a lightbulb flash above his head. "I will fix it!" he shouted and suddenly there were five more Luffy's surrounding them. Ace sat in shock as the original Luffy told his duplicate illusions to get in a circle so they could play the game.
The five clones cheered, excited to play the game. They each turned to Ace at the same time, and in unison, said, "Ace starts first!" The teen wasn't sure how to react to this. It had never crossed his mind that Luffy would eventually be able to create humans, as he created plenty of animals and bugs.
Ace stood up and did as the Luffys said. Each one's head was semi-solid besides the original, who was completely solid, when Ace tapped it. He pushed away the shock and uncertainty as he played with the Luffys. They each made quite the ruckass, as it was now six four year olds playing instead of one.
A few pirates approached the back deck, wondering why it was so noisy all of the sudden when it had been relatively quiet for a long time. Their jaws dropped when they saw all of the Luffys and a slightly helpless looking Ace. Three of the little boys turned to the crowd of onlookers and asked, in unison again, if they wanted to play with them. Only a few seconds later, they all disappeared, leaving one Luffy and Ace.
"Aww! They didn't stay that long!" Luffy complained. They had only been there for maybe ten minutes, when most of his creations were around for maybe twenty or so minutes. Ace took a deep breath and then stood up.
"Why don't we go inside, Lu? We should tell the others of your progress." Despite having been shocked and worried, Ace was also proud of Luffy. He had always been a clueless four year old, but he was so proficient in his new ability. Far surpassing the rate it had taken Ace to master his own. He hadn't even thought of Luffy making humans, so what else could he do that was something no one had even wondered being possible?
"Kay," Luffy said and joined hands with Ace. The boy smiled at the onlookers as they passed them all. "Ace, carry me?" Luffy asked, lifting his arms up for Ace to pick him up. Luffy smiled in his arms, sticking his thumb in his mouth, happy with his progress he saw as amazing. Now he'd never be lonely!
The two entered the galley, where many of the commanders were, including all of the vampires. It was the middle of the night, after all. Many of the commanders stayed in the galley for long periods of time when they were not doing their own duties, so they could talk to those who were maybe on different schedules. Marco, Whitebeard and a few other vampire commanders were at their usual table.
"Marco, Marco!" Luffy called, squirming in Ace's arms until he put him down, and then ran over. "Guess what I did!" Marco smiled at him and asked what he did. "I made me's!" The others looked a bit confused and looked to Ace.
He gave a slightly nervous smile, and said, "Luffy can now make humans. We played duck, duck, goose with five copies of himself." Marco's jaw dropped, and Whitebeard's eyes lit up before he began to laugh.
"That's wonderful progress, Luffy," the captain said with a bright grin. Luffy giggled bashfully.
"I bet I can make you!" Luffy said, pointing to Marco. "Whitebeard is too big, I can't see his head." The others laughed. Looking like it took no effort at all, a duplicate of Marco appeared. Only, it looked a bit different than the real Marco. The illusion was much taller than the real Marco. And he didn't have his tattoo. He also wore the glasses Luffy had rarely seen him in.
Everyone figured it was due to Luffy's perspective that the copy Marco was taller than he really was. They all realized that these were perceptions by Luffy, not duplicates of the real person. It was how Luffy saw Marco that he looked like this.
It seemed like keeping adults there was more taxing as he disappeared in under five minutes when the Luffys he'd made lasted for ten. The commanders and some of the other pirates present clapped for him. Luffy soaked up all the attention like a very happy sponge. Then he frowned, surprising the others. Luffy looked puzzled for a minute before turning to Ace and looking up at him.
"I'm thirsty, Ace," the boy said.
"Now?" Ace asked, confused as Luffy had never been thirsty until Sunday. When Luffy nodded, Marco was the one to get up and get Luffy a glass of his "juice". When it was brought back, Luffy gulped it down and sighed.
"All better!" It confused Ace deeply, but he eventually settled that maybe Luffy used up more energy working on the human illusions, who were capable of speech and independent thought. So it would make sense it would be draining. But it must not make him tired or hungry, but drain his energy he got from being part vampire.
Just then, the Spades and Sabo came in. Jojo had been watching from the kitchen, not surprised that Luffy would grow stronger at a speedy pace. The newcomers knew that something was off when they saw Luffy holding a cup that had the insides covered in blood, on a Friday. He wasn't supposed to have his juice until Sunday.
Ace explained what had happened without needing to be asked. Sabo was worried about how powerful the four year old could become, and if he could handle the improvements at such a rapid pace, while the others congratulated him, impressed.
After dinner, Luffy also seemed to be more exhausted when using his powers to create humans, and fell asleep the moment he finished chewing his last bite. Ace was fast and caught him before he slammed his head into his dinner plate.
"Well, bed time I guess," Ace said softly, gently picking up the boy so he was leaning against Ace's chest. The Spades left the galley and kitchen and headed to bed. There were no dreams that night, which was strange since each night there had been at least some activity. More proof that Luffy was more tired from making humans.
-x-
Luffy sat on Whitebeard's shoulder, something he'd been wanting to try for awhile, but Ace and Sabo said no. But, with every day showing that the pirates, vampires and humans alike, were good people was making Ace and Sabo more lax, though they still sat next to Whitebeard's chair. It was in the middle of the night after a storm had passed, so the air was nice and clean.
"Hey, Whitebeard, did you have a mom and dad?" Luffy suddenly asked while playing with a conjured lizard trying to get out of his small hands. Ace and Sabo stiled at the question, Sabo confused. As far as he knew, they had never approached the subject of a mom and dad. Ace looked to Sabo slightly guilty, and told him quickly about Ace and Luffy's conversation a couple weeks ago.
"I did, long, long ago," Whitebeard replied.
"Do you remember them?"
"I do. They were good people," the older vampire answered honestly.
"Do you miss them?" Luffy wondered, holding the lizard up by its curly tail and it wriggled around and then disappeared.
"Not anymore. It's been quite some time after all, and I have a new family," the gentle giant said. He watched the little one's face scrunch up, trying to think of what to make next when he settled on a pink frog.
"A new family?" Luffy wondered curiously. Whitebeard nodded. "Who are your new family?" Whitebeard grinned proudly and gestured to the crew out on deck.
"My crew are my family. All of them are my precious sons and daughters." Whitebeard was pretty sure he'd explained this before, when Luffy had told the man he had had lots of babies, but it was a nice topic, so he gladly repeated it.
Luffy's frog hopped out of his hands and down onto Whitebeard's lap before it frantically hopped away. Luffy jumped off his shoulder and chased after it, his attention easily lost. Ace and Sabo cringed when he lept from such a height, but they knew he'd be fine. It was just a habit to worry even when they didn't need to.
Trusting the others on the deck to not do anything, they just kept watch as Luffy chased the frog, finally catching it and hurrying back with it trapped in his hands. He ran into the problem of how he was going to climb back up while also holding the frog. Whitebeard saw this and easily lifted the boy up to his own shoulder with a large hand.
"I like your family, Whitebeard," Luffy said with a beam. "I like mine, too," he added. Whitebeard chuckled.
"I like your family, too, little one." Luffy smiled proudly and proclaimed that they were "the best!" The Spades that were nearby, which was only the brothers and Deuce, smiled. While things continued to go smoothly on their time on the Moby Dick, the crew had branched off more into their own interests. They still mostly went to bed and woke up at the same time, but they were spending time with others.
The twins had formed friendships for those who used guns as their main weapons. Saber went with the navigators, excited to learn as much about the Grand Line and now New World as possible. Jojo, of course spent time with Thatch, and when he wasn't there, with the sou chefs. Though, Thatch rarely missed a chance to cook with his crush. Deuce spent more time with Ace and his brothers than the others due to their more close relationships. Aggie 68 slaved away, enjoying it, in the infirmary. They shared their knowledge, Aggie 68 sharing some things while he learned much about sicknesses on these seas, and about vampire health for little Luffy.
They had integrated into the crew smoothly, even if that wasn't the plan yet. Though, everyone on the Whitebeard crew had to stop themselves from saying "brother" and "sister" around them.
While Luffy and Whitebeard talked about their families and the adventures they'd gone on (Luffy's being small adventures, like the time he last went in the snow with both Ace and Sabo), Saber and Fossa walked over.
"Good news, Pops. We're nearing an island," Fossa said. Luffy jumped up on Whitebeard's shoulder.
"Ace and Sabo said I can go on a island next time!" Luffy shouted in the giant's ear, not that it bothered Whitebeard. Just made him chuckle.
"Continue, son," he said.
"It's a summer island. Uninhabited, though, so we won't be able to buy supplies to patch up the Spade's ship, unfortunately," Fossa replied, though the "unfortunately" part didn't sound too sincere. "We should be there tomorrow morning," he finished, making Luffy pout. He didn't want to have to wait! He wished he could go outside in the sunlight sometimes, even if it hurts a little.
"But I don't wanna wait," Luffy complained.
"Luffy, all of the vampires on the ship have to wait till night time. You're not the only one anymore," Sabo pointed out. It didn't get rid of Luffy's pout.
"Wish I could go outside in the day time." Maybe sometime he'll try making it night time during the day with his powers! But, he wasn't interested in that yet. He still had to master his people skills!
"Remember last time you went outside in the day? How it didn't feel good?" Sabo asked. Some of the people on deck had their heads whip around and stare at the brothers accusingly. Why on Earth would they let Luffy, a vampire, go outside in the day time?! They were quick to defend themselves.
Ace said, "Luffy was three and had to use the bathroom and decided he wanted to try and pee over the side of the ship. We pulled him back inside right away, but he'd already been burned." Luffy nodded, remembering that. The pirates laughed or sighed in relief that the older brothers hadn't taken Luffy outside on purpose.
"Well, boys, you're in for a Whitebeard party. It's long overdue, but every time we find an island, we throw a party," the captain said with a cheeky grin. "You three are not allowed to drink, as you aren't pirates and are underage, but you're welcome for the rest." Luffy's eyes brightened in interest.
"Like a birthday party with cake and presents?" the boy asked excitedly. He earned a gruff chuckle.
"A bit different than that, Luffy. Mostly singing and eating good food and the adults drinking some alcohol or your juice with alcohol in it. We play cards and just have a great time. It'll be at night, of course, so everyone can take part," Whitebeard explained happily. Luffy pouted, wishing he could have cake. "I'm sure we can get Thatch or Jojo to bake you a cake." Luffy's attitude changed quickly.
"Yay, a party!" he cheered. "I want chocolate cake!"
-x-
Ace and Sabo sat a bit awkwardly near the railing with Luffy in the middle, making tiny creatures and bugs with a soft smile on his face, in the afterglow of finishing a very yummy cake. The two eldest brothers felt a bit uncomfortable, as all of the pirates had gotten in varying stages of drunkenness.
The boys had grown up in a very strict village, and had never been exposed to alcohol in large quantities before. And no one drank on the Spade's ship because they never bought alcohol. Sure, the adults on the crew went to bars sometimes, but they always drank sparingly.
But apparently, not tonight. The members of the Spade crew who were of legal age drunk to their heart's content. Apparently, they all had different personalities of drunk.
Deuce was a sleepy drunk, who lost consciousness after the third mug, and was now snoring loudly across the deck. Zeno and Sparky were both loud and laughed much more than usual while they were intoxicated. Surprisingly, Saber was a very competent drunk. He'd out done all the pirates who were now challenging him in a line across the deck. He had a huge barrel of rum next to him as he won each bet. Aggie 68 only drank a few glasses before he stopped, much like the nurses, who either had one glass or none at all. They were in charge of the crew's safety, and being hungover would hinder their duty. Jojo ended up being unable to stop giggling at every little thing while under the influence. It was a stark contrast to her usually very well-put together self. Thatch kept trying to kiss her hand but she swatted him away every time, giggling helplessly.
Ace and Sabo felt very unsure in this situation. Their friends were not themselves and it was extremely loud, and the deck was full of barely conscious or knocked out pirates. Some barfing over the side of the ship only to drink more right afterwards. Luffy seemed to sense his brothers' unease.
"Ace, Sabo, we can go steal from the fridge," he whispered. The two took this as a good chance and immediately stood up, Sabo picking his brother up, as they hurried inside. Luffy turned around to wave goodbye to Whitebeard and Marco, who were watching them leave the deck and head inside.
As soon as the door closed behind them and the loud noises ceased, Ace and Sabo both took deep breaths. "You saved us, Lu," Ace said with a grin. "Let's go raid the pantry now!" Ace set him down and the three went running to the galley and kitchen to steal some goodies.
Luffy inspected the lower shelves of the pantry while Sabo and Ace worked on the refrigerators. "Luffy, look, popsicle juice," Sabo said, taking a frozen pop of blood out of the freezer and handing it to Luffy, who took it happily. He continued to dig through the cupboards to see what there was, and came out with a box of cookies.
Ace pulled out large legs of different types of meat, while Sabo snatched some fizzy drinks out and some of the blood cake for Luffy. They brought their spoils to the nearest table and dug in, even though they weren't hungry and had already had a meal. Luffy happy ate the cookies and meat. They ate until they were uncomfortably full. Ace then face planted into the table from a sleep attack. They'd been happening more frequently, much to Ace's distain, even with the medication.
Luffy made a pillow and put it under Ace's forehead. He didn't have panic attacks when Ace fell asleep anymore. Sabo was always there and not worried, so Luffy wasn't either. By the time Ace woke back up, five minutes after he passed out, they realized it was getting later and the sun would be up soon.
Luffy yawned widely, eyes drooping quicker as damn approached. "Ready for bed, Lu?" Sabo asked. The little boy nodded and Ace cleaned up their mess, not caring in the slightest if Thatch was unhappy with them being there. Sabo picked Luffy up and they walked back to their room to change into their pajamas. Luffy put on his fluffy socks last before snuggling under the covers.
"No one is here," he whispered as he fell into sleep.
"They're probably all out on deck, passed out," Sabo replied quietly, but Luffy was already asleep. The blonde turned to Ace, who was looking at the wall with a small frown. "What's wrong, Ace?" Sabo asked in a hush.
"...Do you think that our crew would choose the Whitebeards over us?"
"I think we're also asking that of ourselves," Sabo replied. It wasn't what Ace had been expecting, but it was the truth. They were all thinking about it. "They had fun drinking. It doesn't mean they prefer them over us. Try not to worry about it, we can't do anything about it right now."
Ace hummed an agreement and fell asleep, worried.