CHAPTER 2
When ur mom embarrasses you in front of a hot foreign hockey team and ur like someone beat me with a brick.
DISCLAIMER (forgot one last time)
"Of course I could beat it! But we've been reading you too many books, it's got you all paranoid. Monsters don't exist."
Luffy's lips tighten into a thin line. He looks meekly over Sabo's shoulder at the monster that does not exist. It reaches up two heads taller than Sabo and the slight hunch in its shoulders is the only thing keeping it from hitting the ceiling.
It's not real. Sabo says it isn't, so it's not.
'But he can't see it.'
Luffy doesn't say anything but gulps quietly. Oblivious to the dizzying menace behind him, Sabo places Luffy on the ground and walks over to his dresser to select the pajamas for his little brother.
The raven flicks his wide eyes to the thing as it ducks into the doorway. The movement startles Luffy and he starts to shake. Quickly, he skitters over to Sabo and practically glues himself to his side.
"Which one do you want Lu?" Sabo asks, showing him a red flannel shirt and a checkered cotton one.
But the boy's mind, and eyes, are elsewhere. The thing lumbers toward them and Luffy shrinks back when it stops beside Sabo. It seems to unfold itself, straightening out and standing taller than ever before.
"Lu?" Sabo asks again, confused. Luffy spares a quick glance at the shirts.
"Red." He says curtly. The thing still doesn't move, but Luffy's heart is pounding in terrified anticipation.
Sabo puts the other shirt away and takes out the matching set of black pajama bottoms. He lifts his arms above his head and Luffy slowly copies.
"Up like a roller coaster!" Sabo says. That's always what his brother's do when he's changing. It usually makes him laugh, and then run around the room like he's actually in a roller coaster. Ace and/or Sabo would chase him around the room, and the whole process would be made a thousand times more difficult, but none of them would care.
Luffy remains stationary as Sabo pulls his shirt over his head and slips the other on. The youngest's hair fluffs up and frizzes as the head hole pulls around his neck.
When Sabo isn't looking at him, Luffy stares at the thing. Strangely, it has started to shift back and forth in a pattern. The movement makes it look somewhat anxious or excited, like it can't stand still.
Luffy doesn't like it at all, and while Sabo finishes dressing him, all he can think about is turning the lights off.
This thing is like a shadow, black and long. It likes shadows, it likes light.
It doesn't bother him in the dark.
Finally, Sabo tucks Luffy into bed and ruffles his unruly hair. The raven is silently willing the blonde out.
"Goodnight Lu." Sabo whispers. Luffy just pulls the comforter higher over his head, letting out a quick and impatient grunt. Slowly, Sabo stands up, making the bed creak loudly in relief.
All of a sudden, the thing stretches out it's massive limbs -that Luffy can only guess are arms- and charges toward his brother's back. Luffy's mouth drops open in horror and he almost screams. The thing is right upon the blonde. He launches himself downward and is inches from cracking Sabo's head-
But the blonde flicks the light off. The thing immediately disappears and Luffy can't even describe the immense relief he's feeling. The residual panic leaves him shaking and he grasps the blankets tighter like a shield.
Without a second glance, Sabo gently closes the squeaky door, plunging the room in immediate darkness.
Luffy can feel the silence. The close call from a few moments ago has left him super aware and awake. Tiredness has long since escaped his body, and now he can't bring himself to trust the quiet surrounding him.
Another image of the creature flashes before his eyes and he whimpers. It almost hurt Sabo! What if it comes back and gets Luffy? He can't see it in the dark, but that fact scares him. It can be anywhere. Watching, waiting.
Right now, it can be right above Luffy, winding up to attack and slice him in half-
Another whimper of despair escapes his lips and he curls in a tight ball. He wills sleep on for what feels like the longest time, but his ears won't stop picking up the faintest sounds that make him shiver in fear.
Eventually, the exhaustion of the day finally wears down at his addled mind. He slowly feels himself slipping away. But moments after closing his eyes, Luffy hears his door creaking open.
His groggy and cloudy eyes can't see much in the heavy darkness, but he can hear the creaking of footsteps against his wooden floor coming closer and closer. Eventually, they stop beside his bed and Luffy turns his head to look at them.
"Ace?" He whispers hoarsely. Sure enough, Luffy recognizes Ace's bright red shirt standing out in the dark.
Ace doesn't reply, just wordlessly climbs into his bed and clutches him in a tight, warm embrace. Suddenly, Luffy feels a whole lot more tired. The security of a mere hug from Ace is enough to curb any lingering anxiety that is preventing him from sleeping.
So Luffy relaxes his back into Ace's chest and smiles softly when his brother's hand starts smoothing down his hair.
And finally, Luffy is able to sleep.
This goes on for all the nights that follow.
Strangely, Sabo has finally started reading to him before bed again. Even taking time out of his work, he always makes time for a story.
The thing still follows Luffy around, making him incredibly scared for his brother's safety. Although not attacking them -like that one night- it stalks them unceasingly, radiating ill intent. Luffy doesn't know why it is so angry, but he comes to realize the emotion isn't really an emotion at all.
It's pure, unadulterated evil.
Its presence is more tolerable as time wears on, but Luffy still can't stand being in the same room as it for too long. This in turn makes for difficult and angst ridden days alone in the house.
However, Luffy manages at night. Always at the cusp of falling asleep, the weight dips at the side of his bed, and he feels a hand moving through his hair. So he doesn't ask for more, or to move.
Ace cuddles with him at night, but is gone the majority of the day. Sometimes Luffy tries to talk to him before sleeping, just to hear the voice he's been aching to hear. But he always falls asleep before hearing a response.
It's a torturous way of living, and Luffy knows that. But if his brothers sacrifice so much for him, he can do the same.
All he has to do is smile.
And no one suspects a thing.
"I'm not hungry."
Sabo almost drops his fork in surprise.
Not quite, but almost.
The blonde has noticed how off his little brother has been this past week. From zoning out, losing his appetite, to just plain striding out of the room Luffy has given Sabo reason to be concerned.
"Are you sure Lu? You've hardly eaten anything." Ace states, cheeks full of food and a frown on his lips.
"Yeah." Luffy mumbles, hopping down from his seat at the kitchen table. He stares at the ground as he walks hurriedly to the hallway.
"Where are you going?" Sabo asks.
"To my room."
"You want to sleep? Already? It's only 7!"
Luffy bites his cheek and wiggles his bare toes on the cold boards. "Yeah, I'm tired. Goodnight."
"Wait! Just let me finish up and I'll read you a story." Sabo grabs his empty plate and moves to stand up.
"No! I-I mean, no thank you. I just want to go to bed." He stumbles over his words, then scrambles off to his room.
Sabo doesn't sit down until he hears the door slam shut. With an elongated sigh he lets the plate drop back on the table with a small clatter. He runs a hand through his knotted hair and stares at the single light shining above them.
"We're failing." Sabo comments off-handedly. He hears Ace chew a few more times then swallow loudly.
"...I know damn it."
"How are we supposed to make this better? We're lucky to be where we are now, but it's not enough."
"School. When Luffy finally gets to school, he won't be left alone. It'll be so much better after that."
Sabo's face screws up in pity. Their little brother should be in school. Not alone all the time doing and thinking who knows what. What kind of school has a waiting list? That's what you fucking get for having one damn school in the entire town.
"...Ace?" Sabo prompts, still staring at the light.
"Yeah?"
"...are we pulling a Garp?"
At first Sabo doesn't think Ace will respond, he's quiet for so long. But as if snapping out of a trance, he smacks the table with both hands, rattling the tableware.
"No! We'd never do that to Luffy! He's our everything!" He snaps.
"I know that! I mean that we're neglecting him. We're slowly pulling away, intentionally or not." Sabo shoots back.
"We are not Garp." Ace grits. "Luffy's struggling, but he's just going to have to wait it out for a little longer. We've just got to help him out when we can."
"I think it's something else. Luffy's acting too strange. Wouldn't he want to spend time with us instead of staying away? I just don't understand." Sabo lowers his gaze to his fingers, digging his nails into the tabletop.
"What the fuck else could it be?! Sabo, he's lonely. That's it. Don't make a mountain of of a mole hill." Ace shoves his chair in and stalks away. "Thank you for the meal."
Sabo blinks exasperatedly and scowls off to the side. He can tell Ace wants to avoid anymore family tragedy and hurt. But he's being deliberately blind. The blonde knows there is something else bothering Luffy, and he's going to figure it out.
He'll be damned if he doesn't get his little brother back.
With new determination, Sabo bolts up and out of his chair. He strides down the dark hallway, the socks on his feet quietly thunking along the floor.
'You don't want a story Lu? Well too bad. You're getting one whether you like it or not.'
Sabo stops in front of Luffy's door. The first thing he notices is that it's oddly warm. His hands immediately turn slick with sweat and he has trouble grasping the doorknob. An uncomfortable feeling that he can't place settles in his stomach.
'Okay, let's go Sabo.' Wait. Why does he have to pump himself up to get into his little brother's room?
But he can't do it. He can't bring himself to twist the knob and see what's inside. The task seems too big for him, too out of his reach. His palms automatically begin to sweat more.
'But I know what's inside.' He chastises himself. Though deep down, he knows better. His entire being knows better. His body is practically screaming at him to just leave.
For just an instant, Sabo succumbs to his instincts and takes a step back. Immediately, his head clears up and everything is colder, barren.
'What the- what just happened?' Furrowing his eyebrows, Sabo steps in front of the door again. The horrible dread returns full force and the blonde retreats quickly.
Something weird is happening, Sabo realizes with growing suspicion. It's like something wants him away from Luffy. But that is a ridiculous assumption, Sabo knows he's just being stupid.
The blonde fixes the door with a long stare. Either or, he's going to get into Luffy's room.
He takes a deep breath then grabs the door knob again. This time, he begins shaking. The amount of fear pouring into his system almost has him reeling, but he holds on.
'I can do this. I can do this. This is just me being stupid. I am an idiot for being so afraid. There is nothing to be afraid of. I can do this.' But he can't. His fingers feel like jelly and he can't bring any strength to them no matter how he tries.
Veins bulge in his forehead from pure frustration. If Ace caught him like this he would be so embarrassed. Is he really that guilty? Or is he just scared of being rejected again?
A muffled whimper floats through the door, making Sabo's heart beat ten times faster.
'Luffy!' Fuck fear!
Sabo crashes through all the barriers holding him back. Thinking of nothing but his little brother, Sabo twists the knob harshly and shoves the door inward.
The door swings open with a loud series of groans and creaks. A yellow lamp from the hallway illuminates a strip of light on Luffy's bedroom floor.
It's so dark, he can hardly see an outline of the bed. He makes for Luffy, feeling anxious again. But in the corner of the room, he sees something that makes him stop in place.
His mind doesn't register what he's looking at. That is until the 'something' flashes him a pair of almond shaped yellow eyes.
"What-" He flinches back when it suddenly charges for him. Eyes wide and mouth agape, Sabo stumbles backwards in a hurry.
'WHAT IS THAT?! OH GOD WHAT IS THAT?!' His mind thinks frantically. Unsteady legs trip over themselves and Sabo falls on the ground. The thing doesn't stop, and Sabo scrambles backwards desperately towards the door.
He's too slow, and the thing lunges forward. The blonde raises his arms to his head, releasing a pitiful choking noise. It's the end for him.
There's a sting on his hand, but the blow never comes. Breathing erratically and muscles tensed, Sabo slowly lowers his shield.
There's nothing there. It's just him, on the ground, quaking with his back against the wall. His eyes dart around, not trusting anything around him. But nothing appears.
A sleepy moan brings Sabo out of his revere. He scrambles back on two legs and makes a mad dash back into Luffy's room.
With trembling arms he yanks the comforter off of his little brother and brings Luffy into his arms. The boy stirs and blinks sleepily up at the blonde.
"Sa...bo?" He mumbles sleepily, rubbing his eye.
"Sorry for waking you up Lu." He whispers shakily. Sabo quickly examines his little brother for any sort of injuries, and sighs in relief when he sees none.
"Why are you?-"
"You're sleeping with Ace and I, Lu." Sabo states, scooping the boy up into his arms.
"'th you?" Luffy mumbles, snuggling his head into the crook of Sabo's neck.
"That's right Lu. Now just go to sleep." He hushes, walking out of his little brothers room and closing the door behind him. Luffy nods against his neck, and soon enough soft snores can be heard coming from the boy.
With Luffy secure, Sabo walks as fast as possible to the shared room without jostling the raven. Silently, Sabo slips into their room and closes the door softly behind him. The blonde listens for Ace's awakening, but he's out like a light.
'Good.' He thinks to himself. He doesn't want to deal with any sort of interrogation at this time of night.
With moonlight shining through the window, Sabo gently scoots into the bed and pulls the blanket over the two of them. He delicately places Luffy beside him, in the middle. The youngest immediately latches onto Sabo's t-shirt with his tiny hands and a small content sigh escapes his lips.
Sabo breathes a small sigh of his own, and pulls Luffy into a protective hug.
The blonde glances down at his hand, and watches the small horizontal cut bleed slowly and lazily.
Later on, he would clearly see the smear of red across the cut.
But right there, in the moonlight...
he swears that it's black.
I'll try to post Sunday once a week, but it's so hard to find free time to write guys, you don't even know. Usually I like to make my chapters a lot longer than this but it would take too much time for that.
Replies to reviews:
SEllen23: Thank you so much! I'm actually still debating how to end this so who knowsssss
Penguin-chin: Chopper! How ya doin'? (guess I got to refer to you as penguin now lol) As usual, you made me smile super big at your review! It's sad, but my enthusiasm for One Piece fades in and out too, but it will always be my fav so I will continue to write stories about it! I hope you liked this chapter and thank you so so much for your continued support!
q. feuille7: Daw thank you! This story is so much fun to write (angst angst angst) and I hope you enjoy the chapters to come! (btw, I love all ur stories. I'm like a (secret?) fan tee hee.)
Tide4Time: YES slenderman definitely crossed my mind while writing this. Ha ha glad you like the story!
StarliteOracle: Thank you so much!
Everlight18: HA HA Doflamingo that is actually something I can see. As for their survival, let's just see…I might be feeling nice this time…
Next time: "knock knock." "who's there?" "…"