•Hey everyone! Ok, just to get this fact across, shinsplints SUCK. And headaches suck. You know those times when a teacher accidentally says one piece or law? Yeah. I scream. Oh, and Law and Luffy got to be alone in the ep, and first time Law has moved since forever...he's a cutie. Also, just a side note, here's Chapter 3.•
—The blue, cloudless sky above the lake began to darken, an angry black tainting the pure, azure color. The greenery surrounding the forest starts to wither slowly, starting with the first spring flower, its petals brown and twisted. In the lake, a single fish is seen on the surface, lifeless, under the second fallen raindrop.—
3. Brothers
Luffy was panicking, so very close to an all out breakdown.
It was scary. His brother was not in their apartment. He had looked in Ace's bedroom, the kitchen, his own bedroom, under the couch, and even in the oven, where he found the man sleeping once or twice. Gone. His brother was utterly and completely lost, and Luffy had no idea where he was.
With each passing second, his heart broke more, and the pain that came with that was tearing him apart.
Luffy collapsed in their small kitchen, steadying himself on the floor. The room was spinning, and the furniture was blending into each other. Confused, he blinks, and sees tears fall onto his fisted hands. With a shaking hand, he feebly touches the water. He was crying. The tears that showed his aching heart were finally making their appearance, and against the boy's will, they obey gravity, falling in shallow streams on his tanned face.
Luffy sniffles and gets up, the room suddenly not as bright anymore. He stumbles and makes his way over to the Calendar. Their Calendar. With a shaky hand, he grabs his trusty pen. The day was wearing thin, the skies already darkening, he could've sworn it was three o' clock ten minutes ago. He casts a weary glance at the digital clock on their small oven. It's eight.
Facing the paper before him, Luffy looks at today's date. It is still the first of March. Almost the second. But he didn't want to miss a day, no, that wouldn't be fair to Sabo. Closing his eyes, Luffy sighs and, gripping his pen tightly, begins to write:
Ace is missing.
Three simple words, with the weight of the world strapped onto them. Luffy's heart couldn't take it. He wept again, wishing for the comfort of his brother, for his face, for his presence, but none of those were here now, and reality has thrown him into the streets, under the bus, where he slowly begins to die.
A quiet knock on the front door of their apartment interrupts the teen, and with blurred vision, Luffy looks up. A smile lights his face. That has to be Ace! There could be no one else but Ace at had no business in their house. His countenance did a 180, and the dark haired runs towards the door. Flinging it open, he laughs his special laugh, only for Ace.
"Ace!" screams the younger happily, eyes closed tight in excitement. Silence greets his ears. He looks up, and it's not Ace. A well dressed man stares at him curiously, a dark eyebrow raised. Luffy stares back, transfixed. Who was he? He is not Ace. Where is Ace?
Panic overtakes him again. "You're not Ace," Luffy says with disappointment.
The man purses his lips. "And neither are you," he replies smoothly, pushing past the short teen to step inside the house.
Angry, Luffy spins around. "Who are you, and what the hell are you doing in our apartment?!"
The stranger doesn't turn around as he looks around the small home, as if searching for something. "I could ask you the same thing. How do you know Ace-ya?"
Fury lines the younger's face. "He is my brother! I don't know where he...is..."
Narrowed, gray eyes look deeply into the teen's cocoa ones. "I didn't know he had a brother," he mutters, peering closely at the teen.
Luffy doesn't respond, the sadness taken a hold of him again. He sits on the floor, knees bent, rocking back and forth. Back and forth. The older man stares at him. The teen didn't know where Ace is.
Well, there was no reason to stay if Ace wasn't there.
Silently, the well dressed man leaves the small apartment. The brother's apartment. He doesn't turn around to look at the small dark haired whimpering on the floor. He had no time for the weak of heart.
"Wait," the brother calls out.
He doesn't.
"What is your name?"
His dark shoes click pleasantly on the concrete driveway, the intervals between them shortening as his speed increases.
He doesn't hear whatever the teen says next as he turns the corner and disappears.
Luffy stares after the man, a mix of emotions. The house was quiet again, so empty and quiet, and Luffy was alone. So very, utterly, and completely alone.
—•—
The sun was suddenly dimmed, replaced by pale rays of moonlight. The pure, cloudless sky above now instead had a dark blanket covering it, stretching as far as the eye could see. Marco's face was set in a grim line as he changed the rag on his lover's head for what seemed like the hundredth time that night.
Huh. Lover.
The word would definitely take some getting used to.
Ace had taken up his own bed, small fans surrounding him on all sides, shirtless and pant-less. If not for Marco's definite refusal, the sickly man would've gone boxer-less, also. It was too hot, everything, the very air upon his skin pickling and hurting Ace, and no matter what position he laid in, nothing was up comfortable. When he breathed in, he inhaled lava. When he exhaled, he did so with fire. His heart hurt most of all, it drowning in all the emotions, not being able to do not stop anything. Not being able to stay by Luffy's side. His chest radiated heat, and his skin was beginning to take on an unhealthy reddish tint. The wavy haired closes his eyes painfully.
So this was what it felt like dying.
Marco was at a loss of words for the whole ordeal after the library, on the ride home, and when settling the sick man into his home. It was all too surreal. The shock he received after school that day had overwhelmed his senses. He let go of all the frustration there, but much, much more had been pent up ever since, but he had simply channeled that negative energy into something more positive.
Like taking care of someone who was dying, and knowing he would fail.
Ace hadn't been able to sleep, and had woken up in discomfort while on the drive home. Marco inwardly was relieved— any time the adult would doze off, alarms would go off in his head. He also wouldn't have to get that Fire Light, which means he wouldn't have to face Luffy.
The guilt that built up within Marco at that moment temporarily winded him, and held out a hand to steady himself on the bedpost. Ace looks him with wide eyes. "You okay?" he croaks. A smile gracing his pale features.
Marco takes a deep, shuddering breath before responding. "I am okay."
Silence.
"Why don't I call a doctor?" asks Marco quietly.
"Why pay the expenses when I know the disease is incurable?"
A deep cough, a wince in pain. His lips dug downward. His eyes harden. A decision is made.
"Marco," begins the dark haired. His nurse looks at him, tiredness as clear as day on his face.
"I want you to help me write my will," Ace says, narrowing his eyes. He was ready for this. He would not just die and leave it at that. Hell would fucking freeze over before he takes his leave of this crappy world and not leave something behind.
The blonde man is still for several, several moments. He then slowly shakes his head. No. There was no way he could do it. What disgusting bastard would agree to write his best friend's will for them? The thought of it made him sick to his stomach. There was no way he had the resolve, the courage, the—
"Please," Ace begs with him with his eyes, as his arms, which he would've reached out to Marco with, were already rendered useless, victim of Akainu.
They had already stopped responding to the signals his brain gave them.
The most they could do was spasm at random times, with no rhyme or reason.
"You're the only person who can do this for me," he croaks.
Marco's eyes become slits. "Fuck no," he spits. "I'm not gonna write your damned will, because you're not going to die on me—"
Ace sighs, and it hurts, but he doesn't let it show. There's a lot of pain things he doesn't show. He doesn't want Marco to worry any more than he already is. "I am dying, Marco."
Marco's eyes fill with tears again, and he turns away.
"I can't move my arms."
He sniffles, and grabs for the nearest tissue. This was not what he needed now, he has cried enough, he was done.
"It's hell on earth just to talk, dammit, but I will for you."
"Then save your breath and shut the hell up," Marco says. It is a struggle to keep his voice level.
"No."
Marco looks at Ace, a look so scared and afraid that the intended looks away. It was laced with anger. Even as someone who was to leave the older's side soon, he still was a stubborn pain in the ass.
"I want you to help me, Marco," Ace coughs, returning his look with a weak glare. "Do it for me. No, fuck me, do it for Luffy. At least do it for my brother."
And then Marco had to do it, because it was a low blow. He knew what Ace meant by writing the will for Luffy, and it's because he lied. It's because he lied to Luffy that he didn't know where Ace was, that all this guilt was inside him, making him distressed, and making Luffy even more distressed, restless, and scared.
His hands curl into fists, shaking, angry fists, and leaves to find some paper and a pen. "Anything will, work, I don't care," the pale man laughs, the sound ending in rattling coughs that Marco could feel down to his bones. The world around him was slowly crashing down, and Marco was just agreeing with it, because if he doesn't, it'll all just collapse at once, and the blonde would not be able to withstand the force of it.
He'd be crushed under the weight of the world, and the only light in it will be gone.
He'd be covered in absolute darkness.
So as he entered the room, where his best friend and lover lay, where he was dying, he let the tears flow for one final time. Marco needs to get his wits about him. As an adult, he had his pride, and right now, it was suffering greatly.
Ace turned toward him as best he could from his position on the bed. "Oh Marco," he whispers. "I am nowhere near worthy of your tears. Please don't shed them because of me."
The blonde finds a random piece of paper, grabs the nearest pen, grabs his stool. Sits on it. Faces the man. Leans forward. Captures the sick man's lips with his own. Breaks it off after three seconds.
"I love you."
He is able to say it without embarrassment.
"I am going to help you."
Marco closes his eyes against the crashing waves of sadness, washing over him and leaving him empty on the dark sands of his dark world.
"Okay?"
Smiling, Ace hums in agreement. "Could you begin with my mother?"
Taking a deep breath, Marco grips the writing device painfully and writes the woman's name in his sprawled, yet controlled handwriting.
"I have no idea how these things work, so could you just write down the words I say?" There is a forlorn tone in his voice.
Marco wordlessly nods.
In a whisper, the dark haired begins. "I haven't known you long, M- Mom," he chokes in the word. He has never said it before. It is a new territory for Ace.
"But, thank you for giving birth to me."
Marco feels like he shouldn't be here, listening to such a personal conversation.
He glances at Ace, who looks at him with all the fierce determination he can muster. The sickly man nods. Goes on.
Ace closes his eyes. "And thank you for holding me when I couldn't hold myself. For being there when I was alone. For giving me the opportunity to meet my brother, Luffy." His voice breaks on the final word. Marco writes his words down, taking deep breaths to calm himself.
"And I...I'm sorry that I'm dying. I'll see you soon, so just wait a bit more."
"Dammit Ace, is this supposed to be some ironic-ass drama that people say right before they die? Don't go shitting on me," curses Marco, slamming the pen in the table.
Grinning, though it sent lightening bolts of pain down his spine and into his chest, Ace replies. "I'm not, just saying what's in my mind."
Marco looks at him queerly. Even he couldn't even imagine what must be in that mind of his.
"Next, my father," begins Ace softly, his voice taking a dark undertone.
Marco writes his words, his eyes locked into his lover's.
"I hate you with a burning passion that will never die out, even after death," he says, his mouth in a straight line. Marco inwardly groans at the word usage. "But you met my mother, and you do make up half of me. The part that I would rather exchange for dog shit, yes, but half of me, nevertheless."
Silence fills the room for a few moments. "I wish I could talk to you about things. I guess I'll see you, too."
Marco finishes his sentence and looks at Ace expectantly. "Sabo," he starts.
"I love you. You complete Luffy and I, and we both miss you from the bottom of our hearts. I hope that—"
Coughs.
Marco cringes. "Don't push yourself."
Ace grimly smiles.
"I...hope that you will continue to live in Luffy's heart, just like you did for mine. Keep watching over him, please? I'll be helping you with that task soon."
Ace finished with an anguished countenance. Marco knows he is about to speak again. And he knows he is coming next, the brother he lied to, the teen who he—
"Law."
"What?" Marco questions, furrowing his eyebrows. "What law?"
Ace shakes his head, just barely visible. His throat burns from talking so much. He grunts, pushes, push on.
"I was in jail, and he bailed me out. A man named Law," explains the dark haired man.
"Alright," the older accepts, readying his pen. He didn't want to ask too many questions. Despite how much Ace hides his anguish, it is clear to Marco that it was painful to answer questions, and the blonde doesn't want Ace to hurt any more.
"Thank you for bailing me out. It honestly means a lot to me," he says. "Could you please take care of my little brother? I know, I know, you're some stranger, and you probably don't give two shits, but..."
He takes a moment to catch his breath, and Marco pauses in his writing, worried. Ace just couldn't die. Not here, definitely not now.
"There's something about you that feels like home. Like comfort. I can't really explain, but I feel as if I can trust you. Could you do me this last favor and take care of him? I leave you with all my books, rent money, and...my apartment. Then, paying for Luffy will be easy."
"Ace!" yells Marco, astonished. Why was he leaving so much to a man who he knew for all of two seconds?
A weak smile stretches across Ace's face. "My gut is telling me to trust him, so I will."
Pursed lips. "Alright."
That was his signal to continue.
"Last, but not least, my brother," says Ace, completely beaming, though it felt as if his muscles were tearing as he did so. He ignored the pain, but the small jolt he let out did not escape Marco's eyes.
"Luffy, you are the light of my world. My rock, my shelter, my shoulder to lean on. Without a doubt, the feeling is mutual. That's why I'm...it's why I want to apologize. For just leaving you hanging when you needed me most. Please don't blame Marco for this. It is all my fault, the blame lies with me. If you ever want to release your anger, please do so on my gravestone, I give you my permission."
A deep, liquid filled breath. This was not good. "Stop," pleads the writer.
"I love you so much it h- hurts. And I'm such an idiot of an older brother. I leave you with everything in my possession, minus the things I had already left to Law." Ace coughs into his palm. Unfolds it. Dark blood lines his pale hands.
Marco finishes the last of his will. "I'm not going to write anything more than this."
Ace nods, not having enough strength to talk.
The blonde releases the pen and glances at the will he has written for him. Covers his face with his large palms. Realizes what he's done.
The night continues in a cycle of checkups, disappearances, and tears.
—•—
It is now Friday. March 3rd.
Luffy doesn't go to school.
His grades are dropping horribly.
Forget that A- he once had, it's now a D-.
Because he doesn't fucking care anymore.
He sits in front of his front door, waiting for the brother he loves ever so much and ever so dearly to waltz in, flinging excuses here and there, and Luffy would punch him. Hard. For messing with him, his feelings, like this. And Ace would dodge it, catch his his fist and laugh, flashing a smile. And Luffy wouldn't be able to resist, and he would laugh too, and Ace would be forgiven, just like that.
He could already see it happening. Now it was up for Ace to just walk through the door.
Which he doesn't.
Which makes Luffy less and less likely to laugh when he sees him.
Definitely a when.
He thought of going out to look for his older sibling, but what if he returned when he was out of the apartment? The younger was in quite the predicament.
Luffy had been updating the Calendar, alone, ever since. Their Calendar. Because Ace was betraying Sabo, just leaving in the middle of everything. But. It'd be okay.
He'd be alright.
Ace'll be okay.
They'd be alright.
But dammit, if the young dark haired said he didn't think otherwise, he'd be a liar. Something deep in his mind told him that Ace wouldn't just disappear for so much a long amount of time. Something was wrong. And it was his brotherly intuition that made him think the worse, unconscious somewhere, kidnapped, dying.
The last one struck a cord somewhere deep within him.
No. Fuck that. Ace didn't have his fucking permission to die. There was no checkmate, no, Luffy had already won the damn game. No plot twist, hell, Luffy knew the ending.
Ace as alive and come back to him, no matter what.
So what was this feeling of restlessness?
•This was such a rough ending, I know. But Ace wrote his will this chapter. It is very, very important! I hope you like! I wanted this chapter to be longer, but writer's block. Review, follow, fav, all that good ish! THANK YOU to all the lovely people who have liked this story. See you in ch 4!•