Day 18

Saturday, December 21st : The day of the Winter Masquerade Ball.

Ace stood in front of his mirror, straightening, restraightening, and then retying his gold tie, proceeding to slip his shimmery gold mask over his face; it was perfect. He was happy with the way he looked in his new suit, (that he bought with the money he had saved up), but there was still one huge problem that would ruin his night. Luffy had said that he wasn't going to the Ball, because ballroom dancing wasn't really his thing, and also because he wasn't feeling so hot either. Ace sighed as he remembered and quickly walked out of his bedroom and headed to the Ball, just in time.

Meanwhile, Rouge was in Luffy's room to help him into his hoop and dress, and trying to restore Luffy's manly-pride after shaving his legs. The boy was very excitedly-nervous though, and almost wanted to squeal. He didn't, of course, but it's the thought that counts, right?

"Luffy, you look adorable! No one will ever recognize you!" Rouge exclaimed excitedly, fixing the black wig on top of Luffy's head.

"Thanks, Mom. I think so too," Luffy grinned as his mother tied the black ribbon running up the back of his dress, and the royal blue ribbon of his mask around his head, careful not to damage the wig. This sequin-covered mask covered most of Luffy's face, only revealing his bottom lip and chin. The few dainty blue feathers that stuck out at the top left corner of the mask matched the royal blue ribbon and dress, making the outfit look so unified. Luffy gingerly stepped around his room in this outfit, getting used to the feeling of walking in his black wedges, but was confident in his woman-power.

"Okay Mom, let's go! I'm already late," Luffy whined whilst picking up his mother's black jacket that he was borrowing. Rouge smiled and wagged a finger back at her son.

"Fashionably late, Luffy. There's a difference."

With that, Rouge grabbed her own jacket and then dropped off her 'daughter' quickly at the doors to the 'ballroom'. Luffy stepped inside the door just as the chaperones were shutting the doors till the Ball ended, and he took off his jacket and placed it in the designated place. He stood up tall and looked around, noticing that many of the people could be quickly identified while others remained well hidden. Luffy then repositioned himself into a more lady-like manner and stood quietly till the end of the song, clapping with the rest of the students for the make-shift orchestra's music.

As the next song slowly began to start, Luffy noticed that many people were looking at him as they turned and changed partners. A few brave but skittish-looking males wandered over to the black-haired 'lady', holding out their hands to him while asking Luffy to dance. Luffy smiled and gently took the first boys hand, stepping onto the floor and timidly dancing with the other silently.

Ace, meanwhile, was bombarded by people asking him to dance, and was abruptly pulled into a female's grasp, sighing as he went along with it. He then faked a handsome smile as he took the eager girl's hand, but noticed a slight movement from the distant exit to his right. He turned his head and looked at the tall, elegant figure of a slim female dressed in the most extravagant ball-gown he had ever seen, but her face was mainly covered by her sequined mask. Even her most likely stunning eyes were shielded from viewing.

The lady's bottom lip shined with a light pink gloss and shimmered when she turned her head. Ace stared in awe, noticing the finely curled black locks that lay against her chest and shoulders. Ace was in such a trance that he found himself the only one that wasn't clapping at the end of the song, and blushed in embarrassment as he quickly joined in clapping. As another girl found his body, Ace glanced back at the beautiful woman with longing eyes, but then remembered his love who was waiting back at home. Ace then just wanted to go home and see Luffy, but something just wouldn't let him leave. Maybe it was the presence of that tempting girl, but he wasn't sure.

Earlier, Luffy had spotted his brother while dancing awkwardly with a tall, handsome man who, however, looked as if he might rape Luffy right then and there, slightly drooling. It was a bit..disturbing... (But anywayyy..) The younger had easily seen his brother's sparkly brown eyes that had always intrigued him. Even the tall, freckled teen's slicked-back black hair couldn't possibly fool Luffy. There was only one Ace.

Luffy felt a slight squeeze on the ass from his lecherous partner as the song ended, and received an apology hug afterward as he walked away. The smaller boy blushed profusely and stood there, clapping slightly with the crowd as the song ended. The other timid boys stood back then, belittled by the upperclassman that had danced with the lady they wanted. Luffy was a bit relieved at that, not really feeling comfortable dancing to begin with.

Then, another song started. It was unlike the previous songs, though. This song was more.. upbeat and exciting, making you feel like you had to dance. The brass section and drums ran the show, with violins in backround: a more modern big-band sound. However, most of the people were unsure of how to dance in that kind of fashion, while still ballroom dancing. So they all moved back to the edges of the dancefloor, staring at their feet in shame and embarrassment. Ace stood nearest to the dancefloor, eyes glued to that girl still. He took a deep breath and swallowed as he decided in his mind that he was going to have to dance with her at some time, and so why not then? So he hesitantly stepped out from the rest, recieving many glances and stares as he continued over to the other side and grabbed a surprised Luffy's hand, pulling him out onto the floor. The brothers' hearts both beat out of control at the sight of each other, and their hands went to the specified areas for dancing, quickly falling into gear of dancing quickstep.

A large smile broke out on both their faces, not even noticing the odd looks from the other crowd around them. As they turned round and round about the dancefloor, Ace brought Luffy's body nearly against his chest, leaning his head down to speak into the other's ear.

"You look simply beautiful tonight, miss" Ace whispered quickly but politely, inching his hand a bit down from the other's shoulderblade. Luffy blushed secretly, a small smile revealing a top row of perfect teeth.

"As do you, sir," Luffy whispered back while holding Ace's shoulder affectionatley as their feet kept in time. Right forward, rock back on left, side click and turn; right forward, rock back on left, side click and turn. Luffy carefully rested his head against Ace's chest as they danced happily in sync with each other, amazed at each other's dancing ability.

"The way you dance is marvelous, miss, hopefully I'm not embarrassing you right now," Ace whispered in honesty, being careful not to step on his partner's feet. Luffy smiled and shook his head, looking up into Ace's eyes.

"And... May I ask of your name?" Ace questioned, turning quickly and stepping forward on his right foot. Luffy looked off for a moment, stepping back on his left foot, and then reached up to Ace's ear calmly whispered.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot tell, sir."

Ace nodded slowly with a smirk in response, nearly resting his head on top of Luffy's, smelling the sweet fragrance of perfume rise off of the lady. Turn, right forward, rock back on left, click and turn.

The crowd around the two dancing stared in awe, awe of their dancing and of their beauty together. Zoro stood in shock and curiousity, wondering what the two were conversing about. The green-haired one knew that the man was Ace, Luffy's older brother, but he had never seen such a girl at the school before. Maybe she was one of the teacher's daughters, or she came from another school? He didn't know, but we still surprised that Ace would be so happy with someone other than his little brother. Zoro thought it would be best to stay quiet about it, though, not wanting to drive a wedge between the lovers. So he crossed his arms with a slight smile, wondering who that fine lady was.

The band then finished the song with a bang, receiving a burst of applause from the crowds. Ace stopped his dancing and took Luffy's delicate fingertips into his hand, raised them up to his lips and gently kissed Luffy's hand whilst smiling. Luffy smiled back and held onto Ace's hand even after the taller had tried to let go.

"Care to dance again?" Luffy offered, placing his hand back on Ace's shoulder. Ace looked away from Luffy with a blush, unsure of what to say.

"I..I don't know.. I have a special someone," Ace replied while his face grew even more red. Luffy smirked and brought Ace closer to his chest, leaning his head back to look at Ace with half-lidded eyes.

"Just because we are dancing together doesn't mean that we are dating~"

Ace swallowed in nervousness as he silently knew that this statement was true. So he placed his hand back on Luffy's waist as the next slow song began to ring out throughout the building.

Zoro's smirk left his face at the sight of another dance between the two, and he suddenly felt a bit mad at Ace. He reminded himself, though, that maybe they knew each other or something, and that as long as there wasn't any romance-ish action goin' on it was okay. So the observer turned to his right and felt a female place her gentle hand on his shoulder, and so he smiled like the gentleman he was and danced with that lady.

Meanwhile, Luffy was snuggled against Ace, stepping side to side in his wedges and felt Ace's heartbeat against his side. Ace pulled Luffy against him with a hand around the waist, scared out of his wits that someone would tell Luffy about this. But really.. even Luffy would have to dance with this girl if he saw her. So Ace tried to calm down a bit, breathing in the lady's sweet aroma and lifted his other hand to twist a delicate black curl around his finger as they swayed, still receiving looks from the others that danced around them.

"Which school do you go to?" Ace asked out of curiosity, questions running rapidly through his mind as he danced. Luffy didn't even look up to Ace to respond, and merely spoke with utter calmness.

"Your school."

Ace was very confused then, not being able to remember anyone from his highschool that could possibly match with the fair maiden he was dancing with at that moment, and so he asked yet another question.

"Hmmm... Which grade?"

And the same confusing answer came.

"Freshmen."

By then, Ace was so very confused. Sure, he didn't pay much attention to the freshmen classes, but he surely would have noticed such a beauty.

"Which homero-?"

"Very quizzical, I see... Does it really matter? Because I can guarantee you that you have seen me before, actually, everyday. But I can also guarantee that you could never recognize me as I am now, so stop with the questions and just enjoy me as I am now," Luffy whispered into Ace's ear with love. Ace's mind whirled with more and more questions, but decided to not ask. And so, he simply continued dancing.

The two danced throughout the night, song after song, both quickly and slowly. Ace had grown so used to the feeling of this lady against him that it felt natural, like she was supposed to always be right there for him to embrace. He had almost thought for a second of how good of a dance partner Luffy was, until he remembered that his dance partner wasn't Luffy.

Yet another quick and happy, but short, song began, the crowd instantly made way for the two to dance. The partners danced with grace around the floor once more, Luffy's eyes locked with Ace's. Well.. Ace was looking at where he thought his partner's eyes were. Smiling, Luffy spun under Ace's hand once, his elega

nt dress spinning outward with him. Returning to original position, they quicktepped for 30 seconds more before stopping, hands in each other's hands while gazing at each other. The crowd clapped and clapped once more, but the two never realized. In their own silence, Ace pulled on the black-sequined mask's ribbon, holding the mask with the other hand to keep it from falling. He respected the girl's wish for privacy and just inched the mask up enough to reveal her entire mouth, the rest of her face still covered by the mask. Ace swallowed and leaned in, lightly pressing his lips onto the glossy lips of his dance partner.

Luffy willingly let this all happen, and was excited to see how Ace would react when he found out, so he grabbed his mask from Ace and revealed the rest of his face as he wrapped an arm around his lover's neck. With the other hand he pulled his black wig off of his head and held it at his side, smiling into the kiss as he kept his eyes closed.

Ace, meanwhile, nearly had a heart attack as soon as everything was put in place: "A scar and those eyes, and..that's a wig? Wait, Luffy?!"
He felt Luffy smiling against his mouth, and soon heard light laughter accompanying this smile. "That romantic bastard.."

The crowd slowly stopped their clapping and stared wide-eyed at the.. the boy! That beautiful, graceful princess was Luffy the entire time?! Zoro almost fainted right then and there, having to put a hand on a surprised Marco's shoulder to keep his balance.

Ace let go of Luffy with a smirk, and Luffy dropped his wig and mask, them clattering to the floor as he grinned up at his brother. Ace gazed down at his brother, his hand on his hip and the other pointing to his lover.

"You sir, are talented," Ace said whilst poking his finger into Luffy's shoulder. With that, Luffy laughed loudly and jumped into Ace's arms, covering his brother's face with kisses. Finally, he rested his head against the older shoulder and whispered.

"I love you, Ace."


The rest of the crowd half gasped and half jaw-dropped at seeing the D brothers kissing and being all lovy and such while some of the others nearly threw up. Marco's eyes widened while his cheeks grew very red, and Zoro looked on the scene with a smile. The band took a quick moment to regroup themselves, and then began the next song, making it another quick one. While Luffy kicked his wig away and put his mask back on, Ace put his hand on Luffy's ass and the other on the back of his head lovingly, and Luffy quickly fell into place as well, and they happily danced their way throughout the rest of the night, earning weird glares from everyone in sight. But it didn't matter, because at the end of the night, Luffy still got his reply.

"I love you too, Luffy."


~ + WOO! This is now my longest story that I've written yet! So, I hope you liked this chapterrrr! I'm sorry it took so long, and I'm sorry for any of the spelling or grammar mistakes as well! Thanks for reading, and again, if you want me to write a story bout your favorite rare or odd pairing, just tell me about it and I might do it! Thanks again! + ~