A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, favorites and follows!
Chapter 4 reviewers:
Suntan140: Sabo was already answered…now this time it's Ace ^_^
Arrancar13: Thanks! I Love long reviews! Glad you like it ^_^
Shiningheart of Thunderclan: I agree, Luffy was never been considered as normal ^_^
ATMhomestuckstalker: Well, I did say 'Love it? Hate it?' so I understand how you feel. Thanks for the review! ^_^
ScatteredPhilosopher: I didn't do anything to you! Joke! Glad you like this story! ^_^
Musicmegamaniac: Thanks for loving this! And here is Ace's view of Traffy! ^_^
Girl-luvs-manga: Agreed ^_^
Mangalover26: Aww~ really? Thanks! ^_^
Chapter 5 reviewers:
Suntan140: Here is another update ^_^
Shiningheart of Thunderclan: Yeah! It's funny when Ace answers his own questions ^_^
94Insane: Well, now will see ^_^
X-AoHime-X: Thanks! And I'm really trying to make Law a good person for once ^_^
Kickassdani: Me too, I hate hot weathers because my country is a tropical one. Summer is terrible and rainy season is the worst. Thanks for the review ^_^
scatteredPhilosopher: Well, looking back it is always Sabo who was the smartest of the trio. About the 'surgeon of death' well the only explanation I can give to you is that when they were teenagers Law along with Kidd and their gang…well do gangster stuff. They only stopped….wait I'm ruining the story…just wait for the chapters that deals mainly in flashbacks ^_^
Chococookie (guest): Well…initially I planned this to be a family fluff but I often have mood swings so I can't guarantee that there will be no KiddxLaw since it is one of my favorite pairings ^_^
Velonica14: Thanks for pointing my wrongs I appreciate it ^_^
Musicmegamaniac: Thanks for loving this ^_^
Girl-luvs-manga: Agreed ^_^
Fireycloud: Well, here is an update ^_^
Rion-rion: Well, I have planned this to be a family fluff but I often have mood swings so there is a possibility of having KiddxLaw since they are one of my favorite pairings ^_^
Warnings: Short chapter, OOCness
Title: Daddy is the New Title
Author: gdesertsand
Pairings: None yet
Disclaimer: I do not own any anime, manga or songs!
Chapter 6: Road to Acceptance—Ace's Acceptance
"Vivi-sama!"
At hearing her name being called out she looked up from her scribbling to the owner of the voice. There she found one of her father's most trusted butlers looking at her with concerned eyes.
"What is it, Igaram?" she asked as she put down her glasses on the table.
"I was calling you for dinner five times but you didn't answer forgive me if I entered your room without permission." Igaram stated his reason as he bowed a little
"Eh? I didn't notice it." Vivi murmured as she looked at her wall clock inside her room, "I must be too focus in my works." She laughed a bit at this.
"Vivi-sama, if I may speak."
"Sure, what is it, Igaram?"
"I think it's not the work that is making you weary. Is it because of Trafalgar-san again?" Igaram was no stranger at Vivi's patients and he knows when something was bothering the angel of his boss.
"No, no, no!" Vivi answered hurriedly, "It's the work! You're just imagining things!" then she forced Igaram out of her room, "Please tell to Teracotta to bring my food in here, thanks!" she didn't wait for a response as she closed the door.
"Damn it, why I can't forget the blond…" she murmured.
Flashback
Vivi was expecting to have the worst hangover she ever experienced gladly she only felt half of it. But what confused her was that she was lying on something soft…
Trying to open her eyes she blinked several times to let go of the blurry images and she was met by a pastel colored room. Weird, her room was livelier than this and it also have some pictures of her family along with her pet but this room was devoid of that stuff. It didn't take long for her to process that she was on a stranger's room. She sat up abruptly that it sent a piercing headache straight to her head.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The advice she heard.
Vivi looked up to see who spoke and saw, dare she say it, a gorgeous long haired blond man who has a body of a model, not too thin and not too macho just fine, wearing long sleeved blue shirt and black jeans. He was also holding a tray of food.
"Glad you are already awake." The man spoke again as he entered the room and placed the tray on the table beside the bed, "Oh, and here is the medicine. It will help you to recover from your hangover." He added as he placed the capsule on the tray also. "You can take a bath after eating and change your clothes."
Too busy staring the only words that Vivi heard was 'changed your clothes' that was the time she looked down and saw that she was just wearing a nightgown.
She got drunk…
She was in bed…
She was on a stranger's house…
She wore a different set of clothes…
"How dare you!" she screamed and throw the pillow on the blond she was about to slap him when the man hold up his hands.
"Woah! Wait a minute! I didn't touch you!" hearing those words made Vivi to put down her hand. But the hostility in her eyes were still there.
"Then why am I here?" her tone was laced with accusation.
"You don't remember?"
"Will I be asking you if I'd remember what happened?"
"Fine," the man grumbled obviously annoyed, "You talked to me last night when you were totally drunk then you vomited on me. The owner of the bar asked me to take you home until you were sober enough but I didn't know that it would take too long for you to wake up so I asked the maids to change your clothes." The blond explained in one breath, "There, happy?"
Flashback ended
Vivi covered her face as he recalled what happened last week,
"That was really embarrassing…"
^_^ Sabo was finally revealed! ^_^
A week had already passed since Luffy got sick. Ace was glad that his little brother was finally feeling better though a part of him was slightly annoyed at the noisiness. Another thing that was bothering him was ever since Sabo got back from buying the medicines needed the blond got this distant look in his eyes. It was as if he was trying to answer a problem that could not be solved in an instance.
This change of moods has been bothering Ace for a while.
When they were finally released from the clutches of Kalifa-sensei (Detention which he dubbed as hell), both he and Sabo ran as fast as they can to meet their little brother. Ace was expecting the lonely stare and silent nod from Luffy since it was always like that from the previous days so imagined his shock when the strawhat wearing boy suddenly jumped on them and tackled him and Sabo on the ground. He was about to shout at Luffy but the sound of laughter stopped him. Ace heard Luffy's laugh again. It was like forever since that happened when in reality it was just a few weeks. His little brother was backing again to his normal self.
Normal which means that everything will be chaotic since an energetic Luffy is a magnet for trouble.
As much as he wanted to question Luffy on what happened to lift up his moods he didn't. Ace was scared that the patched wound will be opened again. He did not mind if he was the one hurting but it was a whole another story if Luffy or Sabo was the one who was feeling pain. Especially if it is a pain that could not be healed by pills or stitches.
He did say that he will not pry for the details so that's it.
Though it was another road to take when Sabo, who was trying to be happy to cheer up Luffy, was the one who was feeling down the blond was frowning for long times when he thought that no one was looking at him. A part of Ace was glad that his brother was no longer trying to put a façade but of all people Ace also knew that Sabo was not the type of person to wear his emotions. It was always him who lets his emotions rule his instincts and not the blond.
But just like what he said to himself about Luffy's condition he will not pry the details from Sabo. This promise was harder to keep though.
A week…
It was already a week since the turnaround of emotions!
Ace has patience but the thread of his patience is very thin.
"Neh, Sabo how should I solve this?" Luffy asked as he pointed at a simple addition and subtraction of fractions.
Right now they were currently in the living room doing their homeworks. Although Ace was not really answering his because he was busy in observing his brothers. His eyebrows were itching from irritation.
"Sabo!" Luffy tried to call the attention of the blond again which cause a startled response.
Ace narrowed his eyes. Sabo was always aware of his surroundings. Being called twice was something that rarely happens.
"W-what is it again, Luffy?" Sabo took a look at his little brother's notes. He was aware that Ace was staring at him for a while now and it was unnerving him. He didn't know what he did to cause such a reaction from the freckled boy, "Oh…first you have to find the common denominator then…"
Ace's eyebrows twitched twice.
That awkward smile…
"Luffy," Ace called his little brother with a smile and he got 'hmm' as a response, "Why don't you take a break first? I think the math is frying your brains for a while now."
Sabo flinched at the implications. He looked up at Ace and that was all he needed to confirm his suspicions.
That sweet smile never means anything good….
But Luffy can't read between the lines so the expected response that Ace wanted was what he got,
"Really! Can I play?!"
"As long as you are in your room." His freckled face brother gave a yes with added instructions.
Luffy wasted no time as he ran upstairs in case Ace changed his mind.
Now having the nuisance gone Ace turned to his blond brother who was trying to escape,
"And where are you going?" Ace asked with his sweet smile.
"I-I-I need to go to the bathroom…" Sabo was shaking in fear right now. Ace has that effect on him when the 'brother mode' was switched on.
"Surely that can wait, yes?"
"H-hai…" leaving no room for protest he sat again.
"So, tell me," Ace started and his sweet smile was replaced by a frown with a stare that was preparing to jump on its prey, "What's bothering you?"
"H-huh? Nothing, nothing is bothering me Ace. Nothing at all! You're just imagining things…" Sabo shook his head to prove that there was really nothing that's bothering him.
"Really?"
"That's right Ace! I'm telling the truth!"
"You know, you're a terrible liar like Luffy when you are nervous." Ace commented as he brought his fist up and without warning he hit Sabo on the head, "So tell me the truth!"
"Ouch! No need for violence!" the blond protested as he rubbed his injured head.
"I will do that again if you will not tell me the truth." Ace then took a seat beside his brother and glared at him, daring him to lie again.
On Sabo's part, the blond was having a debate inside his head. Should he tell Ace his thoughts or make an excuse? But Ace was serious about his threat and right now any lie that will come out of his mouth will be detected by his brother.
Contrary to popular belief, Ace has the ability to use his brain in a calculative manner. Though still not as smart as Sabo, it is enough to appraise someone's personality.
Whatever…
If Ace wanted to know it then he shall say it.
"Remember when Luffy got sick?" he started to make sure that Ace was grasping the storyline.
"Yeah?"
"Well you know that Luffy has a habit to sleep talk, right?" Ace nodded at him saying that he knows it, "He said, no he asked if Trafalgar-san can be our 'Daddy'."
There was a moment of silence as Sabo stared at his brother's blank face. He knew that Ace was processing the words inside his head. He knew also the possible scenarios that would play out when the words finally sink in.
"What did you say?" Ace finally spoke with a promise threat in his voice.
Sabo just sighed at the reply he got, "See? I knew you would react this way that's why I didn't tell you. You're so volatile."
"There's more to it, right?" Ace could feel that Sabo was leaving parts of the whole story.
If it was just about Luffy having sleep talks then the blond will not be this too distracted. Yes, it was expected that he will not say it to Ace but day dreaming because of it was a different matter.
A dress is not made with just a cloth.
"I told you it was just that."
"No," Ace pressed the matter more, "You're hiding me something. So either you tell me or we can fight fist to fist right here, right now." He growled when the blond was being too stubborn for his own good.
"You know curiosity kills the cat, right?"
"Don't act so smart, Sabo, cats have nine lives." He retorted with a huff.
"Fine," Sabo conceded because if he will not then this conversation might take a whole day and night. He wanted to sleep also, "When I went out to buy Luffy's medicines I met Trafalgar-san."
"And?"
"He rescued me from a bunch of thugs." Sabo said casually with a shrugged of his shoulders, "It was awesome how he rendered their body useless with just a sway of his hands!"
"What?" Ace was not that affected at hearing that Sabo was cornered because he and the blond could take on any adults with just their fist…though sometimes Sabo chose to hit them with a pipe. It was the second sentence that made him narrowed his eyes in anger.
"What what? Aren't you happy that he saved me?" Sabo was having enough of Ace's stubbornness towards adults, "Well here's a fact brother, not all adults are bad."
That was the last line.
"Shut up!" with too much anger Ace chose to flip the table.
"I have enough of your attitude Ace!" Sabo also reached the last thread of his patience, "Stop thinking that everything is black and white! As much as you want to deny it the truth is that we still need someone we can depend on, someone who is much older than us!"
"Do you know what you are talking about? Do you understand the words coming out from your mouth?!" Ace was really furious at this point at what he was hearing from his brother.
"I do! And you can't make me to take it back because it's the reality that you need to face!"
"SHUT UP!" Ace shouted too loud that Sabo was forced to shut his mouth.
It was too loud that they heard someone running downstairs and Luffy's body was revealed from the door. He was panting heavily because he ran all the way to the living room.
Earlier he was a little suspicious also at what was happening between his two brothers but didn't pay too much attention thinking that they were just being their weird normal selves. But now hearing them throwing shouts at each other he thought that his brothers were trying to kill each other.
"Luffy!" Ace called his little brother and stared at him with angered eyes that Luffy flinched at its intensity, "Why did you think that the creepy doctor can be our 'Daddy'?"
"Huh?" taken back by the sudden question he just looked back with a dumb expression, "Traffy is good and I like him because he was like Shanks."
That was really it, the line that Ace was trying not to be broken was snapped into pieces.
"You two…" his body was trembling with different emotions all at once, "You're trying to forget Shanks, are you?"
It was not really a question, it was more like a statement.
"Wha- no Ace! Why would we forget Shanks?" Sabo protested at the accusation.
"Stop making excuses! You are trying to forget him!"
"You're the one who should stop making excuses!" Sabo did not know what was happening inside Ace's head but enough is enough, "And stop accusing us with no proof!"
Luffy did not know how to stop his brothers. It was usually him and Ace who was fighting and Sabo was always the one who stopped them. But now, truth be told, if an angry Ace scares Luffy then an angry Sabo scared him more.
"Stop it…" Luffy murmured under his breath.
"I don't need proof at all it is already written already your face!"
"Stop it…" this time Luffy tried to make his voice louder.
"What proof?! I think you need to wear glasses so you can have a better view of your surroundings!"
"Stop it…" it was like Luffy's pleas was being drowned by a poisonous stir of emotions.
"And I think you need to open your ears to hear clearly your own words!"
"I said…" Luffy took a deep breath, "STOP IT!" he shouted really loud that the other two was forced to acknowledge his presence again which they forgot because of their verbal fight.
Seeing Luffy's distressed face and eyes that were ready to cry made them to shut up. Both were ashamed that they act like selfish jerks around their little brother. Sabo sighed heavily and walked towards the door where Luffy is.
"I'm going to cool my head. Don't knock on my door." With that said Sabo went to his own room.
Luffy stared where Sabo disappeared then looked back at Ace who was facing the ground. He did not know what was happening but he had a wild guess that it was because of something he did. What was that he got no clue at all, but seeing his brothers fight with pure hatred in their eyes was not a sight to behold at all.
"Ace…" Luffy called out but before he got a chance to speak further Ace ran away from him, away from them, "Ace!" he called out again when he saw Ace ran outside of their home. He wanted to chase after him but then decided not to.
There are times where someone needs to be alone.
^_^ SABO FINALLY REVEALED! ^_^
"World… tell me, do you really hate my existence?" Law mumbled as he walked the street where heavy rain made it difficult for him to hold his umbrella.
He loved New World City, okay. It was the weather that makes him to hate it sometimes.
Wait he said it before right?
He finally had the time to take his car to Franky House and the owner told him that he can get it tomorrow. He was thankful that it will not take that long to drive his car again. That time he was thanking the world for making it sunny but after saying his thanks a heavy pour greeted him. His clothes were soaked that he needed to go to the nearest department store and buy new ones to wear. Good thing was that store still has his favorite hoodie and spotted pants. Then with no choice he also bought an umbrella so that he can walk his way home and sleep.
He should have just stayed at the store and waited for the rain to stop.
Why that is when you need the weather to shift fast from rainy to sunny the opposite always happens?
He was tired because he took the night shift. All he wanted was to sleep! Is that too hard for the world to comprehend!
Complaining will get him nowhere but it didn't stop him from cursing every deity he knew for making him have the worst luck of all times. He could be in Guinness Book of Records as 'Man who has the worst luck of all Times' how hilarious could that be?
His inner loathing to the world moments was stopped abruptly when his eyes caught the figure of a small child. Weird, these past few days he always saw familiar faces of children. He should stop going to the pediatrician section just to visit Penguin and Shachi. Narrowing his eyes a little he noticed that, in fact, he knew who the child was running in this heavy rain. Why is that he always encounter one of the trios? And this one was the one who has a hostile record against adults.
He didn't move at first. Just watching where the child will go. It looked like he had a very bad day. Dare he said it, much bad than he has right now.
But this decision didn't last long when he saw…Ace was his name right? Yes, when he saw Ace made a turn where the sign 'Do not Enter' was. It was obvious that the child didn't notice it because he was staring straight ahead. That and the sign was toppled down by the strong winds.
Damn! That area was prone to a landslide that was why it was closed down. The government must make studier warning signs next time.
Abandoning his umbrella on the ground, Law chased after the child. It went unnoticed to him that his phone that was placed in his pants' back pocket had fallen on the ground also.
Was it bad luck or good luck to him?
Ace did not care where he was going at all. All he wanted was to go as far away as he could. He had done it again! He let his anger rule his judgment! Damn it! He must have hurt Sabo real bad from his words. He should have listened with a clear mind. Why he can't do such a simple thing?!
He did not care that the rain was soaking him deeper.
He just wished that the rain could wash away all his sins.
He ran and ran until he heard a rumbling sound. Curiosity getting better at him he stopped and looked around. The place was not familiar at him at all. Where was he now? But then he heard the rumbling noise again and looked from side to side. Seeing nothing there, he looked up. That was when realization dawned at him on what was causing that noise.
Landslide
He should run! He knew he should run but his feet came numb. It's either from too much running or he was too scared to move. Whatever it was though he really need to move away or else he will be buried alive.
"Move!" Ace thought as he tried to make a step, "Move, damn it!"
It was race against time as the muddy matter came nearer and nearer at him until the only thing he could do was to cover his head with his arms.
He was expecting pain and pain he did felt. But it was more like being tossed aside with a large force than being buried to the ground. He could feel the droplets of rain against his skin instead of muddy texture of the soil. That was when it registered to him that he was laying on the ground away from the area of the landslide. Shakily he stood up, he heaved a couple of times before looking out. His eyes widened when he saw a figure having half of his body buried by the earth.
He was pushed away by this man.
"Even the earth hates me…" Ace heard the man mumbled. The guy looked up at him and he immediately knew who the one who saved him was, he does not know if he should be happy or angry at this scenario.
"Are you okay?" Law asked. He knew that he should ask for help or his lungs will not survive from too much pressure. But first things first.
Ace eyes dilated. He wanted to shout, to curse at this man who was the root of all his problems right now. But he could not find the energy to do so because deep down he knew that this creepy doctor was not really at fault at all. It was all him, it was always Ace fault that things go to worst.
Being drained like a battery without charged, Ace sat on the wet ground and started to release his frustrated tears.
"H-hey…what's wrong? Did I hurt you when I pushed you away?" Law asked as he lifted his head higher. He received a sign of no, "Then what's wrong?"
"Why…" Ace hiccupped as he tried to form his words, "Why did you save me?"
"Wha-" but he was not given a chance to respond when Ace spoke again.
"Why did you save someone like me?! I should have just died! I should have not been alive from the start! I don't deserve to live at all! Everything that gets near around me gets destroyed because of me!" Ace shouted as he tried to wipe his tears so it will stop from falling but his attempts were futile.
Somehow those words sent a bolt of irritation in Law's nerves that he didn't control his hand from slapping the child on the face real hard that he saw his handprint on Ace's cheek. Ace was shocked too because it was the first time that he received something like that.
"Don't say that." Law scolded him, "You think you are the number one is whishing that he should not been alive in this earth? Well, guess what, you are not." He took a deep breath, he knew talking at his current condition was not advisable at all but he needed to stab his point in the child's mind, "Everyone deserves to live. If you think that everything around you gets destroyed then that is because you are weak. Become stronger than you are now, prove to the world that it is wrong for belittling your capacity. Prove to them that Shanks is not wrong for raising you and your brothers." Another deep breath, his vision was slowly fading but he did not concern himself about it because he knew he made his point judging from the shocked expression of Ace. That or he was still surprised from his slap, "Life is a gift not a curse. Live with no regrets. You should do something worthwhile to it."
Ace eyes widened as he heard that same phrase from a certain redhead when he opened up to him for the first time.
"Ace, Life is a gift not a curse you should live with no regrets." Ace heard Shank's voice all over again and a new wave of tears came spilling out.
"Do you understand me?" Law asked as he rested his chin on the ground. Looking up for too long was giving him a stiff neck.
"Uhm!" Ace nodded as he wiped his tears away.
"Good, now could you call for help? I think any minute now I'm going to pass out…"
"WHAT!" Ace crying stopped all at once as he walked around and started digging.
"Hey, hey, hey! I said call for help not dig, you idiot!" Law shouted as he saw the actions he got from Ace.
"Shut up creepy doctor I'm not going to leave you alone in here." Ace insulted back.
Law was about to answered back but another voice joined them.
"What the hell happened in here?"
Looking up, Ace saw a man with flaming red hair. The color was not similar to Shanks though. The man had both an expression of annoyance and worry on his face. He remembered this guy, he was one of the people who attended Shanks' funeral.
"Ish that yush Eushtashh-yah?" the doctor mumbled. His words can't be comprehended clearly because Law let his face fall on the ground. He has no energy to look up again.
"Yeah, it's me." Eustass answered as he motioned for the kid to move away. Seeing the non-verbal command Ace walked away warily, "I'm going to pull you out, okay?"
"Thash okay…"
Eustass took hold of Trafalgar's waist and at the count of three he pulled the doctor out of the mound. Ace was taken back from the strength of the man. How could he do that?! It was like the doctor was nothing but a piece of paper.
"How did you know I'm here?" Law dusted off his pants but he knew the stains will be there unless he tossed it in washing machine.
"I found your phone lying on the ground in front of the sign 'Do not Enter'." To prove his point he dangled out the said device, "You're the only person I know who has a creepy smiley sticker at the back of their phone and a chibified polar bear as wallpaper."
"Shut up," Law snatched the device from Kidd's hand, "His name is Bepo not 'chibified polar bear'."
"Whatever," Kidd rolled his eyes to the child's direction then back to Law, "I want an explanation but I think I could guess what happened in here so I'll just give you two a ride to your houses."
"That would be great," Law replied in a mock gratitude but then he turned to Ace, "Let's go, shall we?" he smiled and offered his hand.
At first Ace hesitated but then he accepted it. He received a gentle smile from the doctor and walked side by side.
Life is a gift not a curse.
A/N: OH MY GOODNESS! SABO'S FACE WAS FINALLY REVEALED! I THINK I'M IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN!
Ahem.
So! Love it? Hate it? Whatever it is don't forget to review!