Of Straw and Steel
Summary: Zoro was always warned of the dangers of falling for the Captain's daughter. He just never imagined the dangers that came with falling for the Captain herself. Oneshot series on people's reaction to the Captain and First Mate's relationship.
Chapter Warnings: Boobies, I guess. And Protective!Ace. Minorly sexual. Nothing too bad.
If it was not already glaringly obvious, Ace was not one for following the rules.
It did not matter who set these rules before him. As a child, he had gone against any order given to him without hesitation. Whether it come from Sabo, Dadan or even Garp, he would fail to follow through with any sort of demand.
With this attitude, following rules became something that Ace was certainly not accustomed to. Not that, in many situations, there had been rules to follow in the first place.
When he had joined the Whitebeard Pirates, who generally followed the pirate's code, nothing much had changed. He had been rebellious, striking down anything the old man told him and instead opting for his own decisions. This hadn't last long. As he loyalty to the pirate grew, so did his obedience.
However, even then, only those higher up, Marco and Whitebeard himself, had any control over this. It went against everything he had become to disobey Whitebeard and go after Teach, but it was something that had to be done.
Ace hadn't changed all that much, after all. And honesty? Neither had Luffy.
If Ace knew one thing about his sister, it was that no one - not even him - could tell her what she could and could not do. She was far more stubborn than he, and even less likely to listen to the "rules". But god be damned if he could resist anything she asked of him. The overprotective brother was, in short, completely whipped.
Ace remembered what he had told her before he left to make his way as a pirate.
"Don't go stirring up too much trouble," he had told her, knowing for certain she wouldn't listen to him even if he had told her otherwise. "Stay safe, train hard, don't get yourself killed..."
The outrageous list of demands had gone on and on until she yelled at him to shut up. She had laughed and claimed she would be fine, that there was nothing for the overprotective brother to worry about.
The thought was laughable. Ace not worry?
From the moment he left, he had been filled with an overwhelming worry. Who in their right minds would leave their fourteen year old sister alone with a family of bandits and no one else? She had always depended on him, after all. What if she got eaten? Or hurt, with no way back? Heaven forbid she didn't have enough food to make it through the day?
The worries had faded as time passed. He constantly reassured himself that she would be fine. After all, she had survived seven years before he walked into her life - or rather, her into his. Dadan wouldn't let the brat go without food - he knew the bandit cared somewhere deep inside.
So his worries calmed - until her sixteenth birthday hit.
He had been sitting calmly on the deck of the Moby Dick, listening to the chatter of the crewmates. He had only been there for a few weeks and was still more than a little rebellious. Marco continued to keep a close eye on him. He flipped through the paper idly in his lap until he grew bored and let it fall closed. He had caught sight of the date.
He remembered the horror he felt. After all, she was sixteen and alone.
At least, if he was lucky, she was alone. Who knew what his adorable little sister had turned into during his absence? It had been two years - plenty of time for changing and... His face had turned red, both from embarrassment and anger, which had only prompted Marco to ask what the hell he was thinking.
"My sister!" He had exclaimed. "God knows what kind of pervy, lecherous, disgusting man could be taking advantage of her!"
Marco had, after getting over the shock of the announcement, laughed.
A year and a half later, however, Ace realized he had plenty to worry about.
Not only had his sister turned into a beautiful, headstrong and powerful young lady... but most of her crew were guys! He hadn't known this at first, nor had he even thought about the chances. He had only seen her bounty and known he had to see her once again.
He hadn't even expected the crew to be a majority of men, but it instantly ticked him off. Not that he had shown it. Oh no, he had learnt too much from Makino to be outwardly rude. He was the epitome of politeness. The crew responded with an equivalently warm welcome.
After a few hours with the crew, he had grown a definite dislike for one man.
Sanji.
Luffy was oblivious, without a doubt. Ace did not worry about her, but rather, who forced them onto her.
Chopper was a reindeer, so really, just no. Nami, another woman, was nothing to worry about in the least. Usopp? The kid had no hesitation to show off but it would take more than that to win Luffy over. Zoro was quiet and protective, and Ace instantly approved of him.
But the cook? He had to go. Not only was a flirty womanizing pervert, who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of his unbelievably innocent sister, but he was also a cook. It was dangerous ground, since Luffy loved food above all else. Imagine what the pervert could coerce Luffy into doing with the promise of food - Ace didn't dare think about it, but kept his eyes trained closely on Sanji the entire journey.
"Luffy, do you really think-?"
It was the swordsman's words that woke Ace that night. It was his last night with the crew before he continued on his journey. Zoro, being exactly what every first mate should be, opted for watch. Ace knew Luffy trusted this man and after seeing the dedication the guy had to his sister, he had no doubt that he was worth of said trust.
But now...
Ace sat up in the pitched tent, letting out a quiet yawn in the night.
"It's fine!" Luffy chirped after a moment, causing Ace to wonder what exactly the two were talking about. "Everyone is asleep."
That got his attention, and he found himself edging for the exit of the tent. He slipped out nearly silently as the pirates' words floated through the chilly night air.
"Really? Because I really don't fancy getting burnt to a crisp tonight."
"Ace won't hurt you, I think."
"Have you seen the way he's been looking at Sanji? Tck."
"Hehe! I don't know why he has been. Maybe Sanji made something he didn't like for dinner! But Ace usually likes all food..."
"You're an idiot."
"C'mooon! It'll be fine."
"Then be quiet."
Luffy's childish giggle met his ears as he crept forward. That was, until it was cut off by a low and pleasured moan. They were by the glowing remains of a fire, just behind Ace's tent. He wasn't one for stealth, but he hadn't been caught so far. It wouldn't last long though, once he caught sight of Zoro and Luffy.
Luffy's back was to him, and he was at the perfect angle to see Zoro's face.
That is, if they weren't currently buried in Luffy's bare chest. As it was, Luffy's vest had long been discarded despite the chilly bite of the night, her hands tangled in Zoro's hair as he pressed slow kisses against her breasts. Luffy herself was letting out breathy sighs, pressing her hips down against Zoro's as she fought to control herself.
Ace couldn't help the fire that sparked at the sight. It was an angry spark, setting fire to his hand, and quickly, his entire arm. If the sudden rush of heat and brightness in the night didn't alert them of his presence, the angry stomps forward certainly did.
Luffy turned, looking up at him with a falsely innocent and shocked expression. Zoro glanced up at Ace over her shoulder, and even now, Ace could see the fear.
"A-Ace?" Luffy scrambled to her feet, completely ignoring her semi-clothed status and held up her arms defensively. "I thought you were sleeping!"
Ace ignored his sister, only stepping forward with his eyes locked on the swordsman. He had been wrong, he thought with a start. He had been so sure... He had approved of the swordsman. But now?
"You've defiled my sister?" He didn't even give Zoro a chance to respond, reaching out and grabbing the collar of Zoro's shirt. His other hand was still a deadly ball of fire and the first mate knew it.
"Oi! Ace! Stop it!" And damn it all, the roaring flames quelled to a gentle flickering of embers as she spoke. "You can't hurt Zoro!"
"He defiled you!"
Luffy scowled, and he felt guilt stab him inside. "I let him and I liked it! Don't touch him!"
The fire roared again at her words before dying completely, his hand returning as though nothing had ever happened. Ace let out a heavy sigh. "Fine."
But he didn't let go of Zoro. Instead, he chose to drag him away from the campsite. Luffy let out an annoyed 'hmph' from behind them, but he paid it no heed as he dragged the terrified swordsman off. When he was a good distance away, he finally turned on Zoro with a new fire in his eyes.
"I'll be damned if that girl ever listens to me," Ace growled, dropping the man to the sand. Zoro looked up at him, appearing determined and ready to fight, albeit being slightly scared. "But if you know what's good for you..."
Zoro's hand made for his sword, clearly expecting either a fight or a warning.
"If you'll be dating my sister, I have to lay down some rules."
And yes, Ace will die in this. Sorry, not sorry. It doesn't differ that much.
If you guys want to see anyone besides the crews' and Luffy's families' reactions, lemme know and I'll work it in. Already planning on: Robin, Chopper, Franky, Brooke, Grap, Coby, Shanks, Law, Rayleigh, Boa Hancock, Sabo, Conis... HAHA SCREW DOING IT IN THE PROPER ORDER SORRY GUYS I DO WHAT I WANT.
Also, this will be updated biweekly. All information for when I update stories can be found on moi's profile.