Work on chapter 15 has been going slow, so I thought I'd post chapter 8 in the meantime! Enjoy :D

Disclaimer: You know who would make an awesome trio? Ace from this story (before amnesia), Sabo from Divide and Luffy from Reverse. Except, well... Luffy would try to arrest Sabo and Ace would just hate them both... forget I said anything.

"My name—it's Luffy."

Ace blinked. "That so?" he questioned more to himself than anything. Vaguely he recalled asking his name during their last encounter. He wanted to say it was cute—that it suited him—but remained silent. That would be pretty awkward, wouldn't it? He just met the kid, after all. Or, well, it felt like he did. So that was that and Ace returned to rummaging through the kitchen in search of a frying pan. "Have you eaten yet?"

"No," came a quiet reply.

"I'll make you something," he stated as he opened the third cupboard door. After being told—repeatedly—about the boy's financial situation, he felt obliged to serve him a meal.

The boy seemed surprised at that, for more than one reason. Ace guessed he wasn't the nicest guy before his amnesia but that wasn't what the kid asked about. "You can cook?"

"Hm?" He was too absorbed in his search to really pay attention. "Oh, yeah, I guess. Marco said I cooked all our meals before, well, this."

Luffy seemed to take a little more interest in the conversation. "Marco?"

"The guy who showed you out last night," he elaborated. "We share a place or something. Now if only I could find the damn frying pan…"

"The door at the far end," Luffy stated.

Ace turned inquisitively to the boy and saw him flinch, wondering why he would know his way around his parents' kitchen. Shrugging it off, he moved across the wall and opened the last door, shocked to see that the boy was right. He didn't question it, though. If he asked about everything he didn't understand he'd have had a meltdown long ago. Instead he grabbed hold of the thing and shuffled over to the stove.

"To be honest, I didn't expect to see you back here," he said as he poured a tiny bit of olive oil into the pan, turning on the stove to allow it to heat. Quickly he rushed over to grab some eggs from the fridge then returned to the heating appliance. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Well…" The boy's voice faded. It was clear he wasn't comfortable talking to Ace. That made him wonder even more about what he must have done to the poor kid. "You really don't recognize me?"

"Not a bit," he replied bluntly. Glancing over at Luffy, he saw him clench his fist.

"…How did it happen?"

Ace shrugged. "Thatch told me I walked into traffic or something stupid like that." After cracking the eggs and dropping them into the pan he shuffled over to the counter. "Now where's the damn spatula?" he asked himself.

"Third drawer," Luffy answered.

Again the boy was correct. Ace looked at him curiously before going back to the eggs and continuing his task.

Quietness passed between them. Ace didn't really notice, seeing as he was busy cooking, so he wasn't the one to break it.

"You're… really different."

The freckled youth spun around to face the boy, the corners of his mouth slightly tugging into a mischievous smile. "That a good thing?"

Luffy nodded. He rested his arms on the surface of the island, leaning in on it and staring at the man working at the stove. "Before… you never would have helped me. We never talked like this."

"I must have been pretty horrible, huh?"

For a second the teen's mouth gaped when he realized what he implied. "I didn't—"

He was interrupted when Ace chuckled. "It's fine. I'm glad you're being honest with me. Everyone else has been avoiding the subject." He faced Luffy again with a smile. "I'm grateful."

From the look on his face, Luffy was thinking something along the lines of 'I can't believe he just thanked me'. Ace wasn't surprised by his reaction; he got a similar look from Marco his first day back.

Seeing that he didn't look like he was going to speak, Ace decided to continue. "I don't remember what I did to you but that doesn't make it right. You don't have to force yourself to be around me out of pity."

"I'm not," he stated. He seemed unsure despite saying that. "You weren't always bad. I thought maybe…"

"I would be like I was back then?"

Luffy nodded.

"Am I?"

The boy took a moment to think. "Kind of, but not really," he stated.

Suddenly a plate was slipped onto the table in front of him, complete with steaming eggs and buttered toast. His mouth watered and before he knew it he heard Ace laughing at him.

"You must be really hungry," he mused.

Luffy looked down at his plate, cheeks tinted with an embarrassed blush. He felt a large, warm hand on the top of his head, running through his strands as it messed up his hair. Turning to face the freckled man in front of him, he was met with a smile he never thought he'd see on his former employer's face. That was the first time he ever saw him look genuinely happy.

"This feels kind of familiar," Ace noted as he walked around the island and took a seat of his own.

"Eh?" Luffy blinked a few times. "But we never…"

"Hm?" Ace moved to look at him. He hadn't been paying much attention to the boy, seeing as his stomach was filling his mind with pleads to be fed.

After a short pause the boy shook his head. "It's nothing," he stated as he picked up his toast. After taking the first bite he couldn't resist and devoured both slices before Ace could finish his first. Luffy decidedly ignored the look he was being given to instead inquire about something he'd been curious about. "Your tattoo…"

"Huh?" Ace looked to the black ASCE permanently inked on his left arm.

"Not that—the one on your back. Do you know anything about it?"

Ace shrugged. "Didn't even know I had it," he replied, shoving a morsel of egg into his mouth.

They ate wordlessly, the only sound being forks and knives scraping against the plates. Ace caught the kid stealing glances just as he had before but paid it no mind. He'd gotten stared at a lot according to memory, which didn't say much since it'd only been a week since he was discharged from the hospital. Most people were just surprised he didn't remember anything. They would gawk for a while, adjust and then be done with it. Luffy, though… He was more surprised than the others were and a lot wearier around him. Just what had he done to the poor kid?

"…Does it hurt?"

Ace was snapped away from his thoughts by the tiny voice. Absently he realized that he cleared his plate at some point. Looking up he saw Luffy giving him an expression mixed with uncertainty and concern. "What?"

The boy pointed to his chest. When he followed his finger he was reminded of the few bandages still scattered about his torso and arms. He'd almost forgotten that he was still injured—and in his boxers. Oh well. "Not really," he answered as he rose from his seat and grabbed both of their empty plates. "I don't notice it much." He dropped the dishes into the sink and turned on the tap, waiting for the water to heat.

"Ace," Luffy called shakily.

The freckled youth turned to him. "Hm?"

"I want… I want to work here."

The older man's eyes widened. "Why?"

Luffy turned to face the top of the island. "I just… can I?"

After a brief pause, a smile rose to Ace's face. "Yeah, sure."

A low, muffled sobbing rose to Rouge's ears. Following it to the space beneath the main staircase, she was met with the teary-eyed face of the household's youngest servant. He was crouched against the wood of the stairs, legs huddled close to his chest and head lowered into his lap as he whimpered and sniffled.

"…Luffy?" she called with concern, taking a few steps closer to the crying boy. The blonde knelt in front of him. "What's wrong?"

Slowly the child looked up from the darkness of his lap, trying to hold back his tears as he stared up at the woman. Seconds later he released his pose in favour of embracing her, burying his head into her shirt. "A-Ace…"

Pulling him into a hug, Rouge began stroking his hair. "What about Ace?"

His grip on her shirt tightened and he choked back more cries. "He hates me."

Rouge blinked at that, curious of what the child meant. She gently pulled him away and looked into his eyes. "No, he doesn't," she reassured with a smile, lightly running her fingers through his hair.

"Yes he does," Luffy countered, bottom lip quivering as he wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "He said so."

The blonde's smile became more sympathetic but never faded. "Ace has a temper—you know that. He's probably just angry at Roger again."

The boy sniffled, looking into her dark eyes with a tiny spark of hope. "Really…?"

She nodded. "He'll be back to normal in the morning."

"…Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Because I like Ace…"

Rouge caressed his cheek, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "I know you do."

"—ffy! Oi, Luffy!"

"Huh?" The teen found himself inside a familiar restaurant at his usual seat, surrounded by a few of his close friends. At some point he drifted off into thought. Then again that was a pretty common occurrence for him, seeing as his friends said he had the attention span of a gnat.

After a swift blow to the head he realized he was facing a fuming redhead—Nami.

"Pay attention when I'm talking to you!"

Rubbing the sore spot on his head, Luffy laughed. "Sorry, sorry! What are we talking about?"

The girl sighed. "I can't believe you. First you tell us that you're working for that… that creep again, and then you don't even listen to us!"

Luffy gave her a pout. He honestly didn't remember telling them any of that. His habitual rambling was likely the cause. It would have been better if he never told them. They lectured him many times in the past about staying away from his 'problem'. He didn't want to worry them anymore. "…Sorry," he repeated, a sheepish grin gracing his features.

"He's a monster, Luffy," Usopp began from his spot across the table. "Just forget about that job, alright? We'll help you find some work."

Luffy pondered that for a moment then shook his head. "He's not so bad." When he saw his friends' jaws drop he realized he probably forwent the explanation of why he decided to take up his old position. They certainly weren't pleased with him. To save himself he thought of elaborating a bit more. "He's different now."

He heard his long-nosed friend let out an exasperated breath. "Look, Luffy… I told you this before: you can't trust him. He's just using you."

"But he's—"

"Listen to Usopp," Nami ordered in a scolding, worried tone. After catching his attention, she softened her features. "We don't want to see you get hurt again."

Then teen's pout grew. He knew she was right. He knew that even without memories Ace should not be trusted. After everything he did—everything he put him through—he never wanted to be in the same vicinity as the guy. But being around him that morning was… different. He wasn't cruel or violent. Ace hadn't made one mean comment during his visit. Hell, he made him breakfast! And though Luffy froze up whenever their eyes met, he didn't feel the same paralyzing fear he did before. How could he get them to understand? "Ace hit his head."

The two blinked at him. "Huh?"

Before he could answer, their table was approached by a lean blond with a curly eyebrow. As soon as he saw the waiter, Luffy broke out into the largest of grins and completely forgot about their conversation. "Sanji, food!" he exclaimed excitedly as the man pulled a pad and paper to take their order.

The blonde rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you shitty freeloader. Let me guess: put it on your tab?" He paused and awaited the inevitable laugh and nod the boy would always give him—that's why he was shocked when he shook his head. "No?"

"Nope; I've got money!"

The two sitting with him gawked as he pulled out his wallet, showing them the bills he received the day before as proof. After returning it to his pocket he proceeded to order half of the items on the menu, stating that he'd pay off his tab as well. Everyone remained silent as they allowed that to soak in before Sanji asked for the other two's orders and promptly left.

"Where'd you get that?" Nami asked, still slack-jawed from the teen's earlier display.

Luffy smiled, replying simply with "Ace."

"Ace?" Usopp echoed. "Portgas D. Ace gave you money?"

The boy nodded. When he saw the skeptical looks on their faces he couldn't blame them; he had trouble believing it himself. It felt weird being helped out by the biggest nuisance in his life. Still, he couldn't help but smile. "Yep!"

"W-why?" Usopp questioned. Judging by his tone, he was sure there were negative consequences.

"He's just like that now."

"That's right… Luffy, you said he hit his head, didn't you?"

The boy turned to the redhead. "Oh, right! Ace has amnesia."

"What?" the two asked in unison, voices pitched higher than usual.

Nami swallowed. "You don't actually believe that, do you?"

"I do."

She leaned on the table and entered into a whisper as though trying to keep prying ears from hearing what she had to say. "He's just fooling you, Luffy."

"He's not."

"How can you be sure?"

The youth thought back to that morning when he was at the manor. He recalled the smile on the man's face, the gentle touch of his hand and the friendly tone of his voice. More than that, though, he recalled the wounds scattered about Ace's torso—the ones the heir apparently didn't notice—and the bandages that covered the more severe ones. He couldn't fake injuries like that. Then he remembered the peculiar thing he noted around his right temple—discoloured skin and something else. "I saw… Ace, he's telling the truth. And he's nicer now so maybe…" He took a deep breath. "Maybe it'll be better this way."

A/N: Hope that wasn't too boring for ya! Some interesting stuff is coming up in the next few chapters, don't worry! And does anyone have a cure for laziness? I keep sitting down to write and then end up just staring at the screen...

To my lovelies~

MysteriousEyez: I'm glad you saw it that way :) Doesn't seem like anything bad can happen, right? But I'm a jerk, so I wonder how long that can last e_e

Mon Esprit Libre: Lol glad you like!

teengens: It's the same length as every other chapter, you know :P I purposely waited to start posting this story until I was further in it because that way, when I don't have time to work on it or get writer's block, I can still update. That's why I try not to post a new chapter until I write a new chapter. I plan on doing it with some other stories, too, like Flame and Phoenix, Divide, Reverse, and Resolve. No there are reasons he hid the money. I'm just not going to bring them up yet :P Please be patient~

Natylol: Hehe you know me well ;) Here's an update!

jam klaoo: Yep, Luffy's being really brave, going to see Ace like that. Hope you enjoyed!

RenwolfChan: Haha thanks XD I promise to keep writing so long as I am able.

buslimpan: He might, he might not :P You'll find out later~

Diclonious57: I know the feeling XD

Guest: Finally? I'd say I update pretty regularly XD I make no promises about family bonding :P

Hyousax Wilson Grim: Glad you like!

spoons-are-evil: There's a reason. If you pay close attention, you'll probably be able to figure it out. Yep, Luffy's being really brave going back. And now you know :D

azab: Here it is!

lone green leaf: Close to finding out? HA! You clearly don't know me very well :P I like to troll. Lol everyone seems to think it's rape. I guess we'll just have to see~

Son Goshen: Lol well he WAS kind of sorta like that in a way probably. Didn't pay much attention to him? Interesting theory. That image is both adorable and hilarious XD

(My dog is glaring at me, so I guess I'll go take him outside now... even though there's a level 2 heatwave warning in effect... eat the pain! Hope you all enjoyed and I'll be back with more soon! Please drop a review, tell me what you think :) Adieu~)