Jeez... oh jeez. You guys are so awesome. I have no words to describe how happy all those reviews made me feel.
This story has taken over my life, to the point that I'm even reciting imaginary dialogue between these characters during long and lonely elevator rides at work. Heh.
The darkness in this fic isn't for everyone, I know, but I'm truly grateful that so many of you continued to read this little fictional fantasy of mine.
We're not completely out of the woods yet, but behold... in the distance... there is a light.
Domo!
Relevant Tarot Cards for this chapter:
The King of Wands: The opposite of the Reversed King of Wands (Kid Eustass). My King of Wands (Ace) reflects this King best. He is the man who always has to lead the charge and he hasn't friends so much as worshippers; people either love him or hate him, and the same goes for his family. Not that he doesn't love his family; he is the kind of man who falls in love at first sight and woes his love interest until they love him back. He loves danger, adventure and above all challenges that only serve to strengthen his unrelenting character.
The Chariot: This is a card about struggle, about having to put two contradicting things, ideas or needs together in order to get through whatever is bugging you. You have to trust in your ultimate victory, but not forget that in order to get there, you will need to gather the courage to take control of a situation.
11. The King of Wands - The Chariot
The Di Monkey residence appeared in the headlights as Coby drove his sportscar up its driveway.
He turned off the engine and sat back in his seat, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Luffy-"
"Stop."
Coby took a shaky breath and closed his eyes.
"I'm grateful you were there, Coby," Luffy whispered from his passenger's seat, his now bandaged right hand resting in his lap. "But as I told you before, I'm not going to press charges. This is something I need to resolve on my own."
Coby looked at him, visibly not understanding why Luffy was reacting this way after what happened. He'd arrived just when Kid had had his way with Luffy and walked away, leaving Luffy nearly unconscious on the ground.
And to Luffy's horror, Coby told him, while they waited for a doctor in the ER, that he knew about his past relationship with Kid. He'd told him that he'd seen him and Kid make out at numerous dorm parties during college and that he'd known that Kid had been notorious in the underground for his sex parties that usually involved drugs and orgies.
"The bastard raped you, Luffy!" Coby said loudly, shaking his head. "You have to report it!"
Luffy bit his lower lip, fighting against the tears. "And how will that make me look?" he whispered through gritted teeth, closing his eyes. "He's a decorated officer of the Air Force now, no one will believe me if it came out that a Captain of the esteemed Air Forces raped me. And he has footage of me... getting fucked by multiple..." Luffy stopped and took a steadying breath. "I used to let complete strangers do what he did to me... on a nearly daily basis. No one is going to take me seriously."
"So you deserve to get raped?!" Coby exclaimed, appaled. "Luffy..."
A teary, trembling smile formed on Luffy's face and he lowered his head, teardrops falling on his soiled shirt. "You have no idea how much I regret all those things I did now... I thought I'd be able to hide them, but I can't anymore..."
"Then go to the authorities, put Kid behind bars!" Coby begged him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Does your sister know about...?"
"My promiscuity? She does..." Luffy answered, sniffling. "But not about all of it... like she never knew I dated Kid or why..."
"Why did you? Date Kid?"
Luffy opened his eyes, deciding that he could tell Coby because he needed to start talking about that part of his past anyway. "He reminded me of a man I fell deeply in love with... I had a very hard time after that man and I broke up."
Coby's expression softened. "Are you still in love with him?"
Luffy shook his head. "I thought I was, but I found out recently that I'm not anymore."
"There's someone else?" the other male deduced, smiling gently. "That guy... Ace...?"
Luffy sighed and nodded silently, face contorting from the sadness he felt at the mention of his boyfriend's name, more tears falling fom his eyes.
"He doesn't know," Coby realized, now understanding Luffy's situation a bit more as he shook his head. "So what happened? With that man you fell in love with?"
"I didn't know how to let go of him," Luffy admitted. "He was my first. And when he broke up with me, I couldn't handle it."
"You couldn't handle it?" Coby reiterated.
"When we ended it, I was 17, he was 32," Luffy confessed, pauzing to give Coby the time to be surprised at that news. "I thought I'd never get over him or the pain. I felt so strongly about him, but he didn't or couldn't return my feelings... I thought that by showing him my resolve, my love for him that he'd come to understand. I wanted him to feel the pain I felt... After a while I began to despair and I just wanted to be done with it, so I jumped in front of a subway train and he saved me, loosing his left arm in the process."
Coby's eyes grew wide. "Oh my God."
"Yeah..." Luffy murmured, looking absentmindedly at the dashboard. "The guilt I felt because of that nearly drove me mad and so my grandfather arranged for me to get into Mariejois Academy. I gladly accepted because I couldn't stand the thought of staying here, knowing what I did to the one person I'd ever fallen in love with. But all I ended up doing was running away."
"Luffy..." Coby removed his seatbelt and moved closer to Luffy as he saw his shoulders begin to shake with sorrow, taking him into an embrace.
His small body was trembling now as the tears fell in earnest. "I couldn't let go... and I couldn't stand the pain and the only thing that seemed to help was what I let Eustass do to me... repeatedly, damaging me further. I thought I had turned a new page when I came back, that I could start over and have someone love me just for me, but I can't ask Ace to stay with me after I will have told him everything... he won't want me anymore, he'll be digusted with me and I don't blame him... I'm a horrible, worthless person."
"Listen to me, Luffy," Coby whispered comfortingly. "You are a wonderful person, truly. What matters now, is that you're doing your best to change. I'm sure Ace has seen that potential in you: you're a charismatic, hardworking and caring person. And you are not worthless; you single handedly saved Mugiwara's billion belly deal with Vivi's management!"
"And that makes it worse..." Luffy whispered, trembling in his hold. "Imagine if this comes out, Coby... I'll lose my job. Mugiwara will be humiliated and Ace... if it gets known that Ace is dating a slut, his credibility will be shot. I have a high profile job now, a lot of people's reputation depend of what I do; I can't let this one get out."
Coby quieted, fully realizing Luffy's predicament. He sighed and held him tighter, burrying his nose in his hair. "But you can't let Kid get away with this either, Luffy... And you're not a slut."
Luffy chuckled quietly, appreciating his kind words and sniffling as he sat back. "I know I can't let him get away with this... but for now, there isn't much I can do."
"Except for coming clean to Ace, at least," Coby interjected, watching him closely.
Luffy nodded, averting his eyes nervously. "Yeah..."
Coby reached out a hand to cup his face consolingly, wiping away the tears from under Luffy's left eye. They stilled when their eyes met and Luffy shyed away from his touch, blushing.
"I..."
Retracting his hand quickly, Coby smiled reasuringly at him. "I didn't mean to... I- Don't worry, I fully respect the fact that you're dating someone. I would never think of... God no... especially not now..."
A quivering smile appeared on Luffy's face and he nodded. "It's okay, I didn't think you would try anything..."
"To be honest... And I hope I won't upset you with this, I used to have such a crush on you, Luffy," Coby confessed, blushing in turn. "Your extracurricular activities aside, you were this popular, inspirational, grade A student. I looked up to you. I still do."
"You had a crush...?" Luffy incredulously whispered, smiling. "I was such a mess..."
Coby laughed, shaking his head. "Still, I knew I had no chance whatsoever with you, but I still found you to be the most amazing guy I had ever met. I still think you are. I wish I could be as lucky as Ace is, truly."
Luffy smiled widely at the compliment. "You're sweet," he whispered, looking up at the big and empty house ahead of them with a chuckle.
"At least I got you to laugh a bit," Coby grinned, following his gaze. "But I'd rather not have you stay in that house by yourself tonight."
Luffy took a shaky breath and nodded, agreeing with him completely. The thought of being alone in their big house, sent shivers down his spine. He knew that his sister and Zoro wouldn't be coming home for at least three more hours because the lounge closed at 3.30am. "If you don't object to sleeping on my couch, you're welcome to stay."
"I don't mind," Coby answered, looking at him now. "You'll be okay, Luffy," he told him when he watched him relax in his seat.
Somehow, those words and Coby's tender disposition helped to lift some of the sorrow from his heart.
He smiled at him gratefully and followed him out of the car.
The first rays of the sun peaked over the horizon, outlining the sensual curve of her body as she lay on her side next to him.
A long strand of her of teal hair curled down her neck and down her naked shoulder, her pink lips slightly parted as she was still blissfully unaware of the newly dawned day.
He exhaled contently as he let his eyes go over her small frame, smiling as she snuggled closer, her perfectly manicured right hand sliding over the cream silk cover of their bed, instinctively reaching out for him. Her long eyelashes fluttered open when her searching fingers found his as they closed around hers.
"Hey," she whispered, watching him bring her fingers to his lips to kiss them.
He closed his eyes and pressed the palm of her hand against his cheek, pressing another kiss in its centre.
Vivi blushed and bit her lower lip at how sweet he was being with her.
"Hey," he murmured back, his intense grey eyes watching her pull back her hand out of his hold. She smiled at him gently and then let the silk covers slide off of her naked body when she moved and stood from the bed, walking over to the floating bedside table on Law's side of the bed, taking the phone that lay there out of its socket.
Law let his eyes go over her curvy yet athletic body while she made a call to her security agents to let them know she spent the night at his loft and that she was safe. He watched her talk on the phone for a few moments, reaching out to caress her smooth, milky white skin with the back of his fingers, satisfying the need he had to touch her and register her beauty with just his hand. He held her gaze with his as their eyes met, smirking when he saw her nipples grow erect, her body getting aroused again just because of the wanton look he kept giving her. Cheeks turning red once more and breathing quickening as she watched him get out of the bed, she caught herself with her mouth slighty hanging open as his naked, strong and muscular body came to stand in front of hers. He took the phone out of her hand, not caring if she was done talking or not when he dropped it back on the bedside table.
Her deep violet eyes stared up at him as he towered over her, his expression unchanging as he took her face in his hands, threading his long, tattooed fingers through her silky strands, pulling her closer to him as he bent over and she pushed herself up by her toes, claiming her plump lips with his in a searing kiss.
Vivi moaned, giving his tongue access to hers, knees growing weak as he devoured her, the desire pooling deep within her and increasing rapidly as images of last night flashed in her mind. Her hands on his hips pulled him closer, the urge she felt needing to be fulfilled without delay.
She broke the kiss, capturing his eyes with hers, wanting for him to watch her slowly sit herself back down on his bed, inviting him wordlessly as she laid down, running the tip of her right hand fingers sensually inbetween her full breasts.
He licked his lips and crawled on top of her, his need rampant, spreading her legs as he went and pulling her lithe body to him with one hand on the small of her back, finding her to be soaking wet for him when he easily slid inside of her, grinning as she agilely hooked her left leg around his waist and pushed her hips up to give him deeper access.
They both groaned and he pounced on her jutting breasts, taking a rosy nipple in between his lips to suckle while his free hand cupped and fondled the other covetously.
She breathed his name brokenly, her body moving with his as he drove into her again and again, her hands fisting the covers above her head.
Law lifted his gaze up the long her sprawled out body, a predatory gleam shining in his eyes with the possessive thought that crossed his mind at that moment, fuelling his rising need to have more of her, her body, her moans, her taste and the overall effect his sex had on her.
He wanted it all for himself and for himself only.
The hand that had been supporting the small of her back joined the other with hers above her head, each hand taking one of hers, intertwining its fingers and keeping them captive against the bed as his body settled fully on hers, her legs falling open wider to accomodate to the new angle of entry.
Vivi beseechingly whimpered his name when Law resumed his thrusting in and out of her, smiling contently when he uttered a deep, guttural groan in the side of her throat, grinding his hips harder against hers.
"You feel so good..." he murmured breathlessly against her skin, pressing a kiss on the junction of her neck and shoulder.
She grinned and then felt him retreat from her, causing her to open her eyes. She found him looking down at her quietly, his intense gaze sending little sparks of arousal down her spine.
When next he coaxed her on her hand and knees, her grin only grew wider and she pushed her hips back teasingly, throwing her long hair to one side so she could look at him encouragingly from over her shoulder.
As if he needed the enticement.
He pushed inside of her swiftly, savouring her surprised moan and the quiver that went through her entire body. Using both hands on her hips to pull her to him with each thrust, he found himself stare at how she seemed to suck him back inside each time, lost in the rythmic music that were her incessant breathy gasps and throaty moans.
She was going to orgasm soon and she wouldn't be able to hold it off, nor did she want to, the feeling of being completely taken in by his masculine power was driving her crazy with need, her head spinning from the euphoria each of his thrusts brought to her already quivering body.
So when those marked, nimble fingers of his sneaked in between her legs to stroke her drenched womanhood, she cried out into the covers, cumming in his hand, suspended in her bliss as he mercilessly continued to thrust into her with a strong and steady rhythm, bringing about another jolt of ecstacy as he knowingly caressed the swollen bud at the apex of her thighs.
Having no voice left to cry out with, Vivi simply whimpered as her second orgasm ransacked through her, one of her hands joining his in between her legs to direct his delicious touches down there.
Law coaxed her to stand upright on her knees and to lean against him, his hands running all over her still overly sensitive body as she let her head fall back against his right shoulder, turning her head his way in search of his lips. He obliged and claimed hers softly, keeping his eyes at halfmast as he stared at her, cupping one of her breasts while the other settled on her lower belly, keeping her close, adding more strength to his thrusts, needing to feel all of her as he approached his limit.
"You're driving me crazy, doctor..." she breathed, grinning when she felt him smirk against her shoulder, sliding her fingers in between his resting on her stomach.
It wasn't long before he came undone deep within her, murmuring her name in the side of her throat, nuzzling her skin there as she panted in his ear, mewling contently.
They fell back down on the bed with him taking place behind her, their intertwined hands resting on her stomach as they took a few moments to catch their breaths.
"I'm expected at the clinic in 30 minutes," Law whispered in her hair after a while, breathing in her feminine fragrance. "Do you feel like staying here today?"
Vivi smiled, closing her eyes as she nuzzled his chin, already loving his musky scent. "Do you expect me to?"
He grinned, pulling her closer. "No."
"I'm going to go to the Santoryuu Gym later on, for a workout," she informed him, pressing her lips against his sweaty jaw. "Luffy's future brother-in-law owns it."
"Yes, he told me yesterday," he replied, nuzzling her forehead.
She turned herself around to face him, her right hand coming to rest on his cheek. "The Santoryuu and the Thousand Sunny are organising a marathon next week, would you like to be my running buddy?"
"If you can keep up with me, sure," he replied, grinning at her as she stuck out her tongue playfully. He took her in his arms and rolled them over so she lay on top of him. "I was already planning on going, but you'll make it more worthwhile by just being there."
Vivi smiled and kissed him gently. "You risk to be exposed as my new boyfriend if you do this..."
"The horror," he sarcastically said, looking her in the eyes. He understood her hesitation, figuring that each time she wanted something for herself, the original intentions ended up twisted and vulgarised. He knew what he was getting himself into. He was drawn to her, not because of her beauty and even less because of her fame, but because underneath all of it, she was just a woman in search of the most mundane things. To have real friends, a family, a partner. Love. She wanted to fight to have those things which gave her more depth and the kind of beauty that really mattered to him. "I'm in no rush to define what this is, are you?"
She shook her head, biting her lip. Vivi felt like she could trust his judgment, and expect that he wouldn't just take the words of the media over hers. Not only was he handsome, but he was extremely smart and caring which only attracted her to him more. "I can't deny though, that I like what this is."
Law smiled, pulling her face down for a kiss. "Then we agree."
"We do," she confirmed before stilling when she felt something stirr against her thigh. "I thought you were expected at the clinic in 30 minutes?"
"I am. Why? Do you think you'll need 30 minutes to help me?" he chuckled as she laughed heartedly, rolling them over the bed again.
The day dawned on the other side of the city as well.
Coby sighed and shook his head, watching Luffy sit up against the headboard of his bed. "I still think you should just stay in today."
Luffy produced a trembling smile and pulled his knees up underneath the covers. "I'm just lucky I got away with a few stitches in my hand and a couple of bruises. The ER doctor said I'd be fine."
Coby pursed his lips in disagreement, but didn't push the issue further. He stood from his seat on Luffy's windowsill, reaching for his leather jacket that lay on the comfy chair in the corner next to the window. "I need to get going, but let's meet up for lunch or dinner later on, Luffy?"
"I'm really grateful that you spent the night, Coby. Your presence was a great source of comfort; I really couldn't have asked for more," Luffy replied with an endeared smile. "And now I can't want more of your time. I'll be fine, really."
"It's my time to spend the way I want," Coby replied, approaching Luffy and sitting next to him on his bed. He let his eyes go briefly over the redness covering his left cheekbone before looking him in the eyes. "Stay home, Luffy, and talk to your sister."
Luffy watched him for a moment. "If I stay home, I'll go crazy, just thinking about what happened. And I don't want to worry my sister, she just got engaged." He shook his head, feeling tears well up in his eyes again. "I need to go to work," he concluded, wiping away the tears with a corner of the covers. "It's the only thing keeping me from completely breaking down."
Coby reached out a hand to him and placed it on his shoulder. "I understand, but you'll need to slow down at some point and face what's happened."
Luffy nodded, shying away from his touch again and choosing not to see the look of dejection on the pink haired male's face. "I know, but not now," he whispered, suddenly desperate to see Ace and realizing in the same second that he didn't know how he'd possibly be able to face him. "Not now."
"Okay," Coby whispered, beginning to stand again. "Just let me know if there's anything I can do for you, Luffy."
"Thanks," Luffy quietly said, looking up at him and grinning when he moved in to hug him. "For being there."
"There's no need to protect the asshole, you know that, don't you?" Coby said over his shoulder, holding the embrace.
Luffy stilled, but returned the embrace nonetheless. "I'm not," he replied resolutely.
That seemed to convince the young star and they let go of each other. "I'm staying at the Red Line Hotel over on Ocean Drive for the next couple of days. You have my number. It doesn't matter what time of night or day it is, just call me when you need to. I mean it."
"Okay," Luffy nodded and waved him goodbye, watching him walk out of his room.
Rattled or not, Luffy still acquiesced the fact that there wasn't anything he could do about the situation he was in without coming clean. He was fully prepared to live with the consequences of his choices now. He'd tried running, he'd tried hiding and it hadn't helped. It was time to face the music, but he was scared because of what he'd have to let go.
He wanted to tell Ace everything.
And he knew that after that, he'd never be able to be with him again.
He got out of bed a few moments later, needing to get ready for another busy day of work. It wasn't until he found himself in his shower that he broke down and let out out a cry, letting all of his anger, his pain, grief and frustration go while his entire body shook with dysphoria.
Marco'd been watching Luffy from afar with a questionning expression.
He'd noticed the bruise on his cheek and his injured right hand like everyone else had, and Luffy played it off by saying that he tripped on his way to his car last night and accidently cut his hand on a stray piece of glass, scraping his cheek on the ground as he landed. It would've been a valid excuse if only Luffy hadn't been so out of it all day; messing up orders and confusing dates and even partners. He was jumpy and his mind was scattered all over the place.
None of those were things he knew Luffy for. Something was wrong and he was getting worried. As far as he knew, him and Ace seemed to still be going strong, so what was going on? His sister was getting married and they spent last night celebrating, but even a hangover wasn't what explained Luffy's odd behaviour.
He did call Law to find out how things went at the party and although his friend had uncharacteristically told him with a chuckle that things went 'amazingly well', he'd just deduced from it that the man finally had gotten laid. Law hadn't seen Luffy after they'd finished dinner with his friends, so that left Marco without answers.
When lunch time rolled around, Marco decided to take the matters in his own hands.
"Hey Luffy," he greeted him with a comforting smile, grabbing a nearby empty chair so he could sit next to him at his desk. "I just heard from Ace; he's getting released from the hospital tonight."
Luffy grinned and reached for his phone. "Yeah, he already told me."
"Great," Marco said with a nod. "So, I've noticed that you've been a little scattered today..."
Luffy's shoulders slumped and he began to shake his head. "I know, it's just that I didn't get a lot of sleep last night..."
The blond man kept smiling at him. "Yeah, I figured. What happened to your hand, though? That looks painful."
Luffy turned his hand so his palm was visible with the transparant adhesive bandage that covered the horizontal cut. "I fell on a piece of glass in the club's parking lot. I needed stitches, so a friend took me to the ER last night."
"Ouch, but everything's alright, though right?" Marco asked, his worry coming through in his voice.
Luffy smiled at him, appreciating his concern. "I'm fine Marco, thanks for asking."
Marco gave him a lopsided smile, "At least it explains why Law didn't see you after dinner."
"You talked to Law?" Luffy asked conversationally, typing an e-mail.
"I did, and he told me that he enjoyed himself last night," Marco replied, grinning. "He seemed to like your friends."
Luffy chuckled contently. "I wouldn't know, he was liplocked with Vivi for most of the night."
Marco laughed heartedly, shaking his head. "Boy, sounds serious."
Luffy nodded, still grinning as he finished his e-mail and sent it.
"Either way, I thought that we could perhaps go see Ace and take the rest of the day off?" Marco suggested. "Start the weekend early? I think we deserve it, I mean, we've been working our asses off this week."
Luffy laughed and turned to look at him. "It's really been a long week. But are you sure it's okay?"
"Just pack up your stuff and go see him," Marco chuckled, standing up. "I know you've been dying to. I'll meet you at the hospital before he leaves, okay?"
Luffy smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Marco."
"Don't mention it," Marco whispered, eyes falling on Luffy's computer screen. He frowned a bit when he found the webpage of the Military Air Force opened. "Planning on enrolling?"
Luffy closed the page and shook his head. "Hell no," he grinned. "Just doing some research."
Marco grinned back and stood, cocking his head to the side in silent wonder as he walked away.
Newgate had arranged for his son to be picked up from the hospital that evening.
Marco had already gone back home for the day when Squard, Edward Newgate's personal driver came to pick up Ace.
"Your father requested you spend the weekend at the Newgate Mansion," the pink haired man said to Ace, who'd been packing his travel bag so he could go back to his condo with Luffy.
"Oh," Ace said, looking over at Luffy apologetically. "Well, he could've told me beforehand."
Luffy walked up to him with a shake of his head. "It's fine, go," he whispered with an understanding smile. Things had been a bit weird between them all afternoon, especially when Ace asked him about his injuries. Luffy stuck to his story, refusing to make today about him by telling him more than he felt comfortable sharing. He'd contemplated all the possible opportunities he could use to talk to Ace about his past but of course, none seemed to be appropriate and it only made him feel less and less adequate. He ultimately just resigned himself to talking to his boyfriend another time. "I'm sure your father is dying to have you with him at home."
"No," Ace whispered back, pullling him to him by his waist. He looked Luffy over for a few moments, clearly feeling his uneasiness. "I've been dying to have some alone time with you again, so you're coming with me."
Squard smiled silently and announced he was going to go wait in the limousine parked in front of the building.
Luffy looked at Ace apologetically, not wanting to intrude on his father's invitation. "I don't even have clothes to bring with me."
Ace gave him an unimpressed expression at his poor excuse. "You've been invited to the house of the richest man in Sabaody and you're worried you won't have any clothes to wear? I can have Bonney or Whitey give you some clothes from their latest collections. No one is going to bat an eye and they'd be delivered in the morning."
"Oh wow," Luffy whispered, still a bit uncomfortable. "Look at you waving daddy's money around..."
Ace grinned and pressed a kiss on his forehead. "It's not like I do this every weekend," he whispered, watching him smile. "And I don't know... when I'm with you I just get the urge to splurge a little."
"Just as long as you know that you don't need to woo me and that I don't care about your money," Luffy said, looking him in the eyes, meaning every word. "This week has shown me how grateful I really am to just have you alive and well."
Ace's expression softened and he kissed Luffy gently. "And I'll never forget how you stood by me every step of the way. Which is in part why I want you to come with me, Luffy."
The younger male sighed, giving in with a nod, silently hating how he couldn't recipocrate Ace's excitement, knowing that it meant a lot to him to have him say 'yes'. "Alright."
"Great!" Ace exclaimed, taking him in his arms and kissing him. "You'll love it there, I promise."
Luffy gave him a hesitant smile and nodded. " Then I want to take this opportunity to tell you everything."
Ace smiled back and ran the back of his right hand against the side of his face. "Okay. How does a long, morning walk on the beach sound?"
Luffy wrapped his arms around his waist and chuckled, closing his eyes at the comforting feeling of Ace's heartbeat against the side of his face. "Sounds romantic."
"It does," Ace whispered back in his hair. "But I'll be all ears, I promise."
"Okay," Luffy quietly said, nodding against his chest and holding him tighter.
Ace sighed worriedly as he felt Luffy tremble in his hold, remembering what Marco had told him in confidence earlier that evening about Luffy's behavior at work. He had an idea of what to expect tomorrow and he was fully prepared to keep an open mind about what Luffy would tell him.
It was obvious that Luffy still struggled with opening up about what he felt and thought. Case in point being the injuries he said he got from tripping on his way to his car; there was something more that Luffy wasn't telling him about.
Despite that, Ace knew that he was beginning to fall for Luffy and he'd decided for himself that, come what may, he'd stick by him.
Because Luffy was worth it.
The Newgate Mansion was situated on a small private island of the Sabaody Archipelago, accessable only by boat from the city.
It was an enormous, 12 bedroom, 13 baths contemporary mansion located on a hill overlooking the ocean.
Luffy tucked back a strand of his hair behind an ear that the seabreeze blew in his face and smiled at the amazing house that was Ace's. They'd arrived last night, had dinner with Newgate and he'd been given a grand tour of the main house with its stunning lounge, modern minimalistic kitchen, the two bedrooms and a fabulous master suite with its own dressing room and Newgate's amazing office suspended over the sea.
The outbuildings of the residence, where he and Ace chose to stay at, offered a guest apartment with large terraces and infinite views over the ocean and the surrounding Sabaodian vegetation, an additional en-suite bedroom and a gorgeous chill-out area that opened out onto the beautiful garden with its amazing, heated infinity pool. The property also had two private coves, a beautiful wine cellar and an additional separate guest house with 5 bedrooms and its own swimming pool and an outdoor cinema complex.
It was a house fit for a king.
"Come on."
Luffy looked down at his left hand as Ace took it and they began to walk over the white sands of Newgate's private beach.
Last night they spent cuddling on their terrace near the pool, looking at the clear, unpolluted starry skies until they fell asleep in each other's arms.
They'd had a glorious, diversified handmade breakfast, some light and fashionable clothes by Whitey and Bonney and now they were going to have their long awaited talk.
Their footsteps dissappeared behind them with every roll of the ocean waves onto the shore.
"I was 15."
Ace looked at their naked feet as he listened to Luffy.
"My father had just founded Dragon Television Networks and he was gone all the time, my sister had just gotten married, dad had sold our family home near Sabao lake and I was moved into my father's penthouse in the City.
To keep me from being alone all the time, my dear father hired a private instructor to take care of me," Luffy paused and looked at the glittering ocean. "His name was Shanks. And he had his hands full with me," he chuckled and shook his head. "I had a rich kid attitude; I was petulant and blasé with a touch of abrasive."
Ace chuckled in turn and looked at him, wordlessly pushing him on to continue.
Luffy smiled back at him and ran his left hand through his hair with a sigh. "I could get anything I wanted. I was 15 years old and I felt old enough to make my own decisions. Therefore I was very much opposed to the idea of having a babysitter watch my every move and so I put the guy through hell."
"Sounds familiar," Ace commented.
"Hmm," Luffy voiced, grinning. "I skipped school, held wild parties in the penthouse or went to parties all the way up in North Blue with the family jet on school nights. My friends and I trashed hotel rooms, accumulating hundreds of thousands of belly in damage. I was out of control."
"Your dad wasn't a factor either, I take it?"
Luffy stopped in his tracks and pulled Ace back to him. "Ever since my mother passed away, dad and I never had a good relationship. Even now I can say that him and I don't talk. I consider him less of a father to me than a rock considers being... a rock."
Ace laughed at that and moved in to hug him. "So you and your dad don't get along."
"The fact that I'm gay, is something he can't accept about me," Luffy whispered against his chest. "I'm a dissappointment to that man and I'm perfectly fine with him thinking that."
Ace frowned a bit at that. "You don't care what he thinks...?"
Luffy looked up at him and shook his head. "I don't," he replied, letting go of him and continuing on. "Either way, the only time he acted like a father was when his reputation was in danger."
"When was that?" Ace wondered, coming to stand next to him in front of the ocean.
Luffy smiled sadly. "When my affair with Shanks got public."
Ace's eyebrows shot up at that. "How old was he?" he whispered, looking at Luffy.
"When things got complicated? 32." He answered, taking a deep breath and looking up into the sky, feeling fresh tears forming in his eyes. "You should know by now that I have a thing for older guys," he joked quietly before becoming serious again.
Ace never said anything, simply choosing to listen compassionately.
"About two years after my sister got married and just before I turned 17, there was this one night on which a conversation with my father left me feeling so humiliated, so angered and with so much hurt, that somehow I found myself in Shanks' room. Even with everything I had put him through, with all of my acting out and the mean pranks he still comforted me.
I was in tears and feeling lonely and we kissed. Before I knew it we were making out and having sex on a regular basis.
I was in love before I even realized I liked him. He was my first and I fell so hard for him. He made me feel. For the first time in my life, I loved someone with all of my heart. I was truly happy for that year that we shared. I actually got into studying because of him. I became a model student, almost overnight. My dream of becoming an Event Planner was born because of him. He changed my life, he gave me purpose."
"Sounds like an amazing man," Ace said with a small, encouraging smile.
Luffy glanced up at him and wiped away the tear that fell out of his right eye. He nodded quickly and faced away from him. Ace wrapped his arms around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head reassuringly.
"What happened?" he asked quietly.
"We tried to keep our relationship a secret," Luffy whispered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the rolling waves. "But it wasn't long before the rest of the staff found out. And then my school teachers found out too and it all went to hell from there."
Ace closed his eyes and sighed, imagining the torment Luffy must've been in. "Oh God..."
"The schoolboard contacted my father and told them everything. They had photograpic and written evidence and Shanks was fired on the spot. I was in my last year of High School and I was stressed and panicked with everything that was going on at school and then the story was leaked to the Sabaody Herald and was this close to getting published until my dad put a stop to it. He lost a lot of money, but somehow the story still got published online.
And so, my father was humiliated and our relationship worsened, Shanks broke off all contact with me and I was taking my finals and slowly losing it. I couldn't handle everything that was going on and I needed an anchor to keep me from sinking into the spiralling depths of despair, but Shanks wanted nothing to do with me anymore. So... I... tried to end it."
"End it...?"
"It was a Wednesday, after I'd taken my last final," Luffy uttered, looking straight ahead at the water. "I was going home by train. I was waiting at the subway station, completely sullen and drained from studying and crying. I don't remember walking up to the tracks or even hearing the approaching train. I only remember blood and Shanks embracing me with an arm, holding me close. When I realized what had happened... I noticed the blood and realized that it wasn't mine... but his. Because... because... the train had ripped his left arm off."
"Holy fuck...!" Ace exclaimed, squeezing his eyes shut and averting his face.
"I passed out after that, and I woke up in the hospital where my sister told me what happened," Luffy continued. "I screamed and screamed, hoping for it to not be true before I went into stupor. I was declared clinically depressed a few days later."
"Oh babe," Ace comfortingly whispered tightening his hold on him.
"My sister's marriage had ended and my father was nowhere to be found. I somehow successfully managed to finish High School and my grandfather thought that that was worth his 2 hour flight from Mariejois. He was the one who managed to salvage whatever was left of me then.
Both Robin and I were messes and the only thing our father did for us, was to buy a house. A big house were Robin and I could live in, together. To comfort each other, because he couldn't.
After the house was ready and after Robin moved in and I had all of my stuff moved over there too, my grandfather proposed I start college at Mariejois Academy.
I said yes in a heartbeat. I needed something else, I couldn't live with myself knowing what I had done to Shanks. He offered me a way out and I took it," Luffy whimpered, sobbing quietly.
Ace let him cry for a moment before pressing his lips in the junction of his neck and shoulder.
"And then, on my last night before I was to leave for college, I met Shanks at Baratie. It was hard seeing him with his arm amputated and I couldn't stop crying when I saw him, because it was all my fault.
I was wallowing in self-pity, but he never blamed me. Not once.
He told me... He told me to build myself up again, continue following my ambitions and to move on. I promised him that I would, since I was going to leave anyway. This is going to sound so awful, but it seemed such an easy promise to keep back then."
"You were still in mourning," Ace remarked.
"We officially broke up on that day and I haven't seen him since," Luffy stated. "I hear he got married and has a son."
"He's moved on."
The younger male nodded and turned around in his hold. "He has. It took me four years, a bad relationship and meeting you, but I got over him too."
"The bad relationship being Kid?" Ace whispered.
Luffy rolled his lips into his mouth and nodded, avoiding Ace's eyes. "Kid... was the worst mistake of my life so far..."
There was a moment of silence between them in which Luffy, sighed and opened his eyes, staring at nothing in particular.
"I'm prepared to hear that story, if you're ready to tell me," Ace said patiently, looking at him tenderly.
"He reminded me of Shanks... which is why it took me four years to get over him, I guess," Luffy said, trying to keep his tears in, but failing. "Oh fuck, I don't even know where to begin with that one..."
Ace took him by his hand again and coaxed him into walking, so he could gather his thoughts. When Luffy finally started to talk about his history with Kid, he found himself going through moments of dejection and anger over and over.
"He used to..." Luffy whispered a few minutes into the second part of his confessions, taking a trembling breath at the images that poured into his mind. His hand in Ace's was shaking and he broke down crying in the older man's embrace. "He used to watch me... with those other men. Taking pictures and... stuff."
"So he has evidence..." Ace murmured quietly, a calculating look on his face as he placed a protective hand against the back of Luffy's head, holding him close.
"Yeah..." Luffy sobbed. "And when I finally told him that I didn't want to be in this relationship anymore, he broke my arm," he whimpered. "I was so scared of him at that point that I left the dorm and moved in with my grandfather after finishing my 3rd year. I didn't hear anything from him until last Tuesday."
Ace stared into the distance, his heart breaking because of what Luffy had told him so far.
He'd known Kid to be quite the character, but this... this went beyond anything that could be condoned anymore.
He'd made Luffy a victim of his physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse.
"I won't ever let him touch you again," Ace growled, pressing a kiss on the top of Luffy's head.
Luffy squeezed his eyes shut and held him tightly. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Ace."
"Why are you apologizing?" Ace wondered, loosening his grip on him so he could look at him with an endeared smile.
"Because of this..." Luffy said, looking dejectedly at the sand between his toes. "Because of me... I-"
"Stop," Ace told him gently. "If you think that I'm about to run away because of what you've just told me, you're wrong."
Luffy lifted his teary eyes up to him in surprise, staring at him wordlessly as another tear fell down his left cheek. "Ace..."
"I wish you could see yourself the way I do, Luffy," Ace whispered. "You're amazing... you shine so brightly to me. And I'm humbled because of the trust you've chosen to put in me by telling me your deepest secrets and fears. I want to be that man for you, the one who you can lean on, the one who can be that source of comfort for you at the end of a long day."
With the next tear that rolled down his face, Luffy felt his battered heart swell with a feeling he hadn't felt in 4 years... a sentiment he was still very much afraid of. Did Ace mean what he thought he'd meant with that last statement? "You're still...?"
"Yes!" Ace whispered back affirmatively, taking a step closer again, his eyes going over Luffy's features affectionately. "I may be biased because I'm obviously completely taken in by you already, but..." he paused and grinned when Luffy blushed and chuckled quietly, cherishing the sound as it carried over the abandoned beach. "I don't care about making a big deal about your past. I'm interested in the person that is standing in front of me now."
"I thought you wouldn't want to have anything to do with me," Luffy whimpered with a quivering smile, hiding his face in his hands, sobbing so hard his shoulders were shaking. The relief he felt was so immense that his knees gave out on him and he fell on the wet sands. "I didn't expect...!"
Ace kneeled in front of him and looked him in the eyes. "I don't want anyone but you, Luffy. Everyone has a past, you can't expect to meet people who haven't experienced the harder part of life one way or another."
Luffy closed his eyes when Ace placed a gentle finger against the bruise on his cheek. He then looked down when Ace took his right hand and turned its palm up, bringing it to his mouth to kiss it.
"I choose to have all of you," Ace whispered, looking at him again. "And I hope that you can do the same. I want you to have all of me, too."
Luffy sniffled and pulled him closer, kissing him lovingly in response.
He was falling for this man, he knew.
Yet even amidst the torrent of affection he felt for Ace, he still believed that he couldn't possibly deserve a man this good and pure.
There was no way he deserved Ace.
To be continued...
In: 12. The Ace of Cups - The Hanged Man
-BDP-