Before we get to the chapter, a little ranting. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with you lovelies.
Feel free to skip the following paragraph, I just need to bitch and complain a little. Okay... a lot.
So. Went back to school. Second year of university - yay, right? No, not right. See, a large portion of the workers are on strike. Normally I would support them, but... there's no. Fucking. Air conditioning. NONE. Not at all. And all this week we had record-breaking highs. "Why don't you have air conditioning?" you may ask. Well, my dear, it mysteriously broke the day before school started, which was also the day before the strike began. The workers who are in charge of maintaining it are also on strike. AND when the university tried to hire outside help to fix it, the workers decided to picket all around the building that held the air conditioning unit. Legally you cannot be forced to interfere with a picket, so our 'savior' was like "Screw this shit, they won't let me through," and went home. Now the school's being forced to either meet their demands (keep in mind that the university offers some of the highest paying jobs and best benefits in the city - I would know, I know people who work there who aren't on strike) or hire help from Toronto. TORONTO OF ALL PLACES. Apparently the guys down here don't want to deal with it. Now, you're probably wondering what the big deal is since I live in Canada (because there seems to be the common misconception that Canada is always cold). It's hot. We have ridiculously hot and humid summers in my part of the country. And it's about 10 degrees hotter inside the buildings than it is outside. It got to the point that 2 of my classes were cancelled because it got too dangerous to continue. People were passing out. In my other classes where the professors decided to wait it out, students started leaving only 20min in because they couldn't take it. And because of my burns, parts of my face can't sweat (no pores). I was overheating. We sat outside for my German class today. On the sidewalk. Disrupting the students who were trying to get to the buildings their next classes were in. Because it got too hot inside. What do the people on strike say about that? "We're doing it for you students, so that you'll have good jobs in the future!" Bullshit. Bull-fucking-shit. I'm about to lash out at the next one who walks up to me and asks me to 'support livable wages.' They make 2ce as much as most of the people in the city - their wages are far more than 'livable.'
I sincerely apologise for that monstrous thing I dare to call a paragraph, I just haven't had a change to rant today. So I used you guys as my scapegoat. But hey, here's a chapter to make up for it! Thank you all SO SO SO much for the reviews, because they really made my day. I'm glad to be able to share my writing with such wonderful people ;_; I love you all!
***I'm on partial hiatus for the next month because of school. Any and all updates I do will be posted on Thursdays.
Disclaimer: Hear that? That's the sound of silence. Remember that. Remember how calming it is. Because one day you're going to have some worker who owns a porch and 3 story house yelling in your ear about unfair wages.
Chopper seemed uneasy about allowing Luffy to sleep in his cabin again. It'd been a few days and the doctor put his captain through extensive tests of which the likes Ace had never seen, but he seemed worried still. Despite his lacking enthusiasm, the reindeer still agreed to it—provided Luffy was accompanied by someone, of course. Who better than Ace?
If the boy were honest, he wasn't really sure what he would do if something happened—nor what that 'something' would be— but when it came to the rubber man's safety, could he refuse? That was his brother they were talking about. As Marco said before, it was his responsibility to keep the goofball out of trouble.
Still, the situation was… awkward at best.
Luffy was lying in bed as he always did. Chopper advised him to keep off his feet for the time being. While the details remained foreign, the child was well aware of the pirate's loss in strength and energy. His first clue to what might be wrong was when his hand brushed against Luffy's skin the other day, met not with the rubbery texture he'd grown accustomed to but to that of regular human flesh. He was curious, of course, but didn't have the courage to ask the man about it. Knowing Luffy, he wouldn't answer anyways.
While the captain slept most of the day, he awakened with demands of food not long after sunset in accordance with the crew's regular dinner hour. Even sick, his stomach was as punctual as ever. The thought brought as smile to the freckled boy's face; when Luffy acted like that, he just felt like everything would be alright.
That was hours ago. Currently, Ace was curled up next to his sibling, stealing his warmth as they shared Luffy's bed in the candlelit room. The small hours of the morning approached fast but it seemed the pirate didn't want to return to slumber. He'd spent most of the past few days in bed, so it was only natural. Instead, the pair sat awake, talking about whatever they wished as the time passed by. It felt strange—foreign to Ace—because of how isolated he was after the incident. He didn't hate it, though.
Eventually both fell into awkward silence. Ace didn't know how or why, but Luffy's rambling ceased. How could he end such crippling stillness? He hated it—hated how such a weighted atmosphere surrounded his caretaker—but lacked the experience to change it. How could he hope to erase such heavy quiet when he only recently knew language?
But, he had to try. And there was something he wanted to ask.
"Luffy," he called, swallowing to rid himself of the lump in his throat.
"Hm?" the main noised in acknowledgement, glancing at the child from the corner of his eye.
He felt his heart rate pick up with the reply. Ace was nervous. He wanted to know, but was scared to find out. Still, it was too late to turn back. "What…" The boy's voice faded and he tried again, determined. Eyes settled on the poster of Portgas D. Ace. "What does it feel like to have a brother?"
Something flashed in the pirate's eyes, so quick that Ace couldn't identify it. The air thickened more with that and he worried he made a grave mistake. But, just when he was about to revoke his inquiry, Luffy smiled. It wasn't like his usual grin. It didn't split his face and wasn't accompanied by that usual, iconic laugh of his. Instead there was something gentle about it—something so unlike him, yet so right. He clutched tighter to Ace's shoulder and pulled him close.
With that, there was no doubt he realized. He knew who Ace was, but for how long? When did he realize?
"It's kind of like having nakama, only from the beginning."
Ace raised an eyebrow. "I don't get it."
Luffy hummed in thought, face contorted into a concentration so deep it almost looked painful. Then, without warning, he relaxed. "You know that feeling you get when you take your first bite out of the meat Sanji cooks?"
Of course the pirate king's analogy would involve food. He should have expected as much. The saddest part was that he had to nod because he actually knew what Luffy was talking about. The first taste of any of Sanji's meals was always amazing. His mouth watered just thinking about it.
"The rest is really tasty but the first bite is always what you remember most, right?" Again, the boy had to nod. "It's like that! But… better. Meat's really yummy but it's not there when you're going on an adventure or beating up annoying people or when you find something cool—like that one time Usopp found this huge—" Ace tuned him out about there.
Luckily, the boy was getting better at translating his caretaker's rambling. Your brother's the first nakama you have, so he's special. He's there even when there rest of the world turns its back on you.
Luffy's rambling settled into quiet before he let out a shivering breath. "It hurts when they're gone, though. It… doesn't go away."
Ace's head snapped to his brother's side, turning concerned eyes to his face. For the first time since they met, he saw how worn Luffy was. How old was he? He had to be in his late twenties, right? He always seemed so much younger.
Shaking free of the thoughtful expression on his face, Luffy grinned, slipping under the covers and pulling a reluctant Ace along with him. "Let's sleep," he said simply.
While not feeling the matter was resolved, Ace complied. He slipped over to the nightstand and blew out the sole candle before taking his place once more at his brother's side. He had his own bed but… something about the steady beat of his sibling's heart comforted him. Luffy seemed to enjoy that arrangement, too, and after the scare they received before, neither wanted to be too far away from the other.
As he listened to the pirate's breaths even with sleep, invisible in the inky blackness of the room, Ace turned to face his brother, feeling hot breath pass over his head.
If it hurts, why haven't you said anything? I'm here, Lu… You know that, right?
So… why?
Grabbing his violin, Brook marched down the hall to the captain's room, standing at his door. If he had skin and muscle, he'd be smiling. Alas, his face remained as expressionless as always, betraying his giddiness and glee. They were all happy to have Luffy back in his own room; it meant they could relax a bit. If Chopper was allowing him to walk around freely then the immediate danger was over, right? The skeleton wanted to celebrate that. His solution was to play a song to rouse the young captain and his little sidekick, just like he used to do before. He hadn't done so recently because Ace would startle or hide every time he tried—how rude!—but with recent events, he found it appropriate.
…They all could use a little cheering up as of late.
Turning the knob to enter the bedchamber, he readied himself to play his long-time favourite tune.
"Luff—"
The sight that met him halted his words. Two brothers, asleep in each other's arms, were splayed across the bed. The older cradled the other, his limbs wrapping the child in a protective hold. Ace's head rested near his brother's chest, close enough to hear his heart.
Settling with a warm feeling washing over his incomplete body, Brook slowly shut the door. It felt like it'd been a long, long time since he last saw them so close. It hadn't, but the time Luffy spent injured and Ace pulled away from interaction felt like it dragged on far longer than it did. He could wait until tomorrow to start up their old routine.
"Yohoho," he laughed quietly into the hall.
"Mr. Musician?" called an inquisitive voice from the woman's quarters. Facing the sound, he was greeted with Robin's slight smile. "How are they?"
Ah, if only he had skin with which to return that smile. "They seem to be sleeping."
"Together?" she questioned.
"Yes," he answered with a firm nod.
The archaeologist closed her eyes, contentment washing over her features before she turned to head into the kitchen. He noticed when Ace was first taken in that their resident historian was growing attached. It was nice to see her so concerned about someone. As a crew they were close, but there was always a separation between her and the others. While none were strangers to misfortune, she knew it on a more personal level. Persecuted most of her life, she'd seen a side of the world the rest of them only glimpsed.
Luffy's brother had been rejected, too, because of his birthparents—his lineage. It led to his death. While he was eternally grateful to the commander for saving the captain, he also couldn't help but feel guilty. He wasn't there for Captain in his time of need. None of them were. While there was nothing they could have done to change that, it was still hard to accept.
In his darkest hour, Luffy was alone.
But their story hadn't ended! No, it was continuing on even then within Little Ace and Captain Luffy! What a splendid result! It almost brought him to tears—ah, but he didn't have eyes to cry with. Yohohoho!
Ace stiffened his posture as eyes fell on him. Immediately he wanted to turn back—return to his room and hide under the covers—but he knew his brother would have none of that. See, Chopper was doing his daily check-up on Luffy. While those tests or whatever he was doing went on, no one else was allowed in the infirmary. Normally Ace would just go back to the room and wait for him there, but that brat had challenged him! When he went to leave the room, Luffy told him to go eat breakfast in the mess hall. Of course he refused—and then the taunting began. And he could no longer walk away.
Age be damned, Luffy was a brat. He was stuck as a child and would forever remain as such, even long into old age. That didn't say much for Ace, though, considering he bought into his taunts…
So, on impulse, he agreed to eat alongside the rest of the crew. Was he ready? Not at all, but did he have a choice? He couldn't very well go back on his word at that point. Their staring didn't help, though. Sanji, Usopp, Zoro, Robin and Nami turned to him as soon as he entered and their eyes hadn't once strayed since. He clenched his fist in a poor attempt to relieve some of his anxiety, but it was hard. It shouldn't have been, he knew—he'd eaten with them maybe times before the incident. There was no reason to be scared. It wasn't like he could just turn off his fear, though. Every time he saw them, he was reminded of it. And he didn't know why.
"Lunch is almost ready," Sanji declared as he turned away, once more facing the stove. "Take a seat."
Ace raised his head, curiously looking over at the cook then to the rest of the room's occupants. Each had stopped gawking, returning to their previous tasks. He barely registered their smiles.
Something about the quiet that came over them then felt so… right.
Closing his eyes, he did his all to quell his nerves. He'd accept their invitation only after being sure his ability was in check. If he lost control like he did with Nami, how could they ever forgive him? When he was confident he was calm enough, he settled into a seat at the table situated on the end farthest from the crewmembers. They weren't bothered by it, didn't ask him to get closer. They just waited. And smiled.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait for this chapter, by the way. Every time I tried working on it I got interrupted, and then it was deleted once. Just my luck, right? And hey, we only have 2 arcs left before the end of the story! :D
To my lovelies~
Skysword: I will!
Bluebird42: We shall see~
Guest: You'll find out soon!
jam klaoo: You're very welcome ^^ Awe you don't like the pairing? Fair enough. Everyone has their own preferences :)
doubledamn: Yes! I think someone has written a fic about a DF related to seastone. Or someone who's body had the same effects as seastone or something like that. I can't remember what it was called, though.
WritingClockwork: Really glad you like it and I look forward to your future reviews ^^
Starry Roses: We'll see soon enough~
samettikettu: Thanks you! :D I feel bad for him too. Poor Ace is only 9 and he's still more mature XD
mad100141: I've never heard of that book before. I'll have to give it a try! And yeah, the main reason why Ace was so functional was because a part of him from his past life still remained and it sort of negated the effects of his impoverished upbringing. I've been thinking of making a bonus based off of how it would have gone if he didn't have the help of his past life to keep him developing semi-normal. It'd be a rewrite of the first 5 or so chapters. Can't say I'd be able to get around to it anytime soon, though. Yes, the last Yonko appeared in canon :) Actually, we have one more arc before the last. Then the fighting will begin (though it's not going to be your conventional One Piece fight scene) and you guys will hate me :P NOTE: The enemies from Skip and Resolve ARE NOT the same person. And Skip is a prequel of this fic, not a prologue :) And the enemy is NOT a Yonko. Not at all. Nope, never read Room. Never even heard of it before you mentioned it. It's hard to apply logic to a fandom like One Piece without making it AU ^^;
TheAnalei: Ace is already a pretty frustrated kid :P Let's just say Law's... preoccupied with his duties. He can't be bothered to help them.
xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: We shall see ;) Here's the next!
angelrider13: YAY! :D Ace and Lu are going to have lots of issues, that's for sure. Lol well Law has his reasons. Guess we'll just have to wait and see, eh? ;) To be fair, Coby DID mentally apologise to Luffy for what was happening.
SkittlesTheUnicorn: Yep, you'll find out who it is within the first few chapters of the next arc, which will be starting next update :)
yukiko hyuga-chan: Here's an update!
ssspooky: You're welcome! Luffy doesn't want to worry Shanks, just like he doesn't want to worry his crew. That's why he's brushing it off as though nothing's wrong.
spoons-are-evil: That's... a good question. Are there normal snails in One Piece? Better yet: do Devil Fruits go rotten? o.o You'll just have to wait and find out! This gives me an idea, though... I kinda wanna make a crack fic about all these questions about the One Piece universe XD It'd be fun.
Honeydee: We shall see~
FinlandiaWolf94: Wow, impressive! Ace getting his memory back... may or may not happen :P I mean, I know what's going to happen, but I can't really tell you, can I? :P Marco and Shanks will show up again, don't worry. You're welcome~
Lover's Red Rose: Sorry ^^; Hope you enjoyed it still!
Ssjshadic: You flatter me~ Really happy you're enjoying it. This is one of my simpler OP fics, so I'm glad it's still gripping enough to keep your attention despite that. As for Luffy getting drunk, I know it's hard to see but that's one of the changes I wanted to make in him. I wanted to so how much the years and his journey had effected him - that even though he became the pirate king and is living his dream, it still had some form of negative impact. As stated in on of the early chapters, he's lost more than Ace over the past few years. I thought that drinking around the anniversary of his brother's death would be a good show of that, especially since it contrasts his behaviour during adolescence to such a great extent :) Really happy you like it and I hope you enjoy the update ^^
Son Goshen: We shall see :P What was the theory you made long ago? Yep, Ace is starting to blur the lines between his past and present self. Here's more! :D
94Insane: I will ^^ Awe, don't worry, I won't stop. I might slow down because of school, but never stop.
Dreamerall: Yeah, that's a lot like what happened when my mom died. It's okay, feel free to get off-topic whenever. And if you ever want to just talk, send me a PM :) Hope you liked the rest of the fic!
Kitsune Foxfire: Actually, nope, wrong :P Skip happened before Resolve. So if I wanted to, let's say, kill a character, I very well could :P
azab: Glad you like!
Guest (2): You'll find out if you keep reading~
MysteriousEyez: This is true. You make some very valid points. Let's see how they turn out ;)
Child-4ever: We shall see~
READINGhearts17: Glad you like!
(And that, my lovelies, is that. Next chapter starts the SECOND LAST ARC! I've been looking forward to writing this one since about chapter 8 hehehe... Until then, I bid you adieu~)