Chapter Text
Luffy was scared.
Still breathing hard, he sat up quickly, gripping the edge of the blanket covering him with shaking hands. He hate having nightmares! The boy pouted and sniffled, tears welling up in his twinkling eyes.
He shuddered looking around in exasperation, his brothers were snoozing loudly awkwardly on the makeshift bed. Luffy crawled over to his freckled brother, touching him lightly to wake him up.
His eyes opened slightly, still somewhat unconscious..
— Hnm...What?..- Ace yawned, wiping the trickle of saliva running down his chin. He sat on the straw, getting annoyed with the whimpering noises of the sly youngest. - Had a nightmare? - He questioned hoarsely. The youngest grunted in confirmation, desperately trying to quell the hot tears that ran down his delicate and chubby child's face.
And it looks like Luffy's crying will wake up Sabo too. Ace scratched the back of his neck, disconcerted.
He wasn't good with that kind of thing and he certainly didn't know how to comfort Luffy in his little crises... And that pissed him off. Not knowing how to deal with that kind of situation irritated him deeply.- Damn Luffy, silence! It was just a dream, go back to sleep! - Ace wrinkled his nose, pulling the cover up before lying down again, ignoring when the sound of crying gradually increased.
Ace wouldn't budge. As much as your chest hurts from it. An impotent, evil as fuck bastard. He flinches at the sudden wave of guilt that washes through him... It will make him stronger! — That's what he says to himself, while Luffy cries out loud in fear behind him.
Luffy only stops shivering when a gentle hand rests on his shoulder, he jumps before finding a pair of docile orbs in his direction..
— Hey Lu..do you want to come here? - The Blonde slightly pulled the blanket, opening a space for the smaller one. A different glow crossed Luffy's black orbs, who pouted, before throwing himself into his brother's embrace..- Shh..I'm here, no need to cry.- Sabo murmured, stroking the tangled black strands of the youngest, who buried his face in the older man's blue tank top, wetting it with all kinds of fluids possible.- Nothing will happen to you. It's over, mkay? - Sabo assured, drying the youngest's last tears before hugging him, letting him rest in his snuggle.
Gradually Luffy calmed down and soon small childish snores began to escape the drooling and half-opened lips.- good night, Luffy.. - Sabo wishes, kissing him on the forehead.
This makes Ace clench his fists. He looks from the corner of his eye, and observes for long seconds the peaceful sleep of his brothers.— A strange sensation floods him and he sits up, pursing his lips before dragging himself to the two.
He reluctantly looks at how calm Luffy looks in his sleep, even though he clutches Sabo's shirt like there's no tomorrow, he's still adorable. Ace ponders his actions, almost considering turning around.
But something there spoke louder.
He swallows hard and lies down completely reluctantly behind the youngest. His freckled cheeks flushed as he slipped in behind Luffy, lightly stroking Luffy's tan shoulder. It was in a flash of insanity that he could hear his own heartbeat.
and at some point, which Ace didn't register, he buried his nose in Luffy's melancholy, messy mane. He inhaled Luffy's scent.
— You're a crybaby..- He starts, muttering muffled against the black strands - But.. He's my little brother, and.. I-I like you a lot. - The confession came out more serious than planned, but Ace didn't care. Words were never his forte. He flinched, clinging obsessively to the smaller one, as that blank, murderous glare exuded in his frowning expression.
— Wow, how protective.- The blonde sneered, not opening his eyes. A smug, knowing smile curved Sabo's lips as the freckled brother practically froze in shock.
Shit, he thought aloud.
— S-Shut up! - Ace growled, rubbing himself and squeezing Luffy more and more in his arms, pulling him to himself, away from Sabo and anyone else.
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