I am back with the last big bang story! And it's actually my first long SaboLaw oneshot, oh my... Well I divided it into chapters so that it'd be easier for you guys since not everyone can read it in one sitting, but it's still meant to be a oneshot, so.

A few things about the fic before we start: I suggest getting caught up with the manga before reading, even though this is a full AU and doesn't follow the canon plot. The story does take some things from canon and manipulate them to fit the story (you'll see what I mean) so just thought I'd mention that... ALSO. The rating is there for a reason. This story has some fairly gory spots, some graphic imagery, and some dark undertones, so be warned. As for the pairing stuff, well... Romance isn't one of the genres, and there's a reason for that, so if you're not a fan of the pairing or of romance in general, this fic should still be okay for you. Those aspects are pretty minor.

Alright, obligatory PSA over, sooooo enjoy~

The darkest blackness comes while one is asleep, as close to death as the living can get before, one day, slipping into that notorious, perfect stillness known to swallow one whole. And in that darkness, our minds create images on their own to fill the void of stimuli that we've been left with, to give the unending nothing something more-something to keep us from thinking too deeply on where we are, or what it means.

On that night, I dreamed.

My mind was usually one to create elaborate set-ups whilst asleep-a plot, if you will, that I would entertain until the first light of dawn when I was roused awake to tend to breakfast and force my brothers out of bed. There was always a streamlined story and pattern that came along with my dreams, far less chaotic than what one would expect. But as of late I couldn't recall what transpired during my hours of rest-just a blur of images that meshed and mixed into incoherency.

Then, one night, I remembered encountering an image, seemingly brought on by my restless thoughts and unending concern. What I recalled was little more than minor features-a face that faded within the dark background, pale-ivory skin and vibrant red dress that burned its way into my memory. And the words: "Do you wish to live?"

My answer was an immediate 'yes', a swift nod of my head accompanying it. The darkness was instantly sucked away, the image long since faded, and my eyes shot open to the faces of my crying brothers as they hovered over me. Before even one inquisitive word could leave my mouth I was wrapped in a bone-crushing embrace as they both latched onto me, clinging to me as though to ensure I didn't disappear.

"Y-you wouldn't wake up!"

"W-we thought..."

My eyes widened and slowly, shakily, I hugged them back.

"Damn it, Lu, get back here!"

"Shishishi, nope!"

"That was my breakfast, you little shit!"

"Your fault for sleeping in!"

I rolled my eyes at the sight, collecting the used tableware as Ace chased our younger brother down the hall and out back-a sight that was quite the norm around our household-and seating myself at the table with a steaming cup of tea once it was clear.

It had taken two days for things to go back to normal around our home. Luffy had apparently woken in the middle of the night to find I wasn't breathing and, in a panic, woke Ace. I came back on my own, and I supposed the odd dream could have been attributed to lack of oxygen. But they were shaken up, naturally so.

After a brief few minutes Ace returned, a scowl firmly set on his face as he dropped onto the chair across from mine and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. "That annoying little…"

I tried to hide my amusement. With how often that happened, he should have expected it. "He got away?"

The only answer I got was a grunt as grey orbs scrolled over to the empty plates piled atop the counter. "Any leftovers I could steal?"

"I'm afraid not," I answered with a sympathetic smile, watching as his head hit the table with a loud thud and groan.

"Great. Fan-fucking-tastic." Ace looked up from the tabletop, pinning me with a concerned gaze that had me frowning. So he was still worried, then. "How are you feeling?"

With a sigh, I shifted in my seat and sipped from the still-steaming teacup set before me. "I'm fine, Ace. I can assure you of that." It was obvious by the look he was giving me that he didn't believe a word of it, but the fact that he didn't protest my statement was good enough for me. He'd done a lot of that lately, often telling me not to put up a 'brave front'. I wasn't. I'd been feeling quite well as of late, and I needed him to stop worrying about my well being. He had enough to concern himself with.

"If… you say so."

With a curt nod, I replied confidently, "Trust your brother a little, would you? I don't lie."

Ace offered me a weak smile, returning to staring at the wood of the table. "...Right. Sure."

My brother's concerns were because… I was ill. I'd always been ill, but as a child it was more of a minor hindrance that worsened with age. As much as I hated to admit it, I was becoming more fragile as time passed. My body turned brittle, and now I was stuck tending to the house while Ace worked and Luffy went to school. They didn't care, they said, but I did and it was frustrating.

It wasn't a lie that I'd been feeling better lately, though. I felt my strength returning to me bit by bit as the days passed on, and with it came a steadily increasing supply of energy that made me think that, if this continued, I could possibly go back to work. Trying to get that through my thick-skulled brother's head wasn't an easy task, though, so I decidedly kept it to myself. At least, for now...

During my internal monologue of thought, Ace had left his seat and prepared some coffee for himself, going out momentarily to grab the morning paper before sitting back down across from me. I nodded in thanks when he passed it my way and set down my cup to grab the paper with both hands, scrolling over the front page with a steadily-deepening scowl.

"The fighting's getting close to our border," I stated after a drawn-out quiet passed between us. What I didn't like was that the war seemed to be getting progressively worse, not better. "It worries me…"

My brother leaned back in his chair, gulping down a swig of coffee before grinning at me with his usual confidence. "Don't worry; they try to draft you and I'll kick their asses."

I rolled my eyes, my frown deepening in obvious lack of amusement. "I'm not worried about myself, you know."

"I'll be fine," he assured. "There isn't much we can do about it, anyway, is there?"

"That doesn't make me feel better."

He snorted. "See how it feels?"

Luffy didn't want to let Ace go the day he left. He clung to our brother as tightly as he could, using every ounce of strength his tiny body could muster as frantic tears rolled down his cheeks. "Y-you can't! You said you w-wouldn't!"

Ace held him close, rubbing soothing circles into his back and shushing him softly. "It'll only be for a bit, little guy. I'll come back."

"B-but I don't want you to go!" Luffy exclaimed, shaking his head furiously and squeezing our brother tighter.

Ace and I exchanged bitter looks. We both knew how Luffy would react-he was only eight, after all-and as composed as I remained, I wanted to do the very same thing. I wanted to hold our brother there, tell him that he couldn't go. It was… childish, I know, but that was how I felt-how I would always feel. Ace was my brother, and I couldn't protect him from so far away.

The eldest turned back to Luffy, letting out a heavy sigh. "C'mon now. I won't be gone long, I promise. And I need you to be strong, okay? Gotta take care of Sabo for me while I'm away."

I tried to ignore the jab at my pride as our sibling buried his face in Ace's chest before, eventually, nodding. "I-I'll… take c-care of him…"

"And you'll be good while I'm away?" There was another nod as the boy wiped his eyes on our brother's shirt, pulling back with a sniff as a hand reached down to card through his hair. "That's the Lu I know. Love ya, brat."

"L-love you, too, A-Ace."

With a smile and one last pat on Luffy's head, Ace rose to his feet and met my gaze evenly. I had to bite my lip not to say anything, my hands clenched at my sides to keep from trying to hold him there just as our youngest sibling had moments before. He didn't offer me the same reassuring words, didn't sugar-coat what could possibly have been the last time we ever spoke, and instead I received a firm grip to my shoulder. I could see the fear in those unending pools of grey as he stared back at me, his hand shaking, and it took everything I had to hold back tears as he slung his bag over his shoulder and turned away. Gathering Luffy into my arms, we watched him leave, trying to keep a brave front until he was no longer in our sights.

Ace was amongst the first to be drafted.

"Lu, could you hand me that?" I asked, gesturing absently to my right as I stirred the pot stewing atop the gas stove, only an old lantern beside me to illuminate my work area. I hated cooking at night-always so hard to see.

"M'kay!" A moment later he handed me the spice I requested before sitting at the table, kicking his legs back and forth as he watched me make dinner with an excited gleam to his eyes.

I smiled at him before refocusing on the food. He'd cheered up as of late, and about a week after Ace left I went back to work. Really I was feeling marvelous, despite the circumstances, and with Ace gone I was fortunately able to match his income well enough. Luffy hated being left alone during the hours I was gone, but he never complained and I couldn't have been more grateful.

"Hey, Sabo," he started, folding his arms atop the table and resting his head on them.

"Hm?"

"Think we can get some of that stuff you made the other night when Ace gets back?"

I thought back to the roast with a considering hum before nodding. "Of course. We'll have a feast!"

My brother let out a noise of excitement, and I chuckled as I dished out the stew and handed him a bowl, taking my own and sitting across from him. I'd almost grabbed a third bowl, but thankfully Luffy didn't notice; things like that got to him.

"...Sabo," Luffy called, quieter this time as he stared into his bowl.

"What, Lu?"

"I miss Ace…"

I pulled my mouth taut, turning to fix my gaze to the wood of the table, and nodded solemnly. "...I know. So do I."

The siren cried loudly, echoing through the air and drowning out the screams and cries as people ran towards the already-filled shelters, panic increasing as smoke rose up from behind, the suffocating stench all I could smell as I held Luffy securely in my arms and dashed as fast as I could. My brother sobbed into my shirt, clinging to me with shaky limbs.

"'M s-scared…"

I didn't respond, grunting as someone shoved me aside to run ahead in a panic, and I cursed internally as I tripped and collided with the ground with a loud thump.

"S-Sabo?"

I bit my lip, scrabbling up to gather my brother into my arms once more, gesturing him closer and wordlessly asking him to hold on. "I'm fine, Lu. C'mon."

"But Sabo-"

"Hurry, Lu. We don't-"

The last thing I remembered seeing was my brother going pale, staring at something behind me, before everything was swallowed by white-hot flames.

Consciousness returned to me and with it I whimpered, my eyes not yet opened yet already I was being assaulted by the pains from the damage I'd suffered. I made a futile attempt at trying to move, my body either too pained or unresponsive to even look out at the world. Everything hurt. I could feel the burning even inside my throat and lungs. Breathing was burdened. Some parts of my body had lost feeling completely and I worried what that could mean. But as seconds turned to minutes that pain started to alleviate, little by little. I whimpered as I forced the fingers of my right hand to move, proving that at least my arm was still attached. Breathing became just a little easier, soon I could feel my toes, and all of the aching began to subside bit by bit as a tried to force myself up onto my knees-all except the persistent burning sensation on the skin of the left side of my body.

With a pained grunt I managed to pick myself up, holding my arms out in front of me as my eyes opened, jaw going slack. Sticky, partially-dried blood clung to my skin and clothes from invisible wounds. I pulled up my tattered sleeves, little more than rags, only to find not so much as a scratch. The only exception was on my left arm where burns remained, covering my skin. I could feel that same tight pull from them on my chest, neck and face. But they weren't open wounds.

There were no open wounds.

My breathing picked up, eyes wide, and before I could panic I remembered my brother, looking around frantically and finally seeing the devastation around me. I covered my mouth, my body shaking as my sight was pinned to the charred bodies strung across the ground, houses destroyed and nothing left intact within the area of devastation.

Only me.

"L-Lu-Luffy-" I forcefully pulled my eyes away from the carnage and focused on the ground around myself, trying to stay calm and ignoring it when others came to assist the victims who were still alive, and collect the ones who weren't.

Finally my gaze came to rest on a small, burned body.

No.

I gathered him carefully in my arms, my lip quivering. "L-Luffy?"

No. Nonononono.

"C-c'mon, Lu…" I nudged him slightly, tears welling in my eyes as my body shook, and I cradled my brother against my chest, staring down at him through blurry vision.

The sirens faded into background noise as I sat with my brother in my arms, knowing that I shouldn't have made it out alive.

But there I was.

"Unbeing dead isn't being alive." ― E.E. Cummings

Adieu~