Warning/Note: So it's been a while, hasn't it?

Heavily implied sexy-times, some AU's, and one genderbent Luffy drabble.

AU's: 31, 32, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 47, 50

Fragments

26. Tears

The tears would not stop, no matter how much Luffy wanted them too. They rolled down his cheeks and dripped from his chin. Words that sounded more like gibberish tumbled from his lips. He was just so…happy.

His arms tightened around his brother, who was laughing and crying at the same time, a nice contrast from the scene two years that had been carved into Luffy's mind.

27. Foreign

Affection was something foreign to Ace before Luffy came along. He was not used to human contact, not really anyways. He was used to contact when in fights and Garp and Dadan would ruffle his hair, but those times were more or less rare, not that he really minded, because if no one bothered him, hey, who was he to complain.

Then Luffy came along and changed all of that.

Luffy relied on touch quite a bit too much. He did; however, seem to respect Ace's boundaries… At first. Sooner or later, time passed and Ace became used to random hugs, waking up with his brother next to him, giving piggyback rides, and so many other things.

Affection was no longer something foreign to the boy who had barely known what it was once upon a time.

28. Sorrow

It's like he cannot breath. It's heavy and like a weight.

Ace is gone. Gone.

He's never going to see him ever again.

A sorrowful cry rips itself from his throat as he beats the ground with his fists.

29. Happiness

The feeling is bubbling in Luffy's stomach; happiness.

He's standing on the island, with Makino, the Mayor, and the bandits behind him. Ace is already on the sea, waving at them with enthusiasm.

The happiness he feels for Ace outshines the part of him that is sad to see him go.

He grins as wide as he can as he watches his older brother set sail on his adventure.

Only three years to go.

30. Under the Rain.

The rain beats against the roof of their countries; a calming sound that comforts the two boys who are cuddled together in the country that is governed by the older of the two.

When hot breath tickles his nose, the younger with wide eyes and damp black hair giggles. It's a light sound, one that makes the older teen with freckles grin wide in the dark of the night and wraps his arms around the other's waist to pull him in closer.

The younger grins as well, letting himself he pulled in as he wraps his arms around his companion's neck, followed by a pair of soft lips that press against the other's cheek.

31. Flowers.

When Lucy opened the door, the first thing she sees is a big bouquet of red and white roses. The black haired woman blinks before looking up.

Ace is standing in the doorway, roses in hand. His cheeks are flushed and he is almost sheepishly scratching at the back of his head. Oddly enough, he is wearing almost fancy clothing, but Lucy can't remember planning anything for the night.

"These… These are for you," Ace said in that nervous tone that Lucy thought was adorable no matter how many times she heard it. "I know it's sudden but do you maybe wanna go out tonight?"

Lucy smiles wide and takes the flowers out of his hand, holding them close to her, careful because it was a present from Ace. She moves close to Ace and stands her tiptoes, kissing him on the cheek.

"Lemme go get ready."

32. Night.

The darkness of night was accompanied by the sounds of crickets and footsteps.

Tonight was foggier than usual, Ace noted, the weapon on his hip swinging with every step. He continued to walk, easily jumping over any obstacles that appeared once the area became worse. He knew this area like the back of his hand by now.

He entered a nearby forest and continued onward until he reached a clearing, so far untouched by his partners and enemies.

Ironically enough, however, he was here to meet a so-called 'enemy'.

He wasn't even in the clearing for two minutes before the sound of trees rustling met his ears. He stared calmly into the trees before someone stepped out.

Brown and pitch-black eyes met one another before the demon hunter greeted the other with a low "Hey, Lu."

The demon across from him grinned, showing pointed teeth and bounded forward, throwing his arms around the other with an enthusiastic "Hiya!"

Ace returned the gesture, along with a kiss to Luffy's jaw.

In this place, there was no war. No demons or demon hunters. In this place, there was just Ace and Luffy.

33. Expectations.

The moment Garp said "You're going to be a fine Marine!" Ace was absolutely positive that his grandfather was insane. Well, more than usual, at least.

He'd find out Luffy felt the same, but for now he was too busy trying to ignore and fight the expectations of the older man.

34. Stars.

On the night before Ace left to become a pirate, he led Luffy to the cliff-side that overlooked the ocean.

This was a quiet place, something that even the usually rowdy Luffy could understand. When something was wrong with the other, they always knew where to come. It was a place of comfort.

On nights like tonight, it was also the best place to look at the stars, with the sky devoid of clouds.

The two lay next to one another with the stars overhead, making small talk before falling into a comfortable silence that was broken by Luffy a few minutes later.

"You know I'm gonna miss you, right?"

Ace hummed. "I'm gonna miss you too." He paused for a moment before continuing in a quiet voice that he only used when he was embarrassed. "You… you know I love you right? More than all of the stars in the sky. More… more than the universe."

Luffy turned to face him, a gentle smile on his face.

"I know. You know I love you just as much, right?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Luffy paused before grinning. "I never knew you could be so cheesy though!"

"Shut up!"

35. Hold My Hand

Luffy sniffled and rubbed at his eyes, the nightmare still fresh in his mind.

The ten-year old eyed the sleeping bag next to his before wiping his eyes yet again. Knowing that Ace wouldn't mind, the boy quickly crawled out of his sleeping bag and into his older brother's. The older boy automatically moved over to make space.

In his half-asleep state, Ace reached for his younger brother's hand and held it tight, his thumb rubbing small circles into the back of the small palm. Luffy sniffled and grasped Ace's hand back, as if it were his lifeline and listened to the even breaths if his most important person until he fell asleep, never letting go of that strong, familiar hand.

36. Precious Treasure

"I don't need any jewels or beli. You're all the treasure I need."

37. Eyes

After coming down from his euphoria, Ace flipped their positions, too overwhelmed to clean up. Luffy was no different; he had his nose buried in Ace's neck, breathing deep and relishing in the feeling of their previous actions. Ace combed a hand through Luffy's sweaty hair; his other arm wrapped around the younger's lean, lithe body, holding him close.

To think that this had all started with two pairs of eyes locking from across a room.

38. Abandoned

Ace curls around Luffy protectively, his chin resting comfortably on the sleeping boy's head, but he doesn't fall asleep him. He has too many things running through his head to do so. Ace didn't know what to do next or what they'd do in the long run. The only thing he was sure of was that, no matter what, he would never leave the bruised, hurt boy ever again.

39. Dreams

The newspaper shakes in his grip and his smile is so wide that he can feel his face stretch. Ace lets out a loud whoop before running to show the news of the new Pirate King to his nakama.

40. Rated

"Why are you outside?"

"Too young… What are you doing?"

"Do you actually think I'm gonna let you sit outside in the cold all alone?"

41. Teamwork

The forces of marines were nothing for the combined teamwork of the two brothers.

42. Standing Still

The room around him is quiet, but Ace can hear his heart beating loudly in his ears. His hands are balled into fists and at his side.

Maybe if he stands still, he won't be waiting in front of the operation room anymore and everything will be okay like it once was.

43. Dying

He can't feel much anymore. Everything is dull and barely registered, with death breathing down his neck.

He knows that his nakama are all around him; all of them crying and he still doesn't want them to be in pain.

Luffy doesn't want to leave his nakama, but he doesn't have a choice. There isn't a way he can survive, not this time.

He's tired and he wants to go to sleep; he knows that if he does, everything will be better and he'll see precious people he hadn't seen in so, so long and that his nakama will be okay.

Luffy tells them this; that he loves them, that they're the best family before he willingly takes death by the hand.

44. Two Roads

When Ace reaches the two-way intersection, someone is standing in the middle of the road, a pack on his back like Ace.

The person's head turns and he can't be older than seventeen at the most and he's rather adorable Ace notes in the corner of his mind with wild black hair and wide eyes with scar under his left.

Ace knows that this kid is like him, a traveler.

They make small talk Ace looks at the roads and then back at the kid who is named Luffy. "You know which way you're going?"

"Nope! It doesn't matter though, I got time."

Ace had time too.

The two eventually decide to take a route together; both of them needed the company.

Ace thinks that they'll probably split ways in a few days or so.

Luckily, Luffy never leaves.

45. Illusion

Ace is within arm's length, smiling that familiar grin and that Luffy loveslovesloves and he's okay. He isn't hurt at all and he's reaching out for Luffy, fingers almost brushing.

And then Luffy wakes up.

Chest heaving, Luffy sits up and swallows and is met with the familiar sounds of his nakama sleeping and the sight of the Thousand Sunny.

He bites his lip and lies back down, knowing that he won't be getting any sleep soon.

46. Family

Luffy yawns and wriggles closer to Ace, the older boy already sleeping. It's mid-afternoon and Ace's narcolepsy decided to kick in, leaving Luffy to move him into a more comfortable area.

The nine year old's eyes begin to droop and he eyes the grave marker just across from the two and smiles softly. He has no doubt that the third member of their little family is with them at that moment.

47. Creation

Ace enjoys the feeling of the sand between his toes as he walks along the beach. Not many people are here; not unusual for winter. In fact, Ace wasn't even sure why he was here in the first place. He had come on impulse.

Walking a bit further, the man comes across a poorly made sand castle. It looks like it's going to collapse any second. He almost walks away when someone behind him says, "Hey, that's mine!"

Ace blinks and turns around to see a shorter male with a pale and bucket in hand, black hair lolling about in the wind. He is pretty cute and something is oddly familiar about him, but Ace cannot place it.

"I was just walking around," the freckled man replies as the shorter man with a scar walks forward. "Wasn't gonna mess with your sand castle."

"Oh, okay. I'm Luffy, do you wanna make a sand castle with me?"

The twenty year old blinks again and arches an eyebrow.

"…Why not."

48. Childhood

Before Luffy, Ace didn't know what having a childhood was really like. He was used to getting harsh reactions and how to deal with them.

But when he met Luffy, all smiles and innocence, things changed and he finally had a chance to experience the childhood that he deserved.

49. Stripes

"That shirt's… wow."

"I know, right? Luffy picked it out for me."

The Whitebeard Pirates all thought that the 2nd division commander said that with a little too much pride.

50. Breaking the Rules

"We can't talk ourselves out of this one. We're dead; the old man is totally going to kill us this time."

"We'll be fine."

"Luffy, we're in jail. The police caught us having sex in public. Our tombstones are probably being picked out right now."