#jujika

It wasn’t like commotions were rare around the Strawhats, but it was a pretty quiet afternoon when Luffy heard the sound of something really heavy being dragged onto Sunny. 

It sure was a surprise seeing his brother drag such a huge firework around, but as always he was super excited to see Ace again, and whatever ideas he had up his ( nonexistent ) sleeve. 

Besides, he was always up for making noise and creating explosions. ( and plus, he got to do it with Ace!! ) And with a firework that big, well, they could probably light up the entire Grand Line!! ( which, probably wasn’t the best idea, but hey — it’ll be fine. Ace was here, so what’s the worse that could happen? ) 

Send me the emoticon    回 = patching a wound .

One day he may learn the value of knocking before entering, but he has yet to and that is exactly why he is now witness to Ace in the middle of re-wrapping his injury from The War.

It’s healed a lot, both brothers having slept through a majority of the healing process, but it’s still so red. ( and Luffy can still see the magma fist made hole, feel the warmth of Ace’s blood on his hands, and he doesn’t know how to stop thinking about this because it’s over — they are all alive — everything is all okay —— )

“A…ce…” And oh, that’s no good. He isn’t supposed to sound like that. If he sounds like that Ace will be worried, and he’s been worried a lot about Luffy lately, which is stupid because Ace was the one who almost died, and Luffy can still hear echoes of what would have been his brother’s last words ringing in his ears —— and he wants to wash his hands.

But he came here for a reason, and he needs to stop because Ace is giving him that funny look again, and he doesn’t want to worry his big brother because he’s strong now ( except he’s not. he’s still so weak and he lost his nakama and couldn’t even protect himself during the war and Ace had to — he — ) 

And he smiles, a bright grin even as he can feel his eyes watering, because even with all the flashes of hell, war, and a too close call, he still has something important to say.

Because he suddenly doesn’t remember saying it recently and that’s no good. Because even if he did, he needs to say it again. Because this is Ace, and he’ll say it again and again just in case Ace forgets. ( because Ace can’t forget. he can’t think any differently. and Luffy needs him to know )