Chapter Text
The first thing Luffy learned about sex, was that he’s not supposed to do it with his brothers.
With the five of them, growing up in a tiny house didn’t leave much room for privacy.
Ace, Sabo, they were good at keeping secret and not bringing any attention to the immoral things they were doing when their twin brothers weren’t around. Adamant that Garp installed a lock on their door with the excuse that Luffy and Nika could be too ‘overbearing’ which he seemed to understand.
They never saw the old man much anyways, he’d show up once, twice every few days to drop off food and whatever they needed. Otherwise, he was pretty trustworthy of the oldest to take care of everything for their teen years. They weren’t babies anymore and were never his responsibility anyways.
Once Sabo and Ace were eighteen he left them the house for themselves. If they dropped out of school, if they didn’t eat, then they can’t blame him.
With the twins being three years younger it was easy to look at them more as guardians than brothers. They had to behave as both.
“Why not?” Nika spits, grabbing at Luffy’s scrawny elbow when he tries to scurry out of his grip.
“Cause! I said I don’t want to right now!” Luffy barks back at him.
He shrugs his advances off.
If it wasn’t for Ace he’d be clueless. To Luffy, he was the more protective big brother. But somehow still the fun one that lets him do whatever he wants. Sabo was too, but just more intelligent, always looking out for them and teaching them well.
The first time they caught Nika trying to touch Luffy, Ace snapped and separated the two for hours. Only causing them to cry for the other.
In his identical absence Luffy only worried it’s his fault Nika was scolded. He could hear the angry shake in Ace’s voice through the wall.
“Is it that bad of a thing Sabo?” Luffy had sniffled and looked up to his other big brother, comforting him with a petting hand on his head.
“Hm… you guys just shouldn’t be doing that.” He’d say, “You’re brothers you know.. you shouldn’t even be doing do that with other people, it’s for adults anyway.”
Luffy didn’t buy it. But it got him worrying, they shouldn’t do that anymore not because of Sabo’s factors, but because Nika gets in trouble for it.
He didn’t want to see his brothers fight.
They were in the backyard today, digging up mounds of grass and moss. Those conversations stuck.
“Yeah, but why not?” Nika childishly pouts and puts hands back on Luffy, watching him peel the green from the dirt, “No one’s home, this is the only time we can do it a lot!”
Luffy huffs and looks over his shoulder so he’ll look him in the eye.
“Nika I don’t think we’re supposed to if you keep getting screamed at for it.”
“How will they know?” He mumbles, his hands wrap around Luffy’s waist, slipping up his shirt. “You’ll tell?”
If Luffy was an angel, then Nika was a demon. There were almost polar opposites aside from how rambunctious they both were. It didn’t matter that they were twins, they didn’t think the same. They didn’t act the same.
Luffy was wild and innocently obvious, he wasn’t stupid but he just didn’t think too hard most the time. Nika was always thinking, always laughing.
They were such a cute pair. Both clingy to each other, but Nika was more complex. Always glaring at anyone and attached to his twin as if he owned him.
Ace and Sabo were too young to deal with it or know how to.
They just let them behave as is, until it became an issue with obsession. Seeing the way he’d slip hands and make Luffy squeak. Always catching them kissing, never in a brotherly way if there even was one.
It was hypocritical flame, for Ace to yell at the light haired one for things he and Sabo were doing themselves, but seeing it happen to Luffy, is something neither of them could handle.
If they weren’t allowed to touch him like that, neither was he. Twin or not they’re all brothers. How would that be fair?
“They always know! Cause you leave those stupid marks.”
Nika smiles, giggling on his shirt.
“Ok I won’t this time, please?”
Luffy thinks about it for a moment. It always felt really good to do weird things with Nika, but he cared more about the scoldings.
“No, Ace will be mad.”
“He’s just jealous you know.” Nika is spiteful, “He’s mad cause he knows you only want me to do it.”
Luffy looks puzzled, dusting his dirty hands off and piling all his pages of moss.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He mumbles, standing up and carrying his collection with him.
“You’re blushing!” Nika laughs loudly, their shoulders attached with how he leans.
“Am not!” Luffy says loud, “You always say that too!”
“Cause you always are!” Nika puts his lips to his ear, “I’m right aren’t I? You feel so good with me right? Right?”
Luffy continues walking their backyard, to a loud chirping little greenhouse that functioned as a sanctuary for all the bugs he catches. He tossed the moss in to a few cages for some beetles he wasn’t ready to free yet.
“Why’s that all you think about?” Luffy is grumpy, poking at the cage of his favorite bug, “Let’s do something else today.. we don’t get the house to ourself much.”
Nika blinks at him in annoyance.
This is exactly what they should be doing with an empty house. He can be as vile as he wants with his brother and Ace won’t be there to beat his ass.
“You’re funny.” Nika laughs, smiling big, “Cmon’ lets go kiss.”
He grabs Luffy’s chalky hand and tugs him back out, dragging him past the hole he made in the yard.
“Ni—ka!” Luffy whines, ripping his wrist away and springing up.
“Stop! Let’s just play outside this is dumb.”
Nika feels hot, his heart beating weirdly, passionate.
They fumble with each others wrists before tumbling in the dirt. It was a humid day, skin sticky from the air and getting stains all over their tank tops.
Luffy shoved him hard to pant, the cicada sound drowning out from the thump in his head.
“We always do what you want when they’re gone, I told you no!”
Nika frowns, and Luffy hates this part. He always makes the saddest faces, changing drastically from his giggly self. And it’s all Luffy’s fault.
“Ok, ok.” Nika says low, holding Luffy against the ground, “Then one kiss and we can do what you want.”
Luffy leans up and pecks him on the cheek so quick Nika wasn’t done with his sentence.
“Hey.. that doesn’t coun—“
“You two, you’re always tumbling around back here huh?”
They both shoot their head up to look for the voice gawking at them.
They turn in unison to the holey fence, their neighbor leaning holding some sort of towel over his shoulder.
“Shanks!” Luffy exclaims happily. He scurries to his feet kicking Nika away like a blanket in the morning.
“I thought you were still on vacation!”
He hops up on his toes and leans on his side of the low wooden border.
“Nah, just got back today.” He grins, putting a hand over their fence to ruffle the boys damp summer hair. “How’s yours?”
“Don’t touch him, nasty old pervert.” Nika stomps over, yanking Luffy back by his wrist to get away from his touch.
“Oh hey Nika,” Shanks sighs, switching to pet his hair instead, “You still hate me huh?”
Luffy frowns glancing between the two, he hated how Nika behaved around his damn near idol. The man who’s saved him from drowning twice now.
“Yea- so don’t touch my brother.” Nika says low, “It’s gross.”
“Nika-“ Luffy shushes, “Don’t say that about Shanks! I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him.”
Nika’s look softens but there’s still animosity.
“He’ll come around.” Shanks smiles to Luffy, “Are your brothers home?”
Luffy shakes his head in a whirl.
“Nope! They’re uhhhh… where are they again?”
“They’re at the creek.” Nika fills.
Luffy’s stunned.
“What!? Why didn’t they take us too?”
Nika shrugs, looking suspiciously as if he might be the reason.
They did offer. But Luffy slept in, and Nika was there to kindly express how his precious twin wasn’t feeling too good. So gladly he’d stay home and take care of him while they’re gone, of course.
“You can’t even swim kid why would you wanna go?” Shanks laughs at him.
“It’s still fun in that shallow part! There’s that uh, that weird rock that looks like Ace and a bunch of tiny fish.”
Nika rolls his eyes.
‘That’s more fun than kissing in our room?’ His brain circles.
“It is hot out today, not a bad idea to go,”
Shanks puts his hand up to shield his eyes looking up, sweat on his jaw, his shirt riding to show that glossy skin in the midday sunny beat down. His red hair almost gold where the sun shines on it.
Luffy swallows, eyes frantic looking away, meeting with Nika’s disgusted expression so he just looks down. Shifting on his feet.
Seeing the boys immediate reaction to Shanks’ physique, blushing for real this time. Nika snarls.
“Cmon’,” He snatches Luffy’s wrist, “It’s hot we’re going inside.”
“W-wait huh? No Nika! I haven’t seen Shanks in forever!” He yanks himself back to the fence.
“If it’s too hot you go inside! I told you I wanna play out here.”
This was the brink of what Nika could deal with. He knows that’s not redness from the sweaty day.
That’s real buzzy embarrassment on his face from his damn crush on this old man.
“I’ll walk you boys down to the creek if you want, just I’ll have to watch now if you’re getting in too Luffy.” He winks.
Luffy’s giddy, remembering those times.
In Nika’s head he couldn’t think the bastard would get any sicker. He’s probably dying to kiss his twin brother again, touch his belly, cpr? Yeah right.
“Nah it’s okay! Ace and Sabo are probably having fun, I wouldn’t want them to worry instead.”
It tugs on Shanks’ heart a little how cute it was.
“Hmm, then, I think I have some ice cream inside. Why don’t you two come in?”
Luffy’s ecstatic and Nika looks as he has, lip raised as if he’s never been so disgusted.
“Sure! Let’s go over Nika, I wanna do that.”
Nika leans in close to Luffy’s ear to whisper.
“You said you’d kiss me first.” He tugs his shoulder even closer.
“I already did?” Luffy looks at him quizzed again.
“No,” Nika sighs, “He interrupted- I wasn’t done.”
“Whatever! I did it already don’t be annoying.” Luffy says outright, both ignoring Shanks to argue.
“On the mouth-!” Nika yells back at him, “That didn’t—“
“What are you arguing about?” Shanks has to ask with how jumbled the two are.
“Nika keeps asking me to—“
A hand is smacked over his lips and covers up his words.
‘He really thinks Shanks wouldn’t tell on me?’
“Nothing, mind your own business.”
Shanks rolls his eyes at the kid’s behavior.
“Want help over the fence or are you going around?”
“I’ll go over!” Luffy pipes up.
Shanks nods and easily jumps over the fence that only reached his mid waist, the two boys are up to the shoulder.
Nika watches intensely as Shanks’ hands go for Luffy.
Grabbing his tiny waist and helping him up, his sandals bracing on the spiky picket top. His next move, a shift of his wrist sliding from his waist to touch his ass as he helps him hop over without hurting himself on the jagged top.
Spit wells on Nika’s tongue, gulping and taking everything he has to not pounce, bite, kick. It’s too quick of a movement to complain, Luffy’s already over.
When Shanks’ hand out reaches to help Nika, he flicks his head.
“I can do it,” He snaps.
He puts his hands on the split top, trying to hoist but he only hangs. The fence is too hard to scale when it’s basically his height. He hops up on his toes, staring over but he can’t do it.
“Hm.” Shanks chuckles, just grabbing him the same as Luffy until he’s up and over.
Nika is insanely observant of the lack of hand needed on his butt to help him onto the other yard.
Quickly he grabs Luffy’s hand, lacing their fingers together and holding their arms close.
Luffy blinks and stares at him, tilting his head with a smile and squeezing his hand back.
It’s instant relief.
“Cmon’ kids cool off inside.”
Shanks puts a hand on Luffy’s back as they walk to his screened porch, the creaky metal door opening and staying where it’s left.
The kitchen is nice and cool, making Luffy sigh and feel the conditioned breeze through his sticky clothes.
Shanks leaves them to his freezer, taking out a box of orange creme popsicles.
“Ah shit.” He whispers, “Sorry there just one left.”
“I’ll take it!” Luffy exclaims not seeing an issue.
“He can have it.” Nika shrugs, uncaring.
“You sure Nika?” Shanks frowns, “I can go get some for you, it’s not far.”
He shakes his head in response.
“Uhh uh,” Luffy waves his free hand, “If you split it up before I see it then I’ll share.”
“You can’t split a popsicle like that!” Nika laughs hard.
Luffy hurries and takes it from Shanks, opening the wrapper quickly and licking the side.
“Here, then just lick on the other side Nika. Hurry though cause I’m not saving you any!”
Luffy sits on a wooden stool next to Shanks’ kitchen island.
He generously licks the sides, the white melting creme flavoring his knuckles.
Nika takes the rare offer and licks the opposite side, his heart beating fast knowing one slip and their tongues will touch.
Shanks blinks and stares at the two, a little weirded out that he’s caught himself thinking so dirty with innocent boys he cares about.
It wasn’t normal to share like that. But they were twins, brothers, maybe it’s normal. He scratches his head and tries not to look.
“Ah-“ Luffy makes a sound, because it does happen, their tongues slide on each other’s. Nika wasn’t even trying to taste.
His tongue was going around, grazing the sides so Luffy had little room to avoid. His lips and tongue flat on the orange treat, randomly slipped by his brothers tongue.
Nika was standing, he puts a hand behind Luffy on the wood island, leaning over him so Luffy has to tilt his head back a little.
Slick orange sugar was dripping down his wrist, and the direct eye contact Nika was trying for was making him nervous.
His brother leans, his tongue licking his knuckles, down his wrist and back up to his fingers holding the treat.
“Nika that’s my hand.” Luffy backs away, licking his lips, he yanks his hand away and Nika’s tongue stays out.
“But it’s dripping.” He defends, trying to chase his hand.
“Oh, then—“ Luffy tilts his wrist and chomps a big piece of the cold rectangle, leaving a sugary half left on the stick.
Nika sucks on the sides of what’s left until it just falls off the stick and melts in his mouth. Luffy’s fingertips were so sticky he couldn’t let go of the wooden stick.
“Mmm!” Luffy hums, “Those are really good huh?
Shanks lets out a shaky breath he must’ve been holding the entire time. His heart was beating fast and he was terrified of how he couldn’t look away. They basically just tongue kissed each other around that thing. Sandwiching it, he shudders and nearly smacks himself.
“Those ones are alright, I can never keep my hands off the chocolate ones.” He tries to joke and get their eager tongues out of his head.
‘Not the only thing you can’t keep your hands off of.” Nika glares.
“Shanks, can we play something?” Luffy asks with big doe eyes.
“Like what, pool, darts.. I don’t really have any kid games.”
“We’re not babies.” Nika grimaces.
“You have a pool?” Luffy gasps, as if there’s one in his backyard just hiding.
Shanks laughs, patting his shoulder.
“No no, the table outside. Here go wash your hands I’ll set it up.”
He brushes past the two and goes outside to his back porch.
Nika instantly snaps his head to look at Luffy.
“What?”
“Kiss. Let’s kiss, now.” He grabs his face with both hands.
“Ni—“
Before Luffy can retaliate Nika’s tongue is in his mouth. Making him squirm, in the seat.
“Mnm—!” He struggles, still holding his stick.
Nika pops off his lips, licking the slime up and the wet sticky corner of his mouth.
“Ah-“ Luffy moans, squeezing his legs together and his hand frees.
Nika’s aggressive, smashing their lips hard again before dragging away to pant.
“Those do taste good.” He decides from Luffy’s spit, trying to lean in again for another taste.
“Boys? You coming?” Shanks calls from outside.
Nika snaps his mouth shut and gets off him. Allowing Luffy up to wash his hands of ice cream residue.
“You’re weird Nika.” Luffy says muddy into the sink.
He can’t help the blush on his cheeks and the swirl in his tummy.
Nika wipes his mouth with his wrist. Picking up the stained orange stick that Luffy dropped to toss.
“How do we play Shanks?” Luffy hurries outside to ask.
“Hm, you two can play against me, take one of these.”
He hands him a cue stick that’s way too big for him to use.
Shanks leans over and strikes the aligned triangle and it’s loud, the table exploding with stripes and solids, sinking one of each kind.
“Woah!” Luffy is shocked at how strong the break was.
“Now, you can just a pick solid one, any of them to start.”
Nika sat behind them on a chair, watching every single move from Shanks till it was his turn with the stick.
“Uhh this one?” Luffy turns and looks at Nika, a solid orange five. He nods.
Luffy lines it up like a sword, jabbing, scratching the top and the table.
Shanks busts out laughing knowing that’s exactly what he’d do.
“Why are you laughing!” Luffy turns, frustrated and wanting to hit Shanks with the stick.
“Cmere’ I’ll teach you.” Shanks flicks his head in a motion that implies to get in front of him.
Luffy stands and presses against the table so Shanks can lean over him. They’re connected back and torso, and Luffy can feel the outline of every muscle on his abdomen.
“Like this,” He says real patient.
He grabs the stick for Luffy to hold, placing his hand over both of his to make the right angle for the ball.
“Uh…” Luffy wasn’t listening, staring at Shanks’ large hand completely eating his.
He does the motion without hitting the ball, Luffy’s hands clammy in his.
“Like that okay?”
Shanks backs off and Luffy stomach sinks to the floor.
“Wait! Show me again, one more time and I’ve got it.”
Shanks sighs and realigns, closer, this time Luffy’s ass is flush against his crotch sending chills through both of them.
It disturbs himself but he didn’t get the choice to react to that or not.
He stutters in his attempt, feeling tingly from the smaller boy beneath him. Positioned perfectly over the table like… no, like he’s playing pool. He squeezes Luffy’s hands again, tighter, Luffy’s almost lying on the red surface.
“So,” Shanks pauses, he’s so close he can smell the sweat of the day on him, all his warmth soaked up from where they touch, “Don’t stab it like that,”
He does the motion again using Luffy’s hands, slower, so slow and it’s definitely kinda weird. The example is shown so many times it’s just an excuse, some weird rhythm that allows them to move together.
“See? Just line it up and keep your hands steady.”
Luffy’s face was plain red, everything in his guts felt weird. So much of Shanks was touching him and his voice was right in his ear from the way they were holding the cue together.
Nika rushes upright, yanking the stick out of their hands and throwing it as hard as he can, out of the propped door.
There’s enough force and anger behind his throw that it summersaults the cement path and bends, snapping in two on the ground.
“Ni-.. Nika! What are you doing?” Luffy is ripped from the red blush taking over, “What is wrong with you we needed that to play!”
Shanks backs off, leaning on the table and just combing his hair. They were different for sure.
“Nika, whats up?” Shanks sighs, “Can you not break my things please?”
They both watch Nika cross his arms and refuse to apologize.
“Tell Shanks you’re sorry!” Luffy pouts, looking to the broken stick outside.
He goes past him to retrieve it.
Nika side eyes Shanks, glancing him up and down.
“I know what you’re doing.” He says low, “You’re disgusting.”
Shanks’ brows raise, taking a step to stand up straight.
“I don’t know what your issue with me is, but Garp told me to keep an eye on you boys when I can.” He starts, hesitant and putting his hands on his sides, “He was pretty stubborn about punishing you too.”
Nika’s eyes shoot to his. He wasn’t convinced it was a threat.
Luffy returned holding both ends together looking pained they broke something of Shanks’.
“I’m really sorry Shanks,” Luffy pouts.
“Don’t apologize, he can go home.”
Shanks comes around and pats Nika on the back in an effort to get him out of the porch.
“Huh-“ He startles being forced to walk.
“Why don’t you go on, Luffy can stay as long as he wants but your time is up.”
Nika frantically turns around and Luffy looks just as distressed they’re being separated.
The second he’s out of the screened door Shanks shuts it, putting on a latch.
This was punishment then. Nika almost falls, terrified for his own conscious. He’s supposed to leave Luffy alone with Shanks? That dirty bastard?
“I can’t stay out here?” He asks quickly, looking back at them.
“No I think you should go inside, or your yard.” Shanks points to their house, “Your brothers should be back soon anyway.
Before Nika can snidely respond or fight it Shanks was taking Luffy inside.
The scared feeling in his gut increases. He knows he’s jealous and foul, explosions when someone touches Luffy. But he swears it’s not just his obsession with him, Shanks really did seem like a bad guy in his eyes.
The back door is shut, and he’s left outside. Birds and insects sounding like they have no idea the pain he’s in.
“Shanks, I don’t wanna leave Nika alone.” Luffy sounds incredibly sad.
“Hm? Oh, well you can go on home then.”
He goes to open the lock but Luffy stops him.
“But!” Luffy settles on his heels, “I wanna stay I just feel bad.”
Shanks hums, sitting down on his living room couch and Luffy follows like a puppy.
“You two are pretty different, he needs to be more careful. Don’t worry he’ll be fine, just means he won’t act like that next time right?”
Luffy smiles, sitting on the couch next to him.
“Yea, I guess so.” He brings his feet up on the couch, his dirty sandals on the leather.
“Hey- come on don’t put your shoes on the furniture.”
“Oh-“ Luffy realizes, dropping his feet instead.
Shanks grabs his ankle before they touch the ground, putting his heels over his lap. The movement is sudden and unexpected, situating immediately. Luffy stares and blinks, smiling quick. Luffy’s turned towards him instead now, forcing conversation.
“You know,” Shanks starts, his hand resting, able to cover on both Luffy’s shins, “You can always come over here when you feel like it. I know you’re always dealing with your brothers bullshit. I usually got something to eat too.”
Luffy smiles huge and nods.
“Ok Shanks! Even when you’re not home?”
“Uhh, no, well, sure. Gah. Why not?”
The adorable happy laugh puts a smile on Shanks’ face.
He glances down his body to his shifting legs from being giddy. It’s definitely the definition of staring, an unusually long drag. He sees Luffy’s knees are red and there’s stains on his clothes, dusty spots all over.
“Were you outside all day? You’re real dirty I dunno if I want you on my couch.”
“Yea we were digging earlier.” Luffy shrugs.
“Digging?” Shanks repeats with a chuckle, “Go get a shower then.”
“What? No I wanna stay out here!”
“When did you bathe last?”
Luffy pauses to think about it, a few seconds. He glances up like it’ll help him think.
Suddenly there’s a shadow over him and Shanks is looking down, leaning closer to his neck, arms. His face is so close too fast, make Luffy gasp sharply.
“Yeah-“ He says, inhaling next to his neck. He puts a hand on Luffy’s bare waist, “You stink go hop in the shower.”
Luffy lowers his brows at him in denial, pushing his face away from his body since he was getting anxious.
“Shanks does too-“
“Then we’ll both get in.” Shanks’ tone isn’t joking but there’s no sense he’s really serious.
Luffy just finds it funny, laughing hard.
“No way!” He laughs at the idea.
Shanks sighs and quickly picks Luffy up like a princess, taking him to his bathroom.
“Wh—..”
It makes Luffy shut up instantly. There’s zero fight in him for that. He can feel his heart beating, skin to skin touch so he has to desperately hold on.
Shanks instead smells good; like sunscreen and cedar. He’s hugging Shanks’ neck as he tries to set him down.
“Fine!” Luffy stumbles from his hold into the bathroom, “But you’re not allowed in with me.”
Shanks laughs- nervous or expectedly.
“There’s towels and soap just clean up some, okay?”
Luffy nods in awe of Shanks’ care, staring holes through him when he shuts the door.
He doesn’t want to waste any time he has, he strips fast and turns the cold water on and cowers till it’s warm. Knowing all those soaps smell like Shanks, he uses way to much for himself. Soaping his hair till it looks like Nika’s.
The bathroom door opens and he’s not startled by it, figuring Shanks just had to pee or something.
“I said you’re not allowed in here.” Luffy grumbles out of spite.
Over the sound of the shower water he can hear Shanks step closer to the curtain, curious to what he’s doing now.
“I put some clothes for you okay?” Shanks says loud so he can hear.
“Okay!” Luffy yells back.
It sounded like Shanks was rummaging in a cabinet, cleaning or just doing anything he could in there.
Luffy leans around the curtain to look out, dripping soap off his head.
“What are you doing?” He asks, seeing Shanks was still in the room.
“Nothing, sorry. I’ll get out I was just getting the laundry outta here.” Shanks quickly picks up a few used towels laying on the ground.
“Oh it’s ok!” Luffy smiles not seeing an issue if he’s denied to the water, “You can stay if you wanna Shanks!”
“…Yeah?” He’s hesitant.
“Mhm! I’m almost done,” Luffy hollers, retreating around the curtain.
“That can’t be true, it’s only been a few minutes.” Shanks laughs, “Make sure you really scrub.”
Luffy mocks him where he can’t see.
“Yeah yeah I did!”
There’s an instant screech of metal rings that hold the curtain up, sliding open and light shines in.
Luffy pauses.
That wasn’t his action. He glances up to Shanks looking down at him with water still hitting his head.
“Shanks?” Luffy says under his breath, staring with huge eyes.
Before he can think this is bad, or the things Ace has told him about being alone, all those scary things about privacy and boundaries. All he cares about is seeing Shanks up close again.
“I knew it,” Shanks chuckles, “You didn’t even touch the washcloths.”
“Huh?” Luffy looks up at the water, “Oh, uhh; I used my hands?”
“Really?” Shanks leans on the wall wet with condensation, “You’ve still got dirt all over your legs.”
“I’ll get it stop bugging me!”
Luffy says annoyed, already pretty aggregated over needing to shower in the first place.
“Want me to get your back for you?” Shanks crosses his arms, somehow his eyes don’t stay low. They’re stuck on Luffy’s face.
Does that forgive him or is he still a terrible person?
“Hmm sure!” Luffy shrugs and turned, facing his back to Shanks. “Nika usually does it for me anyway.”
Shanks lip curls with a grin, that boy would kill him over this then wouldn’t he.
“Sit down, I’ll help you.”
Luffy happily sits a little out of the ways from the water streaming down, his knees up but his back not against the tub. This should be weird- but he’s never really been too awkward naked, especially when he go to the creek with his brothers. This was fine too.
He here’s the loud snap of the soap next to him, then the cold. Shanks hand pressing it against him, his hand, rubbing up his spine.
“I thought you were gonna use the-“
“You said your hands work didn’t you? Shouldn’t mine?”
“Hmph…”
Luffy rests his chin between his knees, feeling a little nervous and weird about this. When Nika did it, it felt right- good, like normal. Right now his heart was beating out of his chest. He can’t tell if he’s scared of it or wants a little more touch.
He shifts and his angles his spine, the slow cautious rub of Shanks’ hand was giving him insane chills. His knees squeeze together.
“Ok- I’m good now I can get it.” Luffy says, tilting his head.
“Nah, you were rolling around in the dirt don’t fool me.” Shanks says.
His hand is rougher, higher, he rubs over his shoulders and back down, sliding on the slip of the soap, around his waist. It was getting more than just where Luffy couldn’t reach.
“Uh..,” Luffy swallows feeling a little warm in the face, “Shanks are you trying to wash me like, ..everywhere?”
Shanks hand stops, clutching his wet shoulder.
“You want me to?”
The silence that fell feels the same as the decision. Heavy and uncertain. Luffy definitely wants this. But maybe he shouldn’t. Yet he wouldn’t feel his heart change or that weird rollercoaster feeling in his gut if he didn’t.
“Mm… yeah, okay.” Luffy decides.
He feels both of Shanks hands on him now, and it’s an instant scary wave of excitement.
“I’ll be gentle, you’re used to this right? Nika doesn’t usually stop there does he.”
Luffy shakes his head, he’s right. Nika was like this too. Oh. Does that means Shanks would want to kiss? They do more than just that.
There’s a long awkward moment of Shanks touching him, more soap, more skin. More kneading.
It was a massage, his shoulder squeezed and his hands come down, wrapping around his waist and up his chest.
His hands were getting dangerous, dangerously low, the web of his thumb sliding the crease where the boys thighs start.
It was so slow, his full palm gliding with good pressure over his thighs. Luffy almost whimpers, getting scared that this might not be normal.
“Mm..” He croaks a little, opening his legs some.
Shanks quivers at that. He was on his knees leaned over the tub, his shirt wet and hair getting sprinkled.
Hearing his focused deep breaths was freaking Luffy out a little.
Shanks stares down at the boy, his wet black hair against his perfect nape. When he leans in he sighs on his red ear, almost pressing his cheek to Luffy’s. His hands travel lower as his eyes do. He can’t stop touching, looking. Luffy’s tan-lines, the small nervous sounds, the hesitant movements, the—
“Hey Shanks,” Luffy asks quiet.
“Hm?”
The older man freezes, worried he’ll be called out.
“Sometimes uh,” Luffy waits a while in between, but he trusts Shanks a lot, “Me and Nika do stuff like this- like, stuff that makes me feel weird.”
Shanks stays completely still. His hands rise resting on Luffy’s waist. His pausing silence makes Luffy talk more.
“And you’re making me feel weird like that,” He blurts, “And we usually kiss when that happens.”
Shanks takes his hands away fast, he feels an instant crushing guilt that could kill him, have him throw himself off a bridge.
He doesn’t know why he’s gotten this far, when did he start looking at Luffy like that? Why the fuck is he doing this? He feels sick. Nika’s always hated him, did it take him this long to realize why?
He covers his face with his elbow.
“Oh… you guys uh. Probably shouldn’t do that ki-, Luffy.”
“Why? Ace and Sabo say it too, that it’s not for brothers. Or that we’re not old enough.”
“Yeah, they’re right.” Shanks agrees, he rinses his soapy hands in the shower raining next to them.
“Go rinse off now, I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Luffy’s frantic, not realizing he’s saved himself by accident.
“Wait but Shanks! We’re not brothers- and you’re an adult, so, doesn’t that mean we can kiss?”
“God-“ Shanks says discouragingly, “No, no we’re not supposed to do that either.”
“Why? You’re the adult can’t you do it if you want to?”
He shouldn’t fucking tease him like that. Stupid kid or not, it didn’t matter how young he is. He should know better.
“Luffy I—,” Shanks swallows, “Just hurry up in here ok?”
He says quick and leaves, shutting the bathroom door behind him.
When he leaves Luffy is confused. He still doesn’t understand it. He stands and for some reason, his legs are shaky.
——
“Ah-“ Sabo moans, “Fuck Luffy, you feel so good.”
It’s sandy, awkward, uncomfortable. But that didn’t matter. This was one of the rare occasions they could fuck and be as loud as they want.
“Mm-,” Ace pants, “Uh Luffy-, fuck please—“
Sabo stops, his hips stopping and Ace doesn’t notice continuing to moan and clutch at the soft beachy sand.
“Ace- no.“ Sabo says loud to get his attention, “It’s my turn to be Nika.”
Ace’s head is back, sand sticking in his hair.
“Huh?” He can barely lift his head to see why Sabo stopped, “Just- keep going dumbass-“
Sabo’s brows furrow at him and it’s annoying. This was a deal. They take turns.
“I did it for you don’t be selfish.”
This was normal for them. Difficult, but normal. They never had agreeing opinions on their little brothers. Who would be on top. So of course it makes sense to take turns.
“Mmh- Sabo,” Ace pants the syllables,“Just fuck me.”
That works too. His halt is interrupted and he continues, fucking his brother on the dark wet sand. Sabo smiles but hides it quickly.
“Oh- oh god Sabo.” Ace sighs deep.
“Keep your knees up whore-“ He hisses back.
It sucked this is where they can get some privacy. Not soft beds or inside. No, just sticks, mud, bugs. It was a pretty secluded creek. Small; but it was just past the woods by their house, too far and tiny for people to care to use often.
“Ow-“ Ace winces, putting his hand on Sabo’s chest, “There’s a rock.”
“You’re ruining this.” Sabo pants.
“Shut up.” Ace snaps back.
Ace shifts and repositions their towel, allowing a better angle and more room to work without touching the sand. His knees over Sabo’s shoulders.
His cock is back in him and his hips roll, leaning over flexing him out. It’s so hot outside that the sex is sluggish, both panting, sweaty, almost annoyed with each other for getting so hot over it.
It’s a nice quick pace again but only for a moment, slowing down and stopping completely with his cock wet and tight up inside him.
“Ugh-“ Ace moans, “More- fuck Sabo don’t do this to me.”
“Wait,” Sabo pants hard in his ear, “I think I hear something.”
“Oh don’t-,” Ace whines, “You keep sayin’ that shit- it’s just a deer or something.”
Sabo puts his hand over his brothers loud mouth, who was desperate for air to begin with.
“I’m serious, shut it.” Sabo says in a harsh whisper.
Ace tilts his head back but he can’t see anyways. There’s a shuffling, dirt leaves and some sort of glide.
“Shit,” Sabo whispers like he’s out of breath. “That’s a bike.”
They both scramble to pull their shorts up, dusting the sand off their knees. After glancing at each other, Sabo yanks Ace into the water with him, wading out till it reaches their stomachs.
“It’s Nika.” Sabo mumbled quietly seeing easily recognizable hair of the boy through the trees. He puts his bike away and hurried down the wood stairs to the sand.
“Shit it’s cold! Why’d you- god my dick hurts.” Ace whispers looking at the dark water beneath them, “Oh.”
Sabo rolls his eyes.
“Hey! Nika!” He calls cupping his hands to yell since he was a bit away, “Come get in!”
When he gets up to the sandy creek edge Nika shakes his head, plopping down on the damn towel they were fucking on and resting his chin in his hands.
“Uh oh.” Ace mumbles seeing he wasn’t happy.
“You okay?” Sabo lets go of Ace to tries to return to the shore.
He sloshes water with his knees, leaving Ace in the middle hurrying to the boys side. He’s dripping wet and breathing as if he’s swam a mile.
“Why aren’t you smiling?” Sabo frowns, putting an arm around him, “What’s wrong? Where’s Luffy? You can’t leave him alone like this.”
Nika has tears in his eyes; wiping them before Sabo can see.
“He’s with Shanks.” He says begrudgingly.
“Oh, really he’s back?” Sabo smiles, “Why did you come find us then? What’s wrong?”
Nika turns his head not wanting to cry.
“He kicked me out.”
Ace overhears and gets upset, desperate for his tent to go away so he can join him.
“What?” Sabo can’t believe it, “Why would he? He knows you two don’t like being separated.”
“Cause uh.” Nika wants to lie, but Luffy will just tell on him anyway, “I broke something of his.”
“Oh Nika,” Sabo sighs.
It must’ve been on purpose then. He’s been around him enough to know Shanks is reasonable to accept an accident, an apology.
“Well you need to apologize.” Sabo starts, “Come on let’s go, I bet Luffy’s upset with you too if you didn’t. You don’t want that right?”
Nika shakes his head, pouting strongly. It was so cute to Sabo seeing both his brothers in either one. They were both crybabies, but him and Ace we’re getting really good at fixing that. He stands and puts his hand out, helping him up and clasping fingers with him.
This is what he wanted somewhat. Comfort from his big brothers.
They were older, he wishes they would understand his grievance for Shanks but they just didn’t see the issue unless it was right in front of them. Eventually he’s positive he can get Ace on his side, even if they fight a lot they can definitely side with each other over Luffy.
“Ace let’s go, we we’re done anyway.” Sabo says behind him.
Nika squeezes Sabo’s hand he held, wiping his eyes again.
Ace’s face is red. He’s not done, and he’s really not okay to leave the water. But that sad puffy lip on his little brother is enough to make him move. They hurried to ride their bikes back home, Ace was severely lagging behind, not sitting in his seat or able to.
——
When Luffy gets out of the shower he sees the clothes Shanks left. It was only a shirt, one of his. Luffy picks it up quickly, holding it up and it was massive on him.
It reached right above his knees. He grabbed his dirty shorts and tank and left the bathroom. He wore just what he was given.
“Hey!” He sparks, seeing Shanks drinking at his counter, “Can we try pool again?”
Shanks sets a bottle down, staring at Luffy holding his old clothes. It’s clear there’s nothing under that shirt he lended. He gulps and shoots his eyes to the side.
“No… maybe tomorrow kid. It’s getting dark out why don’t you go home. I bet Nika’s worried, I know you two get lonely.”
He needed him gone, he needed to drink himself to death.
Luffy’s expression is warm but sad.
“Oh. I guess you’re right. I’ll come back tomorrow!”
Shanks smiles, genuine. He’s thankful he didn’t have to excuse or fight the boy over it.
He walks with Luffy to the back door, opening the locks and latch for him.
“Go on now, go get some damn clothes on.”
Luffy blinks, then laughs wholeheartedly.
It was dark out, not night, the hazy blue that makes you regret wasting time.
Luffy walks alone, down the walkway and grass yard to the fence gate, leaving Shanks’ yard to hurry back inside. He notices though all their bikes are gone, Ace, Sabo, Nika, they were each missing next to his. He glances up at their house and it doesn’t seem any different than when he left.
When Shanks sees the boy stop, turn and head back, his innards twist. He sighs loud and rests his head on the door frame.
‘Gosh just go home please.’ He prays to himself, knowing there’s something wrong with him to go as far as he did.
It’s hard to even realize he’s doing it. He doesn’t want to make that mistake again.
“Shanks!” Luffy says when he’s close enough to the door. “They’re not back I think Nika left too.”
He looks sad and as if he’s begging to come inside the screen again.
“Oh. Well.” Shanks ticks with his tongue, staring down to him at the bottom step, “You’re a big kid go on now inside, you’ll be okay alone, I’m right here.”
“But..” Luffy squeezes his fist closed, “I havent seen you in a while anyways, we can uh, just wait outside! We’ll see them when they’re back and then I’ll go.”
Shanks makes a sound, glancing around their backyards. He holds the door open wide.
“Ok, just the porch.”
Luffy grins huge and jumps past him, he sets his clothes down on a chair and goes back to the game of pool they left in time.
“We should play again!” Luffy insists, grabbing the surviving cue, “We only really need one right?”
Shanks rubs his chin, too awkward to really even look at him after what he did in the bath.
“I uh, yeah. We can share it.” He mumbles, combing his hair back, “Look Luffy, I wanna say,”
The boy looks over his shoulder at him, leaning over the table again like Shanks had shown. He’s damn cute. Messy soft hair dried and poofy now, big excited eyes.
He’s not fucking wearing anything underneath that lent shirt, his ass a little exposed where it rises.
Shanks slaps a hand over his eyes, turning away and grabbing Luffy’s dirty clothes.
“Put these on, now.” Shanks shoves his previous shorts at him.
“Wh- huh? But I showered these got dirt all over them!”
“I don’t care just put it on.” Shanks insists, taking the stick away from Luffy in trade.
“What? I care, you’re gonna make me shower again!”
“Luffy- no.” Shanks was nearing anger over frantic frustration, “Just put it on, look your- you shouldn’t be exposed like that.”
“But we get naked at the creek all the time?”
‘Alone.’ Shanks screams in his head, him and his brothers do that shit alone, he’s never there for that.
“This isn’t your house Luffy, put them on or go.”
Luffy stares a little timid from Shanks being so serious. The threat is taken. He quickly steps into them and pulls them up over himself, his shirt getting stuck in the side.
“Whatever,” Luffy grumbles angrily, “I am not showering again just so you know.”
A wave of relief washes Shanks out, he feels less guilty already.
“We’re gonna play right?” Luffy asks, rounding the table to stand next to him.
“Sure, just keep a look out for your brothers.”
Luffy nods, giggling and taking the cue stick from Shanks again. He leans over positioning the stick with the ball he planned on.
He jabs it just like he did the first time, knocking the side and getting nowhere.
“Shanks—“ Luffy whines, “This is really hard.”
“No you’re just doing it wrong. Focus on it and do what I showed you. It’s not a sword.”
Luffy looks to him and back to the ball.
“Can you show me again? Nika kinda interrupted you last time.”
Shanks gulps. It feels like Luffy wasn’t innocent here.
Something of it all had to be on purpose. He’s old enough to know being naked around him or touching so much couldn’t just be something normal, right?
“Okay, but this is the last time, then you’ll have to figure it out yourself.”
“Got it! I’ll get it this time, really.” Luffy’s cheeks are warm.
Shanks hesitantly steps over him again, grabbing Luffy’s hand, and the other to line the stick up.
“Alright,” Shanks says low, “When you strike it, keep in mind how much power you put behind it.”
Ah hell. Luffy stopped listening again. It just drowns out without his control. His mind floods with Shanks touch, his voice, his smell, his heat. His back was flushed on him again.
Luffy backs up just a tad so his ass is pressed on Shanks like before. He shudders.
“So just don’t try to—“ Shanks abruptly stops his teaching ramble when Luffy’s purposefully putting his butt against his crotch.
He can see his back is fucking arched. Where the hell could he learn that from; he shouldn’t be doing this. Shanks was trying to be good.
“What are you doing?” Shanks blatantly hissed, “You’re not listening.”
“I, I am! I just like the- it’s more fun. If we’re close like this.”
‘Fun?’
Shanks takes a long deep breath, waiting for Luffy to elaborate. When it’s too long, too quiet in between their breathing he shoots.
“Luffy,” Shanks murmurs, pressing Luffy’s fingers down so the stick drops on the table, “You said.. you and Nika do some stuff yeah?”
Luffy tenses up and he feels every bit of it.
“Yea..” Luffy says chirpy, he pretends he hasn’t already told Shanks he’s been scolded for it, “Sometimes we do.”
“Well what do you do? Twin stuff?”
Luffy shakes his head tilting to look at Shanks.
“No it’s like uh.. movie stuff- like kissing and touching.”
“Mm.” Shanks hums, expecting more.
“And… yeah, you know?”
“You guys are having sex?” Shanks asks, still keeping Luffy in the same position since Luffy hasn’t tried to fight it.
Luffy’s head drops to the table and looks away, blush on his cheeks.
The sky was dark enough the street lights were on now. In the silence the air felt cooler. There’s the sound of the night bugs, the porch fan above them.
“I said that right?” He mutters, “Yeah.”
“That’s…” Shanks mumbles not sure how he could top whatever Ace has preached over it, “You two know bett—“
“Shanks was touching me like he really wanted to. That’s what me and Nika do too.”
Luffy says loud, cutting him off since he didn’t need to hear it from this person either.
That must’ve been what Shanks was secretly pushing for because his gut falls.
“Fuck.” He whispers quiet enough he’s unheard.
“Earlier- it felt the same. I didn’t say anything. Did you want to? It really felt like you did.”
“Luffy,” Shanks replies shaky and low, “That’s not something you can do with me. And you definitely shouldn’t be doing it with your brothers either.”
Luffy’s brows lower.
“Yeah I keep hearing that. You’re not saying no Shanks.”
Shanks presses his forehead between Luffy’s shoulder blades.
“Don’t you realize how young you are?”
He says it so low, his voice deep enough it makes Luffy shiver.
“I’m not that young, I’ll be eighteen in a couple years.”
So much could change even in those few years. Three? Fuck he’s evil.
“When you’re eighteen,” Shanks lets out a breath, biting his inner cheek, “Then you can ask me this stuff.”
“You asked…” Luffy mutters.
“I mean, you can ask me what I want to do with you.”
’To you.’
Luffy’s eyes widen. Oh, he thinks. He wasn’t being teased or told no, Shanks was making a promise with him.
“Okay, deal.” He smiles, flexing a little to get Shanks’ huge weight off him but no budge, “Does that mean we can’t even kiss?”
“No. So don’t tempt me with this shit.” Shanks notions to being pressed on him.
“Or what?” Luffy asks genuinely in his stupidity, not realizing that was exact tempting intention.
“Luffy.” Shanks strains, he turns him over flipping him by his held hand so he’s on his back against the red billiard table.
“What did I just say?”
Luffy’s got the hugest smile and he’s not even sure why he’s getting this reaction.
“Not to tease you, or something, but why don’t you want me to?” He presses his chin to his chest looking at Shanks.
He’s got his wrists held, restrained. Shanks is leaned over this beautiful dark haired boy, young, unguarded, stupid, and he’s asking him this.
Fuck this view. His completely carefree demeanor even after what he’s said to him.
His hair and clothes contrasting against the red. This was too inviting. It’s unfair to see how much Luffy doesn’t give a fuck in his eyes. He’s just staring up at him with a slight smile, as if it’s some game or joke and not something that can ruin his life.
“Why do you think?” Shanks mutters, his eyes flicking all over him.
He puts his other hand on Luffy’s stomach, tugging his risen shirt so it covers his midriff up. Better to not give himself more to look at.
“Cause you want to, and you will if I try.” Luffy answers honestly.
Maybe he’s not stupid, but he does stupid things.
“You know what- yeah. You’re right, and I’m telling you to wait. I can’t be around you, I can’t even see you if you do that to me.”
It seems to make Luffy understand because he nods slowly, glancing around Shanks handsome face, grinning now.
“I’ll wait,” He says, “I don’t really see why we have to, but if you are too then yeah, I’ll wait.”
Shanks feels another relieving sigh expel from him. This boy is going to get him killed.
They stare at each other for a moment. Their lips are really close despite what Shanks says, their body’s still flush where they shouldn’t be.
“Don’t tell anyone about this, not even Nika.”
Luffy acknowledged it in a way that was obvious he planned to.
“So, this means Shanks likes me right?” Luffy tilts his head real cute.
“What the fuck are you doing?” They hear behind them, Nika, stomping quickly up the stairs and yanking the screen door open.
They both spike with needles and Shanks reacts like a mouse trap, freeing Luffy’s hands. Luffy shoots up and nearly knocks heads with Shanks, whose heart is dead to hell.
He nonchalantly backs away and grabs the cue stick again.
“Nika, I told you you’re not allowed over here for the rest of the day.”
Luffy can see how mad that makes his twin, hopping off the table to go grab his arm.
“Nika! Where were, you?” Luffy says awkwardly, he tries to hug him and is ignored.
“What the hell were you just doing to him?” Nika’s hot, eyes burning into Shanks.
“Playing pool.” Shanks smiles.
Nika looks at the table and not a single ball has moved from the break. His stomach hurts.
“Is everything okay?” Sabo didn’t plan to join him to the door but he heard shouting instead of apologies, quickly hopping the fence to see the issue.
“Sabo!” Nika swished around, and points at Shanks, “This- this fucking, he was-“
“Nika—“ Luffy strains trying to pull him as if that will stop his mouth from running.
“He’s been touching Luffy all day! Just now, he was I swear didn’t you see?”
Sabo stares with such a confused face and brows, between the three of them. Calm Luffy, calm Shanks, frantic Nika.
“Nika.. say you’re sorry for the stick and go to your room.”
Nika blows up, making the most aggravated charged ‘huh!?’ in rebuttal.
“But Sabo! Didn’t you just see— he’s a fucking pervert!“
“Nika!” Sabo shouts, he steps firmly up to the porch to shove his head down.
“Just say it and go.”
Nika’s on tears. He knows what he’s seen, paid attention to. His innocent twin brother is such a damn trusting idiot. It didn’t matter if he had a crush this was abuse.
“Say it, Nika.” Sabo repeats himself, not a hint of tenderness to his tone.
“I’m sorry, Shanks.” Nika spits, keeping his head down.
“For what?” His head is shoved.
“For breaking the stick.”
“And what you said,” Sabo adds, almost disgust in his voice.
Nika shakes his head.
“And, what you said.” His older brother repeats with more infliction.
“And what I said.” Nika jerks, he frees himself from Sabo’s hands and dashes, down the stairs and onto his bike.
He quickly climbs on and stomped the pedals, biking out of his yard, past their house, gone.
“Shit.” Sabo huffs, it’s too dark out for him to not go home.
He whips around to look at Shanks’ who hasn’t moved much.
Luffy was quietly sobbing next to them, tugging on the bottom of his shirt.
“I’m really sorry, seriously I don’t know what’s up with him right now. I can’t believe he’d say that.” Sabo almost bows.
“No no, it’s okay. I’m sorry I did anything that made him think that.”
Sabo rolls his eyes.
“No, he’s on something today. It’s not you.”
Seeing his little brother cry makes Sabo ache, he takes Luffy’s hand and pulls him close, putting an arm around him while Luffy cries into his knuckles.
“I’ll talk to him. Just maybe Luffy should stay home for a bit.” Sabo says, backtracking quickly, “Not because of- just since Nika gets like this when he’s with someone else. I just don’t want him to cause any more issues for you.”
Shanks puts a hand behind his head.
“It’s not a problem. I understand.. I know it’s a lot of stress on you boys running a home. I’m always here to help.”
His charming smile and squint makes Sabo warm inside. Almost speechless with how good Shanks was to them. He owes him his life for saving his little brother on his own watch.
Sabo glances away, keeping his eyes down and not on the clear chisel beneath his shirt.
“Right. I appreciate it, goodnight Shanks.”
He directs Luffy out by his shoulders, the door shutting behind them.
“Are you okay?” Sabo asks as they walk.
Luffy nods sniffling hard, he can’t stop rubbing his eyes.
They leave the fence and return to their own yard where Ace was fixing a chain on his bike.
Sabo kicks him in the ass where he crouched.
“Ow? What the hell?”
“What are you doing? Go find Nika!” Sabo argues with him, annoyed he hadn’t noticed.
“Huh? He’s not inside already?”
“No? Hurry up it’s too dark for this.”
Ace sees Luffy’s crying, but assumes it’s cause Nika’s gone as always. So he’s quick. Ace flips the bike, rolling it to the road to go find the other twin.
Sabo holds Luffy’s hand taking him inside. They plop down in the messy living room just so he can sit and talk with him.
“Luffy, why did Nika say that? Why are you crying?”
“Cause- everyone’s always yelling at him.”
Sabo inhales, thinking what to say.
“Don’t cry though bud, he’s just needs more attention than you sometimes. I think.. he might be jealous of you and Shanks. So just be mindful okay? You know how much he loves you.”
Luffy nods in agreement. He doesn’t even seem to think Nika is right. It doesn’t cross his mind. He jealous, of course. Shanks is a nice guy.
“I- I really like Shanks,” Luffy hiccups, “Like I love him like I do you guys.”
Sabo squeezes him close. In his brain Shanks is the closest thing Luffy will ever get to a father. He can’t have that taken from him because his twin doesn’t approve.
“I know, I’m sorry.” Sabo kisses his forehead, “Shanks-… he didn’t do anything to you right?”
Luffy puts his fingers over his eyes and shakes his head frantically.
“If something like that happens you come tell me- or Ace. I know you and Nika know about that stuff, you need to tell me if you’re doing that still. It’s…” Sabo looks for the right wording, as if he had any place to say, “You know better now, wait till you’re older. And if someone ever puts their hands on you tell us immediately. Okay?”
Luffy just nods again, not wanting to think about it anymore so he can’t be convinced. He likes Shanks, and this is something he shouldn’t be scolded for, with someone he likes- his crush, not his brothers.
“Maybe Nika should spend sometime with him to get over this- he needs to see how important he is to you.”
Luffy nods, thinking it sounds like a good idea. He’d be the happiest in the house if he could just get Shanks and Nika to get along.
“Yeah?” Sabo smiles, “Well I’ll talk to him. Why don’t you go lay down okay?”
“Okay.” Luffy rubs his eyes a final time, “Goodnight.”
Sabo smiles and helps him up, leaving him to go to his room.
——
“Nika!” Ace yells into the woods, “Nika?”
It’d be too pitch black for him to get down to the creek, he hopes.
There’s a tiny broken paved space to park beside the steps down, but with only one small street lamp it was too hard to see near the water.
“Nika please come up if you’re down there it’s too dark for this.”
He hears some rustling and then reflecting bright hair pops up from the steps. Glowing from moonlight.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Don’t run off like this Sabo will have a heart attack.”
“Good.” He mutters.
Ace isn’t deaf, his shoes slap the pavement, snatching the younger up by his shirt to drag him off the steps. He smacks him in the mouth for it.
“Don’t you ever say that shit, he’s your brother.”
Nika glares, eyeing off to the side and he sees his eyes are puffy from crying.
“Oh god. I’m sorry.” Ace immediately regrets it, hugging him so hard he might cry too. “I’m so sorry Nika, please forgive me but you shouldn’t say stuff like that.”
Ace backs up taking his hands to follow him to the spot under the light, a log in place of curb. They sit with no issue and Nika sighs.
“No one listens,” he says. “Sabo didn’t believe me, and Luffy he-“
He sounds chalked up like he’ll cry. Ace puts a hand on his back.
“What? What’s going on?”
“Shanks is- he’s being weird, I swear to you he’s doing it on purpose.”
Ah. Ace sighs. They’ve heard this before. After that time at the creek, of course he had to put his hands on him, he was saving his life.
He’s always crying when it comes to Luffy. It’s the weird obsession they can’t figure out how to deal with. But he can’t say no now, the boys ran off and cried over it.
“Like.. like what? You have to be specific, that’s a really big thing to say about someone.”
“He… twice today I saw him trying to touch Luffy’s ass- and even when we got back, he was basically on top of Luffy, they weren’t playing that damn game at all.”
Ace nods, trying to listen and believe it.
“Nika, look. I think you might be seeing what you want. It’s probably innocent things man.. you know you’ve done way worse to Luffy right? You touch him all the time.”
Nika turns his head away.
Now that was just different. He’s wrong. Luffy loves him, they love each other and no one can understand the bond they have. They’re identical twins besides colors. He’s not forcing Luffy to do anything, not taking advantage.
Even Luffy asks for it sometimes. He knows he’s pushy but he’d never do anything to hurt him. He’ll believe that.
“Don’t compare me-,” Nika spits, “He’s thirty-five, don’t give me that shit.”
“Yeah and he’s also like a dad to him. That’s dad age. Luffy wouldn’t even- how can you say this stuff? He saved his life.. you wouldn’t have Luffy without him.”
Nika freezes.
He knows Ace is right. But he just can’t get the images out of his head. He’s not crazy. There’s no way he’s seeing what he wants to blame him. He is thankful to Shanks for what he did, but he’s not standing down.
“Listen, if Luffy came to me with this, or started acting different.. I don’t know. But if there were signs, I promise you Nika, I would be the first to kill him. I don’t care what happens to me.”
Nika looks at him respectfully almost.
“I’m crazy about you two. I care about your lives more than my own. So trust me and stop worrying about this, I’ll keep watch for this stuff but really, let me handle it okay?”
Nika hesitates but nods, even if he wasn’t ready to let it go Ace was convincing.
“I know Luffy can be naive but he’s not one to keep his mouth shut.”
“But Luffy-“ Nika starts, guessing he doesn’t care anymore to keep secrets over it, “Luffy has a whole entire crush on him- this isn’t an idol or dad thing Ace. He wouldn’t tell us if this was happening-”
Ace thinks about it, staring down at his feet. As if it was impossible to believe Luffy could crush on someone. No, he doesn’t believe it. Doesn’t want to.
“Hm.. I’m sorry Nika. If it was anyone else- I’d ask questions later. But I just don’t think Shanks is what you say he is. But I promise,” Ace hugs his shoulders, “I’ll pay close attention to it. I know you’re just looking out for him, but you have issues you need to work on, okay?”
Nika nods reluctantly. He refuses to see himself wrong.
“Seriously keep your hands off each other. I’m tired of beating your ass over it.”
Even if he’s serious it’s enough of a joke he finally sees him laugh, a smile. His big brother leans over, kissing his cheek and rustling his hair. If it wasn’t for his own actions, maybe they’d believe him first.
Luffy’s not gonna say anything about it, so he’s stuck crying wolf.
——
“Luffy?” Nika says into their dark room, shutting the door after entering.
After Ace rode home with him, it was pretty late and he was sent to bed. His older brothers aware the two desperately needed each other right now.
He hears a quick scuffle of blankets and their bedside lamp flicks on.
“Nika.” Luffy pouts, big globby tears already forming and streaming down his face.
Nika hurries and dives into the bed, snuggling up next to him and kissing his tears away.
“Don’t cry!” He pleas.
“I’m sorry- I’m sorry this is my fault!”
Nika’s heart hurts, deflating with own self sorrow.
“No, no Luffy it’s on me. I’m sorry for what I said. I just want you to be safe.”
“He is safe. You shouldn’t hate him so much when I really like him. Please?”
Nika stares into his brothers dark eyes, more puppy dog highlights from the tears. His stomach flips like a pancake.
He squeezes him in a hug, tight and unrelenting.
“Okay.” He lies, he can lie for him at the least. “I’ll be nicer. So stop crying.”
Luffy wipes his face.
“You promise?”
Nika nods.
They hug for an extended time, until Luffy stops sniffling and just breathes, chest rising and falling against each others.
“Nika you’ve barely smiled all day, I’m so mad at myself-“
Nika lifts his face, just so he can see he really is genuinely smiling.
“That’s not your fault it’s mine.” He keeps his grin, “See? Just being alone with you makes me smile.”
Luffy smiles too, both giggling and touchy. Their hands travel around each others backs and waist, holding close and tight like the usually do.
“Mmm-“ Luffy hums in comfort, “I don’t wanna sleep yet.”
“No?” Nika looks at him with squinted eyes, still the soft smile, “Well you know what I wanna do.”
Luffy is definitely aware. It’s hard to sleep next to him some nights without being begged. Since he’s the reason for his lack of laughter today, he’s not opposed to it. He at least deserves it. And, no, he kinda really wants to too.
“Yeah..” Luffy looks at him, pressing their chests together and putting his top lip against his chin, “We should- I was thinking about it.”
“Really?” Nika whispers surprised, his hands immediately sliding up Luffy’s shirt, “You really wanna?”
“They’ll get super mad though Nika.. especially after today I don’t think we’ll be allowed to share a room if they find out.”
Nika agrees. He’s caused too much shit around this kind of touch with Luffy to be the one who gets the most.
“Yeah, then, you’ll just need to be real quiet right?”
Luffy was terrible at that. Half the time they’re caught is cause how stupidly loud his moans are.
“I’ll try but it’s really hard.” Luffy whispers already.
Nika leans in close and takes his lips, kissing him soft but instantly turning hungry.
“Mmnh—“ Luffy moans-, gasping between their lips at the suddenness, “N-Nika-,”
“Yeah?” His twin asks between kisses, panting once they get enough of a rhythm that Luffy’s lips are moving with his.
“Love you-“ Luffy murmurs on him.
Nika just giggles, muttering the same three times over.
His brother is a terrible sloppy kisser, always drooly and loud.
It makes Nika throb more than it should. They break with those gooey lines, Luffy’s big adorable eyes locked on his.
Nika kisses his panting mouth, burying his face on his neck.
“You smell good,” He mumbles, “You shower?”
“Mhm.” Luffy swallows, “When- when we shower together next, I wanna, have sex, like in the water.”
Nika’s crotch aches. He almost moans on him. That gives him an entire wave of pleasure up his spine. What? Luffy was never so, dirty. He never asked for such specification. Is this his fault?
“Okay!” Nika excitedly accepts, kissing his face all over and back to his hot mouth, “Why?”
“I don’t know- it.. I want to.”
“What about the creek?” Nika asks against his lips.
“No- no that’s not what I mean.”
“Okay- shower. We’ll do it.”
Nika presses his tongue into his mouth, making Luffy’s moans more consistent. They hold each others face, getting their legs more tangled up.
“Ah-“ Luffy pants when his tongue flops out and the strings of spit make his legs tingle.
“You wet?” Nika asks him with a giggle.
Luffy nods, pushing his pajamas down to show his hard dick.
“Oh- damn.” Nika sighs. “I couldn’t stop thinking about this when he kicked me out.”
“That’s weird.” Luffy pants.
“No it’s not.“
Luffy makes a sound that he doesn’t agree, his knee sliding up between Nika’s, pressing on his lower half, rubbing against his hard on.
“Ah-“ Nika sighs sharply, “You’re kinda horny today Luffy.” He laughs.
“No?” Luffy says accused, mumbles on his lips, “You’re the one begging me to kiss.”
“Yeah that’s a kiss.” Nika chuckles, pressing his lips against his jaw, “This is sex- I didn’t say anything about that.”
“Oh shut up-“ Luffy pants, he shoves his hand down into Nika’s shorts, yanking at his cock.
“Hey!” Nika hissed, he licks over Luffy’s chin to his mouth, locking their lips together and grabbing his face.
Luffy jerks him off, how they always do. Fast, messy, clunky movements and they never think too far ahead.
“Feels good?” Luffy whispers shaky.
Nika moans into him, kissing his identical twin with the same effort Luffy’s hand was giving.
They’re whining into each other’s mouths equally, filled up in the heart and head with each others love and heat.
In that wet second they break for air their door is clicked, the handle turned and pushed.
Nika gasps and yanks the blankets up to their shoulders, shoving Luffy’s hand out off himself.
They can both feel how insane each others heart beats were going, hugging so close.
“Boys? You asleep?” Sabo asks quietly, he looks over them since the lamp was left on.
It’s obvious Luffy’s awake, but Nika could almost feign it. They’re conjoined, their cheeks basically against each others and the blanket covers the rest.
“Luffy.” Sabo says in a normal tone, he sees both their cheeks are bright red, “Nika.”
They both glance up at the same time, sleepy eyes at Sabo in the doorway.
“I just spoke to Shanks on the phone- tomorrow, Nika, you and Ace are gonna spend the day with him okay? Me and Luffy will go somewhere else.”
Nika flies upright, causing Luffy to scramble to keep the blankets up.
“What?” He says, with as much as negative infliction he can.
“What!? I wanna go too!” Luffy whines.
“No, those two need to get along.” Sabo comes over to their night stand to turn the lamp off, “At your age you can’t be going around saying stuff like that okay Nika? We’ll talk more tomorrow so go to bed please, goodnight.”
“Goodnight!” Luffy squeaks.
Nika can’t even speak. His gut hot. Their blonde brothers leaves and shuts the door again.
“That’s no fair.” Luffy whispers now.
Nika ignores him, the anger boiling is too much to pretend he’s okay about Shanks to Luffy.
“I wonder wha—“ Luffy starts, but a hand is slapped over his lips.
“Keep going.” Nika says low, he steals his twins hand back to keep tugging on his dick.
Nika attaches to him like an animal, hooked on his shoulders and kissing up his neck. He doesn’t care, whatever. This is all he wants right now.
“Oh..” Luffy mumbles, smiling at him “Okay Nika.” He giggles.