Overlapping Lines - Big Surprise (Part 2)
“Hey, Luffy, snap out of it!” two different voices popped in his mind. He was brought back to reality where he really was, supposedly celebrating his 18th birthday with his friends. Zoro and Sanji had their faces close to his, examining his face. They were sure Luffy was supposed to be happy eating Sanji’s chocolate cake, at the very least. However, it seemed that he was staring at nothing while doing so. Yet, now that Luffy’s soul seemed to have returned to Earth, they both sighed with relief.
Luffy looked at the cake, forgetting to wipe his mouth again. He was glad to be eating cake for his birthday, but something didn’t feel right. Something felt missing - rather, someone wasn’t there.
At present time, far away from his childhood memories, Ace wasn’t celebrating his birthday with him. “Yeah, he’s probably hanging out with Nami again,” Luffy thought. Why Nami? It wasn’t her birthday, too - was it? No, it wasn’t. Did Ace forget his birthday, too? Impossible. Ace remembers the things Luffy would often forget. How could Ace forget his birthday when - when he kept all of these pictures for fourteen years?
Sensing Luffy’s confusion, Sanji and Zoro decided to cheer him up by continuing the small party, if it even did look like one. They brought out their own board games; Sanji brought out a bit more food for some snacks; they watched television together; they even sang. They usually didn’t like singing, especially Zoro. He clearly wasn’t even the type to laugh. Well, they did manage to make Luffy smile and chuckle a few times. The swordsman and the cook did everything they could for him, at least until sunset. This time, they hoped Luffy would sing, even a bit, on the way home.
He brought home the black box and the two presents he received from his friends. As they reached the front door, they opened it for Luffy. He turned to them with a smile, and he felt grateful - yet incomplete. “Would you guys stay again?” was what he asked of them once more. It wasn’t like any of the two could resist that, so they chuckled and entered the door with him.
It was quiet again, although it was rather eerie. It was, perhaps, too quiet. Luffy didn’t seem to notice the difference - nor that there were things of different colors hanging on the walls either. He just felt that he should enter the living room like he had done with his friends the other day, so he did. Today, however, he had more company than he had expected.
“Surprise!” the shout echoed throughout the room, though it went in from one ear and out the other for Luffy, who replied with a boring “What?” He stared blankly, but this slowly turned to a stare of surprise. He didn’t believe it. He hadn’t even noticed the confetti flying and falling on top of him.
Ace, along with Nami and a few other people that were also friends of Luffy, had set up the living room for a party. Decorations hung from the ceiling, party hats stood in multiple places; it had all been done while Luffy was away. It had all been done by Ace and Luffy’s friends. There they were, right in front of him, all in one line, and each of them were either smiling or laughing. The big birthday party surprise was a complete success.
Luffy looked behind him to see that Sanji and Zoro were smiling. They didn’t look surprised. The boy then looked at everyone else, but before he could ask anything, a hand had rested on his shoulder. Someone guided him through the crowd, and it was his brother who did so. Ace smiled at him before bending slightly to his level to point ahead of Luffy who was left speechless. Luffy looked at the direction he was pointing at. In front of him, on a table that wasn’t supposed to be there, stood a large cake in the shape of a pirate ship, having about eighteen candles in a line. Luffy was always fond of pirates, and Ace knew that. In fact, they had shared that interest since they were children.
Gifts surrounded the table, and so did a lot of paper plates, plastic utensils and plastic cups. No one forgot the napkins, either. Everything was really prepared for this day, yet Luffy didn’t know how to react. Then, when everyone waited, his face did it for him. He burst out laughing like he always does and jumped. Everyone couldn’t help but laugh with him, greeting him a happy birthday.
“Wait,” he spoke in between laughs and smiled, “everyone knew?”
“Of course, stupid little bro,” Ace answered with his own chuckle, “Everyone but you. Even Sanji and Zoro were in this one.”
“They were?” Luffy almost yelled.
“Yes, yes.” Sanji grinned and messed his hair. “Ace asked us to keep you busy.”
As he continued to mess Luffy’s hair, Zoro pulled him away and patted Luffy himself. Thus, another argument started, and everyone laughed, most especially Luffy. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He thought that maybe all that worrying paid off. In the end, nothing was wrong. At least, it seemed like it.
There was a lot of food to eat. It was enough for everyone, and Luffy suddenly realized why he had told himself to eat a lot today. It was his birthday; he often ate a lot during his birthday. There were a lot of games to play, jokes and stories to share, drinks to drink; the birthday boy himself sang. Everyone enjoyed and giggled at this. He always had a funny way of singing, just as he had with his laughing.
At the end of everything, Luffy opened his gifts. He received things like clothes that he would most probably like; some food and snacks for storing in case he couldn’t cook anything; even a few soundtracks and CDs to listen to. His favorite gift was a giant ball given to him by his older brother, because it reminded him of his childhood once again. Overall, the whole night was all fun and laughter. There was no need for worrying - supposedly.
The last people who left the house were Luffy’s closest friends (aside from his brother), Zoro and Sanji. Sanji had been quiet for some time. Zoro couldn’t help but notice. Obviously, now wasn’t the time to argue. Even he knew that. It wasn’t always badmouthing the person next to him. He decided that he should either keep quiet or start some sort of conversation. The first option was more preferable, as the latter could lead to an argument (which, again, was the one thing he needed to avoid). Nonetheless, Zoro spoke.
“Are you too exhausted or something, damned cook?”
Sanji slightly glared at him for a while but turned to look away as they walked home together. He was clearly bothered about something, and it was a wonder if he thought he was hiding it or not. Either way, Zoro continued to speak.
“You know,” he muttered, “I was surprised when you came up with the whole ‘Ace likes Nami’ situation. I know Ace told us that if Luffy found out what he was doing for the past few days, we’d have to cover it up with something. He said anything would do, but with what you said-”
“I know what I said,” Sanji retorted, “I just - I wanted to get the feeling off.” Zoro was puzzled, but Sanji carried on, “It’s hard enough to watch the person you like get hurt by someone else, especially when that someone else is the one he or she likes. The thing is - Luffy doesn’t feel the same about us as he does Ace. I wanted to help him but hope that he’d give up on Ace at the same time. It’s ironic, isn’t it?”
Silenced for a while, the swordsman contemplated a bit before reaching to mess Sanji’s hair. The blonde was dumbfounded by the action which was entirely new to him - to the both of them, really.
“Don’t put such a fucked up look on your face.” Zoro pulled away and walked ahead. “You’re not the only one who had to watch over Luffy when you knew he didn’t ‘like’ you like he does Ace.”
Sanji stared, somehow finding this - rather comforting. He didn’t know what to say in return, but he did feel embarrassed that he’d been told something like that, particularly by none other than the person he didn’t want to live with. Or - did he like living with him? It’s been a lot livelier at the house, after all.
Well, he couldn’t think about that. He had to catch up with Zoro. He made a wrong turn and was just going the wrong way home.
Back at the house that was in the possession of two brothers, Luffy - after taking a shower and changing into only a white shirt and boxers - jumped in bed and looked at Ace who was lying on his own, wearing just a pair of shorts. He smiled before asking, “Hey, Ace, what was it you were doing with Nami?”
Ace almost looked surprised. “You saw us?” He paused for a while then chuckled. “I guess I couldn’t hide from you.” He sat up to begin explaining, “I was going to places with her to prepare for your birthday party.”
“For a whole week?”
“For a whole week.” Ace nodded. “I planned most of it. I just needed a little help. Besides, I wanted your eighteenth birthday to be fun. It’s a special age. You’ve just become an adult, you know.”
“Being an adult’s no fun.” Luffy pouted in disgust.
However, his brother grinned at a certain idea that sprung to mind. “It’s not at all bad. In fact, you can start working with me.”
“No way!” Luffy yelled but blinked as he recalled something he wanted to ask, “Oh, about your job, why didn’t you tell me about your promo thing?”
“My promotion?” Ace replied and paused to think but continued soon enough and smiled, “Well, I wanted to worry about you first. Besides, your birthday is a lot more important to me than a promotion. The promotion was nothing.”
“Don’t say that,” Luffy said as he faced him, sitting on his own bed with his legs crossed, “Whatever’s important to you is important to me, too.”
He was surprised, but Ace couldn’t help it. He chuckled, sat up and waved a hand for Luffy to come closer, and so Luffy jumped to his bed and sat beside him. They both leaned against the wall as Ace spoke again, “Luffy, did you know that Edward Newgate, the founder and owner of all the Newgate Supermarkets in the world, is a rich and famous man? In fact, I think he has other kinds of businesses as well. I didn’t tell you about my promotion, because I want to become someone important in Sir Newgate's market business first.”
“Why’s that?” Luffy listened obediently, but he had to ask.
“Well,” Ace thought for a while but went on, “Remember when I kept changing jobs just so that I could get us some money to stay in this house?” Luffy nodded, and Ace went on with a smile, “Sir Newgate is a good man. When I desperately needed a job, he came. He noticed my hard work and offered me a job. At that time, I had a goal. To thank him for his action, I want to become one of his best employees.”
“Why do you have to do that?”
“Luffy,” Ace answered with a soft sigh, yet he kept the smile, “I wanted to work for you; and I’m utterly grateful for the job Sir Edward Newgate has given me, so I’ve worked for him for some time now. You see, when I get an important job, I’m going to buy us a bigger house. We’ll have more furniture. I’ll buy you a lot of food. We can go around and travel like pirates do. We can even have our own ship, maybe!” Ace was happy; he laughed at all the ideas he came up with, all the dreams he wanted to fulfill. They were all for Luffy, for the both of them.
Luffy couldn’t help but smile. He pictured different events that may happen in their future; he imagined all the memories they could be sharing at that. Although, speaking of memories, there was something Luffy forgot. Without much thought, he jumped out of bed and out of the bedroom, leaving Ace surprised, and came back with the black box at hand. He mumbled an apology for taking it without permission and passed it to his brother.
Unexpected to Luffy, Ace smiled at this and brought out the piece of paper that was inside it and gave this to him. The latter didn’t know what it was, so he unfolded it. Written in bad handwriting, yet in different colors, it said, “Happi Berthday Luffy!”
“Ace!” Luffy exclaimed, “You spelt ‘happy’ wrong!” This only made Ace laugh and mention that he wrote that when he was a child, lost it and then found it along with the ball. Luffy smiled at this before he remembered that he was meaning to ask something again, so he did, “Ace? Why were you keeping your plans a secret from me?”
His brother was surprised, but he smiled and beckoned Luffy to sit beside him once more. Ace brushed his hair before looking ahead of him, answering his question, “Look, Luffy. I’ve kept this from you for a while now, but the reason I’ve been going to places without telling you is - well, let’s just say there’s someone that I’ve liked for the while, too.”
“Someone you’d never lie to?”
“Someone I’d never lie to.” Ace nodded and closed his eyes. “This person is funny, and the one I like could be trouble sometimes. Then again, at the same time, this person is really nice. I know I’d-”
Before Ace continued, he had felt something soft and warm press against his lips. He opened his eyes to find Luffy, he himself having his own eyes closed, kissing him tenderly. It was a sudden act, so Luffy pulled away shortly, although he looked at Ace with a bit of sadness.
“Ace, e- even if you like someone else, I really like you!” Luffy had said all too fast that Ace couldn’t believe it. Though he’d understood, Ace could only bring his hand to cup Luffy’s cheek slowly. The warm touch caused Luffy to reclose his eyes.
“Luffy,” Ace whispered and kissed his forehead, “If I said you thought wrong, because you are the one I like, what would you say? You really are dumb at times.”
“I’d be happy, but that’s not right,” Luffy answered and looked at him, disappointed, “You said you’d never lie to that person. You lied to me. How do I know you’re not going to lie again?”
They stared at each other deeply for a moment, each of them trying to search for the answer in the other’s black orbs. It stayed like this until Ace smiled, kissing him softly. “Why would you ask that? I told you. I kept secrets from you, because your birthday party was supposed a surprise. It was, wasn’t it?”
“S- So - you won’t lie to me for any bad reason?”
“Of course, I won’t.” Ace smiled sweetly. “I promised.”
Luffy looked into Ace’s eyes. By the looks of it, Ace was serious. Luffy’s logic told him that if someone was serious, they couldn’t be lying - not that anyone was supposed to lie even if they weren’t serious. This put the boy to ease. He sat on his brother’s lap and embraced him around the shoulders.
“Thanks, Ace.”
Ace smiled, brushing his hair. He later on adjusted himself and Luffy, so they could lie down on his bed now. It was late into the night after all. He had to work as the new assistant manager of the Newgate Supermarket that stood in their town tomorrow, so he better get some shut eye; Luffy, too. Tomorrow was the day after his birthday, but he would continue to do some fun (yet bothersome) things with his friends. There was much to do.
As he closed his eyes, Ace yawned. He held his brother close in return, fully relaxed and relieved to know that his brother felt the same. “I like you, I’ve always had,” he had said, in reply to Luffy’s confession. Luffy was the most important person to him. It was a good feeling.
Their thoughts on each other were similar. In fact, it was so similar that they (the both of them) had feared the same thing: the possibility that the other did not feel the same when, in fact, he did. It’s as though their worries, thoughts and feelings were - say, two different lines. They had expected them to be either parallel, never to meet, so to say; or intersecting, where only at point would they agree. However, instead of that, it turned out as they had hoped. Their feelings were overlapping - rather, their feelings were one.
And, that - that wasn’t a lie.
“Hey, Luffy,” Ace mumbled sleepily.
“Yeah?” Luffy replied in the same manner.
“Where did you learn to kiss?” He was just curious. Ace wasn’t caught trying to kiss Luffy before, was he? Perhaps not. Even if he did get caught in the past, Luffy wouldn’t have thought too much of it - maybe.
“Oh,” the younger brother muttered softly, “Sanji taught me.”
“Oh, okay.” Ace moved closer and tried to sleep. “You kissed well. I guess that’s good.”
Was it?
Ace felt something tighten around his throat. What was this eerie feeling? It was strange. He was sleepy, but he couldn’t get any proper sleep. Was it something that Luffy said? What was the last thing he said, again? Oh, right, it was “Sanji taught me.” There. That was it.
Ace cracked his eyes open.
“Wait - What?”