One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ The Heat of Alabasta ❯ Chapter 1

The sands of Alabasta seemed to go on forever. The small group of pirates, which consisted of the Straw-hats, Princess Vivi and “Fire Fist” Ace, had stopped for the night to set up camp and rest. After a filling dinner from Sanji, and a little fight over who got to sleep with Chopper (it was way too cold), the group drifted off to sleep.

 

However, the peace of the night was slightly interrupted by the soft crunching of sand as Ace made his way back from a nightly exercise excursion. He sighed to himself, sitting heavily on the ground. The low temperature of the dark desert didn't bother him; his abilities allowed him to raise his own temperature to a comfortable level. He stole a quick glance around: Usopp had won the fight and was sleeping soundly with the wooly and warm Chopper; Nami and Vivi were sleeping in the same tent; Sanji had shacked up, though unwillingly, with Zoro and the two of them had finally stopped fighting; and Luffy was sleeping near the extinguished fire, not a sleeping bag or tent anywhere near him.

 

“You stupid little…” The kid thought he was invincible. There had been a shortage of tents and bags that night (Zoro had lost his bag, no one knew how) and Ace was beginning to think that Luffy had thrown the fight with Usopp. Walking over to his brother, he began to hear him shivering in his sleep.

 

He was freezing. He had probably been complaining about it before, but when it was revealed that there wouldn't be enough places to sleep for everyone, he probably told them he would be more comfortable by the fire, by himself. He sat next to Luffy and smiled down at him.

 

“This isn't much, is it?” He whispered. He leaned down, the heat from his body radiating a little harder. “You would sacrifice more then just your comfort for your nakama, wouldn't you?” Luffy wiggled slightly, and his shivering stopped. Ace grinned and lay down with Luffy. Chuckling to himself, he softly put a hand on his brother's head and sighed. He acted so tough, so no one would worry about him…

 

But you're still human, Luffy. Ace shook his head and moved closer to him. For once, think of yourself and see what that does, you golden hearted fool. Ace's body heat and presence seemed too much and the younger pirate began to stir.

 

“Mmm…guh-huh?” Came the unintelligible sounds from Luffy, and he turned to find Ace staring at him. “Oh, hey Ace.” A smile ran across his older brother's face again.

 

“Hey yourself. Why aren't you in one of those tents or sleeping bags, stupid?” He asked softly. Luffy shrugged.

 

“Eh, I didn't really want to be. I'd rather sleep out here, under the stars!” He grinned and was suddenly poked by a long finger from his brother.

 

“Liar.” He poked Luffy again, eliciting a soft giggle from him. “You can't lie to me, bro.” He propped himself up on one elbow and looked his brother in the eyes. “But, if you don't want to tell me…fine. I won't bug you about it.” He loved looking into Luffy's eyes. They were filled to the brim with his dreams and emotions. Luffy, on the other hand, had become bored with simply staring at each other and decided on a little payback. He grinned and poked Ace back, jabbing him right in the ribs.

 

“Ah!” Ace gasped. After all these years, he still remembers my ticklish spots?! Ace couldn't believe his brother's impeccable memory for the most inane and silly things. Another jab sent him spinning back to reality, and that gave way to a flurry of jabs to dozens of soft spots on Ace's body.

 

“Ah-ah-hahahaha!” He laughed as quietly as he could. He didn't want his tickle fight with Luffy to wake the others, and then watch as they each pounded Luffy into the sand. He clamped his mouth shut and started to try to wrestle Luffy's hands away from him and at least stop him from tickling Ace any longer. Luffy saw this and turned an innocent tickle fight into a wrestling match and the two of them started to roll across the sandy ground.

 

When the dust had settled, the two of them found themselves quite far from the campsite. Ace pinned the younger D. under him, his legs in a scissor hold on Luffy's bottom half, and he grinned.

 

“I win, again.” He smiled triumphantly and forced Luffy's hands above his head. Luffy grinned and sighed.

 

“Yeah, yeah…I guess I can't beat you yet.” He admitted his loss, albeit squirming slightly. The movement caused Ace to gulp; it was grinding his crotch into Luffy's. Luffy seemed to notice, because he stopped and began to blush. Ace blinked to himself and wondered what caused the blood to rush to his younger brother's face like that and moved forward, slightly.

 

That's when he felt it, a bulge in Luffy's pants. Ace frowned and stood up, confused. Luffy took that as an invitation to sit up, so he did. He smiled ruefully and his face became slightly redder as he motioned for Ace to come closer.

 

“Sorry about that.” He told him when Ace had sat down. “I kinda didn't want that to happen, but I can't really control it.” Ace just shook his head at this. Then he looked up.

 

“What do you mean, `kinda'?” Ace asked him, gulping. Luffy blushed harder and grinned wider.

 

“Well…I've been kinda having these dreams…about me…and you.” He looked away and started playing with the sand. “And we…you know, do stuff…” Ace could feel Luffy's body heat rising and the bulge was getting bigger. Quicker then he could anticipate, Luffy suddenly grabbed Ace's hat and slammed it down on his crotch, as if he were trying to hide something from his older brother. Ace chuckled to himself and put his arm around Luffy's shoulders.

 

“What kinda…`stuff'?” He asked him, smirking. He knew the answer; he just wanted to hear Luffy say it and see just how deep these dreams went. Luffy gulped.

 

“Well…” He shifted uncomfortably, not knowing why this subject was making him uncomfortable. “We…uh, kiss…and stuff…” He said in a small, low voice.

 

“What? What was that, Luffy?” Ace slid closer to him and lowered his ear to Luffy's mouth. “Say it ag-a-ain…” He sing-songed, now simply teasing him.

 

“Uh…we…” Luffy suddenly looked forward and his eyes went wide. “Ace, LOOK!!”

 

To be continued…