FIRST LOVE

ASL BROTHERS

(Don't play the song yet)

Zoro took a glimpsed of the smaller boy who was quiet and only talked when needed. He eyed the others to get a hint on what happened to Luffy but they all gestured that they didn't know anything

"Luffy" he called his name. The boy beside him didn't respond and only continued gazing at his food

"Luffy" he tried again and this time he snapped his head to him

"What is it, Zoro?"

"What's wrong? You're being so silent and you haven't even touched your food"

He stayed silent for a while and everyone waited patiently until he was ready to speak

"It's nothing serious. It's just that my brothers couldn't get home last night because of heavy traffic" he said

"Well, I'm sure they'll get home tonight" he reassured and the other smiled a bit

"Luffy!" A voice startled them all. Luffy looked back to the familiar voice and saw his older brother waving at him enthusiastically. He stood up and smiled from ear to ear

"Sabo!" he ran towards him and squeezed him tightly and he returned the gesture

"You're here!"

"Yeah, I just got here"

"Hello, Sabo" everyone greeted him except for Zoro who was still unfamiliar with him

"Hello, everyone. Oh, you've got a new friend?" He asked

"Hello. I'm Roronoa Zoro. Nice to meet you" he bowed respectfully

"No need to be so formal, Zoro. I'm Sabo, Luffy's older brother. Nice to meet you as well" he smiled gracefully

"Sabo, where's Ace?" His younger brother asked him

Everyone caught sight of the way he froze and the way his eyes instantly filled with panic

"Ace? Uhm... Ace... is here?" He said unsure

"Sabo" he knew his brother was lying

"Ace is in the hospital" he couldn't lie to his precious brother

"What!?"

"He got hit by a car on our way home that's why we couldn't go home last night. Ace told me to lie to you because he knew you'd be worried about him" he sighed deeply when he noticed his brother's pained expression

"He's stable for now and he's already awake. So, no need to worry too much, Luffy" he tried to brighten up the mood but failed

"Luffy, how about we visit him after school? How's that sound?" Zoro wore a gentle smile

"I want to visit Ace" he replied

"Alright, but brighten up a bit, okay?"

"Okay" he ruffled his hair and led him back inside

Sabo mouthed a small 'thank you' and he nodded in return

__________

Luffy and his friends followed Sabo all the way to Ace's hospital room. He opened the door and revealed Ace laying down on the bed with a cast on his left foot.

"Ace" he called his brother's name with a pained voice

Zoro and the others glanced at him worriedly

"Luffy" he reached out his arms and he instantly ran and embraced him. He began sobbing and his two brothers comforted him

Sabo let go of the hug and sat on the chair beside Ace. Everyone sat on the couch and watched the scene unfold before them