Lean

Tumultuous

"Moooooorning Saboooooo!~"

The screeching as Luffy bounded into the kitchen was expected. It was around afternoon, and Sabo was making brunch, arguably Luffy's favorite kind of meal. Turning from the pan of crackling bacon for a moment, Sabo greeted him with a smile and tongs in hand.

"Morning, Lu! How'd you sleep?"

Totally cheery, not even bringing up the fact he had been jerking off right next to his face last night. And, even better, no hint that Luffy knew about his escapades.

"I slept okay. I had some weird dreams...but I slept okay!"

That made Sabo perk up, yet he didn't want Luffy to notice so he turned back to the stove. "What about?" He asked nonchalantly, pushing the strips of meat around with the cutlery. Extra crispy, just like his little brother enjoyed. Turning off the stovetop, he picked up each one and moved it to a sizable plate. Luffy ate for a full party of six sometimes!

Luffy tapped his fingers on the counter as he stood next to Sabo and slipped a piece of bacon from the plate. It was so hard to wait when it smelled this delicious! "Hmm...I dunno...just weird things..." The raven began to elaborate, chewing and swallowing before going to grab another strip. Sabo swatted his hand away, clucking his tongue.

"Wait until all the food's ready, Lu! I've got eggs in the fridge if you want 'em."

"No eggs today, Sabo! Just an all bacon brunch."

This decision made Sabo sigh, but he wasn't going to argue about it. He wanted his younger brother to have the best nutrition possible, sure, but how could he force him to eat things he didn't want to? That would be cruel and unusual punishment for the little garbage disposal.

"Fine. But promise me you'll eat good for dinner, hm?" Sabo gave him a smile, putting the tongs down and leaning in for a hug. Luffy was all willing to hug his brother, and Sabo nearly melted. He was shorter by quite a few inches, and his brown eyes looked up at him as he rested his chin against Sabo's chest. The look made everything in Sabo tumble, and if he wasn't his brother, the things he'd do right now—

"You okay, Sabo?"

Luffy broke him from his thoughts. It turned out he was hugging after Luffy had let go and kind of staring. Oops.

"Just fine. Cmon, sit down. Juice or milk?"

"JUICE!"

The brief moment of embarrassment was forgotten and Luffy seemed to not care about it anymore once the glass of apple juice was slid in front of his place, and the bacon plate ceremonially in the middle of the table. Sabo sat across from him, just having some toast and milk. He wasn't very hungry when he first woke up. Eating before noon made his stomach queasy.

"Were the dreams scary?"

Back onto that topic again, as it had been forgotten over the bacon. Luffy shook his head no. That was fair; had they been scary, he would've come running to Sabo's room. Just like when they were kids. Fuck...why couldn't he have had a bad dream?

"You were in it, though."

That ripped Sabo's attention straight to Luffy. Oh no. Had he actually been partially awake, but in a stupor, when he was touching himself on him?

"What was I doin', Luffy? Making you as much food as you could stomach?"

A nervous chuckle as Luffy shook his head.

"No...but you were holding my hand! Which was really nice! It was like when we were kids and would go to the park, and we didn't want to get separated...."

He kept droning on, but Sabo checked out. Thank whatever higher power there was that it was such an innocuous thing. If it would've been any 'weird' or sexual stuff, he probably would've thrown himself out the window.

"Sabo. Can we go to the park today?"

A knot in his throat that suddenly wasn't there rose, and threatened to choke him out. Sabo blinked a few times, imploring Luffy to ask the question again. "Can we go to the park, Sabo? Walk around like how we did when you, me, and..." A pause; he didn't want to say Ace's name in front of him. He might get mad.

"And Ace?" A weak and trying smile from Sabo.

"Yeah..." Luffy fidgeted.

"It's okay if you don't want to go, big brother. I understand wh—"

"Luffy. We're going. And we'll have so much fun. Just the two of us. Okay?"

Luffy lit up at Sabo's imploring and nodded. Sabo was hoping to use this as a bonding experience, and to...make a newer, better memory for Luffy. For him? He'd think of it as their first date. And, oh no, he had to excuse himself.

"I'll be right back, Lu. Gotta go to the bathroom."

Sabo hurriedly got up, rushed to the bathroom, and locked himself in. A date. It was a date to him. Just him and Luffy. No Ace to take all of his attention. Yes!

A slight gag as he retched into the sink, but composed himself. Splashed water on his face. Perhaps his wishes were finally being granted.

"Sabo, can we get ice cream, too?~"

Sly little Luffy, pulling at his sentimental heart strings. How could he say no? A nod.

"Of course. But we still have a few hours! Relax, finish breakfast. I gotta go run errands."

A pout but he understood. Sabo grabbed his jacket and scarf and wallet and made for the door.

"Love you, Luffy! I'll be back soon!"

"I love you too, Sabo!~"

Sabo shut the door and went to the elevator bearing a huge grin. It was going to finally happen, tonight; it was going to be their special date night and he had to go get something nice. After all, who doesn't get their date a present?