Sons of Beasts

New Discoveries!

I'll explain Luffy's anatomy a bit. No horns on him, no spikes except small ones on his tail, which will grow bigger. His wings are too small to fly now, as he is a baby. His arms can work like humans in that fact he can wrap them around Ace in a hug, and can use his fingers and little thumbs, though it's not really needed yet and unnecessary to use most of the time. He has a very long tail. When he grows bigger, he will be around the same size as Toothless from HTTYD. He has big eyes with round pupils, like a human's. 

The moment Ace woke up, he immediately looked around for the egg, forgetting he had hatched in his hazy sleep state. But then he felt the little creature next to him under the blanket, and grinned. That's right, his brother had hatched yesterday. He was so happy.

Ace then noticed Sabo was gone. He sat up slowly, not wanting to disturb Luffy, and looked around. Sabo had folded his blanket and the window was open when it had been closed last night. Where did he go? His pipe was gone, so meaning he went hunting.

How would they hunt with Luffy? He could probably still fit in the backpack if he scrunched up. Ace didn't want him walking around in the forest, even if he was right next to Ace or Sabo. Not yet. They knew nothing about how fast he would grow. Did he count as six years old, or one day old?

At least he didn't need milk or anything hard to get. Ace would just take care of him, and maybe ask Garp about it next time he saw him. Next time he wasn't being beaten up. It had been over a year since he'd visited, and Ace didn't know how to feel about it.

One one hand, at least he hadn't been beaten in awhile. But on the other, Garp was his only family, since he didn't think of the bandits as family. And him not visiting made Ace feel extremely unimportant.

He was lost in his thoughts until the little dragon stood up and put his front feet on Ace's lap.

Sad? He asked in concern. Ace shook his head, not wanting to worry the baby. "I'm fine. Just thinking," he replied. Luffy cocked his head, wanting to know what Ace was thinking about. The boy confessed his thoughts. "Grandpa doesn't visit me much, and sometimes it makes me sad. He's my only family, except you."

The mean one who hit you? Luffy asked, having a visible frown on his face. Ace looked surprised.

"How much do you remember from being in the egg?" Ace wondered, stroking Luffy's smooth skin.

Lots! Ace cry a lot when baby. And eat a lot, too. We go on adventures in the backpack. Ace sleep with me at night, and yell a lot. Ace protect me!

Ace's eyes were wide. Luffy remembered even back to when Ace was a baby? Well, at least he wasn't completely bored in the egg. "What was it like being in the egg?" the boy asked curiously.

Was warm and soft.

"Do you miss it?" Ace asked quietly.

No. I get to meet Ace. Waiting for long time.

Ace swallowed, trying to conceal his tears. "Do you love me?"

Lots!

Ace bit his lip, trying his best not to cry. Luffy loved him, even when he couldn't see or touch him. No one loved Ace. No one ever had, as long as he remembered. Garp had never once said he loved his grandson. "Thank you. I love you, too," Ace said quietly, picking up his brother and hugging him close. "I promise I'll protect you with my life."

Ace didn't know Sabo was waiting outside the window the whole time, though he was only able to hear half of the conversation. He had a sad smile on his face the whole time. Luffy would be good for his friend. Sabo just knew it.