Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It's a completely normal day on the Going Merry. 

Not too long ago, they finally docked on Vivi-san's home island called Alabasta. Then Sanji's shitty captain somehow manages to run into a random marine guy, who seems to not know how to let go. Creating them more trouble when trying to shake the guy off their tail. 

Yep, a totally average day.

Until all of them jump onto the ship, and they begin to move away from the port a little, that's when Luffy starts babbling about another mysterious man, aside from that annoying white-hair marine they found earlier.

"That's my brother!" His captain beams, smiling more brightly than ever. (Sanji doesn't know it's even possible, but here it is) His normally faint scent flares up a little, filled with delight and proud and so, so much joy.

Everyone's surprised faces is enough to tell that none of them know about their captain's family. Even the mosshead, just because he has that stoned-face on doesn't mean his pheromone is as subtile. The guy also has no clue, and to think he is the first mate. 

"Your brother!?" Usopp is the first one to squeak , "You have a brother?"

"Yeah! Ace's super strong! I never won a single match against him back then," and he laughs, acting nothing like someone as strong as him talking about their continuous defeats. 

Their sniper's reaction almost looks funny. If Sanji isn't in such a shock as well, he'd laugh at him like Luffy for sure.

"Someone's stronger than Luffy?!" Usopp pales, his legs visibly shaking. And Sanji very much agrees. To think that there's a person their stubborn captain ever admits was stronger than him, it's kind of alarming, really.

"Yeah! But it was years ago! Bet I can beat him now!" The answer is more like him, and Sanji lets himself relax a little, until—

"Who's beating who now?" 

Not even a second pass after Luffy's claim, there's a man seemingly appearing out of thin air. He squats down on the railing right behind the grinning boy, knocking him down from the barrel he was sitting on.

His sudden appearance alarms everyone on the ship, and Sanji has no idea why they didn't detect him sooner. Every single thing about the guy literally screams for attention and complete dominance . From those ripped muscles on his bare arms and torso (and fuck, even as a pirate, isn't dressing like that a bit too much? The guy sure loves showing off) and those sloppy gray eyes briefly looking past Sanji like he's just some random decoration. Not to mention those unnerving attitudes, looking too confident, too nonchalantly for someone invading a pirate ship. 

And to think that's not even the most terrifying thing about the invading alpha . Those are bad enough, but the real thing is his pheromone . 

The scent isn't like anything Sanji has experienced before— it's strong , intense, spreading over the whole deck, effortlessly so. Almost territorial, but not quite, like doing so is the most natural thing in the world, claiming others as his .

He hears Usopp yelps. In the corner of his eyes, Zoro let out a growl, trying and failing miserably to fight back the scent of another alpha snatching his territory away right in his face. The swordsman already draws out his weapons, getting ready to fight. And the same goes for the rest of the crew.

And really, Sanji should too. But he just can't. And he hates it, hates how his knees are shaking, threatening to give up and just kneel down before the alpha, begging for his mercy. 

'Shut up!' Sanji internally scolds himself as he pushes back the disgusting primal instinct, and just focuses on staying on his feet. Not the first time he wishes he's not born an omega, and certainly won't be the last.

The tense, agonizing silence seems to stretch on forever. But before any of them can move, his captain springs back on his feet, seemingly unaffected at all.

"Ace!" shouted the boy, before he throws himself at the intruder, warping the man in his bone-crushing rubbery hug.

"Luffy!" The alpha returns the gesture, looping his strong arms around their captain. And his scent gets even more powerful, forcing all of them into his territory, like they're his possessions .    

The action seems to startletes the crew at most, everyone seems caught off guard, with the exception of the mosshead and Sanji himself.

"Get your filthy hands off of him, you shithead!" Against his shitty instinct, Sanji shouts at the top of his lungs. But that's the best he can do as his legs are still rooted in place. Behind him, the first mate attacks, slashing through the air with his three-sword style.

Luffy is an omega too, and he's the closest to the man. No doubt he's the first to be targeted. And no one touches their captain, not under their watch.

To his terror, the man's fast. He effortlessly dodges the incoming attack by making a smooth jump down onto the deck, all the while never loosening his arms around Luffy.

"Wait, wait, wait, Zoro! why're you attacking them?! Even Sanji-kun too?!" Nami-san's scream is accompanied by Usopp's shaking voice. Their eyes are on them, full of disbelief and confusion.

Sanji can't answer anymore, he's shaking too much. He's afraid speaking right now will only make him sound more pathetic.

"Shut up, Nami. Can't you see what he's doing?" Luckily, Zoro replies in his stead, pointing one of his swords at the man. (He don't even have enough energy to kick the mosshead for scolding beautiful Nami-san, he'll do it later) 

"Ace's doing what?"

"I do what?"

The two respond almost at the same time, finally letting go of each other.

The navigator gives them a pointed look, telling them to shut up. (Which Sanji finds extremely difficult, even if it's her request) She then bravely steps in front of them and asks the duo, "Do you know each other?"

(Seas, he wishes he could do that instead, a life without concerns about these pheromones must be nice)

Hearing the question, the young omega exclaims happily, pointing at the intruder with his thumb, "Yeah! Everyone, this's Ace! He's my brother!" 

Brother.

The short silence follows his exclamation. No one says anything when the last word rings repeatedly in his head, followed by a whole set of memories he wishes to never see again.

Luckily, Usopp breaks the silence with that shaky voice of his, cutting Sanji's train of thought in the process, "Brother? The one you're telling us about?"

"Yeah! It's Ace!" Their captain then turns towards his supposedly brother , introducing them one by one.

Really, Sanji would be flattered by Luffy's compliments following his name too if not for the man— Ace's scent still weighing heavily over their head.

"If you're really Luffy's brother," just like him, Zoro's still on guard. He says the words through gritted teeth. His scent is still guarded, still has two swords in his hands, "Then shouldn't you stop this already? It's enough of a greeting."

"Stop what?" The alpha looks at him, perplexed. Before he shifts his eyes to meet Sanji's and he suddenly has this understanding look on his face. (And no, Sanji didn't jump the moment their eyes lock)

"Yeah, Zoro. Should Ace stop doing what?"

"Oh shoot, I forgot. Sorry about that," ignoring his brother, Ace scratches the back of his head, looking almost sheepishly. He then adds, "One sec."

"You forgot what?" Their captain demands, shaking Ace's arm as he reaches into the small pocket attaching to his pants, fishing out a black choker and two wristbands.

The alpha puts on the items, and suddenly Sanji can breathe again.

"Is this ok now?" He asks, and the question is directed at Sanji.

He clears his throat, feeling it a little too raw to his liking, "Better."

"That's a relief," to his horrified surprise, the alpha actually bows down, deep until his torso is parallel to the ground. He then says "Then allow me to give you two my sincere apology. I swear it wasn't intentional. I— kinda forgot about it, really." 

"What—?" While Zoro and him are left speechless, the others, namely Usopp and Chopper, start panicking in their stead.

"Wait, wait, wait! What are you apologizing for? Do you also know each other before?"

"Shi shi shi, Ace's acting funny!" The boy then climbs on his brother's back, forcing the older one to straighten back up.

"Well, sorry that I'm the only one between us who have manners ," he sniggers, letting the little monkey hang from his neck.   

"And what're you guys talking about just now? And what's that things? It looks cool! Tell me, tell me!" His captain ignores the accusation, instead he demands answers again, and Sanji can't even fathom how he can possibly act like that in the presence of anyone like this brother of his.

The alpha doesn't seem to mind that though. He explains, answering both Luffy and Usopp's questions, "Well, not everyone's used to my pheromone, you know. And people can take offense there. So I apologize."

"And those things? They can hide your scent?" 

The mention of the pheromone makes him wince. The smell isn't really gone, it's still hanging heavy in the air, just— milder, more tolerable . It's just a little stronger than average alpha now, not overwhelmingly intense anymore. 

"Sort of," he then complains, "But it's kinda stuffy though, and— generally not comfy at all. But it'll do for now."

Turns out his vague explanation is nowhere near enough for their captain. He, plus Chopper, floods the alpha with questions after questions, especially the doctor, who asks him where he even got the thing. 

"Donno, Marco gave me these a while ago. He's our head doctor, just like you, Chopper! And he's so damn smart, always knows what'll happen before it does."

"Wow, really?!"

"Heh, smart? Complementing me like that won't—"

While everyone's distracted, Sanji takes this opportunity to quietly excuse himself towards the back of their group, back into the door towards the kitchen. But not like he's cooking anything, just— he knows it sounds pathetic, but he just wants some space, to breathe , to be alone, or whatever.

The good thing is that he can still hear the conversation from here.

"So it's about those secondary genders stuff," Usopp's voice is muffled by the thin wall of their ship, but still audible. 

"Yup!" The alpha replies, seems like he wanted to say more, but he must be reminded of something else. So, his next words are directed at his brother instead.

"Speaking of, Luffy. Have you met Sabo yet?"

"Yeah! You too?!" Luffy's voice is filled with so much joy Sanji can imagine his smiley face without actually seeing it.

"Wait, wait, who's this Sabo person again?" asked the sniper, the panic in his voice starts to fade away.  

Then the crew talk to Ace like he's always been here forever. The guy sounds easy-going enough, and Sanji may be swayed too, if not for his pheromone still lingering in the air. And not to forget, he's an alpha— and a brother . 

While Sanji knows it's not necessarily a bad thing, those words really aren't the ones he's most fond of.

Then Vivi-san recognizes the man. That he's in one of the Emperor's crew, in a position as high as a commander, with as terrifyingly high bounty. It suits him, really.

And, in Sanji's opinion, it makes him even more frightening. Not only he looks (or smell, whatever) like he can kill and torture and force people to do stuff , he actually can, as easily and effortlessly like—

He's listening to Ace telling his crew a reason why he's away from his own monstrous crew, when the thing happens, catching him out of breath.

"Shit!" He curses, as he senses a sickening hollowing twist traveling down his stomach, and his body's getting hotter out of the blue.

No, no, no. No way.

He shouldn't be having a heat , not now. Not when he just had one not even two weeks ago. 

It's not his usual cycle, so the only reasonable explanation is that it's induced by external factors, namely alphas .

And oh, Sanji hates , hates this. Hates the way his limbs feel so weak, falling uselessly by his sides. And the way he finds it too damn difficult to just breathe, or think straight. And the disgusting sticky slick damping his pants.

Shit, Sanji feels so gross . He refuses to believe it all happens just because of that, a lone alpha can't possibly have this much effect on him.

' Why, why, Sanji. You don't understand? I'll remind you then, it's because you're weak! A defect! A failure ! '

"Shut up!" He curses the all too familiar voice popping up in his head uninvited. Curling up to himself even more, like it can protect him from the damn thing.

' Right! Father said so! You bring shame to us, you're not one of us! '

' Know your place. '

"Shut up," no need to say that, Sanji knows that already. He's aware that he's supposed to be stronger, to be better, not like this .

What will the crew think if they see him like this? Curling up to himself in the corner of the kitchen floor, completely has no control over his own needs, like a pathetic whore he is. Bringing shame to the whole crew. The Straw Hat has no place for weakling like this.

His breathing becomes faster, more shallow, and he hates that, no matter how many times it happens.

Breathe. Just breathe, he should at least do that. 

But it's so hard, almost too difficult. The calming aroma of his own kitchen is almost completely replaced by the thick scent of the alpha. Even though it's relatively faint now, it's still so damn strong, hanging heavy in the air, choking him, pinning him down.

Sanji needs a smoke, preferably a whole pack or two.

But his hands are visibly shaking . He clumsily drops the cigarette at least three times before successfully putting it in between his teeth. And even then he can't even light up the damn thing, his fingers don't even have enough strength to put on a fucking lighter, damn it!

"Shit." Sanji's so focused and frustrated he doesn't even notice someone opening the door from the opposite end of the room, until the person is crouching down right in front of him.

"Here," a single word comes with a small flame, literally emerging from the other's bare finger. Even if he's shocked, Sanji doesn't even have the energy to be startled anymore. And ofcourse, the alpha is a Fruit user, the ones most suitable for tortures, no less.

Even with his cigarette lighted, Sanji can't find it in himself to puff in the smoke and just relax . It's the opposite. Because he's not that naive thinking the other's doing this for free.

"What do you want?" His voice comes out raw and hoarse and so, so weak. And fuck, did he really ask that? Is he stupid? Just— look at the situation, he must look like an easy snack, inviting to be taken.

The alpha smiles at him, and Sanji may believe it's all sincere and innocent if not for the strong dominating pheromone filling up his nose, and just him simply being here. Sanji's sure Ace knows exactly what he's doing, what kind of effect he has on him .

"Nothing special. Just, you look like you're having a hard time," the alpha gets straight to the point. And he's not backing away, still keeps Sanji within arm reach.

He continues, "And looks like it's mainly my fault, right? Sorry I didn't notice earlier." 

Sanji prefers he never does, thank you very much.

"That said, even if you don't seem to like me that much, I'm still at fault here. So, I need to ask you this," the alpha does that again, acting all guilty and modest. Like he's not using his scent to press someone down and asking— demanding whatever he wants.  

"Would you like some help ?"

Fucking shit.

——TBC——

Chapter Text

"Would you like some help ?"

The question hangs heavy in the air between them. And Sanji knows , without even looking at the speaker, what kind of face he's making, what are the things the alpha wants from him. 

And just thinking about it makes him feel sick. It's disgusting , just like—

' Sanji, let us help you! ' 

' Niji, why're you putting that on him? What is that anyway? It looks heavy. '

' Yonji, you stupid. It's a collar! Father said omegas should wear it so they aren't bonded? or something along that line. '

' Hey! I'm not stupid! '

' Whatever. But it suits you, Sanji! Just like a dog! '

' Right! Just like a dog! '

His brothers' voices keep playing in his head, their laughter and punches and kicks and that place . They're fresh like all of that just happened yesterday. If he closes his eyes, he can still see his two brothers beating him up in a random corner of the stone palace, their scents and simply superior physical strength keeping him in place. Occasionally Ichiji or Reiju would also quietly watch somewhere in the back.

But even if his siblings are all alphas, they were just kids. And all that was just a child's play compare to the real thing he faced several years later. 

' Hey, you're having a heat? Let me help then. '

' You—?! Who the fuck you think you are?! You dare to turn down an offer from me?! An alpha is offering to help you lowly omega here, so just take it! '

' Shut up! Just lay still, you disobedient pest! '

' You ask for this. Just say how much you want it, just like a whore you are. '

' What if I bite this pretty neck of yours? '

Sanji tastes bile in his mouth, but his body is too damn weak to swallow it back down or throw it out properly.

He hates it. He hates himself.

"Umm, hey? You still here?"

The man in front of him speaks suddenly, jolting Sanji out of his own head.

And he's so close, too far into his personal space. His controlled scent slowly fills the whole room, clogging at the back of his nose, filling him up, marking Sanji as his . 

It's disturbing, suffocating .

"Yeah," but what can he do? He can't just ignore an alpha demanding answers from him, can he? At least not when he's unable to fight like this.

"Good," the alpha whispers. And fuck, Sanji swears that the deep voice breathes right into his face has absolutely no effect on him, nothing but pure disgust and sense of insecurities.

(It's a lie. And he hates, hates it.)

For the sake of his remaining dignity, Sanji tries his best ignoring the sickening feeling in his lower half, of the weakened limbs and quivering lips. Instead, he bites back, "What's so… good about it, so you can claim me?"

"Huh? You want me to do that?" 

The alpha pulls back just a little. And for a moment, his voice sounds almost like Luffy, all innocent with a hint of pure confusion. Sanji almost falls for it, they're brothers, alright.

He directs his glare somewhere below the other's chin, knowing full well that he can't afford making eye contact right now. 

"You can drop the act," He hisses, "Unlike your lil' bro, I'm not that naive."

"Huh?" a pause, "Uhh, that's good?"

"Yeah," Sanji rests most of his weight onto the wall behind, trying to analyze the opposing man thru the thick fog occupying his mind. (Another annoying thing a heat can cause, fuck it.) He knows most alphas often act carelessly around omegas, especially when they're about to go in heats, creating some opportunity for him to strike back… or escape, whatever.

Sadly, the one in front of him doesn't fit in. Sure, his stance looks all casual and open. But he leaves no weak spot open, not a single one.

He must be trained for this, it looks too intentional, too calculated to just be a coincidence. But, shit, he doesn't even let his guard down when there's clearly only an omega in a weakening state all for him? Weirdo.

"Yeah?" The man repetes, all the while eyeing Sanji up and down, calculated , worried? But seas, why should he? The one who has to worry about his safety is Sanji , not him.

"Uhh, So, what now?" the alpha scratches the back of his head, before mumbles almost intangible words, "My offer still stands, you know?"

Right, offer, the help .

He says like Sanji has options, like he'll accept a no . (Even if he does that, then what? It's obvious Sanji can't beat him in a fight, he isn't even sure he can escape in his best condition, let alone in a heat like this.)

But to follow along nicely? Fuck it all, Sanji isn't that pathetic.

"Fuck you," he grunts. It's not hostile as he wanted it to be, but not like he can do anything else anyway, "Just know that I don't want any of this, and you're nothing but a son of a—"

"Sanji! Food!"

Then the kitchen door bursts open, revealing the captain along with the refreshing air from the outside. It helps clear his mind just a little.

"Eh? Ace's here too?" And shit, Sanji didn't think about that. He shouldn't let Luffy see him like this , alone with his brother, what will his captain think? Will he blame Sanji for seducing the alpha? Or will he finally  realize how incompetent he is? Will he be disappointed?

"Yo, Luffy," the alpha greets his brother casually, like he isn't caught red-handed, alone with an omega about to go in heat.

"What are you guys doing in the corner? Something fun?" And his captain walks into the kitchen, takes a sniff, then pauses .  

Shit. He knows.

But maybe this is better. At Least he won't be forced to do things he doesn't want to. As stu— clueless as he is, Luffy's an omega too. Surely he must understand Sanji's situation now, right?

He can hope for the boy to help him out, can't he? (And oh, Sanji believes, just like the way he reacted when Sanji told him about his dream. He trusts his captain.)

"You're having a heat, Sanji?" The boy asks, tone neutral and calm. Sanji can't quite see his face from here, and his lips are quivering too much to say anything loud enough for Luffy to hear.

"Huh? You notice that faster than I thought." So instead, the alpha replies. He then stands up from the floor.

"Nah, because your scent's super faint here, Ace! I can smell others' now."

"And we're blaming me now?"

"But I didn't?" The omega titles his head to the side, looking clueless as ever, "Yours and Sabo's scent are way too strong. I'm just stating the fact?"

"Fair enough," the man lets out a chuckle, before directing his attention back to Sanji again, "By the way, shouldn't we take care of him first?"

"Oh, right!" Luffy beams, turning to face him fully, "Ace, you'll help him, right? You guys can use that room then, it's a that-time-of-month room!"

Wait, what??

"You have that too? Cool."

"Yeah! Because Zoro can't stay in the same room when Sanji has his heats, and Sanji can't when Zoro has his ruts. So Chopper said we should!"

"It's a good decision."

"I know, right?"

Wait, wait, wait!

Them talking like Sanjj isn't literally sitting right here is one problem, but why do they say it like he agrees to this already?

"Wait…" he mutters, but shit, why's speaking so hard?

"What, Sanji? You need something?" And his captain rushes towards him, before kneeling down to his level.

"You can't be…fucking serious," he hisses, and he'd snatches the boy's collar too if he physically could.

"Why not?" is the boy's response. And, seas, Sanji really wants to kick his stupid captain right now. What on earth does he think handing an omega in heat to an alpha is a good idea? He can't be that stupid!

…Or he's not. 

Yeah, he isn't. He just chose his brother over him. Because Ace's an alpha and Sanji's an omega, and the other's his brother. His action is more than enough to tell where his priorities lie.

"I'm…" 

Seas, he never thought he'll feel this way towards his own captain, someone he trusts whole-heartedly. 

He feels betrayed . 

He thought they're the same, that within this crew, Luffy was the one who understood him the most. But it seems like he's wrong, he's not different from the others, from those brothers after all.

And now the price he must pay for trusting him is what? This ?

"Umm, Sanji? You still here?" The younger omega waves a hand in front of his face. Shit, he spaces out again, that's bad.

"This's bad," the boy agrees before he turns his head around way too many times, saying something to his brother. Sanji didn't catch that. He knows he actually hears the sounds but can't really make out words from it. Only things occupying his mind are the scent packing in the air, those annoying feelings down there, and a sense of betrayal. Yeah, that one is the worst.

And this is a bad sign, a really, really bad one.

"Anyway," snapping his head back in place, Luffy springs up way too happily, preparing to sprint out of the room, "I'm leaving you two alone then, have fun!"

No, shit. 

"Wait, Luffy," before the boy can run off, the alpha grabs one of his wrists, stretching that arm in the process, "I think you should be with him."

Yeah, don't he dare leave Sanji alone with a shitty alpha, stupid captain.

Luffy, with his other hand on the door knob, spins his head back, looking genuinely confused, "Eh, why?"

"Because," the alpha takes a glance at him, what does that mean anyway? Is he implying that Sanji's so terrible he doesn't even want to use him? That's— actually good for him.

Whatever he's thinking, the alpha doesn't say it aloud. Instead, he tells his brother, "Because I assume he prefers you accompanying him, Luff. Sounds better than spending alone time with a complete stranger, don't you think?"

His captain pouts, "Ace's not a stranger!" 

"To you, yes." Ace answers, "But that can't apply to him. We just met for, like, half an hour?"

"But…" 

"Why don't we ask him, then? It's him we're trying to look after anyway," the man cuts his brother's mid-sentence, and both brothers turn towards Sanji, actually waiting and listening to his opinion.

"What do you think, Sanji? If you don't want Ace's help, that's fine too! We can cuddle and Usopp can bring us lots of snacks!"

That's fantastic, the bestest idea from you so far, cap'.

Sanji wants to say that, but his quiring lips aren't willing enough, so all he can do is give a nod as an answer.

"Ok, then let's go!" His captain beams, bright and innocent as ever. His arms stretch out, no doubt planning to carry Sanji all the way to the heat room, or whatever he's calling it.

"I'll get going then," the alpha says from the door.

"Already? But we haven't spar yet! What about a party! And story time and lots of cuddles!" The boy protests, changing the course of his arm, aiming to the leaving man instead. 

"Sure, we will," Ace chuckles, letting the rubbery arms loop around his middle. His deep voice annoyingly ringing in Sanji's head, "But later. From what you told me, you're staying here for at least another week, yes?"

Without waiting for a confirmation, Ace continues, "What about this? While you're making your big plans and taking care of your friend here, I'll go meet up with mine. And after I'm done hunting a traitor, we can throw a big party together, sounds good?"

"Hell yeah!" The younger grins, releasing his arms from the other, so that he can animatedly throw them around, "You'll bring them over? Pineapple and Pompadour?"

At this, Ace lets out a full blown laugh, he's crouching down and almost wheezing when he speaks next, "Yeah, yeah! Seas, I wish they're here right now, their reactions'd be too damn funny!"

The boy laughs along even if he doesn't seem to know a thing about those two, "Yeah! Party time!" 

"It settles then," Ace grins, "In a week, we'll come find you guys."

"See you!"

And just like that, the alpha walks out of the kitchen. Not even looking back, or doing anything more than giving them a short reply, "See you."

That's it? He doesn't want anything to do with him?

———

"Hey." 

Sanjj whispers to Luffy a while later, when they're both getting comfortable inside the heat room, and Sanji fully basking himself into the faint but comforting scent of the other omega. 

"Uh Uh?" The boy hums, his limbs still resting on top of Sanji's middle.

"Say, about your brother, is he— does he always be like that?"

"Ace's always Ace, that's him!" And what he gets is a typical Luffy's answer. Guess it's his fault for not making it more specific. 

"I mean," he inhales, using the other's pheromone to calm down his nerve, "Doesn't he want omegas?"

At that, the other stares at him, and it's when Sanji realizes that he may words it a bit wrong.

"Shit, I mean," Sanji tries to correct himself, "He's like— I just find it weird, ok? His scent is hella strong and it blocks me from thinking straight. But why didn't he react to my pheromone? Don't all alphas do that?"

"Oh, so that's what you mean," Luffy giggles, stretching one of his hands to grab a cookie from the nightstand, "You want some?"

Sanji refuses. But he doesn't get his answers until the other swallows another set of cookies. 

"Ever since we're children, Ace's and Sabo's scents are always strong, it's just natural like that," he explains. 

"You mention this Sabo again, are they—" 

Sanji wishes it's not another brother, just one Ace is bad enough. And Luffy's confirmation only fuels his fear and those memories, fucking great.

He knows what it's like to be in the center of attention from those annoying alphas. And he'll make sure to not ever experience it again.

However, "And he's an omega too! That's why I told you sharing a nest is the best! The three of us always did that and it's super duper fun!"

Eh? "He's an omega?"

"Yeah!" 

"And you all lived together?"

"Yep!" His captain answers, "We help each other about pretty much everything! Like that time when I was eaten by a crocodile!"

"Right," Sanji won't ask about that, he feels like he may not want to know the details.

Instead, he questions, "And when you're having a heat? Did that shi— your brother also—"

"Of Course! Ace's a big help," He beams, and shit, please, Sanji shouldn't ask that. He doesn't want to know those details either, never.

But the other doesn't seem to notice his disgus— his lack of interest , or maybe he does but continues anyway.

"So the first time I had a heat, I tried to build this nest and dragged Ace into it," oh, for the love of the seas, please stop, "And we cuddled! And Ace did this scenting thingie and it's the best! Even though it was a bit weird that he didn't scold me like normal, but that's alright. A nice Ace is good too!"

Fucking shit, just shut— wait, they did what?

Sanji isn't sure if he says that aloud, but his captain elaborates anyway, "Yeah, his scent is super good, that's why I thought you'd let him help. Heats are waaaaay easier with him around."

"When you say help ," he emphasizes, "you mean—?'

"That's right! We cuddle!" He beams before turning down, probably after seeing Sanji's reaction, "What? Sanji, why're you making a funny face?"

He sucks in a breath, really, why's this boy so naive even having not one but two brothers like that?

"Cuddle?" He repeats.

"Yeah?"

"But," how should he phrase this? Does Luffy even know what heats and ruts are for? Shit, he bet the boy still believes children are delivered to the parents by the seagulls. But he tries anyway, "During heats?"

"Eh? Why're you looking surprised? Aren't we doing exactly that?"

He does have a point here, but, "We're both omegas," he reasons.

"Yeah?"

"But," Sanji motions his hands around. Seas, he wishes he has a cigarette right now, "He— Ace, he's an alpha."

"Yes?" And the boy has the nerve to look confused, crooking his head to the side like that. Just, what in the seas, is he talking to a three-year-old?

"That's why, Luffy," he almost snaps, "Alphas can't do that, alright? They're gonna jump you the split second they know you're in heat."  

"Eh, but Ace never did that!" 

"But he sure can! And you won't ever know when he'll do that! It's only a matter of time here!" Sanji almost screams, or maybe he already did. He doesn't even know anymore.

And the captain looks at him, with that unreadable look on his face. Shit, did Sanji cross the line? Does he hate him now? Will he be abandoned? 

"So," the boy starts, and fuck, Sanji feels the apologies craming in his throat already.

"That's why you don't want his help?"

But Sanji also doesn't want to lie to the boy, so he replies with a, "Yeah."

Luffy looks him in the eyes, and in the next second, his usual smile is back again, spreading over his whole face, "That's alright too! You still have me, I'll try my best to help! We're nakama after all."

The honest but understanding answer catches him off guard. That's his captain, alright. 

Also, it makes him think back that maybe, just maybe, all brothers may not be that bad, even if they're alphas. He guesses not everyone's like his own siblings.

And it makes him wonder— what kind of lives these brothers had, for Luffy to grow up like this.

It must be a really good one, better than his at least.

——END——