Happy 21st birthday Ace! ;-; You still live on in my heart!

Fireworks exploded in the sky even though it wasn't twelve o' clock yet. Golden spirals, a white flash with a big bang, and so much more. Flurries of color cascaded down the night sky, lighting up the black sky, one flash at a time. The waves rolled, liquid and iridescent. For once, I was alone, with no Luffy by my side, no woman, and my friends all away, in the crowd, enjoying the party. How could I even have reached this birthday? I shouldn't have. But even so, I still smiled. I was happy.

Was Luffy enjoying the New Year too? Was it even close to New Year wherever he was? Or had it already passed, showing just how frivolous time was and yet how much value we put on was alone too, he'd disappeared somewhere. I would meet him again though. But would we ever enjoy the fireworks together again? Probably not. We'd gone our own ways, I shouldn't regret it. The last time, that night, it was still clear on my mind.

"Happy birthday, Ace!" Luffy cheered, wrapping his rubbery arms around me.

"Yeah… Thanks." I said, grinning.

He sat down next to me, on the roof of our tree house. It was as if the city was spewing out fireworks. It was a cold night, it being January, and I wrapped my arm around my brother. He was shivering. His head rested on my shoulder.

"Do you really have to go?"

"I'm seventeen." I replied.

"I'll enjoy this last birthday with you then." Luffy said contentedly. I wrapped him just the slightest bit closer, and rested my head on his. I'd miss him. I knew I would. I was already starting to.

"OI, ACE!" Marco shouted from across the deck. "Stop stinkin' and start drinkin'!"

I grinned and walked towards my friend.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Didn't think we would still celebrate it."

"Me neither."

"Happy birthday, Ace." He said with a grin, clinking his drink against mine with a kanpai.

I gulped down my grog. The party was only just getting started. I danced with some women, some I knew, some I didn't, and the Moby Dick II smoothly sailed along, the fireworks still being launched as we went. I got convinced to do a little fire show, and as a joke people started roasting marshmallows on my flames. But it didn't matter at all. Not at all. Because I was having fun, and even though the events that happened had almost ruined it all, and our father was gone, we still went on. Living. Loving. And I felt loved. I felt worthy to be loved.

I felt happy to be able to celebrate this birthday, which in Marineford seemed so impossible. I remembered the searing pain… I thought I'd died. But no, Luffy was there, shouting in happiness when my eyes opened to a world I had already bid farewell. But I guess my farewell was ill timed, as here I was. My time wasn't finished. Not until Luffy became King of the Pirates.

"KANPAI! HAPPY NEW YEARS! MANY MORE YEARS FOR ALL OF US!"

I grinned. I hoped so too.

I liked how this one turned out. This was my first try writing a birthday fic, but I hoped you liked it! Please review if you did, I'd really appreciate it. Any review, no matter long or short, flame or love, is welcomed with me! Also, for mistakes, I'd really like it if you pointed it out so I could correct it! Thank you!

Tropicall, 1/1/'11 (:

Happy New Year people!

Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar! Mogen nog vele volgen!