A/n: Heyoo :DD OKAY HI, love you, thnks!

Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Warnings: If I told you then it wouldn't be funny! *subtly evil laughter*

Freedom

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He walked out into the open air, a soft smile on his lips as he spotted his crewmates- no, /brothers/, milling about lazily. He could feel the pride swell in his chest from the newly tattooed Jolly Roger on his back and the way they stared at him, just dazzled by it.

Ace's bare feet, he had kicked off his boots long ago, were silent on the deck as he traipsed across it, raising a hand to the top of his head to keep the wind from blowing his hat off. Tendrils of jet black hair tickled his neck and cheeks as the breeze picked them up, gently caressing his body and soul. He approached the railing, leisurely resting his weight on it as he grinned at the rolling waves.

He was... Happy. That was it. A giddy bliss had been clouding his mind ever since Oyaji had grinned that grin and pulled him, a nervous wreck then, into his broad chest with a 'welcome to the family, son'. He had been accepted, no questions asked, no spiteful glare, no 'get lost, monster'. Just a smile, a laugh and a pet on the head. Yesterday he gave that man his word and his heart, in return he received his mark and a family.

"Lookin' good Ace!" Someone called, and another whistled. He would have blushed, but he was too immersed in his newfound joy to. But maybe he shouldn't have taken his shirt off, and worn something over his tattoo, like Oyaji did. Another wild grin played at his lips, naaaah, it was way better this way. He turned his head, not bothering to move the rest of him and smirked at the man, making them all chuckle.

You know, he really liked this outfit, maybe he should start wearing it out. Ace's fingers grazed the bright red beads he wore around his neck, gazing at them fondly. After all, he was a pirate. He had all he wanted, he could do whatever he wanted and no one had the power to stop him.

He was /free/.

"Ace," he perked up when he heard that voice, turning to face Marco's blank stare.

"Yeah?" He tilted his head, eyes twinkling in mischief. He had a shit eating grin on his face, probably at the way the first division commander's cheek was twitching.

Marco sighed, not even letting his gaze stray downwards as he deadpanned,"Put some pants on, yoi."

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A/n: I find Ace getting naked funnier than anyone should. I am not sorry for this.

Talon out~!