Pairing: ShanksAce

Prompt: "What is it that is so special about you? You have so much power over him. He revolves around you."

Rating: T for language and mild violence

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"What is it that is so special about you?" A sneer comes out, a spat of disgust following as a heel of a boot drives into a collarbone, near the bruising neck that shows the adam's apple bob with a thick swallow. "You have so much power over him! He practically revolves around you!" The man shouts louder while quickly slamming the heel back down, making the victim jerk with gritted teeth and breathing heavily.

"You just suck ass!" The savage reply comes lashing out as dark eyes gleam dangerously with defiance and does nothing to show how much he has been beaten down.

When Ace had been grabbed with a cloth over his mouth, he hardly expected to be part of a ransom. He angrily spat at his captor when he had called Shanks for a set price to get him back. Of course, his back lashing and slurs earned a well placed smack across his temple that temporarily disabled him from continuing as he saw spots. Shanks had shouted saying he wasn't getting a penny if he was hurt, which left him in a tight place. Ace was highly vocal in his distaste and made sure to do everything to piss off the man, even to the point he tried to choke him out, which only temporarily put him down before he was at it again.

"Shut up so I can get my money!" The man hollers while shifting to grip dark locks and slamming the head back into the concrete wall behind him. A jolt goes through Ace, his head feeling as if it was splitting and his vision danced with dark spots and blurry vision as he was soon released. His body slumped before shifting to soon land on his side and linger there as he tries to grit the pain away. The constant thundering of his head blocks out the man's talk and how a different tone is there.

It didn't take long before a familiar voice shows sharply, "What did you do to Ace?" The question is firm with absolute wrath lingering, but kept steady as Ace feels eyes on him.

"Nothing, he's fine. Give me my money!" The captor shouted while shifting around, Ace noticing as there is clicks and nervous noises.

"Ace?" The voice asks out calmly and the mentioned male shifts a leg with a small whimper. "Are you hurt badly?" The following question has Ace trying to move his head, though it feels heavy and with the other here, he feels completely vulnerable and wanting Shanks to hold him protectively. "You have two minutes to leave or I will order them to shoot. I told you not to hurt my Acey if you wanted your money." The words leave in a deep tone of threat and there is scrambling of feet.

"Don't leave, cowards!" The main man shouts out before there is more noises made with him making a stammering. "I won't forget this, Akagami!" It's more of an echo as he ran for it before Ace notices feet stopping near him and brushing his hair back.

"You conscious?" The question is soft and dark eyes peer through squinted lids and try to focus on those grey eyes, the red hair shaping his face. A small noise leaves him with eyes squeezing shut and he receives a soft coaxing sound. "I'm sorry this happened, Acey. I didn't think anyone would bother you since we never truly…" The words trail off as Ace moves his head and makes a soft noise.

"Hold me, stupid." The words come out in a hoarse tone and is happily met with hands moving to pull him up carefully against a chest. A hand carefully brushes through his hair, but he whimpers when fingers get close to the back of his head.

"I really messed up, huh?" The quiet question leaves Shanks as he leans his head close to put his nose into dark locks.

"No…" Ace whispers with eyes still closed and relaxing into the hold. "You came for me…"

"Brownie points? Am I getting closer to going out with you?" The happy tone comes out playfully and Ace gives a huff.

"Don't push it today…" It's a light tone, Shanks recognizing it easily as he gives a soft laugh and settles an arm around the male leaning against him. "Take me home, please…"

"Well, I mean, Sabo would surely skewer me if…" Shanks mentions in a way that he knows for a fact it would happen with the brother.

"I meant your house, stupid. Of course I don't want Sabo to see me like this, not when you have gained so many points and who else is going to save me from your stupid actions?" The words ramble out, ignoring the throbbing pain in his head and enjoying the way a joyful laugh sputters from the other.

"Home it is!"

"And get these stupid cuffs off me!"