When he first saw him, it was from the back, so he didn't think much of it.
Tall frame, blond hair, a bright blue suit... all akin to Sabo, but older.
There were plenty of people like that, Ace told himself.
It's not a big deal.
He didn't really think much of it afterwards... it was just a stranger, after all, and Haruta was eyeing his dessert, so he turned back to his crew, and laughed some more with them.
The strange blond with the top hat didn't reemerge in his mind until later, when he saw him again on the streets.
Seeing him from the front felt painful... brilliant blue eyes, loose curls framing boyish features, a blue top hat like a noble's.
It's not him.
"Sabo!"
Had he said that?
The blond peered at someone over Ace's shoulder, and waved as a red haired girl skipped over to him. "Sabo." She exclaimed in exasperation as she nudged his shoulder. "What did we say about going off without us?"
The blond offered her a boyish smirk, and replied with faux innocence, "I was just scouting out before you."
That's exactly what he would say. Ace thought, shoving back the lump sitting firmly in the back of his throat. It's nothing. He reminded himself. Sabo's gone. Just because he looks like him and acts like him doesn't mean a thing.
It meant absolutely nothing.
Ace stared at the stranger. Tall frame, blond hair, a bright blue suit. Blue eyes, loose curls, boyish features, top hat, a noble's.
"Sabo?" He croaked.
The boy turned, and stared at him for a long... painful moment, studying his features in something akin to surprise, before asking softly, "Ace?"
A/N: The end. I'm probably not continuing this. (Sorry for anyone unsatisfied by the ending.) So, this was written for Reincarnation15. (My debt is now repaid.) Sorry for my hiatus lately. I'll try to get back on fanfiction... soon. As soon as school stops eating time.