Ace's POV

I sat and waited, waited for the news about my death.

It felt weird, more like a dream than an actually reality.

It had been 5 hours since my "death" and I was wondering if my family had heard anything yet, did they know?

My heart ached as I thought about my brothers reaction to my death, and Marco's…

I closed my eyes and hugged my knees, trying to get myself together.

This wasn't the time to get e mental break down, I had went over this hundreds of times during this hours I had been waiting, and I knew this was the best solution.

I looked over to the TV in the corner as the news came on, 'This is it' I thought as I sat closer to the TV as the news reporter talked.

"Earlier tonight a fire broke out in central New York after an explosion during a robbery, no casualties are yet to be reported but…" the woman stopped as a man ran into view and handed her a paper, she read it and Ace could almost feel the excitement and pity as she turned back to the camera.

"This just in, The New York police department has just confirmed the death of a local Police by the name of Portgas D Ace, our informant tells us that he was the first one on the place of the robbery and unfortunately did not make it out in time to avoid the explosion. He was identified by teeth prints and was confirmed dead 3 hours after the fire. Our thoughts goes to his family and loved ones in this dark hour, my name is Mary Callings".

I took a deep shuddering breath as the screen switched over to the weather.

'It worked, it's done' I thought, I was really DEAD…

I sat still for a while, thinking about my brothers, I would miss them so much.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door opening and I didn't have to look to know who it was.

"It's time to go, Gol D Spade"

x-x

Normal POV

Sabo sat in the living room with Luffy and Marco.

Sabo had wanted to surprise Ace with inviting him over to a sleepover since he knew Ace really liked him, and they had been going out for a couple of months.

Marco had seemed resilient at first, but after a little convincing that Ace would be so happy if he was there when he got home from work, Marco accepted.

Sabo frowned and looked at the watch, it was past midnight, Ace was supposed to be home over an hour ago.

He didn't want to say anything, but he knew Luffy worried too. Ace was never late.

The minutes ticked by slowly, almost torturing him.

After another 10 minutes there was a knock at the front door and Ace felt relived, it HAD to be Ace.

But why didn't he just walk in?

Sabo rose from his seat, feeling the looks from Marco and Luffy as he walked towards the door.

"Ace you dumbass, don't tell me you forgot you k…" Sabo cut himself off as he saw the police in front of him.

"Are you Outlook Sabo"? the man asked, Sabo could only nod in response, a horrible feeling in his chest.

"Earlier tonight there was an explosion, Portgas D Ace did not make it".

He said, but Sabo could barely hear him, looking at the nicely folded American flag the Police was offering him, a badge lying on top of it.

'This cannot be happening' He thought as he stared at the flag.

He faintly heard a muffled scream behind and did barley register as Luffy ran past him, screaming at the Police that he was lying.

ACE COULD NOT BE DEAD!

He turned around slowly, only to see Marco on his knees a few feet behind him, a hand pressed to his mouth and tears streaming down his face, before he turned back to the police reaching out shaking arms to take the flag.

He didn't know why, taking the flag would be the same thing as accepting the fact that Ace was dead, his big brother, but he felt that he had to, since not accepting the flag wound be a dishonor to his brother that he held so dear.

"I'm really sorry about your loss" the police said before turning around and walking away, leaving a broken family behind.

Sabo picked up Luffy, balancing on his hip as he held the flag with his other hand and walked over to Marco who still hadn't moved an inch from the floor. He sat down beside him and hugged him and Luffy hard as he let his tears out.

Marco's POV- Ace's death

I sat in the couch with my boyfriend's 2 brothers and watched some movie, I wasn't really interested in it and was mostly waiting for Ace to get home.

I knew that he was late and was starting to get a little worried, but dismissed it, it was normal for people to be late from time to time.

'But he was supposed to be home over an hour ago' I thought to myself, right after that thought I heard a knock at the door and felt instantly relief, at this hour it just had to be Ace.

I looked up as Sabo stood up, wondering if I should follow him, I was very eager to see Ace, but decided to wait for a bit.

I heard Sabo's voice saying something before it was cut off, making me frown, I exchanged a look with Luffy and we stood up and walked to the front door.

When I was a few feet away, I could see a man I didn't recognize, holding the Amarican flag, and I understood.

"Ace..no ".. I whispered, my voice laced in pain and shock as I shook my head, I didn't WANT to believe it.

I vaguely registered the words explosion and didn't make it and I pressed a hand to my mouth to suppress the scream of complete agony I couldn't hold down and fell to my knees as tears was building up in my eyes 'It can't be.. HE CAN'T BE DEAD' I thought.

I slid down until I was sitting on the floor, leaning forward on my free hand for support as my strength disappeared.

All I could think about was Ace, the memories just flooded through me, our first meeting, the ball, our first night together, when he asked me to be his boyfriend…

I whined in pain at the memories and pressed my eyes shut as the tears continued to fall.

I didn't even notice that Sabo had moved until he and Luffy was right beside me, hugging me tight.

I hugged back and the rest of the night we just sat there, crying out in pain.