Disclaimer: I do not own OP or any of the characters involved.
A/N: This takes place only a few days after the last chapter. It's been about a week since Ace's trip to the hospital. Might get one more chapter out tonight, but no promises~ A warm welcome to my new followers!
"What would you do if you found out you only had half a year left to live?" Furious coughing filled the air and Ace bit back a laugh at the sight of his flustered friend. Alcohol down the wrong tube. It hurt just thinking about it.
"You-" More coughing. Ace didn't bother to bite back his laughter this time, leaning back in his stool as he set his own glass down upon the bar counter. "Are you d-drunk already?" Thatch shot Ace a stunned glance even as he gulped down a large amount of water. His shoulders were still shaking with the after effects of choking, a fact Ace easily took note of.
His glass was nearly untouched, Ace swirling the cup absentmindedly as he watched the swirls of amber gold dance from rim to rim, following the gentle pull of gravity as he tilted the glass from side to side. "You know I'm not." He was still smiling though it had faded some now, a small reminisce of what it had been a moment before. "Just a thought. Say someone told you tonight that you were dying. What would you do?"
Ace glanced up to meet the eyes of his shaken friend. Thatch was still looking at him like he was crazy. Maybe he was. Why else would he ask him such a question? It wasn't exactly the usual drunken conversation, even with only one of them near such a state.
Bright lights and city streets. They rushed by as if on fast forward as Ace turned his gaze up and beyond the window pane. Thatch was silent at his side, watching him. Ace was too past the point of caring to completely slide the mask in place. "Like, would you just wait for it to come? Would you try to fight it or just try to enjoy the time you have left?"
There was a sloshing of liquid besides him, Thatch evidently deciding that he wasn't drunk enough for this yet. "I guess it depends... On the person, I mean. Some would probably just waste all of their leftover resources- travel the world or do something reckless and stupid." He took another drink and Ace finally turned to meet his gaze. "Most people would spend that time with family, but you know me." He shrugged and Ace took another drink, nodding softly.
"We don't have much family..." It was just a fact. Sure, Thatch had a sister back home, but for the most part, they were the same. Neither had grown up with parents. Thatch and Marco kinda had Newgate for that role though.
Thatch laughed, clapping a hand onto Ace's shoulder in a familiar gesture. "Yeah, no kidding. Rather have this than a whole troupe of annoyances though." Ace smiled. "What about you?" Thatch leaned forwards, arms folding beneath his chin as he stared back at Ace. "What would you do if you found out you were dying?"
Ace's smile spread, not knowing why. He tossed a few bills on the counter before pushing himself up. "I'm still figuring that out. Thanks for the drink man. Drag the pineapple's ass with you next time. Marco's missin' out." He tossed the words over his shoulder, already slipping his jacket on over his dark shirt. Thatch laughed behind him and Ace was happy. If there was one person he could count on to avoid questioning, it was Thatch. Wickedly smart guy, but the one person willing to let sleeping dogs lie.
"I'll drag him if you bring that brother of your's around next time." Ace shook his head, laughing lightly as he began the walk towards the door. A hand was held up, dismissive wave sent behind him as the bell rang above the door.
"Don't hold your breath Thatch. I haven't seen that guy drink in years. I'm not sure if he even does drink anymore. I'll try, but no promises." More laughter was cut off as the door banged shut behind him. Ace glanced up at the rolling clouds above, rain a sleet of cold that washed over everything beyond the small overhand he currently resided beneath. The usual annoyance but Ace didn't mind for once. They needed some rain anyway. Besides, the sound was soothing.
Flipping his hood up, he steeped out into the onslaught with that same fragile smile upon his face. Every Friday brought the same thing. a routine set in place over nearly a year and a half now. Each Friday found him here, just outside the Liquid Fire, a small pub where they knew both he and Thatch by name. It was a small comfort.
Luffy was used to it of course, hardly batting an eye when Ace grabbed his jacket. Sabo was an entirely different matter. Hell, Ace wouldn't be surprised if Sabo had tracked him here, a chip in his phone or something. Ace laughed, shaking his head as he paused in his steps upon the soaked sidewalk. Rain hit his face as he tilted his head up, eyes closing against the onslaught and to shield his eyes from the blinding light of the street lamp besides him.
'-Just waste all of their leftover resources- travel the world or do something reckless and stupid.'
Nah, that wasn't much of an option, was it? Most expenses were going towards their rent and Luffy's school charges. It would give himself away as well. Ace had never been much of a spender. Sure, there was the occasional splurge. He had finally purchased his motorcycle last fall. Not that he was using it tonight. The bar was only a short walk from home. Why risk the chance of theft when he could just walk home?
'Spend that time with family.'
Ace opened his eyes once more as a car sped past, water splashing up as a tire drove through a pothole. His eyes traveled after the taillights a moment before feet stepped off and into the street. He was on a bridge, speeding cars blurring together below as he glanced over the edge before continuing on. Wind whipped at his face, spraying moisture and chill into his face. Ace ignored it all, only pausing a second to wipe water from his eyelashes.
'What would you do if you found out you only had half a year left to live?'
How many people had he asked that now? Thatch was probably the forth. He had of course avoided asking either Luffy or Sabo. Asking either of them was just begging for trouble. Far easier to ask those that were unaware of his childhood 'cough' and his recent adventure at the hospital. Still, the results were interesting.
'Finish all the things on your bucket list.'
'-Make things right with my family...'
'Why change anything? It's not like it would make any difference.'
Ace wasn't walking anymore, still standing on that bridge. The rain had let up some but his hoodie was soaking wet. Little late to notice that he was cold... Ace shoved his hands into his pockets, thankful that it was at least remotely warm there. It wasn't until a car screeched to a halt behind him that Ace turned.
"You fucking moron! How long have you been standing there?!" Ace blinked, a few strands of wet hair clinging to his face as he locked gazes with furious blue. Sabo leaned forward, passenger door practically thrown open. Still, Ace didn't more, simply staring dumbly for a moment too long. Sabo looked about ready to explode. "You gonna stand there all night or get in?"
The smile spread slowly across his face as Ace stepped off the curb, one leg stepping in before he bent his head and shut the door behind him. "I was almost home. You didn't have to-" Something soft hit his face and Ace was cut off, cold fingers leaving the comfort of his pockets to instead pull the blanket off of his head. He stared at it even as Sabo reached over to crank up the heat.
"You were gone too long." It was the only answer he was given as Sabo started down the street once more. Ace leaned back into the seat, pulling his hood down to instead wrap the blanket around his neck.
"And you worry too much." Still, it was kinda nice... Ace closed his eyes, tilting his head to the side so that the heat could hit his face. The silence was heavy, Ace overly aware of the last conversation that had been held between them. If it could really count as such. Luffy's words cut through his thoughts and Ace sighed. Slowly, he opened his eyes once more to glance in the blonde's direction.
He was looking straight ahead, jaw locked with tension and knuckles white where they gripped onto the steering wheel. His hair was wet, making Ace wonder if he had wandered around looking for him. Seemed like a lot of trouble to go through for someone that might 'hate' him. Two years and this was the first time he had actually taken the time to get a good look at him.
He looked, well...older. It was a sad realization. Two years ago he had still looked like the same sarcastic brat he met on the streets all those years ago. Now though, the passing years were painfully obvious. His hair was a bit longer, blonde curling around his ears and forehead. He was taller of course, a fact that grated at Ace. That stupid belief that he would catch up to Sabo in height one day was obviously flawed.
None of that really bothered Ace though. It was that edge in his eyes that got to him. There was something guarded about the way he looked now- like he was holing everything back. A two way street probably. How was he supposed to expect Sabo to loosen up when he wouldn't do the same? Once there had been nothing unspoken between them, but now... It was as if there was an impossibly high wall and Ace was too tired to scale it or break it down one brick at a time.
Sabo glanced back at him from the corner of his eye and Ace looked away on instinct, chastising himself as he stared at the rain out his window. Sabo sighed but didn't speak. No, it was Ace who spoke next.
"I don't hate you." The car almost swerved and Ace smirked, still staring out the window and ignoring he sharp intake of breath besides him. "Luffy said you might think so. Just wanted you to know that I don't. Never did." Silence once more stretched between them, Ace taking note as they took another turn. Sabo was going the long way.
Probably should have noticed that earlier.
Ace risked another glance back at Sabo, surprised by what he saw. He looked away again before Sabo could catch the glance.
Sabo was smiling.
"I'm glad." Barely a whisper yet far more than Ace had been expecting in return. A smile of his own spread across freckled cheeks when the car pulled to a stop besides the apartment building. Keys clattered and the heating died off as the car was shut off. Neither moved at first, staring out at the rain that continued to beat against the hood of the car.
"You should go in and get warm."
"Don't tell me what to do, Curly."
Both were still smiling when they walked back into the apartment much to the amusement of the young raven lounging across the couch.
A/N: Bit of a bittersweet chapter this time. I'm still slowly trying to increase the length of each chapter. Just over 2,000 words with this one. Time should start picking up speed within the next few chapters or so~ Feel free to leave me a review with your thoughts so far! I love hearing from you guys.