Sorry for the delay on some of my fics! Been very interested in some of my newer ones hehe... and my friends stuck to me like glue this week so I didn't have much time to write... But here you go! I'm also halfway through Skip's next chapter so expect that soon, too. Reverse... issues u_u But I'm trying, at least. And this chapter's a little longer than usual. Just a little. I hope you'll find it... interesting ;)
Question: Are you good or bad at making decisions? I'm horrible. Absolutely horrible.
Disclaimer: While I own One Piece merchandise, I do not own the rights to it or any of the characters. We can at least dream T^T
They didn't go home like Sabo said. As much as Ace wanted to—to see Marco again—they headed in the opposite direction. What's worse was that they weren't in that stupid monstrosity the blonde owned, but what he called a 'taxi'. Why? Well he didn't pay much attention to the explanation but, from what he heard, Sabo had a few drinks with Luffy's teacher when he went to pick up his homework and the man insisted he not drive home. So his car was stuck at the university. And they had to pick it up.
Ace's eyebrow twitched as he gripped the seat. He hated cars. He hated them so much. The worst part was watching the trees and buildings zip by the window. It wasn't at all like sailing the ocean—that he loved. He hoped the driver knew what the hell he was doing because he really didn't feel like dying… again.
As the car hit a bump and disoriented him further, Ace thought back to his last memories from before he arrived in 'reality'. He didn't remember dying, not at all. The platform was what he recalled—watching as his siblings desperately fought to save him, many not making it out of the fray. They fought for him. They died for him. He hated it—hated that their blood was on his hands. But… he was happy, too. Somehow he couldn't help but feel…
And then Luffy reached him. He was at his side for the first time since the battle began and the cuffs came off. Immediately he felt his ability return, the fire surging through his body and filling him with renewed energy. Despite how complacent he was before—uncaring of life or death—he was ecstatic. He didn't want his life to end. He wanted to go back with his crew, the people who cared for him, and continue to sail. He wanted to see Luffy reach his dream of becoming Pirate King—something he'd given up on long ago. He didn't need the title. He found what he really wanted. Ace had a family.
But…
When he leapt from the platform in a blazing inferno, fully intent on joining the war and leaving victorious, he never touched the ground—not the ground he planned to, a least. Somehow he found himself landing ungracefully on the hardwood floor of a really strange place. It turned out to be Sabo's flat. He wasn't sure how, exactly, he got there, though.
A sudden stop pulled Ace away from his thoughts as he jerked forward, looking around to see what was going on. It took only a short glance out the window for him to realize they'd arrived. Swinging the back door open, he stepped out of the metal deathtrap and gawked at the buildings before him. They were large, towering high above with signs in front of each, labeling them. There weren't many people around. Sabo said there wouldn't be—something about it being a holiday of some sort. He didn't really care, though. He was more focused on the place rather than its occupants. So that was where Luffy spent most of his time, huh?
Sabo paid the driver and quickly strutted up to one of the buildings, motioning for his companion to do the same.
Ace blinked but quickly followed. "Aren't we going to your car?"
"First we have to pay someone a visit." When he saw the curious look the fire user gave him, he decided to give a better answer. "He took my keys."
"Oh," Ace noised simply.
The pair remained silent as they entered one of the buildings, passing through hall after hall, each looking identical to the last, until they stopped at a door. The plaque read, in stark-white lettering, T. Lawrence.
Ace eyed the plaque for a moment, noting that Luffy mentioned that name the night before. Apparently the one torturing his little brother with so much 'work' was the resident of that room. He had to admit that he was curious, if only a little.
Sabo wasted no time in pushing forward and turning the knob, promptly entering the room without warning. Judging by his indifferent expression, he did that often. Ace just shrugged it off and followed behind, taking in the changing surroundings. Darkly lit halls shifted to a white room with gray furniture. Decorating the walls were various framed awards of some kind or another—he didn't pay them much mind.
At the far wall was an L-shaped metallic desk with large windows behind it, silhouetting the one sitting there in dark shades that contrasted well with the scenery of the outside. Studying the man's tanned skin, dark hair and gray eyes, Ace blinked. He recognized him, just barely. The white suit he wore didn't match the appearance he remembered, though. It looked eerily out of place.
"Ah, Sabo. So you've returned," he stated, small grin playing on his lips. "Care for a drink?"
The blonde stepped forward, placing a firm hand on the desk as he leaned on it and closer to the reclining professor. "I'll have to decline if I want my keys returned, won't I?"
"That you will."
"Then you have your answer."
After a pause between the two, Lawrence closed his eyes and huffed a disappointed sigh. "Very well, then. You know, it wouldn't hurt to visit me on personal grounds once in a while."
Sabo righted himself once more, straightening his back and crossing his arms. "As enticing as that offer is, I'll have to decline. Mark is expecting the manuscript, not to mention there are—" he glanced at Ace, "—some things I have to straighten out."
It was only then that the professor noted the one standing behind his guest. His eyes lingered over the stranger as he regarded him, moving to once more stare at his associate after his assessment was complete. "And who's your little friend?"
Ace looked to his creator-turned-brother curiously, wondering what he would say. Last time he was asked something like that, he claimed he was someone living on the streets. The pirate didn't really appreciate that—though the statement would be true were it not for Sabo taking him in.
The blonde was quiet as he thought though the answer seemed to come to him quickly. "He's family."
Hearing that, Ace's eyes widened. Sabo hadn't regarded him as that since the night they declared themselves brothers. In all honesty, the pirate thought he said that merely to quell his emotionally-ill self. Perhaps that wasn't the case. Even if it was, the freckled youth wouldn't have been able to see Sabo as anything other than his brother—not after all of those memories he obtained that night.
"Family, huh?" the professor mused. "It's rare for you to use that word lest you're talking about your dear younger brother." Fingers interlocked with one another, Lawrence's mischievous grin softened into a more relaxed smile. "I won't keep you, then."
The man made a move to separate his hands and placed them on the armrests of his chair. It was only then that Ace noticed some peculiarities about what the teacher was sitting on. He furrowed his brows, trying to think of where he saw something like that before, but he got his answer when the man's hand glided about the controller, turning the chair around and leaving the desk from the space on the left side. His actions revealed the wheeled device for what it was as the professor moved to a cabinet that rested against the adjoining wall, unlocking one of the drawers and opening it to search through a myriad of things within.
Ace gaped as he recalled the man's One Piece counterpart, mauling over what little information he had on the rookie. Trafalgar Law, captain of the Heart pirates and known throughout the first half of the Grand Line as the Surgeon of Death, was a formidable opponent. He was sharp, cunning, a brilliant fighter and an excellent medical practitioner. The commander knew all of that without ever meeting the man. Through all of the rumors and news of his exploits, he never heard anything about the man being unable to walk.
Retrieving a ring of keys from the drawer, Lawrence closed it and threw the pieces of metal Sabo's way. The blonde caught it and analyzed it, assuring it was the correct set. "Thanks."
"I don't need your gratitude, but I would like to know if you've talked with Luffy."
"If you're wondering what upset him, he didn't say." There was a pause, as though he was debating on whether or not he should continue. "But I think I know what's wrong. If I'm right, he'll be back to normal in a few weeks."
"I'll trust your judgement, then." He glanced at Ace, noting the blank expression on his face but decidedly ignoring it. "Take care. And stop by once in a while. It gets dreadfully boring, dealing with paperwork all day."
Sabo allowed a sated grin to pass his lips. "Fine, I'll do that." With those words, the writer looked at Ace and motioned for him to follow as he headed out of the room, leaving the paraplegic behind. They passed through corridor after corridor, returning to the building's entrance and passing buildings on the way to the parking lot. Ace remained silent until they reached the car and Sabo began sifting through the keys, looking for the one to his monstrous automobile.
"That was…"
"Trafalgar Law's counterpart, yes," the older confirmed, shoving the key into the lock and turning it, met with a click. Opening the passenger's side door, Sabo turned to his brother. "You're curious, I take it."
"A little," the pirate admitted, slipping into the car before the door shut. He watched as the blonde walked around to the other side and entered, placing both hands firmly on the wheel.
"He and I were roommates many years ago," the writer explained as he started the car. Ace didn't even notice, too interested in the story he was being told. "Law was studying to become a surgeon—I'm sure you've figured that out by now—but he was in an accident and became fully paralyzed from the waist down." Sabo's voice went quiet, almost contemplative. It seemed it bothered him to talk about.
"So he became a teacher, then?"
The writer glanced at him with narrowed eyes before he turned around and backed out of the parking spot. Once more he faced the windshield and changed gears as he made his way onto the road. "Being disabled doesn't automatically mean you can't be a doctor, but it can be challenging," Sabo stated as he turned onto the road. Again his features softened and, while he was focused enough to drive safely, he seemed to be somewhere else—deep within his own thoughts. "He had to give up on martial arts and with so many people telling him he couldn't break into the medical field, he was worn down. So, he gave them what they wanted: compliance."
Ace looked forward, away from the blonde driver, and focused on the passing cars and buildings, paying little attention to the metal deathtrap as he thought. He'd never met the man before then but he was still able to feel for him. It appeared his empathy only ran so deep, though, because he couldn't fathom resolving yourself to never accomplishing your goal so easily. If it mattered so much, shouldn't he have fought harder? "He gave up that easily?"
Sabo came to a dead stop at a red light and glared over at the youth, causing him to flinch. He looked like he was about to bludgeon the pirate to death before his expression calmed once more, leaving him something akin to bitter exhaustion. "It's not that simple, Ace. We're not like you."
The youth blinked. "…What do you mean?"
His brother sighed. "The world in my stories isn't like reality. Trying doesn't always mean you'll succeed and pushing yourself beyond your limits will only cause problems in the end. Life here isn't as simple as what you're used to."
The light changed and the car pulled forward once more, leaving the conversation dead and gone. Ace thought that maybe he was starting to understand, but not everything. He needed more answers before he could confidently grasp what the other was trying to say. He knew things in reality were much more complex than what he was used to—he'd experienced plenty of that since his arrival—but it still didn't make sense to him that someone would give up so easily, especially the rookie. From what he gathered, the man was confident and prideful and rather tenacious, if he was anything like the pirate from within the book. Based on first appearance, he still held some of those qualities that made a name for him in the Grand Line. Yet he resigned himself to giving up on his dream. Why? Despite his curiosity, he said nothing. It didn't look like Sabo wanted to explain any more.
The blonde yawned. "Probably shouldn't be driving when I haven't slept in over twenty-four hours," he mumbled, more to himself than anything.
Ace's face turned a pallid white and his eyes widened as he took in those words. "O-oi!" He really, really didn't feel like dying again.
Watching over the stiff, frustrated youth lying on the hospital bed, Sabo clenched his jaw. He listened to the strangled whimpers of his roommate as he tried to remain silent, holding back the urge to scream and cry as he took in the new information. He couldn't help but be furious with the doctor who bluntly explained the medical student's new disability and the burdens that went with it immediately after the patient woke, not bothering to give him time to adjust to the lack of feeling below his waist of the aching in his arms and torso from skin damaged in the collision.
"Damn it…" he breathed out in a low, weak voice, fisting the bed sheets as he tried to contain himself. His left arm lifted into the air, his hand coming to shield his eyes from view. "Damn it!" His voice cracked as strangled sobs rose out of his throat.
Silently Sabo stood there and watched his friend quietly break down in front of him, allowing him all the space and time he needed. Biting his lip, he closed his eyes as though to give the patient some sort of privacy, listening as his low curses and trembling voice filled the room.
The night continued on with only those two in the room, no other visitors arriving to comfort the student as the world came crashing down around him.
A/N: :D Happiness and sunshine, people. But yeah, been planning out this scene since I first mentioned Law-err... Lawrence... because, well, it fits into a certain theme of the story and plays an important role in the past that I'm too much of a troll to reveal just yet. We'll get there eventually ;) Oh and To Be a Boy is finished, for anyone interested. Oh, and I have a video of me inking a drawing of Ann from that story so feel free to check my Tumblr or YouTube to see it! :D That story came out just before this one so as you can imagine we're close... no we're not. Don't worry, got a while to go for this one. But yeah, feel free to drop a review ^^
To my lovelies~
Kitsune Foxfire: I will! Seriously! I just need to get far enough into both of the stories so that I can add a few things XD I know. I try XD
TegzTsinelas: Well know you know! Yes, yes he is. Hehe that was my favourite part when I was visualizing the chapter XD
BluePhoenix0101: Yes :) Now you know. I love it. It's just great XD
Awakened-Masterpiece: Exactly! Stupid Ace... And yeah, Sabo really needs to take better care of himself :/
buslimpan: Hehe yes it will be, I assure you I'll do my best to keep it entertaining ^^ Yep. That goes for Mark and Lawrence, too, but you'll see those differences more later on. Glad you like :)
Vergina-spva: And now you'll have questions about Law, too! :D I'm such a jerk. Here it is ^^
spoons-are-evil: Isn't it?! You're right, it's Law~ You'll see more of him later and can decide whether or not he's "not too bad" then :P Oh god, that would be epic! I should do something with that, like a crack bonus or something XD Actually in Divide later on Sabo is going to make something less threatening than a pencil into a weapon ._. So yeah. It's the same for me. Though my clichés end up pretty predictable u_u;
teengens: Really happy to hear you're enjoying it ^^
WeissDragon: Mark will be making his return next chapter! :)
azab: No, remember the end of chapter 10 Ace told Luffy to call him 'Ace' ^^
Son Goshen: Yep, lots smarter. It's kind of scary, isn't it? I will!
The-Chibi-Master564: Marco (yes, I know, Mark's just weird isn't it?) will be making his return next chapter :)
person: Guess you'll have to wait and find out ;)
sakura240: Isn't it? XD Awe, so happy to hear you're liking it!
hieveryone101: Sorry, got a while to go. I don't want to leave it with any lose ends, you know? But I promise I will finish it, just not anytime soon.
Aimiko: Here's another! As for Ace and Luffy, it may be a while. Luffy doesn't trust him, after all.
mwahahaha: Lol I've interpreted it as random gibberish XD Hope you like the fic!
Guest: As stated in later author's notes, I'm just going to write and go with whatever pairing forms, if any, be it SaboAce, SaboLaw ect. Though there will definitely not be any form of AceLu for this particular fic. If you don't like whatever pairing may occur, I'm sorry :( But this isn't a romance fic either way so even if there does end up being a couple it's not going to play a huge role in the plot so hopefully it won't bother you. Though I'm curious, what is it about SaboAce that you don't like? There are certain couples I don't like for various reasons and I'm just wondering what yours are :)
(And that wraps up chapter 12! Guess what? With this chapter we introduce the last of the main characters! That means we're finished with introductions and can only progress further! No more detours! We are at the full story and now all we can do is finish the last half! :D I'm pumped XD Adieu~)
