A.N. At first I wanted to post this together with last chapter, but I couldn't finish this in time, so sorry for this. Don't know if I will be able to do this a thousand words, but I will try to drag it :D. So please don't forget to review and thank you for those who did and for those who hit (not to hard!) the follow/favorite button!

Ace's POV

Hungry. I'm so hungry. I wrapped my arms tighter; I don't want to get out of bed. For the last two weeks I always ate with Smoker, now I didn't even want to go to the kitchen and eat there alone… My stomach rumbled and I groaned; I'm so hungry!

My bed sheet was thrown from me and I started blinking because of the sudden light my eyes didn't see for more than twenty-four hours. When my eyes finally adjusted to the light I looked over the figure who took my cover from me. My little brother was looking at me with a frown on his face. Wait. What Luffy is doing here? I told him not to visit me until I said otherwise. Luffy looked through me-ball and his frown deepened; Smoker used to frown a lot. Pain in my chest sharpened and I looked away.

"Get up, you need to eat." I turned to my brother surprised, his voice was concerned and angry, two emotions he rarely showed. He sighed. "I said - get up, you need to eat."

I stared at him and he stared back, after a minute or two I looked away; for some reason his gaze made me feel uncomfortable. I unwrapped my hands from my knees and felt pain spread through my body – after all most of it was wrapped in bandages and apparently not moving for a long time isn't good for it. I groaned and sat up, intense gaze of my brother looked over me and for unknown reason I felt ashamed. "You look bad, stand up."

I felt guilty a little bit; maybe I should have ate yesterday. I tried to stand up, but failed when my legs started to wobble and I slumped on the floor. Luffy watched as I grasped the edge of my bed and hardly got up, but didn't offer his help, I need to do this myself. When I was sure that I won't collapse on the floor again I started slowly walk to the kitchen, Luffy followed after me, but stayed silent. We walked into the kitchen and I saw big bag on the kitchen table; my little bro brought me food… I must look like shit.

I sat down by the table and looked at the contents of the bag – five hot dogs a big bottle of water and four burritos, as always he knows what I like the most. I took the bottle of water started to drink it like I just came back from a desert, I didn't realize I was this thirsty and that my throat was so dry until water started running through my throat. When I satisfied my thirst I took hot dogs and started eating, that is when my brother sat at the other side of the table and spoke. "Gramps told me everything, Whitebeard contacted him 'cause it looks like it's impossible to get in contact with you." I looked away feeling guilty; I remember my phone getting destroyed during the fight with Blackbeards. "He understood what's happening and told me everything, he looked worried, he didn't come himself because if he did you would be in much worse state." True, if gramps came I would be in coma by now. "Now will you tell me when do you plan stop your self-pity? I understand what you feel and understand why Smoker did that, I still think that that wasn't the answer he should have chosen, but I'm here not to judge, but to make you look alive and make your report."

I swallowed my bite. "Yea, I will do that…"

Luffy nodded and leaned on his chair, his expression became calmer. "Good, you're starting to look like the Ace I know. When I saw you at first I didn't want to believe it's you, you really fell for him, didn't you?"

I nodded weakly and looked away; I do not want to talk about that, ever, it hurts just to think about it. "How is it going with you and Law?"

Luffy's face lit up. "Great! I will be moving to him next weekend!" I almost chocked my food; they just got together last week! "What? I spend almost all my free time with him at his place or at my place, it will be more practical, or that's what Law said."

I rubbed my forehead; I can't believe my little bro is having a serious relationship, while I'm… I slapped my cheek and took a deep breath; don't talk 'bout it, don't think 'bout it, try to distract yourself. "Did you know that Law is Smoker's cousin?"

My voice flinched a little when I said 'that' name and it didn't slip through my brother's ears, the worried look came back to his face. "No, he didn't tell me about this, you mean Law knew all of this before all of this happened?"

I nodded; my brother looks pissed, Law will get his scolding today too, maybe I should make it worse? "Oh and I heard he can bake pies."

Luffy's eyes widened. "Really?!" I nodded and Luffy's face lit up; he's probably already planning to ask Law to bake for him. The younger man stood up. "I will be going then, you look human again, I will stop by again and drop you a new phone, don't forget to visit Whitebeard."

A small sad smile found its way on my face. "Who's the mother now?"

Luffy laughed, waved and left me in my empty apartment; well at least it doesn't look like he will have the same destiny as I do, I should be happy for him… A small tear rolled down my cheek and I wiped it away angrily; I promised I will not cry again. I stood up and looked over my bandages; I need to change them; I smelled my arm; and a shower would be nice too. I slowly stood and started walking towards the shower while walking I remembered that time in the shower and the pain in my chest intensified; will I ever be able to get rid of it?

A.N. Wow, it 1.000 words and I didn't even try to drag it… Hmm, hope you enjoyed this painful chapter you sadists that I know you are… Bye! [7.7]J

P.S. I should have probably metioned this several weeks ago, but on my profile I inform when I will update this story.