Happy Update Sunday, lovelies! This chapter is back to normal size, but is still full of plot and action. Stick with me y'all, we're getting to the good stuff.
Enjoy!
Chapter 29
The mess hall was tense, everyone lacking sleep and short on patience. The Commanders were all present, except for Thatch and Marco, who would not leave the infirmary for fear of Thatch taking a turn for the worse. They had gathered for a meeting in the early light of dawn, but no one yet dared to break the silence.
"How's Ashina?" Izo asked finally, gazing at Ace across the table. "She was there when it happened. Is she okay?"
Ace nodded. "Physically she's fine, but she's worried about Thatch."
"We all are," Vista interjected. "He's lucky Ashina has a habit of being on deck when she can't sleep at night. Without her there Teach's murder attempt could have been successful."
"Thatch isn't in the clear," Fossa added. "Marco and Jora haven't left that room, probably haven't slept."
Curiel nodded his head slowly. "What are we going to do about Teach? He's fled after stealing a Devil Fruit and he intended to kill Thatch to do it. Both huge offenses."
Ace's fist slammed on the table, his shoulder's ablaze. He answered Curiel's question, his voice firm as he did his best to contain his rage. "He was in my division. I'm going to find out why he did this."
"You're not to leave this ship," Pops commanded, his own voice harsh as he gazed down at Ace.
"I have to!" Ace shouted, flames licking his shoulders and neck. "He tried to kill Thatch! He stole a fruit and broke the code. He betrayed you and everyone on this ship he called brother!"
"And you have more responsibility than sailing off to fight him. Teach clearly had a plan. I will worry about my son that is still aboard this ship fighting for his life. Once I know Thatch's fate I will worry about Teach's."
Rage boiled inside Ace. Rationally, he knew Pops was right, but Ace felt responsible. Teach was his man, on his crew. Ace was a Commander. It was his responsibility to keep order and control of his men, and it was his man who tried to kill Thatch. The need to act was overwhelming. Despite practically being able to see Ashina as she smarted out, 'don't be reckless' behind his tightly closed eyes, Ace shot out of his chair and headed for the door.
The other Commanders hollered at him, yelling for him to calm down and come back, to sit down, but Ace didn't want to sit down. He wanted action. He wanted to avenge Thatch, to get the answers he wanted from Teach. It wasn't until the cool breeze smacked him in the face did he realize his feet had carried him to the deck. The saltwater air did nothing to calm the fire burning inside him.
It wasn't until the soft babbles reached his ears did his vision clear, revealing Ashina walking toward him with Sabo on her hip. He was upright, one arm wrapped around his mother's back, likely gripping her shirt tightly like he sometimes did. His other hand held tightly to a ring of plastic keys. When he spotted Ace, a loud squeal left his mouth and he shook the keys in his hand, waving them about and almost smacking Ashina in the face. Ace couldn't stop the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. The sight of his son did calm his rage.
Ashina noticed though. He knew she would. She could read him too well. His son however, was oblivious to Ace's turmoil and shook his keys happily again, once again coming dangerously close to Ashina's nose. "Easy there, tiger," Ashina cooed to Sabo, dipping her head to pepper his cheek in loud kisses. Her eyes turned back to him. "Looks like daddy could use a hug, or a really intense sparring match."
Ace smirked at her attempted playful banter, but it faded quickly. Sabo didn't seem to notice Ace's turmoil, and babbled delightedly, ever happy to vocalize his own inner musings. He reached for Ace, shaking the keys at him before pulling them back quickly, lest Ace snatch them from him.
"The innocence of a child," Ashina whispered softly. She reached out and brushed his arm with her free hand, squeezing his bicep. "Hey. Everything will be alright. You have to believe that. I'm going to go see Thatch, check on Marco and Jora. Make her rest, I doubt I can get Marco to leave and it may be best if he doesn't, but he needs to eat, too. Hold the baby. He's the best calming medicine there is."
Ashina didn't give Ace time to reply before she thrust the boy into his chest. Ace scrambled to hold onto Sabo, one hand going around his back and another gripping a chubby leg as she let go. Ashina pecked his cheek with a kiss and was gone in a flash.
Ace watched her disappear below deck, readjusting his hold on his now disgruntled son. Once he was comfortably tucked against Ace's side, Sabo went back to happily babbling while shaking his set of keys. Ace brushed his hand through the unruly, dark locks of hair and smiled despite himself.
"Maybe you are pretty good at calming your old man down, like your mama says, but some things can't be solved with snuggles, no matter how cute you are." Ace fell silent as he started to pace the length of the deck, but his mind was screaming with a thousand thoughts. He knew what he should do, what Pops wanted him to do, but a part of him raged against it. He needed something more than idleness. He needed action.
"Mama's gonna be mad at me, Sabo, real mad, but I have to do something about this. I can't let it rest. I can't let it go. Teach is my responsibility. One day when you're older, when you're a man, you'll understand, too."
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The door creaked as Ashina opened it slowly, slipping carefully inside with the tray balanced in her left hand. Thatch looked as if he was sleeping, but Ashina knew Marco had him on enough drugs to put Pops' under. Several lines and tubes were connected to Thatch, held in place with little white patches, hooked up to several machines and IV pouches of fluids.
Jora sat in a chair beside the bed. She was hunched over, her head resting on her arms, which were folded on the edge of the bed. She was asleep, the fingers of one of her hands wrapped tightly around Thatch's. Marco sat in another chair on the other side of the bed, he was slouched down in the chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. His arms were folded over his middle, but his eyes were open and they flicked away from Thatch to glance at her. Ashina noted the tired look in his eyes.
"Have you slept any?" she asked softly, setting the tray on the clean table.
Marco shook his head, stretching his arms high above his head before sitting up in the chair. "No. Jora fell asleep an hour or so ago. She needs it."
"You need sleep, too. I brought food," Ashina said, motioning to the tray. "If you won't sleep you should at least eat."
She flicked her eyes over to Thatch, eyeing the thick bandages around his torso and little monitor pads stuck his chest in various places. "How is he?"
Marco noted the waiver in her voice, and teased softly, "Don't tell me Red really does love Pompadour Dude?"
Ashina huffed out a small chuckle, cracking the smallest of smiles as she blinked back tears. "He's like an annoying big brother."
Marco grinned briefly, but it faded into a serious concentration. "It was touch and go most of the night. I managed to seal the wounds to his organs with my healing powers, but we've had to catch internal bleeding once already and there's still the risk of shock. He's…"
"Strong, and stubborn, and you're a good doctor. He's in good hands with you and Jora. I'm going to send Tana and crew in here so that Jora can get some real sleep. Eat. And sleep, the nurses will wake you if they need you. Keep me posted, yes?"
"Yeah. Thanks for breakfast."
"You're welcome. I'll be back with Tana."
Ashina flicked her eyes to Jora and Thatch, taking one last look at the pair before she slipped back out the door. First, she would gather some of the available nurses to stay with Marco and also help her drag Jora to bed. After that Ashina planned to busy herself with any boring chore she could manage while taking care of Sabo in an effort to keep her mind off the worry in her heart.
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Another meeting with the Commanders and Pops kept Ace up late into the evening. With everything happening throughout the day, Ace barely saw Ashina or his son after the brief moment in the morning on the deck. Opening the door, a tired smile graced his lips as he saw both his son and Ashina in the bedroom. Sabo slept peacefully in his cradle only a few feet away from where his mother sat cross legged on the floor folding a basket of laundry. Piles of baby socks, onesies, blankets, diapers, and bibs were stacked in neatly folded piles in a semi-circle around her.
Ace stepped carefully closer, bending at the waist to press a kiss to the top of her head. He scooped up the pile of paired socks as he righted himself and turned to put them away. Wordlessly they finished the task together, Ashina folding the remaining clothes while Ace put them away.
It was in these moments that Ace truly realized how much he loved her, how easily she fell into his life and took her place beside him. He could see a future with her, growing old together as they traveled whatever path life might have in store for them. Ace wanted that now more than ever. The birth of Sabo changed him, made him think of a different kind of future, one he never imagined for himself before. Ashina saw something in him, she trusted and loved him. Her love was the greatest gift he ever received.
Stopping in front of her again, Ace held out his hands, pulling her to her feet as soon as her palms touched his. Trailing his hands up her arms he slid them back down her back. Ace gripped her hips firmly and pulled her closer.
"Hi," she whispered, tilting her head back slightly to catch his gaze.
"Hi." The word ghosted over her lips before his own mouth crashed against hers. His fingers pressed harder into her flesh, desperate to feel her body flush against his own.
Ace deepened the kiss as her hands snaked over his shoulders, drawing herself impossibly nearer. A muffled groan escaped his throat when her nails scratched through the hairs at the nape of his neck. His own hands fumbled to find the knot of her robe, tugging it loose and slipping his hands inside.
Ashina shrugged out of the robe, letting it fall to the floor, before her hands drifted up his chest. She broke away from the kiss, trailing her lips across his jaw as they both panted for air. The moment Ace lifted her off the floor she wrapped herself around him.
Ace toed out of his boots before walking the short distance to the bed. He undid his belt, pushing his shorts over his hips and stepping out of them. Ace was quick to move his hands back to her smooth skin, trailing up her thighs before gathering the hem of her silk nightgown in his hands. It bunched as he traveled upward, gliding over her curves before he pulled the garment over her head, leaving her completely bare.
Laying her on the bed, Ace hovered over her and held her gaze, caught for a moment in the beauty of her green orbs shining with love in the dim light of the room. She reached up, fingers brushing through the thick strands of dark hair.
"I love you," she whispered.
A half-smile tugged at one corner of his mouth and he dipped his head to kiss her tenderly. He pulled back, touching the tip of his nose to hers. "I love you."
Ace was moving then, a burning need igniting in his soul, and his lips left open mouth kisses down the column of her throat. He trailed over her collarbone before sliding lower. He was careful with her breasts, lest he get more than he bargained for, as he lapped at her sensitive nipples. She whimpered as he dragged his tongue down the flat of her stomach, dipping playfully in her belly button before peppering her skin with wet kisses.
Moving lower still, Ace pressed a kiss to her sex and then licked her entrance. His hands pushed her thighs further apart and one trailed back to her sex so that he could slide his fingers over her folds, opening her core for him. Ace covered her sex with his mouth, lapping at her with wild abandon. Her soft moans and whimpers, barely audible behind her lips pressed tightly together, urged him on. He could feel her thighs quivering against his shoulder and pressed his tongue inside while he circled her clit with two fingers.
Ashina's back arched off the bed, grinding her core against his mouth as she whimpered, "Yes, Ace, oh, I'm coming."
He moaned, continuing to eat her as she came, enjoying the taste of her on his tongue. Flicking his eyes up to watch her come down from her high, Ace slowed his pace and stilled his fingers. Teasing, he dipped his tongue into her core again before he pulled back. He didn't bother to wipe his chin before sliding up her body to press his lips to hers. Deepening the kiss caused Ashina to moan softly.
Ace slipped an arm under her back, breaking their kiss just long enough to drag her higher onto the bed. Her hands where everywhere, ghosting over his heated skin while her hips rolled beneath his. His cock slid between her slick folds, an erotic imitation of what he really wanted to do to her, but he enjoyed the soft cry that left her lips each time the head of his cock brushed over her clit.
"More, Ace," Ashina whispered.
He chuckled lowly, head dipping down to suck gently on the curve of her neck. Shifting his weight to one arm, Ace raised slightly, and tilted his hips to angle his cock. He watched her eyes flutter closed as he entered her.
"Yes," she purred, her eyes opening again and meeting his.
Ace pulled back before thrusting slowly into her. Her hands slid up to his shoulders, arms wrapping around his neck. She pulled him down to her, wrapping her legs around his hips as their chests pressed together. Ace thrust into her again as Ashina rolled her hips.
They set a sensual pace, their hips meeting and grinding together before they pulled back, so far that Ace almost slipped completely out of her before he was balls deep once more. Her nails scratched at his back, her breaths coming in pants between soft whimpers each time his pelvic bone tapped her mound. Ace kissed any part of her body he could reach, lavishing her skin in warm, wet caresses, lingering on the places that made her moan a little louder.
Ace could feel her thighs quiver against him, a telling sign she was close, and he increased their pace. A smirk graced his lips as she easily matched him.
"Ace." His name fell from her lips in a soft plea.
Raising his head, he captured her lips in a fiery kiss. He felt her tense for a moment before she fell over the edge. Swallowing her soft cries, Ace's tongue slid against hers as he thrust into her.
Ace threaded a hand through her thick hair, wrapping the strands around his fist as he slid his lips across her cheek. He groaned, nipping the skin just below her ear, trying to hold back his own orgasm as she rode out her high. The way Ashina's hips rocked and ground against his was too much, her slick heat milked his cock, the waves her orgasm fading but still pulling his own release suddenly from his body.
He attempted to muffle his groan into her shoulder, releasing deep inside her. His hips stilled for a second before he thrust into her several quick times. Slowing again, Ace pumped his hips until he was completely spent. Ashina's lips peppered his shoulder as they both tried to catch their breath.
Ace kept one arm under her, pulling her with him as he rolled to his side. Their legs tangled together as Ashina stretched hers out, her toes brushing down his shins. Ace kissed her nose and then her lips.
Ashina hummed softly, her eyes closing as his fingers untangled from her hair to trail up and down her spine. Her fingertips traced blind patterns over his chest.
"I love you," she mumbled, sounding half asleep already, and snuggled deeper into his arms.
Ace chuckled softly and pressed his lips to the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent before shifting slightly to get comfortable on the pillow. It was rare Ashina fell asleep before him, but Ace took the chance to watch her. Her calm breaths blew softly against his skin where her fingers laid slack against his chest. Pressing another kiss to her forehead, Ace let his lips linger for a moment, savoring the momentary bliss. Ace closed his eyes, keeping his nose buried in her hair, and tried to quiet his mind, thinking only of Ashina in his arms as he drifted to sleep.
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Ace slid out of bed, careful to not wake Ashina. He stretched his tense muscles before quietly padding across the room to dress. Tugging his belts on last, Ace stepped over to the cradle and peered down at his son. His little arms were stretched over his head as he slept soundly. Ace cracked a smile as he bent down to scoop Sabo up. The boy squirmed, letting out a soft grunt of unhappiness at being lifted from his soft bed. His face rubbed against Ace's bare chest, relaxing and stilling as he inhaled his father's scent and calmed.
The rocking chair was a favorite spot for both Ace and Ashina. It gave him the perfect view of Ashina sleeping in their bed while he held his son, rocking him gently while he continued to slumber. Ace brushed his fingers tenderly over Sabo's unruly mess of dark hair, surprisingly thick for only five months old.
Ashina stirred on the bed and Ace raised his eyes to study her. She wrapped her arms around his pillow, pulling it to her chest and curling herself into a ball. The blanket was only partially covering her legs, and Ace let his eyes travel the smooth, naked skin. She was beautiful, like a sleeping siren, with her hair spilling across her pillow in wild waves. She looked younger than her twenty-one years when she slept.
He would miss a lot of moments with both his son and his lover when he departed for the task he was determined to take, for the score he needed to settle. There was no telling how long it would take him. Teach already had a head start, and Ace would be on the hunt to catch up.
Glancing down at his son, he took in all his soft features. How old would he be when Ace returned? Ace hoped he didn't miss his first birthday, and while that was months away, nothing was a guarantee. Ashina would take care of their son, of that Ace was certain. She was a fierce woman and an even fiercer mother, a true mama bear.
It would be strange to be away from her, to not pull her into his arms at night and wake up with his nose buried in her hair in the morning. He would miss the intimacy, the conversations, the jokes, and even her occasional snarky attitude and smart mouth. She would be angry with him for leaving, but Ace was prepared to beg for forgiveness when he returned.
Ace sighed. Ashina would think he was acting recklessly, but Ace had thought of nothing else since Teach's betrayal. He weighed every option, thought of all the possibilities, and no matter the risk, Ace's mind was made.
Ace bent his head, lifting his son slightly so he could press his lips to his forehead. Ace inhaled his sweet baby smell and closed his eyes.
"I love you, Sabo. You are my pride, the reason why it's good that I'm here," Ace whispered softly.
He gazed at his sleeping boy for a moment longer before standing from the rocking chair. Ace gently placed Sabo back in his cradle, being extra careful not to wake the boy, before he slipped silently out of the room.
The deck was beginning to stir with life as the rising sun lightened the hazy horizon. It was clear the day would be another overcast one, the potential for more rain hanging in the air. Ace found Deuce and Aggie sharing cups of coffee over quiet conversation near the quarter deck.
"Morning, Commander Ace," Aggie greeted with a short wave.
Ace nodded in reply.
Deuce caught on to his seriousness and set his cup down. "What's up, Boss?"
"I need you to ready Striker. Quickly. I intend to leave after breakfast."
Ace didn't wait for their reply before he turned and headed off. Deuce wasn't sure what his next intentions were, but his orders had been clear. He stood slowly from his stool and nodded to Aggie. "Well, let's get to it. You heard him."
Aggie exchanged glances with Deuce, briefly looking at Ace's retreating back before turning back to Deuce. "The Missus isn't going to like this."
"Don't tell her," Deuce replied.
"But -"
Deuce shook his head. "S'not our place. He's the Commander. I protect Ashina, but I take orders from Ace."
Aggie agreed, still uneasy about Ace's intentions, but he stood to follow his Commander's orders.
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Ace cinched the backpack closed and then slug it over his shoulder. He surveyed the room, lingering on all the little touches Ashina added to make their space more personal, truly theirs. His eyes fell on the cradle in the corner of the room and Ace sucked in a breath.
"You'll understand why I have to do this when you're older," Ace whispered to the empty room.
Sabo was with the nurses and Ashina. He didn't want to seek out his son again, letting him go to his mother's arms at breakfast had been hard enough. Ace was going to miss a lot with his son, and the early mornings together when he let Ashina sleep in for just a while longer were his favorite minutes of the day. Those precious moments alone with his son, just the two of them in the quiet of the morning. Ace clenched his teeth together, shaking his head to try and physically rid those thoughts from his mind. He needed to focus on his task, what he needed to do for his crew and his family.
Ace opened the door and stepped into the hall, closing it gently behind him before turning to head for the stairs. Ashina caught him as she came down them. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the straps of the bag clutched in his hand.
"What are you doing?" she asked, closing the small distance between them.
Ace answered with honesty. "I'm going to find Teach, and I'm going to settle things."
Ashina frowned, shaking her head gently. "Pops doesn't want you to leave, Ace. I don't want you to go."
"I know," he said, dropping a kiss to her forehead before side stepping around her. He couldn't hold her gaze. He couldn't look her in the eye. If he let her have the chance to talk to him with the thoughts of his son still sitting on the edge of his mind, his determination would falter, and Ace had to do this.
"Ace," she said, her voice sharp, but he continued up the stairs.
Ashina silently followed him all the way to the deck, which was already buzzing with activity. Pops sat in his chair, and the moment he spotted Ace, said something to Marco.
It was Marco who approached Ace, stopping him as Ashina came to stop at his side, narrowing her eyes. Marco cocked his head slightly, seeing the bag over Ace's shoulder. "Why is Striker in the water?"
"I'm going after Teach."
Pops made a low noise of disagreement in his throat. "We will track down Teach when it is time. Do not act out of rage, son."
"He's disrespected you! He attempted to murder Thatch! He's a member of my division and he should answer for what he's done."
"It doesn't feel right, Ace. Let it go!" Pops ordered.
Ace shook his head and made to cross the deck. Several members of his division tried to stop him.
"Commander Ace, wait."
"Pops said to let it go, Commander."
"Ace, you shouldn't go."
Other shouts fell on deaf ears as Ace shook off their hold on him. "Let go of me. I'm going to make Teach answer for what he's done."
As soon as Ace took a step Ashina was moving. Ashina stepped in front of Ace, blocking the path he was storming through the crowd. She put her hands up, pressing them into his chest as he stepped forward once more before stopping inches from her. She could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Ace wouldn't meet her gaze, staring straight ahead, looking just over the top of her head.
Ashina spoke calmly, despite how she wanted to rage at him. With the rage coursing in his veins, he would only meet her own anger with a stronger force. "You need to think before you do something reckless."
He breathed deeply, his chest heaving with each breath, and she could see the hurt in his eyes, the pain that could only be displayed as rage. Ashina reached up to touch his jaw, trying to get him to meet her eyes. "Going off half-cocked isn't going to help anyone, Ace. Look at me, Ace," she whispered.
He looked down at her then. His gaze softened as he leaned in to kiss her. It was a soft, quick kiss, leaving her lips with a warm tingle as he brushed across her cheek, his lips ghosting against her ear. "I love you," he whispered, "I'll come back."
Ace straightened, stepped around her, and headed for the side of the ship where Striker was ready to depart.
Ashina whirled around in time to see him vault the side of the ship. "Ace!"
Her cry fell on deaf ears and tears pooled in her eyes, as she reached the edge of the ship, Marco joining her side seconds later.
"Ace! Yoi, wait! Come back," Marco shouted.
Flames erupted from his feet and Striker was gone, darting over the waves as fast as Ace could propel the craft.
Ashina sighed heavily. She didn't acknowledge Marco when his hand squeezed her shoulder. When the silent tears slipped down her cheeks, Marco pulled her into his side, wrapping an arm around her in a comforting embrace. Ashina leaned into him, accepting his support. They stayed on the deck long after Ace had disappeared into the horizon and long after the rest of the crew went back to their daily tasks.
Marco's calm voice broke the silence. "Let's check on Thatch. Give Jora a break."
"I should check on Sabo," Ashina replied.
"He'll be fine with the nurses." Marco knew she needed a distraction greater than the boy who looked just like his father. "Let's go. You can get Sabo from them later when he's hungry."
Ashina gave in, nodding her head even as her eyes remained on the horizon. It took Marco physically turning her for her gaze to finally slip away, to accept that Ace wasn't turning around. His mind was made up, and whether or not his decision was reckless, it was made and there was no turning back. They would have to move forward and face whatever was to come. Ashina only hoped Ace didn't act recklessly, any more so than he already had. Above all else, he was her other half and she needed him to come back to her.