Maldea: Honestly I didn't even remember why people were mad at Namur lol. It's been a long time since I edited it. But thank you!
Wishfull-star: Thanks. Hopefully everyone can make it up to him and he can forgive them for how they acted before. Even though Izo will probably be very tough to forgive and all.
Limloeth: Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it! I loved writing cranky Ace. And I also love writing Thatch. For most of the Whitebeards we don't know shit about their personalities, so it's fun to write them anyways. And I have 3 other Ace dragon fics lol. But one I probably won't post because it's a mess. And a self-indulgent crossover I don't think anyone asked for haha.
Marco being an angel once again in this chapter. Enjoy~
After breakfast, Marco got up and started moving objects somewhere surprising. He thought it might help Ace out, being somewhere nobody would find him. He got things out of storage near the brig. Old furniture that used to be in the library until they got better couches. Blankets, lamps, a heater. He set them all up and put them all on a soft carpet. Hopefully this would help him have a safe space.
Not as safe as his ship, but nobody would find him down there. Not with the thick walls. Teach was not in the main brig. He was in the single cell in the maximum security room. It was near the main brig, but not the one Teach was in. Another reason Teach was in the single cell one was that it was more uncomfortable. The cuffs were tied to the ceiling instead of the wall. So he was strung up and unable to sit.
It was also much colder and damper. All in all, the worst part of the ship. Marco continued to work on the area, putting up wood on the walls and in front of the cells. Finally, he was satisfied with it, and went to get Ace. He found him sitting on the yardarm outside. The tallest one. He called for him, saying he wanted to show him something.
Ace nodded, and when he walked inside, the Spades all followed him. Marco was unsurprised they would be sticking close to him after what had happened. They were led down the stairs and to the brig. Instantly, Ace got worried. "Don't worry," Marco said with a smile, and opened the rusty door.
They all saw the cozy area that was there. Two couches, small tables with lamps on them. They were on top of many rugs, and there was wood sheeting over the cells, and a heater making the area nice and warm for the Spades besides Ace. "I thought you might like having somewhere to escape to. Nobody will come looking for you down here," Marco said with a smile. He handed Ace a thick key.
"You can unlock the door from the inside. You can't lock it from the inside, but you will never be trapped in here," the phoenix explained. Ace looked sad before he gave a smile. He thanked Marco quietly, sincerely. "You're very welcome. I want you to feel okay here. Maybe not happy, but not miserable. I'll do what I can to help you. Promise. I'll leave you alone, now. If you want anything else in here, don't hesitate to ask me, okay?"
Ace nodded silently and walked to the couch and sat down. Marco left the brig and closed the door that he'd oiled the hinges on so it wouldn't make any loud screeching noises with being opened. Marco walked past Teach's cell, hearing angry shouting. Marco didn't turn back. They were going to make Teach suffer for a while, uncomfortable, hungry and thirsty. He deserved it.
He ran into Jozu in the hall and asked where Ace was. "Why?"
"Izo said he found Ace's dagger in your room behind a desk. I don't know why it would be there, but he wants to return it," Jozu explained. Marco wondered how nobody had found it until now. It was from him wrecking his room, no doubt. Come to think of it, he'd seen Ace with a dagger wrapped around his leg a few times. He must have forgotten it on his way leaving yesterday.
"I'll take it to him. Where is Izo?" Marco asked. Jozu said he was in the galley practicing with Thatch for his new power, which continued to eat random objects. So far, Thatch was frustrated and impatient. Marco kept telling him it would take time to get it, but he was irate. Ace told him that it took him months to not randomly catch on fire.
Hearing that made Thatch dramatically fall to his knees and lament his bad luck. But he did know eating it was the best way to keep it out of Teach's hands.
"Izo, can I get the dagger? I'll give it to Ace," Marco said. Izo said he wanted to give it to him. "Then now isn't the best time. Give it to him later, okay?" The 16th division commander nodded. Then he went back to helping Thatch, even if he wasn't at all. Marco was sure Ace would help Thatch out once he was feeling better. Hopefully his new safe space would help out.
A baby step into getting him comfortable. Marco had his own safe space. In his office, there was a small alcove in the wall that opened to a tiny room with one small arm chair. It was where he had gone when he was younger and overwhelmed getting used to more and more people joining. He hated it at first. Felt like Pops was replacing him with others.
Whitebeard had assured him that wasn't it. It took awhile for Marco to be okay with it. Then Jozu and then Thatch came and he became friends with both of them even before commanders were a thing, when the crew was still small enough for Pops to do everything himself. He found said captain in the library, able to sense his presence easily.
There were a handful of others in there, reading quietly or napping on the big couches. The library was where people went for peace and quiet. Shouting in there was not allowed. The captain looked up when Marco came in, and smiled. A knowing smile. "So, how are they liking the brig?" he asked quietly.
"I think Ace is happy about it. I did my best to make the space comfortable. They need a safe space, Ace especially," Marco said, not surprised that Pops knew they were in the brig, and that Marco had been in there, too. Whitebeard smiled and said he was proud of the first mate's understanding of them.
Marco replied, "I think I know a lot more about Ace from spending time on the beach with them. He talked to me openly about things, and others just fell into place and clicked. I feel that I really know him better than before. The real him, not the closed off, prickly version we've encountered.
"Or the sadness he radiates now. Losing his ship really crushed him. I can tell he's more devastated than his crew. Probably because nowhere else feels safe for him to be himself." Marco nodded in agreement. "Namur knows, by the way. He figured it out. It shouldn't be surprising that he figured it out, though."
They were speaking quiet enough that no one could hear their conversation. The much larger man sighed at this news. Marco told him the fishman had promised to not tell anybody. But it was still uncomfortable knowing one person knew and another had very accurate suspicions. As long as Izo didn't bombard Ace with questions again, maybe they could move past the thing that was the tipping point for the teen before.
"How is the bedroom coming? To split them up?"
"It's coming along. Though, personally, I really don't think they're going to split up for now, after…" he trailed, off remembering he couldn't talk about it. Ace didn't want him to, of course, so he wouldn't. He was his friend and it was something he didn't want people to know. Which was completely reasonable, and he was no longer hurt. "I can't say."
Whitebeard nodded, accepting this. Marco was so glad the man was patient and so understanding.
-x-
Ace was sagged into the cushiony couch. It was a nice space. Warm for the others, the lights were warm and reflected the wooden sheeting and not the metal and stone cells. All of the Spades were on the couches, just relaxing. Ace really appreciated Marco's kindness and understanding of how he needed a safe space.
The teen had told his crew. Both about the injury that there was no trace of, and his scales on his legs, finally. Nobody had known about it. Ace had hidden it expertly. Especially from Deuce. His crew felt sorry for him, obviously, but made sure he knew they wouldn't leave him for something like that.
That maybe everyone knowing he was a dragon would keep people away in fear. Bad people. Well, good people too. If Ace was a small dragon, he wouldn't be as scary, but he was definitely not small. Not even big. He was huge. Intimidating. He might not scare people on land because he was a water dragon, but he'd be feared regardless.
There was nobody like him in the world, it seemed. At least, not that anybody knew of. He was sad about it, but he gave up. It didn't matter anymore. He was lost in thought, and it seemed everybody else was as well, based on how quiet the brig was at the moment. Nobody said a thing. The quiet was nice. Just being with his crew, not anywhere near any of the other crew. Finally, somebody said something. Ace hadn't been expecting it.
"Are you celebrating your birthday this year?" Deuce asked. He knew Ace only celebrated his birthday with his brother, and that he didn't want to do it anymore. Ace said he'd forgotten all about it. "We could just celebrate it here. Not around any of the Whitebeards. They don't have to know."
Ace shrugged. "I don't know. I don't really feel like there's anything to celebrate." His crew said it was, but not forcefully, knowing Ace didn't like his birthday, though they didn't know why. His birthday was also the day his mom died for him. It was the start of a very difficult childhood. It just didn't feel like anything special. And there was no reason to celebrate if he didn't like it.
They celebrated the others' birthdays, but they hadn't for Ace's 18th birthday. "I guess a cupcake would be okay. But not a party or anything. Just a cupcake." The others said that was good enough. They smiled and Ace sighed. He wanted to go home. But he wanted to stop thinking about it.
He knew that was impossible for a while. And his crew now knew how he felt, why he felt that way. They were sympathetic to him and had offered him physical and verbal comfort. They were his lifeline, like Sabo had been and then Luffy. So, the plan was, in three days from that day, to get a single cupcake for Ace to eat. To celebrate his birth, even if he didn't think it was worth it. They had all forgotten it, and his crew felt bad about it.
After four hours and multiple naps later, dinner time was there. They left the brig, turning all the electrics off and then went up to the galley. Ace was still feeling upset about his outburst and consecutive loss of control of his own body. He'd do everything he could to not lose his emotions like that again if that was the price he paid.
He was just glad it had healed. When he shifted the right way, in water, it didn't hurt at all. His body naturally changed without any pain or difficulty. He didn't think not being in water would make him like that. His dragon side going against his human side, injuring him. He'd never lose control again. Ever.
They ate outside. The weather was really nice, so they took advantage of it. Ace looked over the railing while eating his plain but good food. "You want to go on one?"
"Not tonight," Ace replied, shocking his crew. He had never said he didn't want to go on a swim when he was asked. "I kind of just want to sleep." Deuce frowned sadly.
He said, "This isn't a nightmare, Ace. It's real life. You'll wake up tomorrow and things will not have changed." Ace winced, knowing he was right. Deuce understood him too well sometimes. But it was why he wanted to go to bed early. Hoping this was all a bad dream and they were on the PoS, stationary out on the sea.
Ace didn't reply, and Aggie 68 scolded Deuce. "No, he's right. I'm not happy he's right, but he is. I still want to go to bed, though. So, I'll either see you later or tomorrow morning, okay?" the captain asked. They agreed, wishing him goodnight. It was only 9:00, having eaten slowly and silently.
He ran into Namur, the only fishman on the crew that Ace had noticed. The guy looked at Ace a bit too long, and Ace asked him what his problem was, a little snappy. "Nothing. Sorry for staring," Namur said, giving the slightest bow, and walked away. Ace was left confused and irate. But at least he apologized. It didn't sound extra sincere, but it wasn't in a mocking way.
But… he'd bowed to Ace. Shit. Did he know?! Why would he bow any other way? And he was a fishman. Maybe he sensed something about Ace being a water creature, too. He was worried, but for some reason thought he wouldn't tell anybody. If he bowed, that meant he showed respect. He didn't think he'd do that and then just go blab to people.
Well, Ace didn't know if that was the situation, but he was glad somebody bowed and showed respect on this ship. Deuce was right. They didn't know and they wouldn't bow to him because of that. But he wouldn't tell anybody. Not let himself slip. He'd be more careful when he went out to go on a swim.
To not let anybody else be suspicious. Just because Izo felt bad (it seemed) didn't mean his suspicions had just disappeared. He just probably wouldn't be so pushy about it, but he wouldn't forget it. And if he spied on Ace again, he'd get a good punch to the face. He didn't care if they got upset about that, he would have privacy.
Marco said privacy was important, but he doubted Izo got into trouble for it. Probably only trouble for making Ace leave and give up staying or getting to know anybody else. He didn't pass anybody else on his way to bed, since he doubted the pirates went to bed so early. He changed into pajama shorts. Part of him was so relieved that the others knew about the scales.
He didn't have to hide them once they were on a new ship. He could bathe not alone. The scales had started coming when he was thirteen. By then, Luffy wouldn't have cared, Ace was his brother, and he accepted all of him. Even the grumpy days. But his little brother often managed to cheer him up or distract him by doing something stupid.
He smiled at the memories of Luffy and him. He couldn't wait to see Luffy's first bounty. He fell asleep in a good mood. It was nice, really nice.
When he woke up in the morning, everyone was still asleep. It made sense, he'd gone to bed before all of them. He went to the galley for food, starving and unable to wait for the others. There weren't many people in there yet, which Ace was glad about. "Ace! You're sure up early," Thatch said. Ace nodded, saying he went to bed early. "Will you help me today with my devil fruit? For staying solid? I keep turning solid and then into the foam. It's not foam, but I don't know what to call it, it is foam. Nobody can tell me different."
"Evil bubbles," Ace said. "That fits better."
"They're not bubbles, and not evil!"
"Dark clouds."
"Foam!"
"Okay, okay. You know you could probably beat the devil fruit users of this ship. The fruit you ate nullifies other devil fruits. Might be boring, though. To win and all," Ace said, eating the plain toast. The Spades didn't have a designated chef. They could make food alright, but it was never fancy or detailed. Not many diverse foods.
"That would be awesome to kick their asses!" Thatch said. "But I still want to use my swords, too. Though Marco and Jozu have their devil fruits but also rely on hand to hand. Like you. Where'd you learn your moves and all? I'd think you're pretty strong, even if you had unfortunately been weakened from your fight with Jinbei. And Then Pops beat you up. Dick move."
"Excuse me?" Whitebeard asked when he walked in.
"I didn't say anything, I promise," Thatch said quickly. But Whitebeard just chuckled and got some food, too. "Anyways, where'd you learn to fight?" Ace swallowed the food in his mouth before answering. Thatch was okay to talk to about this kind of simple stuff. He knew he was right about him being weak after the five day fight. He wasn't upset about that, it was just a fact.
Ace said, "I trained with my brother on our home island. The huge beasts helped us get stronger, too. You remind me of my little brother. He was kind of stupid, too. But more than you," Ace said casually.
"Hey! Don't be rude."
"You've been rude to me, though." Thatch said it had been on accident, he'd worded it wrong. Ace sighed and put his fork down. "I know. But it still bothered me." Whitebeard was clearly listening from the table he usually sat at. Thatch apologized about it sincerely. And that he hoped the "thing" had not happened because of what he said. "It contributed to it, but it was more. Things just piled up all at once. It wasn't solely your fault."
Thatch looked guilty, knowing his words had helped Ace get so overwhelmed that spikes ripped out of his back. "What was your life with your brother like?" Thatch asked, trying to change the subject, which Ace was totally fine with. He told him about Luffy and how he made him feel better. He didn't mention Sabo. Mostly because the chef knew that Ace could have saved him, but just wasn't there. He should have been there. It was personal, and it took a long time to tell his crew about his first friend ever.
The older man was shocked that Ace was dumped on bandits from his grandfather. And that surprised him even more. That Garp the Fist was his grandpa, adoptive or not. Ace didn't have any fond memories of him. It was sad, but he just didn't. He didn't even trust him to see Ace was part dragon.
By the time Ace was three, Garp had already yelled at him. Scared him into not saying a thing and being able to hide it. The bandits eventually knew, but they surprisingly kept it a secret from everybody. That was why he could look back at them partially fondly. They still made him not have a loving childhood, but at least they kept his secret and weren't afraid of him.
"What was his reaction? To, you know?" Ace said he didn't know. He'd never known and never would, if things went according to Ace's wishes. He finished his food by the time his crew came in. They were all dressed. He noticed that nobody walked around in their pajamas even in the morning.
There were some days on the PoS that they just wore pajamas all day if it was a calm one. He left the counter and went to sit with his crew. He stayed mostly quiet, and Deuce patted his back. The galley was quickly filling up as pirates arrived for breakfast. Thatch and his sous chefs were amazing with how quickly and how much they were about to cook for 1,600 or so people.
After breakfast, Haruta came over and sat next to Deuce with a smile. "So, we're having a New Years party tomorrow. Do you like alcohol? We have all sorts of kinds! And there will be a feast and everything! Do you want to take part?" he asked cheerily. The Spades shared looks. It was Ace's birthday on New Years. He didn't want a party. It wouldn't be a birthday party, but it might feel like it. And he didn't want that.
"You guys can. I don't really want to," Ace said to his crew. Haruta pouted, and then sighed before going back to how he was.
"Weeeeell, we have parties all the time. I guess you guys will be the only ones not hung over. Or you could just have some booze inside and chill in your room or something." Saber said it sounded like a good plan. Ace nodded. He wouldn't drink much, but a few sips wouldn't be much. He was easy to get drunk.
And he was also embarrassed. He giggled like a little girl and slurred his speech badly. His crew thought it was funny, but doing it in front of all these strangers was not okay. Haruta got up and walked back to his table.
They finished their meals and returned the dishware to the kitchen. Thatch always seemed to eat at lightspeed so he could get going on cleaning up. Saber walked up to the counter and quietly asked Thatch to make Ace a cupcake. Thatch wondered why, but said he would. Saber thanked him, and Ace was glad that Thatch didn't ask why.
He didn't want anybody to know.
They ran into Izo in the hallway, and the crossdresser stopped Ace, who sent him a cold look. He couldn't help it. Izo grabbed him without permission, told him something cruel and pestered him about things that weren't his business at all. "We found this under the desk in Marco's room," he said, handing Ace the dagger.
Ace took it and strapped it around his leg. It felt much better. He'd thought he lost it in the ocean because he couldn't find it anywhere else. He hadn't even remembered taking his dagger into Marco's room. "Thanks," Ace said, though his voice was clipped.
"I really am sorry. I know it doesn't really make up for it, but I am sorry," Izo said. Ace responded with an, "Okay." Not one of forgiveness. He thought the apology was likely sincere, but it didn't mean he trusted the man to not be nosy. Thatch even said he was. Would he change his nature? He didn't expect him to, to be honest.
When they got outside, Ace saw Namur, and remembered to tell his crew about what had happened. They were at the back deck, where they spent much of their time since people didn't usually go back there. They were worried about somebody else knowing. Ace, for some reason, thought that Namur would not talk to anybody else about it. He did want to know what he thought. He got up and said he'd be back in a minute.
He walked to him at the railing, and asked to talk to him real quick. His voice was awkward, but not snappy. He bowed to Ace. That was better than any apology. And he didn't remember Namur being one of the assholes the first time around. He knew who had hated him and who hadn't really given a shit. Namur was the latter.
"What do you know? Or think?" Ace asked quietly. They were both leaning against the railing, facing the sea. If either of them fell in, they'd both be just fine.
"Part water dragon. Though I have no idea how. I get why you're so snappy and pissy sometimes. Why you were before. Why you get offended so easily and why Izo thought you somehow swam back to the island. I haven't and won't tell anybody," he added. Ace sighed deeply and bent his head down. "I can see pros and cons for everyone noticing. Pros would be they knew you better and knew why you act like you do. Cons would be somebody blabbing. I'm not going to pretend that everyone on this crew is a good person.
"There are plenty of jerks, just not nearly the majority. A small minority, but they are still here," Namur said honestly. Ace appreciated it. He said he wasn't telling anybody. Now four people knew. And he wanted to keep it that way.
Ace thanked him for being honest before going back to his crew.