It's been such a long time since I've done the Celestial Dragon AU D: I can't believe I left it out of my drabbles for so long o.o


(Celestial Dragon AU)

Ace threw the toy for Stefan, Pops' dog, who raced after the strange moustache, looking thing. It look like an exact copy of Pops' and Stefan's and it made him realise how obsessed this crew was with facial hair. He leaned back, glancing over at Izo who was lounging in a chair, sipping at some fruity looking drink.

"Izo?"

Izo looked up from his magazine. "Yes, darling?"

"Why is everybody obsessed with facial hair on this ship?"

Izo's eyes widened but he chuckled. "Why do you think we have a facial hair obsession?"

"There are like, what, five of you who don't have facial hair? And even Stefan has it," Ace said, grinning when Stefan bounded up to him, cuddling in. Ace hugged him as best he could, although the dog was much bigger than him, and still growing.

"I still wouldn't call that an obsession-"

"We're called the 'Whitebeard Pirates'," Ace pointed out.

"True, true, but-" Izo suddenly stiffened, instantly up on his feet.

"Izo?" Ace frowned.

"Someone strong is sailing towards us," Izo murmured, taking his arm. "Stefan, go inside. Ace, we'll go to Pops' side."

Stefan woofed but trotted inside, probably going to take over one of the Commander's beds, he always did that, despite having a bed in Pops' room for himself. Ace followed Izo to where a crowd of their brothers were gathering, Jozu dumping Pops' chair down on the main deck.

"That Red Hair brat is making his way over," Pops said, sitting down heavily on his seat.

All the nurses were moving the medical equipment, Sam not looking the least bit impressed, as they reattached everything back on to Pops. The head nurse, Marco's right-hand, had a hand on her hip, tilting her head and scowling.

"Pops, no drinking this time. I don't care what Shanks brings you," Sam ordered.

"Now, now, if I don't drink what he brings it will seem rude-"

"I don't give a crap if it seems rude! I told you, no drinks for a few days. It's not even been a full one yet!" Sam snapped.

"Who's 'Red Hair'?" Ace asked.

Marco glanced down at him. "He's a Yonko, just like Pops is. He's the youngest one."

"Oh... Does he have a beard too?" Ace tilted his head.

"A bit of scruff I guess, but no," Marco frowned. "Why'd you ask yoi?"

Izo sighed. "Ace thinks we have a beard obsession."

"We do have a beard obsession."

Marco raised a brow. "Really?"

"Yes," Ace nodded. "It's weird. I think you guys have a problem."

Pops cackled.

Marco looked ready to reply, but instead he tensed, eyes narrowing further, just as somebody announced that they were receiving Red Hair. Marco sighed, shaking his head.

"All the weaker ones, go back inside yoi," Marco ordered, glancing back at their siblings. "Most of you won't be able to handle his haki."

"What do you mean?" a bearded guy asked.

Ace didn't know his name, but he was another bearded guy, more evidence that this crew was obsessed with beards. At this rate Ace would need to try grow one himself, although he had only ever seen adults have them.

That was troublesome.

"It doesn't matter, just head inside," Marco said. "Ace, c'mere, I don't want you falling and hitting your head."

Marco leaned down, scooping Ace up into his arms, Ace scowled but before he could complain people began to collapse. Marco looked at ease, not at all surprise, but the sight made Ace freeze, shocked. He had no idea why everyone just suddenly started collapsing, it wasn't like anyone else on the ship had narcolepsy.

"It's already too late yoi," Marco sighed. "We really need to work on everyone's reaction to Conquerors haki."

"Would probably be a good idea," Izo agreed, but then blinked. "Ace? You're still awake?"

"Yeah," Ace nodded. "Am I not supposed to be? Why is everyone collapsing? Are they sick?"

"No, not at all," Marco reassured, he did look startled though. "You're not feeling dizzy or anything? Not even sleepy?"

"No. I feel fine," Ace frowned.

Vista chuckled. "Ah, our dear Ace must be a pretty strong character, to withstand such a haki. Good job my boy."

Ace tilted his head. "I don't get it."

"We'll tell you everything soon, just hush for now, alright yoi?" Marco urged. "That idiot, Shanks and Pops are about to talk."

A red haired man strolled on to the deck, dragging a huge bottle with him, Sam's scowl deepened, where she stood at Whitebeard's side. All the other nurses had retreated inside, much to Ace's surprise.

"Pardon me," Shanks grinned. "I had to be a little bit threatening, going on to another's ship."

"Asshole! Looked what you did yoi!" Marco grouched.

"Marco! Hi! It's been ages-" Shanks beamed, but he faltered when he met Ace's eyes. "Oh crap! You had a kid with you guys. Sorry kiddo, if I knew you were here I wouldn't have blasted you with my haki."

"But I didn't feel anything," Ace complained, he squirmed, trying to get down but Marco merely shifted him against his side. "I don't even know what haki is!"

Shanks blinked. "Huh, interesting kid."

"Guarararara, that's my youngest son, Ace," Pops introduced, grinning.

"Wait, Ace?" Shanks frowned. "Whitebeard, how long have you had him aboard your ship for?"

"About four months now. Why?"

"Because I have a kid on my ship who has been looking for him since the moment they spilt up on Sabaody," Shanks revealed.

Ace gasped, his heart racing. "Wait, you know-"

Shanks began to speak but paused. They all did. Ace could hear some kind of chanting, going on over and over again, quickly growing louder.

"-Ce! Ace! Ace! Ace!"

A small weight collided into him, plus Marco, who barely kept his footing with two small weight now in his arms.

"ACE!" Luffy wailed.

"LUFFY!"

Marco finally released him, and immediately Luffy's arms were around him, Ace squeezing him just as tightly. Shanks began to laugh, but Ace was too busy checking his little brother over, his back, his neck, his head. Luffy looked so much better, he had some weight on him, his cheeks had colour, and his grin was so bright. There were no more bruises from the collar and shackles.

"You're alive," Ace smiled.

"Shishishishishi, we did it, Ace! We're free," Luffy beamed. "And you ran into pirates! That guy is so tall and has a funny moustache!"

"Yeah, they're obsessed with beards on this ship," Ace smirked, hearing Marco groan.

"Really?!" Luffy gasped.

"Yeah, even the dog has a beard."

"Whoa, such a cool pirate crew."

"Oi, Luffy," Shanks called. "My pirate crew is better right?"

"You guys don't have a dog," Luffy frowned. "You need a dog."

"We've got a monkey."

Luffy tilted his head. "That's true, Monstar is great, but he doesn't have a beard."

"Guararara, so, this is the little brother you've been looking for," Pops grinned, leaning back in his chair. "How about it kid, want to join my crew?"

Luffy huffed. "I can't!"

Izo blinked. "You can't?"

"I can't join anybody's crew. I'm forming my own. I'm going to be the Pirate King!" Luffy declared loudly, pulling away from his embrace. "So that means I'll have to beat you some day moustache man!"

"Guarararara, you're a hundred years too early to think about fighting me, cheeky brat," Pops grinned, but then he frowned. "Why are you here anyway, Shanks? You were surprised to see Ace, so it wasn't to reunite him with his little brother."

"Luffy wanted to speak to you," Shanks frowned. "It's a serious matter."

Ace stiffened. The 2nd Division Commander, that had drifted off to the back of his mind with everything else that had been going on. Luffy grabbed his hand, gripping it tightly, and nodded.

"I want him to know," Luffy said.

"I understand Lu'."

"Is it something to discuss in private?" Pops asked.

Shanks nodded. "I think that would be for the best."

"Fine. You three, Marco and I will be meeting privately," Pops did pause, glancing down at Sam whose eyes were boring into him. "Yes, daughter, you can come too. To 'supervise' or whatever."

"Thank you, Pops."

Shanks laughed. "Oh? You need to be supervised? Dahahahaha, you're being bossed about like a kid!"

"Shut it, you little brat. Just get into the meeting room," Pops scowled.