(Dark Carrier AU)

Ace was finally asleep. He had been panicked and terrified the moment he registered the sea, and the breeze on his face. Sabo had tried to calm him down, to lead him through breathing exercises but it didn't work. Ace had started crying and hyperventilating and Sabo had been forced to sedate him. Thankfully he had taken plenty of the drugs for Carriers with him, the ones that would keep both the Carrier and their baby safe. Honestly, Sabo would rather not have to keep Ace out like this, but he would do it if necessary.

Ace would be drowsy even once he woke up, so Sabo took the cuffs off, setting them aside. Once he got Ace comfortable he went back to steering the boat.

He was an idiot, and could curse himself for it for hours, because of should have realised Ace would have freaked out. His brother hadn't been free for years, and now he was being shoved out to face everything at once. Sabo should have either gotten a boat with proper shelter, where he could have stashed Ace, or just had sedated him before taking off.

They were out at sea for an hour before his snail rang. He picked it up, greeting Karasu, because only Karasu should be reporting to him right now. Everybody else should be too busy to unless something went wrong.

"Hey, Karasu."

"That's everyone gone. I'll be coming to pick you up and bring you and your brother to our headquarters."

"Good to hear. Did you manage to check up on Lindbergh?"

"He's found multiple trackers on Kuma-san. Lindbergh isn't satisfied at the moment and told me that he will be longer than anticipated. He already warned Dragon-san."

"Alright. Keep me informed would you?"

"I will. How is your brother? Has he had a chance to calm down at all?"

"I've sedated him for now. He'll sleep for a while," Sabo sighed, glancing at Ace's sleeping form. He could so peaceful now.

"Unfortunate."

"I'm just happy we got him out of there," Sabo admitted. "He was there for about three years. I don't know what they did to him during that time."

"You still have his medical records?"

"I do. I'll be taking a proper look at them soon but I..." Sabo hesitated.

He read the part about Ace's son who was still born. The file said Ace had nearly died during the birth and then had a breakdown once he learned of his child's death. Cedric could had said or done anything to Ace while he was in such a delicate state and the bastard had probably taken full advantage of it.

Sabo's jaw clenched and he had to force himself to breathe in deeply to calm down. Ace was free now. It would take time for Ace to recover, but he would, all they needed was to get him to safety.

"I understand. I am sorry, Sabo."

"I am too," Sabo breathed out. "I'll meet you at the next island. Hack is waiting to take the boat while we'll fly back to Momoiro Island."

"Remember to use the scanner Koala gave you. It will tell you the baby's condition."

Sabo startled, and laughing nervously he reached into his pouch, pulling out the little hand held scanner Koala had managed to get for him.

"You forgot about it, didn't you?" Karasu chided.

"I had a lot on my mind?" Sabo winced, grinning sheepishly. "I don't usually handle caring for rescued pregnant Carriers, Koala usually likes to look after them."

They were always prepared to rescue pregnant Carriers now, but since Koala usually cared for them he didn't have that much experience. There had been a bad incident when they had rescued three pregnant Carriers early on in their Revolutionary career. Sabo had only been in his early teens at the time, but he had remembered how furious Dragon was that they hadn't been properly prepared to help accommodate a Carrier's needs.

From what Sabo had heard, all three babies had been lost along with one of the mothers from the stress of the rescue operation.

He refused to let Ace go through that if he could help it. So he said his goodbyes then activated the scanner and began to run it along Ace's stomach. Ace didn't stir, too heavily sedated to, and Sabo smiled when the scanner turned a light green.

The baby was fine. A bit restless but hopefully the little one would settle down now that Ace was asleep.

"It looks like you're as tough as your daddy," Sabo said fondly. "Good girl."

He was going to have a niece. That was what the pink symbol on the scanner meant, Koala had told him it was pink for girls and blue for boys, and usually it always pleased the Carriers she was helping that they got to know how their baby was doing.

Ace was blanking things out for now, but hopefully someday he'd know more about his baby.

.::.

Sabo sighed. He and Ace were off the boat, letting Hack and his group take it so they could go evaluate some of the new recruits, while they waited for Karasu. Ace had woken up, drowsy and exhausted but still stubbornly putting up a fuss.

"Ace, you're too tired for this," Sabo hushed, pulling Ace back down so he laid against his lap. "Just close your eyes and go back to sleep."

"No!" Ace snapped, trying to push himself back up on clumsy arms, his arms shaking. "No, you take me back. Take me back right now!"

His eyes were struggling to stay open, and his speech was slightly slurred, despite the distress driving him to somewhat wakefulness. Sabo grimaced, he had hoped those sedatives would have kept Ace calmer.

"Shh, relax," Sabo soothed, brushing Ace's hair back, pushing him back down with a firm hand against his shoulder. "You're fine, Ace. You're both fine."

"Where are we?" Ace asked, rubbing his eyes.

"We're heading somewhere safe."

"...Back to Cedric?" Ace looked hopeful.

That look made Sabo want to explode. Not on Ace. None of this was his fault. But on Cedric, yes. Sabo wanted to commit bloody murder on him. Use his 'dragon claws' to tear the bastard limb from limb, until Ace felt safe again. Until Ace knew that the bastard wouldn't be able to drag him back.

Until Ace knew that he was free.

"Sabo please... He's safe... Cedric's safe... He'll hate it that I'm down here again... He's going to be so upset..." Ace cried softly, tears burning in his eyes.

Sabo kept brushing a hand through his hair, hoping to keep Ace somewhat soothed. "I know you're scared, and upset, and angry. I can't blame you for it. I would be too after all you've gone through. Cedric doesn't get to control your life anymore though, you're free-"

"He's a God, Sabo... Just... Just stop..." Ace shook his head, even as Sabo brushed away the tears gathering at the corner of Ace's eyes. Ace reached up though and shakily covered his ears, his hands trembling. "I... I don't want to hear the ocean..."

Sabo bit his lip to suppress a sob of his own. Not even wanting to hear the ocean, something which all three of them had loved and cherished and dreamed of when they were children. That hurt. It made him want to weep but he needed to be strong for Ace. Ace needed the comfort right now, to know things would be alright again.

"Then close your eyes," Sabo urged, rubbing Ace's arm. "Close your eyes and sleep."

Ace's eyes were growing hazier, beginning to drop once more. Sabo waited patiently, even as he spotted Karasu in the distance, flying their way. He waited until the sedatives dragged Ace back under, coaxing him back to sleep before letting his own tears fall.

.::.

The next time Ace had woken up he had woken up pissed. Karasu had managed to get them to land and waited patiently as Sabo tried to calm Ace back down again. He was debating on drugging his brother again but the look Ace was giving him made him think twice.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" Ace spat.

"To our new headquarters," Sabo said, leaning against a tree as Ace paced, eyes burning with pure rage.

He liked seeing the rage more than Ace's cold, disinterested look. At least that was progress, somewhat. He couldn't let Ace stay angry for too long though, if he started getting ill Sabo would either have to convince him to calm down or knock him back out.

Sabo winced when Ace whirled round to face him again. "Why the hell would you bring me down here again? That's just cruel, Sabo! I have to go back up there and I have to try forget everything again. I can hear the damn ocean again!"

"Ace, you aren't going back up there. You're safe now-"

"How am I safe, Sabo?" he grimaced when Ace slapped his hand away when he tried to reach out to console his distressed brother. "Cedric keeps me safe up there! I'm meant to be with my husband not running around out here again. He can't stand the idea of that happening-"

"Ace, take a deep breath," Sabo instructed gently. "I know you're upset and angry but Cedric doesn't get to control your life anymore-"

Ace laughed but it was bitter and twisted. "He's a God! Of course he does! I'll be back by his side by the end of the week and he will be absolutely furious that his child and his husband have been kidnapped by some moron who doesn't know his place in the world."

"They don't have the right to control us, Ace-"

"You don't know a thing!" Ace spat. "I was fine up there and you just kidnapped me. It was great. Everything about you idiots was all suppressed and I was happy."

Sabo frowned, recalling the first time he had seen his brother in years. "Then why did you look so distant and unfeeling in Mariejois? For someone who loves being there you looked so defeated. He isn't allowed to suppress who you are Ace-"

"He never did. I did," Ace snapped.

"He never once laid a hand on you?" Sabo asked softly. "Never said anything nasty to you? Did nothing against your will?"

Ace froze and fear passed through his eyes before they grew stone cold. "He did what needed to be done for my own good. I love him and he loves me and I won't let you ruin it for us."

Sabo's blood boiled and he fought to remain calm but he managed. Instead he tilted his head, trying to look relaxed as he spoke. "Do you love him as much as you love Marco the Phoenix?"

Ace flinched, as if Sabo had just slapped him. "Don't..."

Sabo grabbed his hands, squeezing them reassuringly. "Marco would never have done any of those horrible things Cedric did to you. Would he?"

"Don't use that against me," Ace sobbed, tugging at his hands. "Let go. I don't want to do this! Remembering hurts too much. Not when I have to go back! It took me ages to forget and I can't do it again. I can't go through it again!"

"Do you remember when we exchanged sake cups after you stole that bottle from Dadan?" Sabo asked, even as Ace cried. "She never found out it was you. Not even after all these years. We should go tell her, see what kind of expression she makes."

Ace let out a strangled cry and Sabo pulled him into an embrace, hugging his brother close. "Shh, I know. It's going to be alright. I swear."

"Stop..." Ace cried weakly into his shoulder. "Please..."

"Shh, I've got you. We're brothers, Ace, and I won't let them hurt you again," Sabo hushed, rubbing his back. "Just let us take you somewhere safe for now alright? Please? You need to eat, both you and the baby do."

Ace clung to him tightly, and breathed in deeply, trying to calm himself. Sabo continued rubbing his back, trying to sooth Ace and was satisfied when Ace nodded, sniffling softly. Sabo brushed away the tears and pressed a quick kiss to Ace's forehead.

"Thank you, Ace."

Ace shook his head. "You better have lots of food..."

Sabo smiled. "We will. Promise."

Ace had thankfully fallen asleep after a couple of hours of flying. He was a bit worried but understanding at how Ace's emotions were all over the place. He had to keep a close eye on Ace, just in case he grew so upset that it could hurt him or his baby. Ace didn't deserve to go through the horror of losing another child again. Sabo couldn't help but glance over Ace's stomach and rub the growing belly gently, Ace's head resting against his shoulder.

His niece was in there.

Sabo wasn't happy with the way she was conceived but it wasn't the baby's fault that she existed. Sabo would never blame Ace or the baby for that. It was that monster's doing, the monster who stole his brother and locked him away.

And Cedric would pay for it. One day he would pay.