Wishfull-star: (≧◡≦)


Got some awesome Ace moment in this one! Enjoy~


"What's with the single cupcake?" Marco asked when he and Thatch were unlocking and carrying out the kegs. The evening had come, so the party would start soon. The Spades would not take part, but did ask for some bottles of sake. They got them, and set them up in the brig. They would have their own party, and they wouldn't hear a thing through the thick walls. Which was good since the pirates were always loud when drunk.

"The Spades asked for it. I think it's Ace's birthday but he doesn't want to celebrate it. I'm making the cupcake out of natural cocoa beans. It won't have added sugar or sweetening. Since he hates flavored things," Thatch explained. "I have a present for him, too," he added with a grin.

Marco felt bad that Ace didn't want anybody knowing it was his birthday, but it wasn't too surprising. It was interesting he was born on New Years, though. Well, it was nice Thatch was being so considerate about the cupcake. Hopefully it would taste good for the dragon. When the two left the room, they ran into a very, very cranky Izo.

"What's your problem?" Thatch asked.

"Ace talked to Namur normal and fine. He didn't glare at him and approached him first. What am I supposed to do to let him know I won't be a dick anymore?" Izo snapped. Thatch shared a look with Marco. They couldn't tell their brother what he should do. Bowing would also be an apology to humans. To Ace it was a show of respect.

Marco said, "Maybe something happened? I mean, he never really gave a shit about Ace. He never talked to him, but he also wasn't disrespectful or hostile. It's only been two days, Izo. It'll take a while for him to like you in any way. But you have plenty of time. Just don't be too pushy," the first mate explained and set out the kegs on the deck.

The two went back to the winery to get some more kegs. "So, what is your present?" Marco asked his brother. Thatch grinned.

"Nothing he can complain about. It didn't cost money or anything. A free pass. Ten times for me to guard him when he does his thing." He meant when he went swimming. Marco smiled, thinking that was really thoughtful. He couldn't see Ace complaining about that, either. Marco would assume he was thankful for the thoughtful and simple gift.

Thatch really was a good man. Thank god that Ace had great aim and power with a dodgeball. Teach would be executed soon. Once he was bad enough. Once he was feeling so ill and angry and wishing to die. Wishing to die meant they really punished him. No cherry pies, no food or drinks, no bed, nothing. He'd be killed by sea kings, how they usually did it. That way, they didn't dirty their hands with blood. God, he still couldn't believe how that ended up. Ace saving Thatch and then falling back to sleep.

Marco smiled at him. And wished to see the Ace he'd witnessed at the beach. Laughing, joking, playing games, just an all around fun person to be around. Marco wanted everybody to see that side of him. The phoenix had a feeling that was the real Ace. He wasn't cranky, angry, prideful, bratty, sarcastic and a jerk. That side of him was for protection from others.

He hoped that everyone would see that side. But he hoped more that Ace would get comfortable. At least for now. But he couldn't help but wish for him to stay again. Not after the beach. They did have plenty of time, though. According to previous journeys on this route in the New World, it would take two to three months, depending on the weather and how long they stopped on the two islands, as well as any surprises, like the ship being damaged.

If Ace hated the whole time, it would be a long trip for him. Marco didn't want that, and knew Thatch and Pops didn't either. And now Namur, too. If Ace was being friendly with him, then there was hope for everybody else if they did the right thing. The right approach. Maybe they could drop some hints about the respect thing.

He and Thatch had tried it in the beginning. Telling everyone to earn his respect. It clearly hadn't happened, though. After they both dragged all the kegs out, Thatch went to get the cupcake, and put a candle in it. It was actually two candles that he'd quickly carved. "19", since that was how Ace would be tomorrow. It was New Years eve. The Spades had just barely missed Christmas, since they celebrated it a couple days early that year.

Marco went to Pops and sat on his shoulder, watching his brothers go to their familiar spots and groups for the party. When Thatch came back out, Marco hoped he hadn't been turned away. But the chef was beaming. Marco got off and asked how it went. They hadn't told the captain it was Ace's birthday if he did his best to hide it.

"First, I gave him the cupcake and explained what it was made of. He looked really touched at that, but when I gave him the gift, he looked so shocked and then really happy, though he was trying to hide it. He even let me sing happy birthday with them!" he whispered excitedly. Marco wished he could have gone, too. But he didn't want to crowd him when he didn't want anybody else knowing for some reason. But he was happy Thatch's kindness had been accepted and Ace didn't think he was out of his place.

When the party started outside, Marco and Thatch were both in very good moods. Pops looked a bit curious, but also happy. He knew something good had happened, probably with Ace, based on their happy whispering before. The two sat in a ring with Namur, Haruta, Izo, Jozu and Rayuko.

"So, what did you do to get Ace's respect?" Izo asked. Namur said he was polite, giving nothing away. "I've been polite now." Marco reminded Izo that he had plenty of time to work for forgiveness. Rayuko said Ace should just accept the apology and move on.

"Well, that 'should' isn't happening, is it?" Haruta asked. "I was having fun with him, but he was still closed off. I was never mean to him, though. I don't know what I should do, what the key is! I wonder if he'll stay. If we don't mess up this time."

Marco said, "I want him to stay. He was like… a completely different person on the beach the night I stayed on the island with them, before the ship got back. He laughed and messed with his crew. They played dodgeball that Ace started. I think that was the real Ace. Once we get past the wall he's built around himself, I hope the real Ace will come out," Marco mused.

The others looked surprised with this, the 180 that Ace made once he was off of the ship. They also wore sad faces. How they'd changed his personality completely by keeping him hostage. "There's nothing we can do about it now. We have to move on and do better while also recognizing most were in the wrong, and forgiveness doesn't always come instantly. Most times it doesn't," Thatch said. Nobody was smashed yet.

"Hopefully he opens up or you jerks tell us how to get his respect," Izo said irritably. Marco was wondering why he'd changed his views so drastically? Was his guilt really this strong? Seeming desperate to be his friend only days after he told him he wouldn't belong with them. Marco honestly still couldn't imagine those words coming from Izo.

It might be partly anger from the youngest person on the ship about him attacking Thatch. The moment he was spoken to by anyone on the ship, he broke Thatch's nose that was healing remarkably fast.

"You know, I was wondering. Ace was sliced up and injured. I don't really see any cuts anymore, and some were pretty deep."

"Maybe it's a logia thing? We've never had a logia on the ship before. Well, Thatch now, but he hasn't been cut up," Rayuko commented. Thatch exclaimed that they better not experiment. They rolled their eyes at him. Of course they wouldn't try to hurt him.

Marco turned slightly and saw Namur was deliberating. He had a feeling he knew what about. "Namur. No." He looked surprised he was caught, and then frowned with a nod. Nobody would be saying anything unless Ace was comfortable with it. Izo had nearly figured it out. Bowing might be a give away. Why would an 18 year old - now 19 - be so demanding of respect like that?

It's true, Marco had never met a teen that demanded and required such high levels of respect. It was odd, indeed. To outsiders, that is.

-x-

Ace had a bad feeling about today. It was two days after his birthday, with people just not understanding what had changed with Namur and Ace, but the four who knew weren't telling anybody no matter how much they were pestered. Ace was thankful for that. He came to like Thatch even more now. He'd brought him a cupcake that he actually ate since the cocoa didn't have anything added to it, just cocoa beans, real ones.

The gift he'd given was more important in a way other than wanting to use it. It really showed that Thatch completely accepted all of him, even his monster form that he hadn't seen. He sang happy birthday, which made Ace turn red even when Thatch wasn't there, and then left to go to his own party, wishing the teen happy birthday.

He was so close to becoming a real adult! Well, in human years. He didn't think he'd really feel any different, but he wouldn't be a teenager anymore. That would be nice. He was napping on the yardarm when he sensed Deuce come out. He opened one eye and saw him go to the railing and sit down on it how Ace did. He looked a little sad.

Ace didn't like this and dropped down, landing easily with a burst of blames around his feet. He trotted over to Deuce, and surprised him when he came up behind him. Like how Whitebeard had startled him and made him fall in, Deuce did the same. "Deuce!" Ace shouted. He got a life saver and tossed it down, only noticed something coming up from under him.

He jumped overboard. "Ace, no!" Haruta shouted. Ace swam deeply and shifted to meet the sea king halfway as it aimed for Deuce, the struggling human. Ace thrashed around with it, ripping its head off before the blood attracted more and more and Ace had trouble fighting them all off near the ship, which was rocking back and forth as Deuce tried to stay afloat.

Marco flew down and picked him up and brought him back to the deck. People were shouting at somebody to save Ace. He wasn't seen anymore. "He's gonna die! That's a swarm of sea kings!" Haruta screeched. Ace could hear it all. He swam deeper, shoving the sea kings down as he managed to get the upper hand and decapitate one with his tail, tightening it around the monster's neck.

The other ones were in bad shape, slashed apart and bleeding. They swam away, leaving a trail of blood. Ace shifted and swam up, grabbing onto the life saver. He was panting. That had been really scary. Deuce had been caught up in it! He could have died or drowned! But Ace saved him and that was all that mattered.

He looked down to see his leg was bleeding. He didn't want to attract anymore sea kings, so he tried climbing the rope. But Marco went down and picked him up. "Shit," he said, seeing Ace's cut up leg. He couldn't be fire underwater, so his logia powers didn't work. He almost never got injured in fights, and especially not this bad.

He passed out from the pain, knowing everybody knew he could swim. He hoped nobody made the connection to the dragon that appeared and then disappeared. He could say he was shoved up by the sea kings. That would be a good story. There had been too much to see to notice Ace was swimming down.

When he woke up, he was in one of the beds in the infirmary, which he hadn't been to in a while. He didn't like it, too white and bright. He looked down to see his leg was heavily bandaged. He saw Deuce next to the bed, holding a book but not moving his eyes to be actually reading.

"Deuce," Ace said. "Are you okay?"

"Of course I am. You're the one that got attacked by a sea king," the first mate said. "That was reckless." Ace asked if he would have rather gotten eaten by a sea king. He got a leg injury. Deuce would have died. He sighed and asked what had happened afterwards. After he passed out and everyone saw him swimming.

Deuce replied, "I made a good lie. I said that the sea kings must have pushed you upwards and you grabbed the lifesaver. It worked. I think. Your wound was pretty distracting, so I couldn't really tell." Ace thanked him.

There was nobody else in the room, thankfully. Nobody to overhear them. "How bad is the wound?" Ace asked, as moving his left leg hurt pretty badly. Deuce sighed and said it was bad. The skin was shredded in multiple places.

"You won't be swimming for a while," Deuce said sadly, and Ace's face fell. He swam with his back legs and tail the most. If he was unable to move one of them, it would definitely hinder movement. He was stuck on the ship in his human form. He sighed and said it was to be expected.

"I'm just so glad you didn't get eaten," Ace said quietly. His first mate said the same. He didn't want to die. "I'm sorry I startled you. I should have known better." Deuce said he shouldn't have been sitting on the railing. "You would have been fine if I hadn't scared you."

"There's nothing we can do about it now. We should just move on as best as he can." Marco then walked in and perked up when he saw Ace was awake. He asked him how he felt, rolling a doctor's chair over next to the bed, the opposite side of Deuce.

Ace said, "Okay. My leg hurts to move, though." He didn't really want to see the injury clearly, thinking it was pretty bad if he was snagged by a sea king. They had no arms or legs, so it's teeth were what got Ace. He was lucky his leg wasn't severed. "What does everybody think?"

Marco said, relief in his voice, that most believed Deuce's hypothesis. "It sounds accurate. That's how most of the ship feels. The commanders are suspicious, though. Especially Izo, but that's to be expected. I really don't think anyone can comprehend the truth. It's just never happened before and seems impossible. They all also think you were totally reckless. Being a devil fruit user and jumping into the ocean where a sea king was."

"I couldn't let it get Deuce," Ace defended himself. Marco put up a hand and said he knew that, but the others didn't. Ace looked down, but didn't regret saving him. Marco got him out of the water but Ace kept the sea kings away. "I don't regret saving him," he said firmly. Marco said he knew, and Deuce was looking ashamed. But it was not his fault.

Ace wanted to get up, but knew he couldn't. "You'll be using crutches for now. It doesn't make you seem weak, it makes you seem human. You are human." Ace nodded, and saw a crutch next to the bed. He'd never had to use them before, never gotten injured like this. Ever. This was embarrassing, but the tradeoff was nothing compared to Deuce getting eaten.

"Is there going to be any long term problems?" he asked. Marco shook his head and said it might leave nasty scars, but he should heal. The deepest cuts were on the meaty parts of his leg. It was lucky that the sea king's teeth only grazed him. "Yeah…" Ace mumbled. He was so lucky there wouldn't be permanent issues. Though he healed fast, so who knew? "How's the rest of the crew?"

"Worried. But they know you'll be okay. They're getting food, I think. The nurses said you shouldn't wake up until an hour from now. They were wrong, though," Deuce said. Ace asked if they were mad at him. "Not at all. They think you're a hero for saving me, of course." Ace nodded and then leaned back into the pillow.

He hated the infirmary, and being cooped up in a place that he didn't choose was not fun or relaxing. Shouldn't hospitals be relaxing for injured people? This wasn't relaxing at all. Too bright. "This fucking sucks." The other two nodded. Ace asked for some water, which he was given. He drank it just fine, as the only injured part of him was his leg.

"When can I get up and move around?" Ace asked. They both said he could attempt to move tomorrow, but only if the cuts are still held together fine from the stitches. Marco apologized for it. "Not your fault." Then he gasped. "Did anybody take my shorts off?" he demanded. Deuce said they had not, because he had commanded them not to.

Marco looked confused and curious, but was smart enough to not ask. He got up to get the nurses, who did a check up on his injury. When they unwrapped it, he was disgusted by the sight. It was really bad. Like, really, really bad. The cuts were long and deep. He couldn't imagine how the stitches kept them closed.

This would absolutely suck. But, he didn't regret it. Even if he'd lost a leg, it would be nothing compared to letting his best friend die.

When Whitebeard came in, Ace's face hardened. He hadn't spoken to Whitebeard since he got back, really. He bowed his head when he walked through the huge doors. "How are you feeling?" Ace replied honestly. He felt shitty. Whitebeard nodded, saying he could imagine how annoying it was to be stuck in the infirmary. No doubt talking about some health problem he'd had in the past.

"Did you need something?" Ace asked, though not rudely. Whitebeard walked forward and dropped something on Ace's covered lap. He picked it up and saw it was a scale. He told both Marco and Whitebeard to turn around. The nurses were no longer inside. The two did as they were told and didn't see Ace pull up his shorts, seeing a red spot where the scale fit just fine. It was swollen and looked pretty nasty.

He asked Deuce for a band aid, and was given one, since there was a box right next to the box of surgical masks. Ace put it over the spot and pulled his shorts down. "You can turn around now." Marco asked if he had another wound. Ace said, sharply, that he was fine. Marco nodded, not offended.

It had been an unnecessary question. He frowned and grumbled out a reluctant apology. "It's fine, I'm not mad. Are you hungry?" He wasn't angry at Ace snapping at him, which was a relief. Ace nodded slowly. "I'll bring you something," Marco said and left the room leaving Ace, Deuce and Whitebeard alone together.

Ace assumed Whitebeard would have left after Marco. He didn't let the silence stretch too long. "I wanted to compliment you on how you're handling this time. I know it has to do with the fact you are upset and depressed about what you've lost, and there's nothing wrong with that. I just wanted you to know we understand. Most of us understand."

Ace didn't really know what he was supposed to say. "After you saved Deuce, I think the opinion of you changed greatly, so try not to be surprised if people treat you differently. Showing you endanger yourself to save Deuce, even if it seemed reckless, is a noble thing to do. Many think you jumped in to distract the sea kings. And the bite does match that hypothesis," he explained honestly.

The partial dragon noticed how he spoke. Avoiding anything that could sound rude or judgmental. "Try not to be surprised" instead of "don't be surprised". Backing up "reckless" with a compliment. It was weird how well he knew to speak to Ace when there was no way he'd ever been around someone like him. Ace would be furious if he did know someone but had said nothing. So he asked. "Have you ever met anybody like me?"

"I have not. I feel I am just good at reading people."

"Except Teach," Ace pointed out.

"Ace, don't be so rude," Deuce scolded.

Whitebeard said, "No, he is right. I have a feeling I did not see his wickedness because I was biased. He was one of those we had the longest. He had been here since he was 12. Even when you told me your suspicions, part of me didn't believe you at all. I believed my own judgement. I am just grateful you woke up when you did. And had such an impressive aim."

"I still can't believe it was resolved by a dodgeball," Deuce muttered, and Ace snickered at it.

"Well, if you come across any new potential-members on our way to get us a new ship, I'll tell if they're good or not," Ace said. The yonko chuckled.

He said, "I will keep that in mind. I will come see how you're doing later. Just to see," Whitebeard said and left the room. Ace was left feeling confused. Deuce commented that he read him very well. Ace nodded and said he wasn't sure if he liked that.