(Dark Carrier AU)

Sabo reluctantly took the trolley of food and rolled it out to where Karasu had told him Ace was sitting. He was at the balcony, fiddling with the ring on his hand. Sabo hated the wedding ring, but understood that Ace wouldn't be willing to part with it just yet.

That was fine. The healing process would take time, and Ace could safely do that in Sphinx. Sabo was just sad that he'd have to let his brother go. He wanted to try help him more, see him smile again, but there was no time. Sabo refused to be selfish here. Ace's health took priority over Sabo's desires.

They'd see each other again one day. Besides, distance had never destroyed any of their bonds before. He, Ace and Luffy were brothers, no matter what.

He pushed the tray out onto the balcony, and grinned when he met Ace's eyes. Ace leaned heavier in his seat, glancing over the tray.

"Apple juice?" Ace asked softly.

"Yeah," Sabo nodded. "You've been enjoying it quite a lot."

"Ice cream too," Ace admitted. "Those two are my favourites right now."

"And of course cookies," Sabo grinned.

He passed Ace the plates of sandwiches while he poured Ace the tea. He had already put in the drops of sleeping solution for pregnant carriers, and made sure to mix it in well with the milky tea, stirring the sugar in more than usual. Ace didn't notice, he was munching away at the sandwiches.

Sabo handed Ace the tea cup, and poured himself one too. He sat down and then waited.

.::.

"How would you feel about removing the seastone bracelet?" Sabo suddenly asked.

They had finished off their lunch, and were just enjoying the tea now. He didn't understand how Sabo could just have plain black tea. Ace liked his with plenty of milk and sugar.

Ace frowned, glancing at his wrist. "I don't really care about it anymore."

"It must leave you feeling tired at least," Sabo said softly.

"I'm always tired," Ace sighed.

It was true. Ace was just tired of everything. He never felt like doing anything. Whatever Ace did was what Cedric wanted him to do, or someone else. Ace felt a little more lively around Cassidy, but it was only by a touch more.

"I know," Sabo said, soothingly, reaching out to hold his hand. "You've been through a lot."

"I just..." Ace began, shaking his head. "If I just went back, things would be back to normal, Sabo. I was used to what I had up there, and it was safe. I don't want to go back and forth like this. Freedom, imprisonment, then to freedom and imprisonment again. I don't have the energy for it. Whoever I was before, Fire Fist? He's gone."

Sabo frowned. "I don't believe that for a second, Ace. I don't think you truly do either."

"I don't really believe in anything anymore," Ace admitted, running his finger along the rim of the cup. "I barely even care."

Sabo softened. "You seemed relieved when you got to hug your Pops."

"I guess," Ace said, shrugging. "I don't know..."

Sabo squeezed his hand, rubbing his thumb across it. Ace finished off his tea, and leaned back in his seat. He had cried on his father, and it had been the most Ace had felt in such a long time. Guilt, anger, distress and relief. He had enjoyed his father's arms around him, holding him close. It wasn't a possessive hold like Cedric's embraces were. It had been comforting and gentle, and Pops had let him go when Ace had wanted to go.

Marco had also been comforting. Ace had felt so happy, seeing him again, and apart of him was soothed at his lover's presence.

But he'd end up back with Cedric. Cedric wouldn't stop hunting for him and their baby.

Ace had no idea what to do. They wouldn't let him go. They were going to hide him away but Cedric would keep looking.

Everything blurred and Ace suddenly felt overwhelming sleepy. Just like when Sabo had coaxed him into drinking that glass of water on the boat. He frowned at his tea, even as Sabo leaned over to steady him.

"What did you..." Ace slurred. "...Do?"

"I just drugged your tea, that's all," Sabo said, smiling softly. "Sorry, but I really need you to be nice and relaxed for me."

"...No..." Ace groaned, slumping into Sabo's arms.

He felt Sabo brush his hair back, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Shh, just relax. Don't fight it. When you wake up you'll be safe and sound, surrounded by so many people who love you. I'm just sorry I won't be there, but I'll check up on you as soon as I can. I'll even try to bring Luffy with me..."

Sabo's words began to grow hazy, he couldn't completely make them out, and everything blurred again. Ace whined, tried to fight it, the exhaustion and sleepiness, but he drifted off, and then, almost at once, he fell asleep.

.::.

Sabo gently laid Ace down on the bed in the Moby Dick's medical bay. Ace was fast asleep thankfully and relaxed on the mattress, too drugged out to even stir. Immediately one of the nurses, the head nurse Sam, began to insert a needle into Ace's arm, hooking up the IV to it. That would keep Ace nice and docile until the Whitebeards got him to Sphinx. Ace wouldn't be able to panic until he was safely secured on the island. Sabo stroked Ace's hair back, watching the nurses work, getting monitors ready for both Ace and the baby.

Once they seemed organised Sam tucked a couple of blankets over Ace, smiling fondly at his brother, her eyes were damp, but he didn't comment on it. Sam then froze, her hand on Ace's left upper arm.

"Wait..." Sam murmured, and she searched Ace's arm, rubbing lightly at a spot, before cursing. "Those bastards..."

"What's wrong?" Sabo asked.

"There was a tribute for his brother..." Sam said, meeting his eyes. "For you. He had a tattoo on his arm right here, with 'ASCE' on it. He had an 'S' in it with a cross through it."

Sabo froze, his heart hammering in his chest. He let out a shaky breath, before rushing down, pressing a kiss against Ace's head. God, he hadn't expected that. He hadn't expected Ace to have a tribute to him. He brushed a hand through Ace's hair.

"Fuck, he's breaking my heart..." Sabo laughed weakly. He took a moment to compose himself before he pulled away. "Look after him."

"We will," Sam said.

"Sam, what's wrong yoi?" Marco asked, he approached, clipboard in hand, already inspecting everything. He softened when he looked at Ace, but tilted his head at Sam who glowered.

"They removed his tribute to his brother," Sam growled.

Marco startled, then looked at Ace's arm, like it was the first time he had seen it. Flames flickered off Marco's shoulders, and the First Mate hissed.

"I swear I'll tear that bastard limb from limb yoi," Marco sneered. "Then heal him and do it all over again. The fucker."

Sabo nodded. "I'll happily join you."

"I'd appreciate the company. But first priority is Ace's comfort and safety yoi."

"We called home," Sam said. "Fossa's working on creating a suitable environment for the baby at your house, Commander-"

Marco frowned. "We should have asked Ace first if he wanted to live with me yoi."

"Ace needs to be somewhere with a medical professional, and you're also his lover," Sam insisted, voice firm, but she settled her hand on his shoulder. "You'll do fine, Marco. You have the rest of us to to help."

Sabo sighed. "That's why it was always better for you guys to take Ace away. I would like to help him myself, but there's a lot more of you Whitebeards than there are me."

Sabo let a little anger slip into his voice. "But this time, do make sure he stays safe."

Marco's face was carefully blank, while Sam flinched.

"Ace and the baby will be safe with us."

That wasn't either of them. Sabo glanced back, seeing Whitebeard walking into the medical bay. He stopped at Marco's side, and remained there stiffly, staring down at Ace with a tired, solemn gaze.

"I won't make the same mistake I did last time," Whitebeard said. "I was too busy mourning, and allowed him to go. When I should have called him back, I didn't, nor did I have anyone chase after him. That won't happen again."

"Good," Sabo nodded, allowing himself to soften when he glanced back down at Ace, right to the bump where his niece was growing. "Keep yourself and your daddy safe, baby girl. Your favourite uncle will come back to visit you both as soon as possible, alright?"

Whitebeard startled. "Girl?"

"Ace is having a girl," Sam said. "It's in the reports. I'll go into more detail with you on it later."

"Does he know?" Whitebeard asked, nodding towards Ace.

"No," Sabo sighed, shaking his head. "He's keeping well clear of any information on his baby."

"Y'know, you might have just committed war," Marco teased. "Saying you'll be her favourite uncle yoi."

Sabo smirked. He'd win that war. Whitebeard Commanders or not. Luffy he'd fight too.

"Call me if there is any trouble," Sabo said. "I'll be there as quickly as I can. I'll also keep you informed if Cedric makes any moves."

"And if you're busy?" Whitebeard asked.

"I don't care. I've lost Ace twice already. I refuse to let that happen ever again." Sabo said grimly, glancing over his sleeping brother again. "Take care of him. He's going to need a lot of time and help to heal from what that bastard did to him."

"We'll do our best," Whitebeard said, taking the seat nest to Ace's bedside.

"You better," Sabo scowled.

Reluctantly he left the ship, leaving with one last goodbye to Ace.