Morgans has gotten a hold of a photo of Ace who is now 21 weeks pregnant and showing that he's a Carrier. This is various people's reactions on Ace's pregnancy.

(Carrier AU)

(Week 21)

Ace bit his lip. "Looks like everyone knows I'm a Carrier now."

Ace's wanted poster had been updated, the Carrier symbol on it and it had changed from 'DEAD OR ALIVE' to 'ALIVE ONLY'. Marco growled, his talons slipping out but he refrained from digging them into the Moby Dick. Their ship would not appreciate that at all.

"It was only a matter of time," Izo admitted. "You're baby is growing and we couldn't exactly keep you hidden indoors for months on end."

"I would have gone crazy. True," Ace nodded. "Especially after having been locked up by Teach for weeks."

Marco wrapped his arms around Ace's middle, tugging him in close. He ignored Izo rolling his eyes while Ace settled against him comfortably. Nobody would take his mate away. Ace was theirs' and they were his. They were family. No bitchy priestesses would ever get to take Ace from them.

He's kill them all if that's what it took to protect his mate and unborn child.

"Luffy might see how far I'm getting along in my pregnancy in the newspaper article," Ace grinned, tilting his head. "I wonder where he is anyway. Hopefully not being as reckless as he was with that whole Enies Lobby situation..."

Marco nuzzled his neck. "Probably heading to or is already on Sabaody Archipelago. Maybe we could see if Pops wants to meet him at Fishman Island?"

Ace grinned. "That'd be great! Luffy was so excited about the baby. He was insistent that the little one will be a boy. Also he said he's going to be the best Uncle."

"Oh hell no!" Haruta was there all of a sudden. Wait, hadn't he been in communications? How the hell did he even hear what Ace just said? "It's clear that I'm going to be the best Uncle!"

Izo snorted. "As if."

Marco grimaced. Ace just had to say it. Ace looked mortified, clamping a hand over his own mouth even though it was already too late. All their brothers were swarming the deck, as if sensing the rising challenge of 'Best Uncle', to the point where even the former Spade pirates where showing up, Saber tackling Haruta to the ground with a mighty battle cry and Skull punching Fossa.

Marco did what any reasonable partner would do in his situation, he scooped up Ace and retreated.

.::.

"Aw, that's cute," Koala cooed.

Sabo and Hack shared a look, baffled as even Ahiru peaked at the newspaper Koala was reading and cooed too.

"That's the Second Commander of the Whitebeard pirates right? That's so sweet, isn't he the First Commander's mate?" Ahiru beamed.

"Mate?" Sabo blinked.

Hack shrugged.

Koala huffed. "You really need to start paying attention to the big pirate crews more often. I know you're usually interested in Marines and the World Government but still. Jeez. Portgas D. Ace-"

Sabo paused. That name sounded so familiar. It made him feel warm, proud and happy. He shook off the feeling, Koala was still talking, she'd get upset if he didn't pay attention.

"He's the mate of Marco the Phoenix. The user of the Phoenix fruit takes a mate for life if what the rumours say are true," Koala said, grinning. "It's rather romantic actually."

"It really is!" Ahiru giggled.

"So why are you two so excited over them?" Hack asked even as something akin to annoyance gripped at Sabo.

Why would he be annoyed? He felt annoyed the moment Koala had mentioned Phoenix being Ace's mate. Why did he feel the sudden urge to lecture the pirate?

Sabo winced. His head was starting to throb.

"Portgas D. Ace is pregnant! His wanted poster just got changed so that he has a Carrier symbol and it's now 'ALIVE ONLY'." Koala's smile turned into a scowl. "I bet those priestesses would love to get their hands on him."

Why did he feel happy yet indignant that Portgas D. Ace was pregnant? Why would he be offended by such a thing? He didn't understand the fondness building up within him.

"Seems dangerous for a pirate to be pregnant," Hack grimaced.

"The Whitebeards will probably keep him safely out the way. They're really protective over their family members after all." Koala was still grinning at the article before she turned the newspaper around. "Look! Morgans even got pictures!"

Sabo's vision blurred. His hands shook even as he tried to brace himself against the table. He swore he heard Hack call his name but he wasn't sure. He could hear his own heart beat, growing faster and faster and the headache pounded so hard he wondered if the others could hear it bashing against his skull.

All he could see was that face, a much younger version of it, usually angry rather than grinning, but those rare smiles were wonderful to see. Sabo remembered being delighted whenever they got to see them. They. His brothers. It was the three of them.

Ace. He had met Ace first.

Ace and Luffy.

He had forgotten Ace and Luffy.

He didn't realise that he screamed. Screamed in sheer, raw pain. All he could see was them, them in that clearing, becoming brothers. Could hear Ace's words.

Ace was his brother. Sabo had brothers!

And one of them was pregnant!

.::.

Isuka froze. Blinked a few times, before reading again.

Her brain blanked, and she was left staring at the newspaper, in sheer confusion.

Nope. Still not registering.

"I don't understand how someone managed to get him pregnant," Isuka mumbled. "Just getting him to sit still long enough to talk to was a nightmare..."

.::.

Smoker choked on his coffee.

Tashigi just stared blankly at the newspaper.

"How did someone have the patience to get that bastard pregnant?" Smoker gasped out, choking, but froze. "Wait. Did I fight him when he was pregnant?"

"He looks about eighteen weeks-"

"THAT IDIOT! HE MIGHT HAVE KEPT TO THE DEFENSIVE BUT STILL!"

.::.

Garp spat out his coffee. The Wanted Poster before him had been updated, Ace's now had 'ALIVE ONLY' and the Carrier symbol on it.

The newspaper article had his old heart racing. Ace's photo was on board the Moby Dick's deck. He had bandages wrapped neatly round his wrists, the damn Phoenix's arm protectively around Ace's shoulders. The damn bird's foot planted against one of his sibling's face who were trying to reach out to Ace's stomach.

It wasn't any of those things that had Garp gasping for breath, Bogard almost looked amused. The little shit.

No. It was the growing bump on his grandson's stomach, hidden beneath a loose t-shirt.

"The world knows he's a Carrier now," Bogard said.

"Dammit," Garp cursed. "He was supposed to keep safe. Sengoku already knows who his parents are..."

"What will you do?" Bogard asked softly.

"Whitebeard will keep Ace close to his side now," Garp said. "Maybe even hide Ace on one of his islands now that he's pregnant."

Ace was pregnant.

Garp couldn't help but grin. "I'm going to be a great-grandpa! BWHAHAHAHA! The baby might make a fine Marine, eh Bogard?"

"The baby isn't even born yet," Bogard sighed. "You'd also have to fight the Whitebeard pirates for custody. Ace would be upset too if you took his baby away from him."

Garp huffed. "I'd take Ace with us of course! Just find him a nice island where he could stay safe and quiet on."

Garp quietened down though, frowning heavily. "Still, Sengoku and those old gits up there ordered the horrid events in Baterilla. The priestesses never allowed them to get away with it, they had found out and before we knew it the events leaked. The whole world knows about all those babies and the mothers..."

He remembered that stubborn woman's face, the girl who had won over Gol D. Roger with her own fierce spirit. Portgas D. Rouge. The great pirate thief. Blasted girl had never been easy to fight. Garp remembered the scar she gave him when he tried to arrest her.

It ached whenever he thought of her. Those burning eyes, the very same pair Ace had, even though they were a different colour.

"You think they'll go after Ace."

"It's a risky idea. Morgans will be keeping as updated as possible on Ace's pregnancy and if the World Government is spotted trying to kill another Carrier the priestesses will gain more favour with the populace. They also have the favour of the Celestial Dragons," Garp murmured. "It means Sengoku would have to send an assassin and we just lost the CP-9 unit. CP-0 might work but the Whitebeard pirates will be on high alert after the whole situation with that Blackbeard guy. It would be best if Sengoku just left Ace be."

"Ace hasn't bothered telling anyone about his lineage and he has no interest in One Piece either," Bogard said. "I'd say the Gol line is dead just from that."

Garp nodded. "Agreed."

.::.

Makino beamed. "Oh! Ace has an article!"

Dadan groaned, taking a hefty swig from her bottle. "What did the troublemaker do this time?"

Makino couldn't help it, mid drink she turned around to show Dadan the article, where Ace was obviously showing his pregnancy. She made sure to keep herself and the article out of the way when Dadan choked and spat out her drink, her bandits following suit.

She had to smother a giggle.

"ACE IS PREGNANT?" Dadan screamed.

"LUFFY'S AN UNCLE?"

"BOSS IS A GRANNY!"

Makino left the bandits to their self inducing horror as they babbled about how much Ace would eat now and how he'd be even more terrifying with all the hormones. So terrifying that nobody could predict his temper.

No, she was too busy grinning at the happy smile on Ace's face, his lover's arm curled protectively around him.

Ace really had found a good home. Makino was so happy for him. She would need to make up a gift basket for him, maybe even have Shanks deliver it. She would need to do some research, find out what the best things were to give to a pregnant male Carrier.

She'd need to add the photos to her collection. Makino had a book filled with Luffy and Ace's achievements, while their bounties hung upon her wall with Shanks. It was nice having her favourite pirates decorating her bar, it always made her smile when she looked at them.