Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
This is a bit of things and contains smut. It both starts and ends with (*) as usual
The next updates will happen rapidly
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Whitebeard sat in the galley with his children, everyone being present. Ace had returned two hours ago, and while many were sending him looks, no one brought the memories up, which was good. Ace didn't want to speak about it, Ace probably wished this whole ordeal hadn't happened. The start had been okay, until the really bad memories had come up, all the abuse, both general abuse and the sexual abuse. It was horrible, but Ace was okay, or as okay as he could be. He seemed to be able to handle this well. But, it had happened years ago, so Ace was adept in handling it, that was clear. He acted so calm for having been through that. The ones he had seen or met that had been through that, including the children they had cared for a small period, were messes and didn't trust anyone. But then again, Ace didn't trust many people, and he got it why even before all this, but even more now after this, he really got why Ace didn't trust people. And he had every right to not trust anyone after what he had been through. Whitebeard would do his best to be a person Ace could trust.
When Ace had appeared, he had gone and spoken with Christopher, and what had shocked him and the others, was how Christopher walked into the galley, completely normal and unharmed half an hour later. When Ace came out after, Trevor moved his hand. "What the fuck! How is he not dead!" Ace sighed as he sat down. "Because, he, as I hate, actually had a good argument." Trevor blinked. "I need to hear this argument." Ace hummed. "Too bad." Trevor blinked. "Seriously?" Ace nodded. "And oh, he is not welcomed here after today." Trevor nodded. "That's something." Ace nodded. "Yup." Whitebeard was shocked as well, but he guessed Christopher really had a good reason to do it, and he was curious about it, but was sure Ace wouldn't tell him since he didn't tell Trevor. For now, things were calm again.
As they were in the galley and relaxing, Mika gave a small chuckle, looking at Trevor. "What did the virgin say after her first blow job?" Said Mika as she took a sip of her glass of milk. Trevor shrugged. "I don't know." Mika then chuckled with her mouth closed and when Trevor was looking at his food, Mika hit him, making him look at her, and she opened her mouth so the milk spilled out. "I love you." Said Mika as the milk spewed out of her mouth. He got what the milk represented and felt shocked. But it had Trevor and Ace burst out laughing. "Oh God!" Said Trevor. "I loved that!" Ace nodded as he laughed. "That was good."
Everyone of his children sat shocked, especially his commanders, but a few others were chuckling, and Izou looked at the three assassins. "How can you joke like that after everything!?" Mika shrugged, drying her chin with her hand. "Humor is gold." Ace nodded. "It is, you need to be able to joke. But that one was really nice. I need to remember it." Mika nodded as she chuckled. "Just came to me." Ace and Trevor gave another chuckle, same with some others, who hadn't seen Ace's memories, so they didn't know what Ace had been through, which was good. Everyone didn't need to know. But, seeing the assassins being so calm, helped calm him as well. Things were normal, as they had been before they had seen Ace's memories. Ace was fine, or as fine as he could be. And that was good to see. It seemed his children calmed down too, seeing how the assassins were so calm. Whitebeard was sure his children would be able to handle this. But, he had a feeling he would get some visitors during the next few days, who needed to talk about this.
The next days then went by fine, he had many talks with his children, but they seemed to be able to handle this well, which was good. He didn't want to lose Ace to this.
-x-
Marco moved to Ace's room, Ace coming back from work now, him having seen Dust outside. When he got to Ace's room, he found Ace, who was a bit bloodied. But it didn't seem like he was injured, just some blood splatter. Marco then moved over to Ace. "How did it go, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Fine. Just a bit messy." Marco nodded, and was on his way to say Ace should probably change clothes, when Ace moved his hands over his head and to his neck, giving an alluring smile. "But before I change, how about we have some fun?" Marco blinked, before he frowned a bit. He wasn't too sure about this. He hadn't done it with Ace after seeing his memories and he wasn't sure about this. Ace sighed. "Please don't overthink. I'm fine." Marco sighed. "I don't get that. I knew about it, but not that it was that bad, yoi." Ace shook his head a bit, moving to kiss him. "I will stop you if it's too much, just please, don't be afraid to touch me." Marco nodded, and would do his best.
(*)
Marco moved his hands to Ace's hips, before he moved his hands upwards and took his shirt off, Ace taking his vest off, before they started to take each other's pants off, before they moved to the bed and Ace straddled him. Marco then brought a hand to grab the lube and coated his fingers, before he moved a hand to Ace's entrance, and as he entered with one finger, his mind went back to the memories, how Ace hadn't been prepared at all, how Ace had cried and screamed, and ho- Ace moved a hand to his cheek. "Don't think about it. I'm okay." Marco nodded, he should try and keep his mind on the right track.
He then started to prepare Ace, who gave out moans of pleasure, which all went to his own member. His mind still at times slipped, but he tried to concentrate on Ace and his sounds, Ace wanted this. When he felt Ace was prepared enough, and was about to line his member up ,his mind went back to the memories, and felt nauseous. Ace sighed, moving down to kiss him. "Marco, please. Do me. Don't think about my memories." Marco nodded, closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths, repeating that Ace wanted this. This was a willing act. Marco then got his mind with him and started to penetrate Ace slowly, who moaned out. That made it a bit easier. When he was inside, he panted a bit, as it felt good and he was still unsure. But, before his mind could wander, Ace started moving, making him give a strained moan. Ace wanted this, this was something Ace wanted and he could do this.
He then started to meet Ace's thrusts, and he felt he wouldn't last long. So, he moved his hand to Ace's member and moved it with his thrusts. It seemed Ace wouldn't last long either, and they soon found their finish, and then they rode out their orgasms.
(*)
When they were done, Ace moved to lie down beside him, a hand moving to his. "Thank you." Marco sighed, he had a feeling the next few times would be hard as well. His mind wandering back to the memories. Marco then sat up so he could lean against the headboard, giving a look to Ace. "Can we talk about it, yoi?" They hadn't done that either, and Ace gave a sigh as he sat up with a nod. "Okay, we can try. What do you want to talk about?" Marco gave a breath. "How are you so fine?" Ace hummed. "Because I've spent a lot of time not being fine. I have. I've yelled, I've screamed, I've tossed things around, cried and sobbed. And now, I'm past that. I am fine. I know it's not fine, but I am. Okay?" Marco sighed, he should try and repeat that in his mind. "Okay, yoi. I just.. find it hard." Ace nodded. "I know, and I get it. But I am doing well now, or as well as I can be." Marco nodded, Ace seemed to well. He had nightmares, which was no surprise, but he still had issues. "I will try and be calm. But, please promise me that you will say something if I do anything wrong, yoi." Ace nodded. "And I will. I don't want this to push us apart." Marco didn't want that either, he wanted to be close with Ace.
Ace gave a sigh. "Can we call this it?" Marco nodded. "Okay. And I will try and remember you are fine, you've grown, yoi." Ace nodded. "Good, because I have." Marco knew that. Ace was really and truly amazing. He wanted to speak more about it, but would try and keep calm and repeat what Ace said.
-x-
Whitebeard sat in the meeting room with almost all of his commanders, their weekly meeting being now, and they were just waiting for Ace, who was at the island with Hanzo and doing something. They had docked a day ago and they had met up with Hanzo, who had some work on this island, which was done now and had waited for them as they were heading to this island to hear how the others were and be around Ace. He had a feeling Hanzo was someone who was close to Ace, not as close as Trevor, but close. A friend. Ace needed those.
It wasn't long after they had sat down before the door opened, seeing Ace and Hanzo coming through it, the latter laughing as he walked inside and sat down on the closest chair as he laughed and looked at Trevor. "You should have joined! Oh my GOD! It was amazing!" Trevor then looked at Ace who had a jaded look, Trevor laughed. "Oh no, what happened?" Ace shook his head, a slight amused look as he moved to look at Trevor and opened his mouth, Trevor giving a shocked breath before he gave a laugh, moving a hand to Ace's mouth who was missing a bunch of teeth. "Holy no! How many?!" Ace shook his head a bit. "Don't know, something between 9 and 14." As Ace finished the sentence, he moved a hand to his mouth as some blood fell, before having an irked look as he moved his hand down with a tooth in it. "Scratch that; between 10 and 15."
Trevor laughed as Ace moved his head back to try and stop the bleeding. "What the hell did you do?! Fall off a roof?" Ace gave a small laugh. "Nah. Through a roof." Ace moved a hand to his mouth and leaned forward again, using a finger to stop the bleeding, probably from the tooth that just fell out. Trevor frowned. "How? How did you fall through a roof?!" Ace laughed. "Hanzo and I had a race, and running on the roofs was faster than the streets. I picked a roof that was bad." Ace had what? Trevor frowned. "You landed on your face?" Ace shook his head. "Nah, hand first." Ace then held up his hand that wasn't stopping the bleeding from the mouth, Trevor laughing as Whitebeard sat shocked. Ace had lost his entire middle finger and half on his index finger, some sort of makeshift bandage on, the captain seeing blood tracks on top of the bandage that covered the top of the fingers. It looked bad, but Ace didn't seem to be worried and both Trevor and Hanzo were somehow finding humor in this, Mika too as she was chuckling. Even Ace had an amused smile.
"Shouldn't you… I don't know, see Bay?" Said Thatch, looking shocked. Before Ace could answer, Trevor did first. "Nah. What can she do? Put a nicer bandage on his hand? She can't regrow teeth or fingers. When we're gone from this island, it will be fine." Ace nodded. "I hate this damn island. It's like those damn islands in the north! That damn phenomenon that decides devil fruits is stupid and annulates it." Trevor lifted an eyebrow at Ace. "My, did you fall off the wrong side of the roof?" Ace just gave a look to Trevor, and Mika gave him a swat on the head. "Ow, Mika!" Mika shook her head. "No, that pun was terrible. You deserved it."
Trevor shook his head, looking at the pirates. "Don't worry. Ace will be fine as soon as we are out of range of the seastone tower. Ace did this once before, in a place his devil fruit didn't work. But, he also hit his head and got a bad concussion and wound, and broke like 5 ribs, and it was 3 fingers that time, and no teeth fell out." That sounded bad too, but Ace was fine, aside from all of this, so it meant Ace would be fine, and this was less than that. Hanzo chuckled. "Trevor, don't look at the back of Ace's head." Trevor blinked, before moving his chair to tip backwards as he looked at Ace's back of the head, looking shocked as he did. "How the fuck?! How can you knock out your teeth and burst open the back of your head!?" Ace snorted. "Easy; the roof falls on you after you fall through it- ouch! Trevor!" Trevor had an eyebrow lifted as he sat back at the table with a piece of sharp wood in his hand. "Sorry, you had wood in your brain." Ace shook his head, moving a hand to the back of his head carefully. "Shut up. It's not that bad, just a flesh wound." Trevor rolled his eyes. "Fine, just a flesh wound."
They wouldn't stay here for much longer, going to leave in a couple to few hours, so Ace would probably be fine by tomorrow. It only took a couple hours to get out of range of the tower. They then had the meeting and it went by fine, a few did look worriedly at Ace, but he would be fine when they were away from this place.
When they got out of the seastone tower, their powers came back and Ace was fine after some hours. Which was good. Hanzo would be with them for another day, and as they were just relaxing, Trevor looked at Hanzo. "Did Ace tell he managed the barrel jump?" Hanzo blinked. "The backflip?" Trevor nodded. "Yeah!" Ace sighed. "I did it once. It took like 20 tries." Trevor waved his hand. "Still, you did it. Do it again! Lemme get the thing." Trevor then went and grabbed a medium sized pipe, and Ace moved up to it with a breath, looking at Trevor. "I might not be able to do it:" Trevor shook his head. "You can." Hanzo nodded. "I need to see this." Ace sighed, but did start trying, but he either missed the pipe back down or it moved away from under him, making him fall down to the deck. One time, he had just done a small jump before he jumped off, and it had Trevor speak. "No wimping out!" It had Ace give a small stare as he moved down to the deck. "I fell. It wouldn't have worked." Trevor rolled his eyes. "You can do this."
Ace sighed, but got up and tried again, and again, and again. And when he tried for the 15th time, he managed it, when he landed, he landed on top of the pipe and didn't fall, making him move his hands up. "Yes!" Hanzo clapped his hands, as well as them, but Hanzo spoke. "Cool. I need to try." Ace moved off the pipe and motioned towards it. "Just you try." Hanzo shook his head. "Oh no, I will so fail. I need to practice first." Ace chuckled as he shook his head. "It feels so good to manage it." Hanzo nodded. "I can imagine." It had been amazing to watch. Haruta then tried it out as well. Not doing a backflip, just doing other kinds of things to practice her balance, and even Hanzo gave some pinpoints, same with Ace, and it seemed to help. Things were going fine for them, things were calm. Ace had work now and then, but it was fine.
-x-
Ace hummed as he moved a hand to open Gulliard's chest, a new victim for him, another sadistic bastard. The guy screamed in pain, but Ace didn't let up. But, while this was fun, it missed something. So, Ace gave a hum, before he started to slowly sing. "Behold the terrors. You won't believe what I have done to you. I've made it look brand new. Oh, how cute." Ace moved his hand inside Gulliard's chest, dragging some guts out, continuing the song. "But don't digress. I'm the ring master, you see. In this horror game, you flee. I take up every shadow. Believe me." Gulliard screamed in pain, tears moving down his face in pain, and Ace chuckled, before he moved his hand more and continued the song. "Now have a seat. And grab your light. Tears begin to run you dry . But darkened thoughts. Are the common grounds. I give myself to be complete." He then moved his hand to Gulliard's heart, before he snapped the aorta, and Gulliard gave an arch, before he died with a twitch and wheeze. This was fun. Ace liked this, it had been a while since he sang while he played with his victims. He should do it more often. (Song; Left Behind by DAgames)
-x-
Marco sat in the galley enjoying some new foods. They had done a raid on this ship and they had large quantities of nuts, so the last few days had been filled with nuts. Not everything was though, as they had a few who were allergic, but not so much that they reacted to being in the same room, they only reacted to eating it, so they stayed away from eating it. Things had also been calm lately, things going fine. Everyone seemed to have accepted seeing Ace's memories and was handling it well. A few did still send looks at Ace, and he knew many had spoken with Pops, but things were fine, at least for now.
When evening came, or the night came, he and Ace had some fun in bed as they were both awake, before Marco went to sleep, Ace relaxing beside him. Ace had slept three hours earlier, which was longer than normal when he slept each night, so he would just relax next to him, which Marco enjoyed. He liked having Ace close.
A bit later, Marco felt himself waking up, giving a breath as he woke. When he opened his eyes, he was a bit shocked to see Ace still there, seeming to be asleep. He knew Ace had slept before, even sleeping longer than normal. Marco moved to look at the clock, thinking he had slept for a small bit, just dozing off for a minute or two. When he saw the clock, he had to blink. According to it, he had been asleep for over an hour, closing to an hour and half. Ace surely wouldn't sleep now. Marco gave a small yawn as he moved to wake Ace up, knowing it was bad for him to sleep long, making him not sleep for a longer period of time. But as he had moved a hand to shake him, Ace made no reaction. "Ace, yoi?" Tried Marco, still lightly shaking Ace, although a bit harder. As he still had no reaction, Marco sat more up and moved Ace to his back, to try and wake him up.
But when Ace was on his back, his head lolled to the side, face pale, lips blue-ish and breathing shallow as it sounded way strained. "Ace!" Marco was now fully awake, moving a hand to Ace's cheek, hoping Ace would react. After a second, Marco was up and had moved to sit over Ace's lap, moving one hand to Ace's neck, feeling a pulse, but it was faint. "Ace!" Tried Marco again as he moved his hands to Ace's cheek. Marco noticed Ace's eyes opening a small bit, eyes glassy and confused. Marco moved his head down to Ace's, shocked and scared. "Ace, hey, stay awake, yoi." Ace made a slight motion, not seeming to hear or understand. Marco moved his head to his door, taking the best he could of a breath in his panicked state and screamed. "HEY! WE NEED HELP!" Marco was not leaving this room, he hoped, desperately so, that someone was in their room close by or in the hallway.
Marco moved back to Ace, using a thumb to stroke Ace's cheek. "What happened, yoi?" Ace still didn't seem to understand what was happening, eyes trying to focus, but unable too. When his eyes were on their way to close, Marco lightly slapped his cheek. "Hey, no, stay awake." Ace's eyes opened again, but he still looked unfocused and his breathing was bad, lips growing more blue. Marco looked to the door again, feeling the panic rising as something was seriously wrong with Ace. "SOMEONE!" There had to be someone there, it was early, people were half asleep or waking up now. As he looked back to Ace, the door opened and Marco looked to see Namur and Vista there. Before any of them could speak, Marco did. "Get Bay! Now!" He then moved back to look at Ace, seeing his eyes closing again and slapped his cheek lightly. "No, stay awake Ace! Come on, yoi!" Ace's eyes opened a bit again, before they closed completely. Marco panicked more, trying to wake Ace up again, but to no avail.
Marco soon noticed Namur next to him, "What happened?" Asked the fishman. Marco shook his head, trying to lightly slap Ace's cheek again. "I don't know, yoi." Marco moved a hand to Ace's neck again, relieved to at least feel Ace's pulse still there, although weak. His breathing seems to get more and more slow and shallow. Marco continued to try and wake Ace up, keeping a hand on the chest to make sure he was still breathing and had a pulse. Namur moved a hand to Ace's chin and tilted it, making Marco look at the fishman, who had a worried and serious look. "We need to make sure he can breathe, keeping his airways open."
Marco nodded. Namur was right, they needed to do that; Ace was already breathing way too shallow and slow. Marco moved his hand from Ace's chest to his chin, keeping it up to make it easier to breathe. He continued to try and make Ace wake up with the other, saying Ace's name, hoping for a reaction, which he got none of. Namur was checking Ace's pulse and making sure he breathed.
It thankfully wasn't long before Bay came running, Whiskey not far behind.
When the doctor came in the room, she ordered Marco to move away, Bay moving to check on Ace. Marco half-noticed Vista and some other commanders in the doorway, clearly concerned and knowing it was bad since Bay was running. Marco could only stand and look as Bay and Whiskey checked Ace over, not able to do anything. He heard Bay muttering something about a possible poisoning, which made Marco think someone had poisoned Ace, meaning someone in the crew had done it; they weren't close to any island and Ace had been on the ship the last two days.
After a minute, Bay looked at him. "Commander Marco, I need you to carry Commander Ace to the infirmary, now." Marco nodded and did, carefully lifting and and letting Bay move him in his arms, before moving hurriedly to the infirmary, moving past many on the deck, who had shocked and worried looks. Pops was also out and he looked really worried. As he looked at the crowd and followed Bay, he noticed Haruta holding a motionless Dust, showing how serious this was.
They soon got to the infirmary and Marco placed Ace on a bed that Bay went up to. When he had placed Ace down, he was immediately told to leave, which he did, letting Bay work. As he left, he got a last glimpse of Bay intubating Ace, making him understand that Ace stopped breathing. This was really bad.
As the door to the infirmary closed, Marco turned around to see almost all of the commanders there, along with Pops and some others standing there. Pops gave him a worried look. "What's happening, son?" Marco took a breath, trying his best to place his mask back on. "I don't know, yoi. Something is wrong and Ace isn't breathing right or conscious." Pops looked more worried at that. "Do you know why?" Marco shook his head, "No, yoi. But Bay mentioned something about a possible poisoning." That made everyone frown. "But he's been on the ship for days." Said Thatch, looking serious. Marco gave a nod. "I know. Bay didn't say for sure, but something is obviously wrong." Everyone nodded to that, Marco seeing Dust had been handed to Trevor, who was stroking it, the bird thankfully still alive.
Everyone moved to the main deck after that, Pops telling all the commanders to keep an eye out for anyone acting suspicious, sending Jozu and Curiel to do a quick check of Marco's and Ace's room, to see if anything stood out. After half an hour, both returned and said nothing was out of place, Curiel even mentioning Ace's poison kit was not touched.
When others started to wake up more, the commanders, captain, and Trevor moved to the meeting room to speak of what to do now. They decided to keep Jozu, Curiel, Speed Jiru, and Kingdew out on deck in case someone acted weird, Mika also joining them as she was checking Ace's room better, her knowing more what to look for and what was connected to Ace's work and not. When they had left, Pops asked him what had happened, and Marco explained what had happened when he woke up and how he understood something was wrong and acted on that, also telling that Ace had stopped breathing in the infirmary.
When he was finished, Trevor gave a hum. "There are poisons that fit that, but they would need to either be eaten or injected. Ace would have noticed either, he is good at that. There are other possibilities, but it would be best to wait for an update from the doctor. This can be a lot. Mika is most likely stopping by and asking about it, after seeing what kinds of poisons Ace have and what counters he and we have." The pirates nodded, that was good. They knew poisons. After an hour, Mika came into the meeting room.
When she came in and sat down, everyone looked at her. When she was seated, she gave a small sigh. "It can be a poisoning, but if it is, it is a really weak one, making it plausible, but unlikely. His entire body is affected, especially his lungs. Doctor Bay is checking other possibilities now." Trevor looked at her. "Airways?" Mika shook her head. "No damage on the airways, only some swelling, but that might be because of the lungs having issues." Trevor gave a nod. "That means it is something that is to target everything, as lungs is the thing Ace's powers can have issues with fixing. That and the heart."
Mika nodded. "There was no visual or life threatening damage on the heart. Meaning this is something that targets main structures and might not have gotten to the heart yet. His back is a bit swollen too." Trevor gave a frown. "Shallow and slow breath, no outright sign of poison, swelling at the back and heart not affected." Trevor looked up at Mika. "Remember what happened when he was 15?" Mika seemed to think. "It might fit. But that is unlikely. Ace is more careful than that." Trevor nodded. "Yes, but it is what fits. How is something we can take later." Mika nodded and stood up. "I'll go and tell the doctor." Trevor nodded and she was off.
When she was out, the pirates looked at the assassin. "What happened when he was 12?" Asked the captain. Trevor gave a hum. "In case I am wrong, I won't tell. Just so no one gets the wrong idea or thinks they did anything wrong." Everyone nodded. Marco got that it might be something revealing.
It was tense after that, everyone worried and trying to think what it could be. It could be poisoning, but it didn't seem like the two assassins thought that, which was some kind of a relief. At least it meant no one tried to kill Ace, but the reason still needed to be found. There was still a possibility that someone had planned this. After an hour, the door opened and Mika came in. Before anyone could speak, Bay came in after her.
When the door closed behind them, Bay gave a sigh, looking at them. "Thankfully, it wasn't poisoning." Everyone gave a relieved breath, glad by that. "Why did this happen?" Asked Pops, looking at the doctor. Bay shook her head a small bit. "Why, is because of an allergic reaction. According to Mika, a reaction to nuts. How he ingested them is the question now, as they would need to get into his system, his powers keeping him from reacting otherwise."
Thatch looked shocked at that. "He's allergic to nuts?" Mika gave a nod, "Yes. But he's good at handling it. If he's given something containing nuts, he would just use his powers to destroy the nuts. This has never happened by accident since we first found out. So, how, is still a question." Thatch looked a bit relieved by that, glad to know he hadn't accidentally done this.
Trevor gave a thoughtful look, before looking at him. "Commander Marco, did you eat the Bertholletia nuts?"
Marco gave a small frown. He had eaten a lot of different kinds, and he wasn't sure which one that was. And he knew he had brushed his teeth afterwards. "Which one were they, yoi?" Trevor gave a hum. "The large ones that were in something looking like a coconut." Marco gave a nod; he had eaten those, and they had tasted more on the bitter side, which he liked. "Yes, yoi."
As he was about to ask why those were special, a hand came and hit him over the head. He moved a hand to his head and turned to see a mad-looking Bay. Marco looked at her confused. "What, yoi? I know I brushed my teeth." The others in the room, aside from the assassins and doctor, looked confused. Bay gave a sigh, looking at everyone in the room. "I know we have a few that are allergic to nuts, and thankfully handle it fine and only react if they eat them, like Commander Ace. The thing with Bertholletia nuts is that the proteins won't digest, and when a male eats them, those proteins will be in the body, especially in certain body fluids."(1) It took Marco a second, but he soon knew why Ace had had the reaction now. Marco had literally almost killed Ace by accident by sleeping with him.
Marco was shocked, not able to speak for a second, understanding he had almost killed Ace by accident. Thatch looked just as shocked. "What! They do that?! Why wasn't I aware of that?! This is important information we need to know!" Bay gave a sigh. "Why, is something I do not know. I thought you would know, seeing as you are the head chef here." Thatch gave a nod, looking a bit guilty and ashamed. "I will go and inform everyone of it to be sure this won't be happening again." Bay gave a nod. "Good, Commander Thatch."
Marco looked at Bay. "How is Ace, yoi?" Bay gave a nod. "For now, he is stable. I've given adrenaline and epinephrine. He is still in bad shape as it took a while to realize, meaning his lungs are still having issues. Thankfully, we got it before it moved to the heart." Bay gave a serious look to them. "Had this not been Commander Ace, meaning someone who does not have the same healing powers, the person would have been dead. While Commander Ace's powers help a lot to heal, allergies are tricky, but he will be fine." Marco gave a nod. He knew allergies were tricky, one's own body attacking itself.
Marco looked at Bay. "Can I go to the infirmary, yoi?" Bay gave a nod. "You can." As soon as Bay said that, Marco got up and headed to the infirmary. He was sure Bay would stay and give more information about those nuts and maybe more updates on Ace. When he got to the infirmary, he went over to the half-drawn curtain and made a pause when he saw Ace. Ace was still pale, a tube down his throat that helped him breathe and an IV connected to his hand and giving him something, most likely something to counter the allergic reaction.
Marco felt even more guilty at seeing Ace unconscious and the tube down his throat, forcing air into the lungs. Marco sat down in a chair close to the bed and grabbed Ace's hand, the one that didn't have the IV, and gave a squeeze to it. "I'm sorry, yoi." He said as he lifted the hand and gave a kiss to it. He felt guilty for this and would make sure to make it up to Ace and be much more careful in the future when it came to nuts. Marco hoped Ace wouldn't blame him. He would do anything to fix this. Marco moved a hand to Ace's head and gave a caress, moving some hair out of his face, before leaning in and giving a kiss to his forehead. After that, he held Ace's hand and stroked it with his thumb, waiting for Ace to wake up and hoping he was fine.
After half an hour, Bay and Trevor came in. Bay did a quick check on Ace, before leaving for her office for now. Trevor sat down on the other side of the bed, placing Dust, who he carried, next to Ace on the bed. After that, Trevor brought up a book and started to read. Pops had stopped by after half an hour. He hadn't stayed long, but it had been a comfort for Marco to have him there. Pops had given a worried look to Ace, but had been the pillar he was for him, making Marco feel better.
When Pops left after an hour, it had been calm and silent in the infirmary. Thatch had stopped by and dropped some food off, but that was it. Bay had come out after a bit and said Ace would maybe wake up soon, and when he did, Marco would see how Ace looked and to call for her. Marco had moved to have his hand over Ace's, trying to relax a bit in the chair as he waited for Ace to wake up.
After almost two hours, Marco felt Ace's hand twitch. And when he looked at Ace, he saw Ace was trying to open his eyes. Before he could speak, Ace had moved his hand to his face, moving to feel the tube down his throat, before moving to the neck, then the chest. Ace was obviously checking the situation out, and Marco was on his way to speak, when Trevor did before him, the man having put down his book and looking at Ace. "Bunny, you're in the infirmary on the Moby Dick. An intubation tube in your throat." Ace made something akin to a nod, before he managed to open his eyes.
Ace blinked a few times, before looking at him, then looking at Trevor. When Ace did, he made some movement with his hand. Trevor gave a nod to Ace. "Allergic reaction. Your lungs almost collapsed." Ace gave something akin to a nod again and moved his hand again in some motions. Trevor gave a nod again. "Commander Marco had eaten some Bertholletia nuts, and you know how they work." Ace made the half-nod motion again, before making more motions with his hand. Trevor gave a small hum at that. "Next time, check what kinds of nuts there are. I know they are rare, but still." Ace made some motions again, making Marco start believing Ace was doing something close to sign language. Trevor gave a small chuckle to that.
Trevor then looked at him. "Could you go and get Doctor Bay, Commander Marco?" Marco gave a nod and walked over to Bay's office, knocking on her door and telling her Ace was awake when she opened her door. Bay gave a nod and walked out of her office and to Ace. When she came to Ace's bed, she looked at the assassin in bed. "Commander Ace, how are you?" Ace gave the half nod again, before doing motions with his hand again. When he was finished, Trevor spoke up. "He says he feels fine, just tired and a bit confused." Bay gave a nod and looked at Trevor. "Sign language?" Trevor gave a nod. "Yes. All assassins know sign language, good for situations like this." Bay gave a nod, before looking back at Ace. "How does the tube feel? We can maybe take it out now."
Ace made a small motion with his head, before doing more signs with his hands. Trevor gave a hum, before he looked at Bay. "Bunny says you shouldn't remove it yet. He can feel that he can't breathe on his own. The machine does everything right now." Bay gave a nod. "Then we won't remove it. Tell when your lungs are better." Ace gave a half-nod to it and some motions. Trevor gave a nod, "He will." Bay gave a nod, before checking the IV and then leaving. Marco moved his hand to Ace's cheek, giving a cress and making Ace look at him. "I'm sorry, yoi." It was bad as Ace had almost died and the fact he still needed the breathing tube, Ace even saying it himself. Ace would never admit it was bad unless it was really bad.
Ace half-shook his head, doing some signs with his hand again. Trevor gave a small chuckle, looking at him. "It's fine, you didn't know." Marco gave a small smile, "Still, I'm sorry, yoi." Ace gave a half-nod, before doing some motions again. Marco looked up at Trevor as he spoke. "It's fine and try not to blame yourself." Marco gave a nod and small caress; he would try that. Ace then looked at Trevor and made some motions. Trevor shook his head, "You are on a breathing tube, you need to be on your back, no complaining now." Marco now remembered Ace didn't like to lay on his back, and he did so now. And, he knew one was best out to lay on one's back when being intubated, as it's better for the lungs and airways.
Ace gave some more motions, looking at Trevor. Trevor gave a sigh, "Fine, complaining Bunny." Trevor got up and grabbed a pillow and placed it under Ace's back, lifting him a small bit, but not much. Marco guessed it was better being a bit elevated. When Trevor sat down again, Ace made some more motions, making Trevor snort at Ace, not saying anything. Marco guessed it was a comeback to the name or a thank you.
It was calm after that, Ace falling asleep again for a little while. Pops came by one time when Ace was awake, and he was worried when he saw Ace still had the tube in his throat, but Trevor explained it. The man stayed for a bit, speaking to Ace and him, Trevor translating what Ace signed. Pops had left after an hour or so, as it was starting to get late, and Bay had said he should sleep in his bed with a glare, which made him leave for his room. Marco gave a chuckle at that. Bay was like that, stern and she was one of those who could order Pops around.
After another couple of hours, Ace gave some signs to Trevor, and Trevor looked at Marco when Ace was finished. "Can you go and get Doctor Bay? Bunny says he wants the breathing tube out now." Marco gave a nod and got Bay. When they got back to the bed, she asked a few questions to Ace, which Trevor translated, before Bay nodded and agreed he could remove the tube. It seemed like Ace knew when he needed it or not, which was good. Bay then removed the tape that held the tube, before carefully taking the tube out.
When the tube was removed, Ace gave some coughs, before taking a few deep breaths. When Ace seemed to get air into his lungs on his own, taking a few more deep breaths, Trevor looked at him. "How are you feeling, Bunny?" Ace took a breath, before he looked at the man. "Okay." It was a bit hoarse, but he knew that was normal after having had a tube down one's throat. Trevor gave a chuckle at that, looking amused.
Bay asked Ace a few questions, before she said he was fine, but she would like to have him in the infirmary for the night, to see how his breathing was. Ace most likely wasn't too happy with that, but some words from Trevor made him agree to it. Ace did look tired, but Marco wasn't really surprised by that. It probably took a lot on his body going through all of this.
It was calm after that, just relaxing and speaking about some things. After an hour, Ace had fallen asleep and seemed to be doing good, even asleep. As Ace was asleep and had been for half an hour, Bay came and checked on him, and said he was doing fine, telling Marco that when he woke up, he could leave. That was good to know, Marco feeling better Ace was good enough to leave. He was still guilty for all of this and would make sure to make it up to Ace the best he could.
-x-
Whitebeard sat with all his commanders in the meeting room, aside from Ace, who was doing something, a meeting or something, a meeting Trevor didn't seem to like. Whitebeard was speaking to his children about things, and they were calm, having a small meeting of sorts now, before the real one later today. And when Ace returned an hour later, he seemed fine, and had started to fix something with his bag. Whitebeard saw Ace putting a few things away on the table, just random things, and Trevor looked at Ace. "Ace, how did it go?" Ace shook his head, opening his bag as he took some paper and clothes out. "As well as it could. I'm going to help them get something from Freya." That had Trevor blink, before looking serious. "Ace, what do you mean? How many times have you said to never lift a finger for them, to never even have a meeting with them, even if it was a subordinate or just a member. Not just you, but Daisuke, Moira, Hanzo, and even Azuruko. You always said to not even think of helping them." The captain didn't like that information. Why did Ace meet and even worse agree with whatever this was? Ace didn't look up as he continued to fix his bag, taking most out. "I know." Trevor looked appalled and shocked, which didn't sit well. "Then why? Why agree to help them?" Even Mika looked shocked and unsure. "The same reason the others agreed." Ace then stopped as he moved his bag down, holding something in his other hand, lifting his head and looking at Trevor for the first time since he arrived.
"Because I'm scared." Whitebeard could only stare at Ace's face, filled with one thing he had never seen; fear. Just plain fear, eyes even blank. Ace was truly scared.
Ace then put what was a mask on, then he was gone in smoke, leaving them shocked. Before any of them could move or say anything, Trevor was moving his hand towards the table. "Den den, give it, now." No one spoke as Izou handed it to Trevor, who dialed something, before it rang, an unfamiliar voice speaking. "H-hello?" Even Trevor frowned. "Jace? Where is Daisuke? Moira? Anyone?" The Den den shook its head, looking fearful too. "I don't know, they left after Atreus came here. I- I think they are in something bad; they looked scared. Do you or Ace know anything? I- we don't know what to do." Trevor looked horrified by that. "We don't. Just, don't leave base, stay. Whoever is highest there, he or she's in charge." The den den nodded. "Raiden is here. But…. Hanzo left too. He's acting weird. And… Shanks called, Benn left as well." Trevor shook his head, hand on it. "Raiden is in charge. Don't leave the base." The den den nodded and went back to sleep.
Trevor took a breath, hands on his face, looking to be thinking, or trying too, before looking at Mika. "What can be so bad that it has all of them scared? Even together?" Mika shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing should. They have never before. Hanzo left his brother behind. Benn left Shanks." Trevor nodded as he swallowed. "Something is going on, and they won't drag us into it, they are keeping us out. They know something we don't." Mika's eyes widened as she lost her breath. "You don't think…" Trevor nodded. "The end of the world is coming."
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
I hope this chapter was enjoyable to read
1. To the Bertholletia nuts, or more known as Brazilian nuts, the fact that it sticks to the semen, is true in reality. If one is allergic to nuts and has intercourse with a male that has eaten the nuts, they will have a reaction, but not usually fatal, but it can happen
This story is also not finished. I know it is marked finished, but that is since the main part I had planned is over and now it is just the rest as well as ideas that I have. We still have some loose ends, like the Marcus thing, like the wedding, and other things
Also, come check out the one shot series to this story! It contains one shots of missing scenes, past events, and alternative scenarios, etc.
If you have any scenes you would like to see, don't be afraid to leave a comment, or send a PM
And I love feedback too; it is what keeps me going!
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