Chapter 22
Teach scowled, and hung up the phone. He had been so close. Another day or two, and Ace's heat should have arrived. His lover was still lost in his Omega, but Teach could have been there for him once his heat began. Now though, he had been called away for a meeting by the government. Bastards probably wanted to know if he still had the power to control them. He'd show them his true might if they dared question him.
Teach went over, and placed a kiss on Ace's head. "Sorry, love. I'll be away for a while. I have to make sure the government still knows who is boss. Hopefully the meeting won't last too long, and I can come back before your heat ends."
He'd have to go into Raftel's central tower closer to North Blue. He'd probably be away for a few days to scare the government back into submission. Once they were under heel he could carry on with getting ready for his future again.
So with one last kiss, he left Ace in bed, and ordered the Peachbeard gang, one of his subordinates, to keep an eye on things. He was taking all his Commanders with him.
"Zehahahaha, get ready boys! We have a meeting with the government dogs."
"Wihahahaha, do you need to be taught another lesson, Teach?"
"You would think they had learned the first time," Laffitte smiled.
Teach snorted. Apparently they hadn't. The first time Xebec had annihilated the government, and they had grown too fearful to bite back when Bluejam took over. Now they would have to learn that Teach meant business. Just as his predecessors had.
.::.
Ace cracked an eye open, and stopped whimpering the moment Teach was gone. He had mostly recovered himself yesterday, but Ace had kept acting distant and distressed, since it kept Teach more or less at bay.
He forced himself to wait for an hour, before climbing out of bed. He grabbed a quick shower, and looked into the wardrobe. The problem was, it was Teach's clothes, or Omega clothes. Anything Ace once had to wear was gone, and that made his other half whine. Shakily he reached out for one of Teach's shirts, and a pair of skinny Omega trousers that hugged his legs. He refused to wear one of the Omega tops. They were skin tight and looked like a pain in the ass to put on, never mind get back off. He shrugged on one of Teach's jackets and slipped out the room. Once again, Teach hadn't bother locking him inside.
Ace carefully made his way downstairs. He had to knock out a few guards, and some weird pink bearded guy, but he made to the kitchens and out the emergency back door. Ace ducked automatically, hearing a swish of metal, and growled as a pipe smashed the door. Someone cursed, and Ace blinked up at the blonde who attempted to knock him out.
"Yo?" Sabo greeted him nervously, lowering his pipe.
"Did you just try to knock me out?" Ace scowled.
"I thought you might have been one of the guards," Sabo laughed awkwardly. "My mistake?"
"Ace!"
Luffy collided into him, wrapping his arms and legs around Ace's body while Sabo shoved the back door shut.
"I'm glad you're both okay-" Ace began.
"We were more worried about you," Sabo frowned. "Especially after we saw what happened to the apartment. Let's not get into that here though. C'mon, we need to go!"
Luffy jumped off him, grabbing his wrist and tugging him into a run. Ace easily over took him, grinning as they ran through the streets together, just like they used to when they were little.
"Why were you two even at the back door?" Ace asked.
"We were trying to break in to rescue you," Sabo said. "I didn't realise you were going to escape on your own!"
"Yeah, we thought you might have been tied up, or sad and lost in your Omega after what that bastard did!" Luffy scowled.
"You two were going to break into Teach's club?" Ace gasped. "You idiots! If Teach had been there-"
"Well he hadn't. We know he's away!" Sabo smirked. "Besides we also had a getaway plan ready. So ha!"
"Yeah, ha to you, Ace!" Luffy stuck out his tongue.
"I was planning to go to Yamato, but I suppose you had something better in mind?" Ace raised a brow as they slowed to a walk.
"Oh, yeah, Yamato would have been a good choice," Sabo blinked.
"WHY DO YOU SOUND SO SURPRISED?" Ace screeched.
"Never mind that," Sabo dismissed, grinning. "Here's our ride pulling up."
A fancy four doored white car rolled up to them, parking easily at their side. The white car's darkened window lowered, and Thatch grinned up at them. "Looking for a ride?" He winked.
"Thatch!" Ace smiled, glancing back at his brothers. "You got Pops to help?"
Sabo softened. "Look back around, Ace."
Ace blinked, but turned back just as the car door clicked open. He came face-to-face with familiar blue eyes, and smiled. Roasted pineapple brushed over his senses, and he couldn't help but finally relax.
"Hey, Ace."
"Marco," Ace grinned, and threw himself at his lover.
Marco's arms wrapped around him tightly, and Ace melted in his embrace. He saw Thatch smile softly, just as Ace closed his eyes and nuzzled Marco's neck. Marco purred, planting a kiss on his neck.
"I was starting to worry that I wasn't going to see any of you again..." Ace admitted, clutching Marco tighter. "Thank you all for coming for me."
"Always yoi."
.::.
Marco rubbed Ace's back in soothing circles. He could smell Teach's scent of cherry pie coming from the jacket and shirt, but Ace's scent of melting chocolate and toasting marshmallows also pushed through. Clutching Ace tighter, he looked up and saw Sabo gesture to the car.
Marco nodded, and pressed a kiss against Ace's hair. "We better get in the car, Ace."
Ace slowly released him, sighing. "Yeah, I suppose so."
"What? Don't like my car?" Thatch teased. "Rude."
Ace laughed as he climbed in. Luffy raced round to the front, but Sabo bet him to it, smirking, so Luffy was forced into the back with a sigh. It left Ace tucked between Marco and Luffy, and the kid took full advantage by cuddling into Ace.
Ace snuggled into him, and Marco wrapped his arm around Ace's shoulder. Ace was safe. Finally safe from Teach, and it made Marco couldn't help but relax, stroking strands of Ace's damp hair.
"You're lucky it's not cold out yoi," Marco teased.
Ace grinned. "You go on about how I'm always hot. So it's not like I'd ever catch a cold."
"That is not how it works," Marco snorted.
"Yeah, I think it's when you're too hot that you get sick," Luffy said. "Nami was really warm when she got sick!"
"That sounds more like a fever, Luffy," Sabo said.
"But it's true! She was sick," Luffy insisted.
"Yes yoi," Marco began. "But-"
"I'm right!" Luffy laughed. "I'm smarter than Sabo!"
"At least wait for Marco to finish, Luffy!" Sabo huffed. "He said 'but'."
"It doesn't matter because I'm right!"
The argument continued on until they reached the Straw Hat gang's 'hideout'. Ace scooted out, following his brother, so Marco went with him.
"Are we hiding out here?" Ace asked.
"Luffy is. I'll be going back to Koala at my base," Sabo said, ruffling Ace's hair. "You're going to Sphinx with Marco."
"And me!" Thatch said. "Don't forget me! The handsome guy with awesome hair."
Marco smirked when they all proceeded to ignore him. Ace still focused on his brothers. Thatch whined, but Marco tuned him out.
"You're staying in East Blue? What happens if Teach finds out what you did-"
"I'm going after Traffy in Dressrosa," Luffy grinned. "Jaggy's getting pissed off, and I want to save Traffy and beat up Mingo for what he's done to everyone."
"We've got a lot of Omegas to process and get out of East Blue," Sabo admitted. "And then there is the whole 'blackmail' Doflamingo thing. So I might have business in Dressrosa too."
"So while they're doing that yoi," Marco said, placing his hand on the small of Ace's back. "You can have your heat back home, safe with us."
Ace softened against him, smiling shakily. "I can have my heat with you? Really?"
"Yeah, we can finally share your heat," Marco grinned, pressing a kiss against Ace's lips. "Is that okay with you yoi?"
"Yeah!" Ace laughed, hugging him. "I'm so happy to finally be with you, Marco."
Marco nuzzled him. "Love you, Ace."
"I love you too," Ace grinned.
.::.
Sabo smiled as Ace snuggled into Marco's arms, before blinking up at him. Ace's grin faded into a frown, and he looked concerned.
"Sabo, Luffy, if Teach catches on that you two tried to help me escape-"
"Don't worry about that. Koala took care of the security cameras in the area," Sabo reassured. "So go and relax in Sphinx. Let Marco pamper you, and see what it's like to finally be by your mate's side."
Ace smiled. "Alright."
"Shishishi, yeah, you can go see the giant old man!" Luffy grinned. "You don't get to see him often, and I bet he's looking forward to seeing you again."
"He is yoi," Marco said. "My mobile's buzzing away in my pocket. He's probably complaining that we haven't left East Blue yet."
"I'm a bit sad I can't bring anything with me..." Ace yawned. "Although, all my clothes are high Omega stuff now. Teach's goons tore my things up..."
Sabo frowned, but Marco smoothed his hand through Ace's hair.
"Izo will help find some new clothes for you, until we can buy you some. I'm more concerned that you sound like you've not been sleeping well yoi."
"Yeah, I haven't," Ace said, shaking his head. "Not even my narcolepsy knocked me out. I was so stressed out after Teach tore apart the flat. Sabo, Luffy, I'm so sorry. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't stop. They kept tearing everything apart-"
Ace began to shake. Sabo and Luffy quickly went to his side, and between the three of them, they had Ace pinned between them. Sabo rubbed Ace's arm, the tattooed arm, and damn did that tribute to him melt his heart most days. Ace was surprisingly adorable, despite having once been a feral child. Not that it mattered so much right now. What mattered most was comforting Ace.
The fact Teach had done all that in front of him. The bastard had tortured Ace mentally, and yet still wanted to mate Ace. The fucker. Sabo wanted to set him on fire.
"I don't know why he did that to me..." Ace whimpered. "I was so scared. He says he wants to be my mate and yet he hurt me-"
Sabo nuzzled Ace's neck, and Ace flinched, because Luffy started to bite him. Ace squirmed, panicked yelps escaped him. Marco tried to back away too, baffled. Sabo and Luffy held on to Ace though, so only the other Alpha managed to escape.
"Luffy, stop biting!" Ace squirmed.
"No. My scent will comfort you."
"That's not how scenting works!"
Ace threw him a desperate look, so Sabo shoved Luffy's face back. Stopping him from nibbling at Ace any further. Sabo rubbed Ace's back in soothing circles, smiling, while their baby brother pouted. Sabo snorted, ruffling Luffy's hair with his free hand.
"Ace, don't worry about the flat," Sabo said. "We want you to make your new nest in Sphinx."
Ace startled. "What?"
"You deserve to feel safe, and you felt safe in Sphinx after you joined the Whitebeard gang. So relax," Sabo soothed. "Don't fight your urges, and make your nest where you'll feel good."
"But you two..." Ace mumbled, clutching his coat. "I don't want to abandon our home..."
"Our home isn't safe anymore," Sabo reminded him. "Not after what Teach did to it. Luffy and I tried to clean it up, but it feels wrong."
"Yeah..." Luffy admitted. "Blackbeard contaminated it. I swear I will kick his ass, Ace! He won't get away with what he did to you."
"Guys, I'm sorry to push this," Thatch said, eyes filled with sorrow. "But Teach's guys are bound to report Ace's escape soon. We need to get him out of here."
Sabo squeezed in one more hug, inhaling Ace's scent, before handing him to Luffy who squeezed him tightly. It took Luffy and Ace longer to let go of one another, but Marco finally managed to coax him away.
"Stay safe, Ace!" Luffy grinned.
"I will. See you both later," Ace smiled.
"And remember, even if you make a new nest, you're always welcome to ours!" Sabo said.
Ace grinned in relief, before climbing in the car. Marco nodded back at them, before climbing in after Ace and closing the door.
"We'll keep him safe," Thatch said.
"Good," Luffy nodded. "We're counting on you."
The window rolled up, and the car took off quickly, and neither of them could see inside due to the tinted screens. Sabo waited until it was out of sight before turning to Luffy.
"Well, hopefully that means Ace will be safe."
"The giant old man will cheer Ace up," Luffy grinned. "And Ace will be surrounded by his other pack."
"Other pack, huh?" Sabo teased.
"Of course!" Luffy huffed. "He was apart of my pack first."
"I think you'll find Ace was apart of my pack first," Sabo smirked.
"Nu uh!"
"Uh huh."
"I'm the one he tried to kill!"
"He tried to kill me first. I met him before you after all."
"Yeah, but his attempts on me were more serious!"
"Were not," Sabo laughed.
"Were too!" Luffy snapped. "I'll fight you, Sabo!"
"Bring it!"
.::.
"I can't believe they are really fighting over who Ace tried to kill the most," Nami groaned.
She could hear the brothers from within the hideout. Nami had been left there, which she hadn't minded. Going to Blackbeard's club? Hell no. She wouldn't step anywhere near it. Not with all those uppity bastards about who'd try to drag her back to that horrible factory.
"Sanji, you're overdue." She heard Zoro say.
"I'm fine," Sanji sighed.
Nami glanced back over her shoulder, only to see Zoro crowding Sanji up against the wall, smelling him. Zoro looked really concerned, and Nami had to agree. Sanji's heats were never overdue. He should have been finished days ago, but this month he hadn't even started his heat yet.
The heat order in their group was Sanji first, then Ace. Nami and Law were after Ace. It left the last week of the month heat free, before heading back on to Sanji again to restart the cycle.
"That's not fine, love cook."
"Don't worry about it, mosshead. It's probably just due to everything that's been going on. Stress does play a big part on heats, remember?" Sanji said. "When things calm down and if nothing continues to happen, I'll go get checked out by a doctor."
"I could take you home. My apartment or the Baratie, you have nests there," Zoro said.
Much to Nami's astonishment he was actually fidgeting, almost anxious. Sanji looked amused, but his eye was growing soft.
"Aw, is the big, bad Alpha that worried about me?" he teased, nonetheless.
"Love cook, you worry me in general."
"Well you worry me even more, with your grass for brains."
Nami rolled her eyes. There they go again.