Hello everyone. Here is another one shot, this is a missing scene, or scenes.
You should read chapter 18 Benn first, They are connected and this is a sort of continuation. Don't need to, but you should.This is more about Shanks and Ace binding and how they are as familiar as they are
This was a request from Emmikus, YuHige, Lady Histoire and a guest
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Shanks liked Ace, he was really glad when the kid had accepted to be an acquaintance. Not only because he was an assassin and Shanks usually had no issues with them, he had worked with Azuruko for years, but he was the kid to Roger, the kid to his old captain. When Azuruko had sent him a letter all those years ago, saying he was going to send someone for information and too look at him closely, he had no idea what to think it was about, especially when the assassin didn't say what kind of information.
But when the kid came and Shanks really did look at the kid and saw those eyes and hair, he had a faint idea. When he placed his hand over those freckles, he instantly saw the resemblance to Roger. Roger actually had a kid! He hadn't been that happy to find something out in a long time.
But when Ace had called the man a bastard and started to say a lot of stupid things, stupid things he knew others said if the rumors that the man had a kid was true, he knew what information Azuruko wanted.
He wanted him to give information about his old captain to the kid, to Ace.
And when he had said who he were, he could see the kid realising his mistake and was about to apologise, but he didn't need that. He had heard himself on how people spoke of the man. When he had told Ace that what he had heard was not the truth, that he was a good man, he felt extremely glad when Ace himself asked to be told more, to be told what he was really like. Shanks was happy to do just that. And while he was telling Ace on how his old captain was, he could see how much of a shock it was too Ace, how much different he were than he had originally thought.
When Ace left hours later, he looked much happier and like a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. Which made him glad for Ace, but mad at the world.
That they would take their hatred out on a man they didn't know, worse on a child they didn't even think existed. But for Azuruko to ask him for help in this manner, could only mean he hadn't been able to get through to the kid himself. It made him glad that he was able to help the man, an even better thing, amazing thing, was that he got to know and actually see that the rumors about Roger having a kid was true. He couldn't be more happier for his late captain. His legacy was still living. He weren't a pirate, but he was alive.
As time progressed, every time he had something he needed to speak with Azuruko about, Ace was there too. Ace was Azurukos charge, he had a student. And based on how young the kid were and how much he was with the man on assignments and the name he saw in the news, the kid was amazingly skilled for his age. He liked the kid and liked when he could see him again, to know he was alive and well. He really was glad to know Ace, his captain's child, was alive and well.
When he had been traveling in east blue and met a kid, Luffy, he could see his captain in the child.
The reason he gave him his hat, he was sure he would grow up and be someone special, maybe even the next pirate King. He didn't regret giving up his arm for him, he didn't need it and he couldn't have lived if the kid was eaten by the sea king. The kid even ate his devil fruit, telling it tasted awful, just like his brother had said. He had been mad at first, he ate his devil fruit! But he would let it go.
Now he was more curious about this brother. He knew Sabo didn't have any devil fruit, he had seen the kid being in water and not sinking. He hadn't gotten a lot out of them, not anything that would reveal who the kid were or he was for the fact. Only that he had eaten a fruit years ago and was now traveling the world. He wondered about why they were being as secretive, but decided to let it go. Especially since Luffy seemed mad that he had left to travel the world, calling him an idiot sometimes. But he still seemed to adore him, which was good. He would probably not meet this kid anyway, the world was a big place.
But when Ace visited a couple of years later and he found out he, the Ace of Spades, was his brother. He was shocked.
He had understood there was a reason Luffy and Sabo didn't say much about their brother, but to know he was the assassin was something he hadn't even thought about. He knew Luffy knew some assassin that was strong, since Luffy always spoke of the strongest assassin he knew, but never said a name. He should have managed to connect the dots, but he hadn't.
Then he decided to ask to be acquaintances and was really glad when the assassin said yes. And he was even more impressed when he said how to contact him. He just needed a crow or raven and that was all. It was amazing.
Shanks worked a lot with Ace after that. Often asking him to do small stuff and information run on the marines or other pirates. He also asked him to bring his two brother by, which he did from time to time, making him glad. He liked all go the brothers, all three of them were special in their own way. He wanted them to join him, he could take care of the brats. Luffy always declined, saying he was going to be a captain himself, therefore couldn't join him, Sabo following after his brother. He wanted to be a pirate himself.
Then there were Ace.
Shanks had told him, time and time again, that he always had a place on his ship, a place to stay should he need it, same for his brothers. But if he wanted to join his crew, he would need to give up being an assassin, give up being Ace of Spades. He knew it might be harsh, but he didn't like the job Ace did. He accepted it and therefore worked as acquaintances, but he wouldn't give him a spot on the crew if he continued. Ace didn't stop, he never even seemed to want to stop. He seemed to like being an assassin.
Shanks could do with it, but he still wished he would quit.
As Ace started to be more around, Shanks tried to bond more with the kid. He felt he did at some points, but he still felt like he couldn't really get to him. Ace often seems annoyed with him, especially when he seemed tired or was injured, telling him to quit it and leave it. Which only made him sad and tried harder, tried to be more sprung Ace. He never thought on how he acted, he was just himself. When Benn even sometimes told him to stop it and to fetch something, like clothes, bandages or ice packs, giving a glare, he did it with a whine.
He had realised Ace and Benn were a lot closer than he was with Ace.
Ace was often out with Benn in the mornings he had night shift. He was never that with him. Ace often let Benn come into his room when he was there and seemed okay with it. But he never did that with him. He seemed to be generally okay with Been. Why couldn't he seem like that with him?! He also wanted to be close to the kid. He whined to Benn about it often, but he only rolled his eyes at him, saying he was annoying, which only made him whine more.
Then they got the news that Azuruko had died.
It was Daisuke who had sent a note, saying the disease had won and taken the assassin's life. Shanks knew Azuruko was sick, the man had told him that some months ago, but he didn't think it was this bad, that he would have died, at least not nearly as fast as this.
After that, they didn't hear from Ace for almost 2 weeks.
They realised the death of his mentor was hard on Ace, but when he did show up, he seemed to be fine. But he refused to stay over or anything, just doing his job that he was asked to do, before leaving. When he tried to get him to stay, it was often Benn that would stop him, saying Ace could leave. When Shanks commented on it, asking why. Benn always said Ace had a lot to do and to not force him. The few times Ace was injured and Shanks was worried about the kid, he clearly saw the look that said 'don't' in his eyes, making him step back. He understood when he had crosses a line and he apparently did a lot right now, and he had no idea why.
The finally, after 3 months, Ace stayed over.
He had just done a long assignment for him, getting information from a very secured marine base and had said yes when Shanks asked him to stay. He was glad by that, he had been thinking Ace didn't like him anymore. He often didn't meet his eyes or spoke a lot anymore, not that he used to do that a lot, but now it was barely non existing. And of course, the weather had taken a horrible turn, blowing up to a storm. Shanks had managed to sleep a bit, but had woken up at a point and decided to wake up for a while, to see how Benn were, who was on watch and most likely were in the galley. He was closer to Ace than him and maybe he had seen something he hadn't.
But when he got to the galley and saw a clearly sobbing Ace in Benns arms, he could only stand shocked.
When Benn glared at him, eyes yelling leave, he did. He realised it was a moment he shouldn't be intruding on. Benn knew what he was doing.
What concerned him, was the fact that Benn didn't seem surprised Ace was crying, only irritated that he had almost ruined it by walking in. He knew Ace was sad because of his late mentor, but he had no idea it was this bad, that Ace was that distressed. As the night went on, Shanks stayed out in the hall, hoping Benn or Ace would come out. When Rockstar came, Shanks sent him away, saying he and Benn could handle the night shift. The man seemed to wonder why he was being let out of night shift like this, but he didn't question it, seeing the look he had.
Nothing happened until morning, when Benn and Ace finally came out of the galley.
When Shanks was on his way to ask if Ace was alright, he got a glare from Benn, making him close his mouth and hold his words. There was more to this than just this night, he was sure of it. But Benn wouldn't say anything, not now. He knew that look. He only hoped he would tell what that was later, after Ace had left. When Ace left a couple of hours later, Shanks played a good mood and waved Ace off as he disappeared.
As soon as he was gone, Benn spoke up. ¨Rockstar, you're in charge. Shanks, my room.¨
Shanks didn't even comment or mind that Benn gave an order like that. He knew what this was about. He gave a nod to Rockstar and followed after his first mate silently. He knew this was going to be a long conversation. When they came to Benns room, Benn sat down on his chair, dragging another for him to sit on. When he sat down, he was about to ask what last night was about, when Benn spoke up before him.
¨I've been lying to you for two years.¨
Shanks felt himself freeze in shock. What? He knew Benn was a trustworthy and never did anything without a reason. The reason he was his first mate. If Benn had lied to him, it was for a good reason. ¨Why?¨ Was the only thing he asked. He wasn't mad at Benn, he would heard him out first. Benn gave a sigh, looking at him. ¨Ace is not okay. He never were. He rarely sleep, rarely accepts help, hates to admit anything else that he is fine, even when he clearly isn't fine.¨
Shanks frowned. He knew Ace had been having a bit of a hard time the last months, but not that he had always been having a hard time. ¨What do you mean? This wasn't the first time?¨ Benn gave a sigh and shook his head before starting to speak again, explaining.
He said Ace had always had sleeping issues and that he had always known about it. The times he had caught them out in the mornings and Benn said they had only been up for an hour, they had in reality been up all night. The times he would go to Ace when he left for his room, saying he had something he needed to speak about, it was always because Ace was injured. When he told him to fetch something, it was because was making Ace uncomfortable, resulting in him hiding his injuries from him.
Benn told him of everything he and Ace had done the last two years, how Ace never faced his issues and that last night had been a breakthrough for him. Ace had never admitted anything before last night, the reason he had sent him away. Ace would have locked back up if he noticed the captain.
When Benn had explained everything, Shanks was on his way to speak, but Benn said something before he could. ¨Don't change. Just because you now know, don't mean you should change. Stay your annoying self.¨ Shanks gave him a look, confused. ¨Why? If I make him uncomfortable I should stop. Right?¨ Benn gave a sigh. ¨Normally yes. But Ace doesn't want you to change. You might annoy him, but stay the same. Nothing is better than normalcy.¨ Shanks gave a nod, he understood that. Benn was right, he shouldn't treat Ace differently. But he should be more observant.
Shanks changed some more words with Benn, about some stuff with Ace, how he had found out about this and how one could see he was pushing in on Ace and making him uncomfortable. Benn did answer and gave him some tips on what to do when things happened. For example, if Ace was injured, he could be his own concerned self for a bit, but step back at the first signs of Ace being uncomfortable and let Benn take over. He could agree with that. It was better that Ace was somewhat comfortable around Benn than none of them. It did mean Ace could show up and come to him. He might open up to Shanks more. He just needed time.
This was a big revelation for Shanks. And he would do his best for Ace. He wanted to keep him around and help.
-x-
As time progresses, Ace began to be more like himself again, not seeming to be as depressed or sad as he had been, beginning to come to the terms that his mentor was gone. Ace was more around them, doing more assignments and generally being around more as he had used too. Sabo and Luffy had also been here now and then, really making the red haired captain glad, even more when he saw how calm and relaxed Ace was when his brothers was around.
But a year later, Dust suddenly showed up without Ace seeming to be in bad shape.
When they had asked the bird about it, knowing he was exceptional bright, they had found Ace was in some trouble and Dust couldn't get through to him. Dust had showed them on a map where Ace had been when Dust had lost contact with him, and they instantly headed there, too see if he was in trouble and if they could help. It wasn't too far away from their location, only a couple of days. They didn't hesitate in leaving, hoping everything was fine with the young assassin.
When they got to the location and they went on the island, they found a lot of dead people, but they drill found some they had to take care off, which they didn't hesitate to do. If Ace were here, it meant everyone here was people that they shouldn't bother keeping alive.
As they moved through the mansion they found, having some issues with some, but managing to get through, they found someone who said to 'not release the demon'. They instantly knew who this 'demon' were, it could be no one aside from Ace, they knew what people usually called him. Shanks wasn't in any kind of mood to deal with idiots, he was worried about Ace, so he didn't even wait to hear more before taking him out.
When they managed to get to the basement, they found a sealed steel door which was locked from the inside. It took some time, but they managed to open it with some help from Rockstar, who knew how to lockpick. When they did get in, Shanks could only stare shocked at the inside of the room,
Ace was standing with his back to the door, pulling at the chains he was in, four dead bodies littering the floor, a gun lying abandoned next to Ace.
Shanks took a step inside the room, Benn and Rockstar close behind. ¨Ace?¨ Asked the captain, how was Ace upright and not using his powers to get out, if it was seastone, he would have been weakened by it. The assassin turned to look at them, looking annoyed and irritated. ¨If you're done staring, the man to your left have the key.¨ Shanks stood still and stared at Ace dumbfounded. When he made movement, Ace turned around and gave a really annoyed look, making him move and check the pockets to the man Ace mentioned. A second later, he found the key and walked to Ace who was giving him annoyed and somewhat exhausted look.
As Shanks unlocked the chains, he sent a look to Ace, ¨Why not use your power?¨ Ace shook his head, shaking his hand so the chain made noise. ¨Seastone.¨ When one chain was off, he looked at Ace. ¨How are you so upright then?¨ Ace gave a sigh, ¨I'll explain later. Just get them off.¨ Shanks gave a nod, taking the chains off, feeling himself worry as Ace sounded tired. When they were off, Ace gave a relieved breath, massaging his hands as he stood up.
Ace didn't say anything as he made his way over to the man that had the key, opening hos shirt and giving him his mark, before turning to them. Shanks gave a look, something was edgy with the way Ace looked. ¨Shall we go?¨ Asked the redhead. Ace gave a nod and walked towards the door, the others following. As they walked out of the mansion, Ace started to slow down, before coming to a complete stop, hand on the wall as he leaned on it. Shanks sent him a concerned look as he walked to the kid. ¨Ace?¨
When he were a few feet away, Ace collapsed to the floor.
Shanks instantly panicked and runned to the kid, crouching down and shaking his shoulder, trying to rouse him, saying his name as he how's for a reaction. When nothing happened, Shanks looked at Benn worriedly, no idea what to do now. Benn came worriedly over and lifted the kid. ¨Let's get him to the ship to check him over.¨ Shanks nodded and quickly followed, thinking Ace might have been poisoned, injury to the head, internal bleeding or something.
When they got to the ship again and Benn checking over, checking thoroughly, he said he found nothing, nothing aside from exhaustion. Saying they could only wait until he woke up too see. Making the captain mad, since he didn't want to wait.
6 hours later, Ace woke up.
When he did wake up and Benn talked to him, he found out Ace was only tired, which was an understatement. To pass out, one needed to be exhausted, not just tired.
When Ace did come out on the deck, Shanks couldn't help but go and buss over him, asking a lot of 'how are you' and 'are you hurt'. Making Ace give annoying looks now and then, swatting his hands away as he said he was fine, making him pout.
-x-
When it happened again some months later, they had a more general idea of what to expect. Ace had said seastone didn't affect him as it normally did to others, saying it had something to do with his devil fruit. Shanks didn't know what kind of fruit Ace had, he never answered when he asked. After he had said this, Benn showed him a book that mentioned something about Legendaries, and they fit perfectly. They never brought it up with Ace, they had a feeling he didn't want them to know, neither did they tell anyone.
When they got to the destination, they quickly got inside, taking everyone they found out and finding the basement, where the holding cells usually were. And they did find the locked door, which Rockstar unlocked again. When they got inside, they found Ace chained to the floor in a short chain. Shanks, seeing Ace were upright, showing that Ace were fine, just went and asked who had the key when Ace gave him an annoyed look. When he found the key and opened the cuffs, he looked at Ace, raising an eyebrow, ¨Had any fun here?¨
Ace gave him a tired look, ¨Yes, you just missed the party.¨ He said with a 'Are you stupid' look. But even though he looked annoyed and tired, he had this content look in his eyes.
When Ace was free, he stood up and walked to one of the one who had the key and searched his body, grabbing a necklace or something, before marking him and walking with them out of the mansion. When they got to the boat, everything was lively and Shanks grabbed a couple of cups with booze, offering it to Ace. Ace just gave him an annoyed look, before shaking his head and heading to the door leading to the room he usually used.
When he was just past Shanks, he stopped, making the captain worried. Before he could say anything, Ace fell forward. Shanks let out a noise as he barely managed to catch Ace before he fell to the ground.
He had a feeling this was more normal than he had guessed. Ace going to the brink of exhaustion and trying to go further, therefore passing out exhausted. That wasn't good, especially since he could be injured or something. Benn did check him over, but he didn't have more than a few cuts, bruises or other small easily fixed injured according to Benn, which was good. It did mean he was fine, only tired. But it would be better if they would know of he were terribly injured or not. When they asked, he did always say he were was annoying that he often passed put like that, but they could handle it, Ace usually were fine.
As long as Dust was upright, Ace was fine. Their connection was an amazing thing. Which even Ace couldn't explain.
-x-
During the next year and half, Shanks helped Ace like this a lot. Shanks had learned that the more nonchalant he were, the more Ace seemed to relax and somewhat accept that he needed help. He had no idea about this, but Benn had guessed it was because of the people he usually was around. It took a lot to faze an assassin, and according to Benn, Azuruko had been impossible to faze, he was as calm as one could in every situation.
They had guessed it was easier for Ace to handle everything of the didn't seem fazed or scared or anything. At least try not to, to just act like themselves. Which was perfect for Shanks, he could easily just have fun in serious situations, more so when he knew Ace was more comfortable with it.
Ace often passed out before he got to his room, but did manage to get to his room most times. But when Ace passed out for the ninth time, Shanks got irritated, he got mad. When Ace did come out after he woke up, Shanks had given him a small glare as he crossed his arms. ¨Stop just passing out!¨ Ace had rolled his eyes, ¨And how can I stop it? I can't just say to my body 'Just 5 more minutes', that's not how it works.¨ Shanks realised Ace was right, which made him pout and give an annoyed and irritated glare.
¨Then tell before you do! You always just stop and fall!¨ Yelled Shanks in a huff, annoyed Ace often just fell over.
Ace had only rolled his eyes, giving a ¨Yeah, yeah.¨ As he waved his hand, heading to the galley to eat. Shanks had given an annoyed sigh to himself, before following to eat himself. It really did annoy him that Ace just fell when he was exhausted. He should be able to tell, he often just stopped and looked tired, before falling. It really did annoy him to no end. He shouldn't have yelled at Ace, he couldn't stop it, but it annoyed him. When he came to the galley in a huff, he had gotten a glare from Benn, which only made him pout more.
Next time they went to help Ace a month later, something happened.
After they had released Ace and helped him get some folder and he was heading out, Ace had been walking behind them. When they were halfway, Shanks had heard a voice from behind, ¨Shanks.¨ Which sounded beyond exhausted. When he had turned around, he had seen Ace had stopped and was looking at him, really looking exhausted. Shanks had given a yes and walked closer, sure something was up.
Before he reached Ace, the kid had given a small nod. ¨I'm going to pass out now.¨ Then he had closed his eyes, falling forward as he passed out.
Shanks had been shocked and used a second to comprehend the words, but it gave him enough time to catch Ace before he fell to the ground. When he did hold Ace, he couldn't help the laugh, Ace had actually listened to him. He had gotten a flare from Benn when he lifted Ace, which made him give a nervous laugh. ¨I yelled at him last time, telling to warn me. Hehe…¨ Benn had given him a glare, a glare that promised a hit and lecture later, making him hang his head.
But he couldn't help the smile, Ace had actually listened. He took this as a sign Ace actually was opening up to him.
-x-
Shanks had gotten closer to Ace the last years, but Benn was still much closer than him, something he accepted. The few times Ace was actually injured, Benn would usually send him away and have some minutes with Ace by himself. Shanks always listened and left, using more time than necessary, knowing Benn was trying to make Ace open more up, something that he realised he wouldn't be able to do the same way Benn did. He was closer than Shanks were and he accepted it.
But then, Ace had joined the Whitebeards.
The fact they, or Newgate, didn't care that Ace was an assassin, was no surprise. Newgate were a man who didn't care about your past or what you've done. As long as you are a caring person, who held a lot of strength, one would be accepted into his family. Ace did fit perfectly.
But Ace would use a long time to get used to it, used to being in a family like they were.
So Shanks had decided to something, do something out of Aces knowledge. He decided to help Ace get along with the pirates, not by telling Ace to open up, which he did do, but not as much, but by giving the pirates hints on how to help Ace settle in better.
Telling them when it was his birthday, telling them to not have a big celebration, which would have been bad. Telling about his sleeping habits, which Benn had managed to find out, also making Shanks more concerned. A couple of hours every other night was not enough. But it was better than 4 or 5 and sleep every fourth night.
Also telling them about why Ace had the reaction to the cape he had gotten from the sixteenth commander. He knew it was the same as Azuruko had used when he was alive. He knew that material was rare, really rare. Ace had not seen that since he was alive, at least to his knowledge. He knew Ace liked it, just shocked. And the cape was amazing. Showing the mark perfectly on its back. It fit Ace perfectly. And Ace would fit perfectly with the pirates.
What he couldn't give Ace, could Whitebeard give him. He could give him a family and accept him for who he were. Shanks did it, he didn't like it and therefore wouldn't give him a place on his crew. They accepted Ace competent on his crew, accepted him as the person he were. Accepted him as an assassin.
And that's the chapter. Hope you enjoyed.
And I know it might not have been as good as it could have been. But I've had some issues with this chapter. I don't know why, but I just did. I finished it once but was really unsatisfied with it and rewrote it to this.
I'm still a bit unsure about it, since I feel I should have been able to do better, but I just can't right now, I have no idea what to change or what to do with it. But I somewhat like it and are satisfied with it, just not as much as I usually am. Hope you still enjoyed.
Don't be afraid to leave requests.
If you have any scenes you want to see or event you would like to go different, leave a review/comment.