They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I do hope that you are enjoying this fic!
Trigger Warning Towards the end of the chapter! There are mentions of pregnancy loss and miscarriage! It doesn't happen but it is talked about so be warned!
Anyway, on with the fic!
Chapter Warnings: Canon Violence, Mentioned Pregnancy Loss and Miscarriage
Chapter Thirty-Two: Defying Gravity (from WICKED, Cover by Chris Colfer and Lea Michele)
Chapter Summary: Ace finds himself at the hands of Teach with a proposition. The others have reached the island as the fighting starts. Ace makes his decision as he breaks away from Teach with Shanks in tow.
Teach wanted him to join him? That didn't surprise him the more that the thought crossed his mind. Teach had more than once extended the invitation to him. The more the thoughts crossed his mind, the more he thought back to the Moby Dick. Before everything went downhill. How Teach would act almost protective of him. Even when he didn't need it. Teach had shown more than once that he respects the power that Ace possesses. How strong he is.
Teach's focus was split between Shanks and Ace. Looking between the two with that same fond smile on his face that made Ace stomach twist. He froze completely as Teach reached out, a palm settling over the flat surface of his stomach. "You could have everything in this world, if you just accept my offer, Commander Ace. Join me and become my First Mate. The Commander of the Blackbeard Pirates."
It wasn't even a question anymore. Rather a statement. He had to buy time, at least for the moment as he thought of a way to get the two of them out of here. Hotaru was across the room. He could physically fight his way out with haki if he wanted to. Teach's Logia powers wouldn't completely protect him from that.
"You want me to join you?" Ace questioned. "You stabbed Thatch in the back. Threatened to kill my brother. Turned me into the World Government. Kidnapped my mother. And you want me to join you?"
Shanks had found a way to keep Teach at bay. From what he was able to learn, Teach had yet to do anything to Shanks. Mostly just keeping him drugged and compliant by using Ace and Luffy against him. Though, the main factor was the so-called love that Teach had for him. Teach was the naïve one. He fully believed that Shanks was recuperating whatever feelings he might have.
He couldn't even bring out the words to even pretend that he would join the ranks of the Blackbeard Pirates. The Whitebeard Pirates were his family. His home. Not here. He came here strictly to retrieve Shanks and to finish this once and for all.
Someone would be dead before the night was over and it wouldn't be Ace.
Shanks' arms were still wrapped around Teach's shoulders. His scent and pheromones raging throughout the room. His Omega father told him that Teach had broken the bond between his parents. That was far more personal than anything that Teach could do. That had been a mark that Shanks had carried since he discovered he was pregnant with Ace. Always one thing that Shanks taught him and Luffy. Don't create a bond unless you absolutely want to. That it is what you want.
Teach had every opportunity before his arrival to do anything. To mark Shanks. To take him against his will.
And didn't.
"Teach…" Ace started, turning his gaze back towards his former subordinate. He didn't even deserve to be called that much. Not after everything he had ever done. Teach's eye moved to him, that grin still plastered to his face. A slight noise escaping him to show Ace that he was listening to him. "I need to know one thing."
"What?" Teach questioned.
"Why do you love my mother?" Ace said.
He wasn't even sure if it was pure curiosity or stalling at the moment. Teach's grin warped again, his palm almost too hot against Ace's stomach. It still made him sick even thinking of it. Allowing Teach to do this. He had to play these cards that Shanks set out just right. Wait for the perfect opening to get the hell out of here. Even if that meant listening to Teach's twisted words.
Teach hummed, looking back to Shanks, the same glint in his eye that he had seen with Mihawk. Though, it was different. It wasn't purely affection. There were more emotions swimming in those eyes. "The first person to never look at me like I was a monster." Teach hummed, leaning his nose against the top of Shanks' head. Ace had watched the disgust temporarily come to Shanks' face for a second before it was masked all over again. "The look of pure admiration on his face whenever he spoke to that big-nosed brat. That moment I knew."
Ace sucked in a deep breath. He had to give it to him. That was a valid reason to like someone. Even have a crush on them. But it didn't excuse a clear obsession. If if Teach thought this was some love fantasy, it would be just that in the end. Sick and twisted.
He looked away from Teach long enough to eye the door. It wasn't that far. Hotaru wasn't far from there either. He could possibly get past Teach, grab Shanks, grab his sword, and get the hell out of the room. He wouldn't be able to defeat Teach in one hit, but he might be able to disorient him long enough to at least get Shanks out of harm's way.
He had to get them out of here quickly. Shanks was putting himself on the line for him. For Luffy. In the midst of a heat. This could end in complete disaster. He had to somehow throw Teach off of his game. Place his focus onto something completely different.
Ace looked back to Shanks. His Omega father looking right back at him. "Ace." Shanks whispered. It was like he was granting permission. Seeing the look that had been on Ace's face the entire time.
"I hate to break it to you, Teach… but you could be completely wrong." Ace stated, watching as a glare was fixated on him from Teach. "Just because there is admiration doesn't mean that's love."
"You don't know anything about love." Teach growled. "You don't understand the love I have for him."
Ace shook his head. "Yes, I do. You even asked me that. Told me I should know." He replied. "Teach, I know what love feels like because it comes in so many different forms… friends, family… a lover. Teach, this isn't love. Whatever you feel, isn't love."
Teach growled as he reached around Shanks, pulling the Omega close to him. Bringing him off of the bed and crashing into the floor. Shanks grimaced, holding at his abdomen as he squeezed his eyes shut. He could see Teach's nails starting to dig into Shanks' shoulder, the cuts piercing through his shirt. Teach was growling again as he reached forward, grabbing Ace by his hair, and jerking him forward. Pulling a pained yelp from Ace.
Shanks moved, getting between the two and putting the last of his strength in trying to push Teach away from Ace. "You know nothing." Teach hissed again.
"Teach, stop." Shanks said, the strain in his voice as the blood started to come from his arm where Teach's grasp was on him.
"Listen to me, Teach." Ace muttered. "When you love someone… you don't hurt them. Not on purpose." Teach paused, his grip loosening on Ace's hair. Letting the young Omega's head go. "Teach, just look at him. What you are doing to him." He was surprised to see that Teach's eyes did in fact move towards Shanks. "You scarred his face before he got pregnant with me. You kidnapped him from his friends… family. Nakama. From me. From Luffy. You took him from everything he loved and cared about. To what… do this? What did you plan on doing to him? You had plenty of time between leaving Sabaody to my arrival and hardly did anything."
He could see the growing anger in Teach. "You're playing on the edge, Commander Ace." His hand tightening in Ace's hair again, bringing their faces within millimeters of each other. "I know I can defeat you. You came after me. Again. Making the same mistake twice, Commander."
"I know you can." Ace stated. "It felt like my blood was boiling. I couldn't control it. I knew it was wrong. That I could be falling right in a trap, but I had too. I had to come after him because I know what kind of person you are."
The Alpha's hand pulled against his head again, jerking it until his neck was bare. Craning his neck to force him to look up. "You should probably listen to your mother." Teach drawled. "Red Hair confessed. He loves me. Not that sword wielding bastard."
"This isn't about him, Teach." Ace replied. "It's about you."
Teach growled, the smirk on his face once more. "I have my complete set. I'm not letting either of you go now."
"You can do what you want to me." Ace muttered, he motioned to Shanks next. "Just look at what you are doing to him. He's in heat and not being taken care of properly. Heats aren't always about the sexual desire. It's so much more." The Alpha kept his hold on Ace's hair, but his gaze had turned to Shanks. The sharp inhale that followed as his nails pulled out of Shanks' arm. "You are hurting him. You are so deadest on the fact that you managed to take him from Sabaody that you can't even see what you are really doing. He needs food and water. He needs someone familiar. You put your nails into his arm. Teach, if you really love him… let him come to me. Let me help him."
He held his breath as he watched for Teach's movements. It was almost as if Teach was completely frozen. Unsure of what to do. Teach's hand only started to loosen more on the both of them as he let Shanks drop to the floor. The red head falling onto his side, his fingers moving to touch his cut open shirt.
Ace sat there for a moment before he moved forward, hands falling onto his Omega father. "You did good, Ace." Shanks whispered, that same South Blue dialect slipping from his mouth. "Just stay levelheaded if you can. Okay?"
Ace nodded, moving some of Shanks' hair from his face. "It's alright, Mom. I've got you." He replied, pulling Shanks' head into his lap, taking a second to check on his arm. The cuts weren't that deep, but the blood was moving down his arm now.
At least for the second, he had Shanks out of Teach's grasp and in his own. First step was done. He just needed to get them out of the room now. Shanks was obviously not going to be able to help much. He looked way to out of it, barely keeping a grasp on reality. It was up to him.
He needed just the right moment to make his move.
He had managed to spot the rest of Teach's known crew on his way here. He would have a straight shot out of the building.
He paused as he felt the low rumble. The shift of the ground. A smirk came to his face. This was time. Teach was to his feet, the shocked look on his face before that sadistic smirk was back. "Showtime." Teach stated.
The Alpha had turned his back, heading for the door. Ace looked around, trying to find anything that he could use. He slipped Shanks off of him and onto the floor, carefully getting back to his feet. Trying everything to make sure he wasn't making a noise.
He eyed Hotaru on the ground. It was by Teach's feet now. If he moved quick enough, he might be able to grab it. He could attempt to use Fiery Doll but there was still the chance the explosion would hit Shanks. If Shanks wasn't practically incapacitated, that could be an option. It didn't seem like a good one right now. This was a hard choice. He could risk Teach putting his focus back on them if he did this wrong.
He took in a deep breath.
This was now or never.
He dove, reaching out for Hotaru, coating it with haki before he twisted. Teach's attention turning back to him. He slashed the blade over Teach's bandaged torso before he twisted his wrist, pulling it back enough that he was sending it straight through Teach's gut. His shoulder practically pressing into Teach's torso as he heard the choked sound that followed. He pulled back, bringing Hotaru with him. The blood coating the black blade.
Teach stumbled on his feet, hands moving to his now bleeding gut. Ace embedded his haki into his foot, twisting and hitting Teach directly in the side of the head and knocking him to the ground. The Omega didn't think twice before he was rushing over to Shanks, sheathing Hotaru in the process. Pulling the red head from the floor with what strength he could. Throwing his arm over his shoulder and starting out of the room.
Shanks was stumbling over his own feet. One hand on his stomach as he tried to keep his weight off of Ace. It wasn't working much but it would do.
Ace got them out of the room.
That was good enough.
Now to get Shanks to somewhere safe.
This wasn't over yet.
X
Rouge felt the grin come to her face as the rumble of Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi started to devastate the island. She could see the glimpse of Marco in the sky. Soaring high above the ground. If he spotted Ace and Shanks, they would be notified just by the way he would leave the sky. That was all it would take.
With her sword in hand, she started on through the forest. Her nose twitching at picking up the remnants of Ace's scent lingering behind. They had the Blackbeard Pirates outnumbered but numbers meant nothing if someone had the strength. In his prime, these bastards would be nothing for Whitebeard. He was still recovering from Marineford and Law's assistance. Where any of them truly ready for a battle now? So many of them were still injured from the war.
It would be worth in the end. There was no way in hell that Rouge would allow her baby boy to stay with Teach any longer. She should have known about this. The second she had seen that look on Shanks' face all those years ago. The glint in Teach's eye that day. She had kept tabs on him, but now it felt like it had never been enough. First Shanks, then Thatch, followed by Ace, and then Shanks again. Her gut had been right, but she had stood by because she had trusted Whitebeard. She still trusted him. She just didn't trust others as much.
She had the fastest and the best at stealth with her. They were excellent in the same things she was. She had never stopped training whenever she retired from piracy. She had to keep her strength up. Especially what happened with Sabo. When she had been defenseless to do anything. If she had stayed with the Whitebeard Pirates, maybe a lot of this never would have happened. If she had just told Whitebeard everything that she had felt. He had always seemed to at least take her word into consideration, even if he did look annoyed with it. He was just a man who wanted to protect his family.
Maybe if she had told him about Shanks, he could have done something to keep Teach's obsession at bay. In the end, she was just dreaming. It was all in the past. Nothing that she could do now. She would stand by her choice she made all those years ago. She was here now. That's what mattered.
Her baby would never stop being her baby, and you did not mess with a mother's child.
"Spread out men! Stay in each other's line of sight. We have powerful opponents!" Rouge called out. She gained the confirmations as some of them split away from behind her and moved further throughout the trees.
Teach was not going to make it off this island alive.
They all had a vendetta. They just had to complete their family again first.
X
Mihawk stopped in his tracks. The hairs on the back of his neck standing as he turned his attention back to the sunken ship. His eyes narrowed on it, watching the movements of the broken pieces.
"Go ahead of me." Mihawk simply stated, grabbing Yoru from his back.
"Just stay safe, Mihawk-san." He heard Sabo say.
He smirked, not bothering to look over his shoulder. That boy had gotten so strong over the years. Training underneath Dragon and gaining the strength he needed. He could still improve from what little he has seen, but he was strong now. Not that same little kid he had met on Dawn Island. "I'm supposed to say that to you." He stated. "This won't take long." He could swear that he heard the smirk on Sabo's face before he could hear the quick footsteps running off.
With his gaze glued to the ship, he powered his blade with haki. Striking the second the wood at moved. His gaze followed the form into the air. Seeing Shiryu, the former Head Jailer of Impel Down, coming down towards the ground. A sword in hand. Shiryu had a reputation, but his swordsmanship was nowhere near where Mihawk's was. He would be impressed that Shiryu managed to get out of the way, but that was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment. Nothing would ever stop him from getting to Shanks. This was just a small steppingstone in the way.
"Hawkeyes Mihawk." Shiryu drawled. The other Alpha smirking at him as he landed on his feet. "How does it feel knowing your bitch was taken by Captain Blackbeard? You must be seething."
Mihawk kept his poker face on. Refusing to let this Alpha attempt to get under his skin. He was fully prepared to kill every last one of the Blackbeard Pirates for even thinking that they could get away with doing this to his family.
He chose to keep silent. People like his opponent gave more information away the more they spoke. He could even possibly slip up and tell Mihawk Shanks' location. He was positive that Ace had already found his Omega father. There was no doubt in his mind. He wanted to cut him down that second. Just that insult he had thrown his way about Shanks. It disgusted him hearing such degrading words. If he was at full strength. Shanks would be able to take care of this man.
It was people like Shiryu who gave Alphas a bad reputation.
"You should have seen how cozy they were." Shiryu cackled. That sadistic, murderous intent shining in his eyes. "That bitch was hanging all over the Captain."
Mihawk's eyes narrowed. He couldn't find a sign of deceit on Shiryu. If Shanks had to play into the delusion, there was a reason for it. Shiryu was trying to get under his skin. Something he would not allow to happen. He had worked far to long to be able to control his own instincts to let words be able to get to him.
"I wonder what's happening right about now. That pretty little thing was in the middle of his heat. Captain sent us all away to watch out for you while he had his way with him." Shiryu added. The smirk on his face. Mihawk's hand tightened on the grip of Yoru. "I wonder if he's screaming out for you right about now. Knowing that there is nothing he can do against the Captain."
Mihawk exhaled, keeping his mind level, the small twitch of his eyebrow that followed. "Alphas like you are a disappointment to this world." Mihawk replied. "Alphas are meant to protect if you judge by the traditional standards. Yet, you thrive off of violence and murder. You must surely be wanting to try and kill me right about now."
Shiryu's smug smirk only got bigger. "And Omegas are just meant to breed and follow the lead of their mate. Yet, both of yours do follow that rule." The Alpha paused as he cackled again. "Captain is going to make sure that happens. Imagine the power of the Blackbeard Pirates once he does so. Having a yonko and a Whitebeard Division Commander on his side. He'll be unstoppable."
Mihawk rose Yoru this time, the visualization of haki appearing within the blade now. Swirling around it and preparing to lash out the second he swung. "If you knew anything about them, you know that would never be the case."
"All he has to do is bond them." Shiryu stated. "You should know how much an Alpha's influence truly effects Omegas."
"You know nothing." Mihawk replied as Shiryu raised his own blade.
Without another word, Mihawk lunged forward, slicing Yoru at Shiryu.
X
The anger was still completely coursing through his veins as he ran. Zoro and Sanji were directly behind him, and the rest of his crew had split off among the Whitebeard Pirates and Revolutionary Army members who were here. He could at least still see them which soothed his nerves a little bit.
He was ready to beat down anyone who dared crossed his path. He liked their odds. He could smell Ace's scent. Catching the sangria almost immediately from it. The cherry blossom, he wasn't sure if it was coming from Ace or Shanks, but it was here and it was powerful.
He stopped running the second he caught sight of one of the Blackbeard Pirates. Luffy got a smirk on his face as he slipped his hat onto his head. Even if he had a promise to fulfill, he wouldn't start that until the second Ace and Shanks were back home. No reason to have his promises if they weren't even there to fulfill their side. He couldn't fight Ace to get rights to his hat back. He wouldn't be able to return it to Shanks once he became a great pirate if he couldn't even save them. He had to have to much help at Marineford. His nakama almost got separated from him at Sabaody Archipelago the first time. He needed to get so much stronger than he was now. It would be enough. He had enough strength at the moment. Just enough to work with if he was careful. He had been training for years. He could do this. He would do this.
"It's that Burgess guy." Sanji stated. "At least, I think that's what his name is."
"Doesn't matter to me." Luffy stated, popping his knuckles. "He's still getting defeated."
He stopped as Burgess turned, ripping a house completely out of the ground before he was facing them again. The large Alpha chucked the structure in their direction. Luffy went to move, but Zoro had jumped first. Sword in his mouth and other two in hand. "Onigiri!"
The building was cut down, falling into parts around them as Zoro stood back to his full height.
Seems they had found their first obstacle into getting to the others.
Burgess' eyes landed on him. A smirk coming to the much larger Alpha's face. "Came for your mother and brother, huh?"
"I won't let you bastards harm either of them!" Luffy shouted, he kneeled down and placed his fist on the ground. Feeling the activation of his Second Gear. There was no time for screwing around. "Let's do this. Zoro, Sanji."
"Right!" The two yelled back.
X
If there was one thing that Buggy was good at. It was being ignored by those stronger than him. They usually wrote him off and ignored him. He didn't focus on his strength and power growing up like Shanks had. He had focused on plundering and gathering treasure. In some ways, it worked out in his favor.
He had been able to slip through almost completely undetected. Getting past the members of the Blackbeard Pirates without them even casting him a single glance. He grumbled as he moved along. Leave it to Shanks to get himself captured and at the hands of the one Alpha that he really shouldn't be. He had known all those years ago, and Shanks had been too blind to it. He didn't even want to see what was right in front of him. Nothing they could do about it now. They were just kids back then. Still barely just hitting the age where they would be recognized as actual teenagers and not children.
Maybe if he had told someone about what he had seen involving Teach back then, it would have raised alarm bells. Shanks was supposed to be his brother and here he was in the hands of some Alpha who would do god knows what.
Sure, he had kissed Shanks. It was stupid and he knew it. He had been drunk and running off of pure anger. He still held love for him, but he wasn't in love with him. He knew that Shanks would never love him back romantically. He had all the chances in the past. Just like Shanks had said. He couldn't help but wonder what their lives would be like if he had agreed back in Loguetown to form a crew with his former nakama.
But, then Ace and Luffy wouldn't exist.
He could never dream to take away Shanks' children. He had met both of them before he knew they belonged to Shanks. Ace was really kind the first time they met. Luffy pissed him off. Now that he thought about it. He saw both sides of Shanks within the boys. Ace with his kind and caring personality and Luffy with his childish and protective side. It was like having whiplash.
It only meant that he had more people to protect now.
No one messed with his brother and got away with it.
He had followed Ace's scent all the way into the town that inhabited the island. It was hard to miss. It was flaring with pregnancy hormones and concern. It made everything in him spike to seek out the Omega just to check on his welfare. There was no way that Teach and the Blackbeard Pirates didn't know he was here.
He could feel the rumbles on the ground from Whitebeard's Devil Fruit. If Ace would have an opening, it would be now.
Buggy stopped, sniffling the air. The hairs on the back of his neck as he picked up the heat pheromones. He paused. This wasn't good. He knew those pheromones. Shanks were always specific. One he would always recognize. He had been around Shanks in heat enough to know exactly what those pheromones would smell like. He could tell the difference immediately. The way his pheromones were trying to mask the fear that was flooding through him.
The last time he had caught that coming off of Shanks was when he was thirteen and they were on that lawless island. The night when the incident happened.
Buggy growled, starting forward again.
You better not let that Alpha touch you, bastard. Either of you.
X
Ace's heart was pounding against his chest. It felt like it was happening all too quickly. Teach wouldn't stay down. He knew that much. If even Whitebeard, Mihawk, and Shanks combined couldn't take him down, it would take a lot more than just a stab and a kick to the head to take him down.
Shanks' pheromones were flaring. He had to find a way to mask it somehow or Teach could find him just based off of that. There was always something specific that happened when he had a heat. His strawberry scent factor would be more prominent. His cherry blossom factor always reminded high, but the strawberry could be picked up easier.
Shanks was still wincing next to him as they moved. Their feet carrying them as fast as they could as they cleared the building. At least now, they were outside. His fire wouldn't help him much against Teach but it would work against his nakama.
The anger was flaring at him at seeing the condition that Shanks was in. No heat had ever done this to him before. He would guess Law and the others would be with Mihawk and Luffy. If he could just get Shanks to them, they could get this fixed.
He could try and stash Shanks somewhere until the others arrived, but scent would still be an issue. He managed to get them about halfway across the town at this point. His stomach turning and the nausea setting in. "Now really isn't the time, little one." Ace muttered. "C'mon, Mom." Ace huffed. "Just a little further."
He felt Shanks tense, the catch of the air in his throat. Ace turned his head, his eyes widening as he looked over his shoulder. Just like he thought, Teach was standing there with the sadistic smirk on his face.
"I should have known, Commander Ace." Teach stated. "I fell into your trap."
Ace shuffled, forcing Shanks behind him. The red-haired Omega's head landing on his shoulder as he heard the labored breathing. "Just leave him alone, Teach."
Teach cackled, placing a hand on the blood that was still running down his gut. "You're just like your Momma, Commander." He said. "You were able to distract me long enough for the others to get here."
"Your dumbass fell for it." Ace replied.
Teach smirked. "That doesn't matter now. I've got you both exactly where I want you." The Alpha started to cackle again as he moved forward. The sadistic smirk only getting bigger. "Why don't we start this off but taking out that little life that you created. Do you want to know what you put your Momma through? What it's like losing a child?"
Ace growled, hands landing on Shanks' sides to try and keep him balanced. He let out a gasp as he was suddenly pushed behind Shanks. His Omega father swaying on his feet but now placing himself between Ace and Teach. "Stay away from my son, Teach."
"Mom." Ace whispered.
Shanks looked over his shoulder and despite looking completely exhausted, gave him a smile. "It'll be okay, Ace. You've done your part. You never should have come but you bought time for the others, didn't you?"
Ace growled, "You are in no condition to fight."
Shanks smiled again. "It's my job as your mother to protect you. No matter what happens to me."
Ace felt the air catch in his throat again, feeling the flare of haki that came next as Shanks turned his attention back to Teach.
"Don't worry your pretty little head, Shanks." Teach stated. "We'll make him a new one."
Shanks growled, the haki starting to visualize on his arm now. "You won't have the chance."
"He won't feel that loss long. He'll have a new baby. One that would be even stronger." Teach stated, his smirk getting bigger. Ace felt the disgust going through him now.
"No, Teach." Shanks replied, his eyes now shielded by his bangs. "It doesn't matter how many children you have. How many healthy ones. Ones you watch grow into wonderful people. You never get over it."
Ace's eyes widened as he looked over to Shanks again. Teach was cackling again. "You might have almost lost both of yours at the same time, but they are alive, aren't they?"
Shanks had a hand on his stomach now. "Five years ago." Shanks said. "Five years ago… I found out I was pregnant again." Ace's eyes widened. He thought it was only a pregnancy scare. Shanks had to be lying. He would have known. At least, he thought he would. "We got into a confrontation with another pirate crew. That night… that night I lost my daughter. The only ones who knew were Aki, Mihawk, and Benn. I told everyone else I just had a scare. I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone what happened." Shanks whispered, the anger now rolling off of him in waves before his head was snapping up. "That's why… I will never let you harm him. He will not go through the same pain I did."