Whumptober 2021

Summary: Whumptober 2021: Day Seventeen: Dread. In the aftermath of Mihawk casting himself between Ace and Akainu, Mihawk's life in hanging in the balance. Continuation of "If Everyone Loved, and Nobody Died" Omegaverse. Marco/Ace. Mihawk/Shanks.

Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Whumptober 2021! I hope you enjoy this! This is a continuation of a previous Whumptober prompt called "If Everyone Loved and Nobody Died". I hope you enjoy. On with the fic.

Warnings: Hurt and Comfort, Angst, Omegaverse.

Whumptober 2021: Day Seventeen: Dread (Marco/Ace, Mihawk/Shanks)

The war for his life had officially come to an end.

Between an exchange of words between Shanks and Sengoku, a ceasefire had been called. Ace and Luffy were the first two pulled out of Marineford, but Ace was completely numb. He stood on the deck of the Red Force, unable to move. Unable to breathe. Despite being made completely of fire, he was cold.

The scene of the hole in Mihawk's chest permanently scarred into his mind. The heat of Akainu's magma. That would have been him if it wasn't for Mihawk using himself as a human shield between Akainu and his sons.

Ace didn't even know Mihawk's current condition. All he knew was that he was with Trafalgar Law, the infamous Surgeon of Death, who had the powers of the Ope Ope no Mi. If anyone could save Mihawk now, it was him. Luffy had also been taken aboard the Polar Tang, his own injuries being life threatening.

It wasn't just Mihawk he could lose. It could be his brother as well.

It was almost dead silent on the Red Force. No one wanting to utter a word. Shanks wasn't far from him, chewing on his thumb nail, his other hand wrapped around the necklace hanging around his neck. Ace couldn't even find the words to say to his Omega father. What was he supposed to say?

They were only here now because of Ace's foolish mistakes.

Ace growled, feeling the flare of anger coursing through him as he turned and slammed his fist into the cabins. If it wasn't already silent, he was sure it would be now. The flashes of Marineford came next. The screams of his nakama. Luffy's determined shouts. Mihawk. All of them. Which each flash, he slammed his fist into the wood. Each time, it splintered more and more. He didn't even care to activate his Devil Fruit to counteract the injury he was sustaining to his fist. The skin of his knuckles busting open, the blood moving down them.

A hand wrapped around his wrist, pausing his movements completely as he was pulled back into a familiar chest. Fingers carding into his hair. The comforting scent of cherry blossoms and strawberries reaching his nose. He hadn't even noticed he had been crying until he felt the tears starting to move down his face.

He choked on the air in his throat as Marco appeared before him, hands reaching out for his blooded up one. Soft blue flames igniting over the broken open skin.

"It's all my fault." Ace whispered.

"It's not your fault, Ace." Shanks replied.

"Yes, it is!" Ace screamed. "This would never have happened if I had just listened in the first place!"

"Ace." Shanks said, the tone of his voice having Ace completely freezing his movements. "It's our job as your parents to protect you. Mihawk moved before he could even think because you are his child. It doesn't matter why we were there." Shanks sighed, loosening his grip slightly. "All we can do is wait."

X

They had finally made contact with the Polar Tang. Ace bit down on his lip, messing with the bandages that were now around his hand. They were stopped on an island not far from the Tarai Current. The closest one they could get to in order to meet back up.

Ace hadn't left Shanks' side the entire time. Marco was with him, hand curled into his. It was the only thing keeping him grounded. It had been a few days since Marineford, and they had yet to still get an answer. Law kept the Polar Tang underwater during this time, only resurfacing not long after they had arrived.

They were still there. Sitting around and waiting. Just long, agonizing waiting.

It felt like an eternity before Law finally stepped out of the Polar Tang, looking completely exhausted before he was walking forward.

Ace held his breath as the Hearts Captain crossed the shoreline and up to them. A smile slipped onto his face as he muttered, "They're both alive."

The Omega felt like he could breathe again as Law told them that they could see them now. He had already started breaking into a run. Not a thought crossing his mind as he rushed towards the Polar Tang.

Entering the ship, he ignored the Hearts Pirates as he followed the scent of his Alpha father and brother. He froze at the door, eyes lingering on them. Both were on oxygen machines. Monitors watching their heart rates. Both of them.

He took a few steps forward before the tears pooled in his eyes as he was collapsing to his knees. A smile on his face.

They were alive.