Whumptober 2021
Summary: Whumptober Day 5: Betrayal/Misunderstanding: Marco/Ace. When the Marines update Ace's Wanted Poster, it reveals to the world his true name. Before the Whitebeard Pirates can see it, Ace takes matters into his own hands. Deuce reveals to the others why Ace left as they go to try and get him back.
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Whumptober 2021! I do hope you enjoy! So for this one I'm kind of combining another idea that I had at one point that I'm working on for part of this. I do hope you guys enjoy and I will see you next time!
My headcanon of Shanks being Rouge's kid brother makes an appearance here. (Which in almost all my fics, he is xD even if I don't state it. It's in my head xD)
Warnings: Misunderstanding, Panic Attacks
Whumptober Day Five: Betrayal/Misunderstanding (Marco/Ace)
Being a Whitebeard Pirate gave Ace a whole new meaning to his life. He gained a man who treated everyone like family. No, he gained a father. He sparked up a relationship with the First Division Commander. Everything seemed to be falling into place. He was happy and content. He didn't realize that he was missing out on so much in life until he was brought aboard the ship. Even Whitebeard had even accepted him despite who his father was.
Not everyone would be so accepting. He knew that. Whitebeard was enough. His words striking him in just the way that he needed. He had only had two people in the past fully accept him, and they were his brothers. Even Deuce had gone on the assumptions of the world at first before seeing who Ace truly was.
That's why the world could never know.
His life would flip completely upside down.
His entire world came crumbling down in a blaze of fire when he was the one who received that day's newspaper. His heart stopping when he saw the new bounty posters inside. The top one was his.
Only it didn't say what it should.
The name mocked him.
Gol D. Ace
The world knows.
Everything was going to change.
He even had a spike in his bounty. A major spike. An appealing spike that would send others after him. He knew it. He wasn't safe anymore. It wasn't safe anywhere. He paused at the article on the front page of the newspaper.
Gold Roger's Bloodline Lives
Portgas D. Ace known as Fire Fist, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates has been revealed by Marine Headquarters to be the son of the ominous villain and Pirate King, Gold Roger. Being born to his mother Portgas D. Rouge on Baterilla in the South Blue.
In a feat to defy the World Government, Portgas D. Rouge formerly known as Hibiscus Rouge, kept her baby in the womb for twenty months before giving birth and ultimately succumbing to exhaustion. Her baby had gone missing and presumed dead.
Marine Headquarters states that Fire Fist Ace was raised on Dawn Island in attempts to hide his existence from the World. Starting off his career as the Captain of the Spade Pirates before intergrading into the Whitebeard Pirates…
The story went on, going into all the details of the aspect of his life. Details that shouldn't be known. His ears were ringing as he looked over his shoulder, catching the newspaper and his new poster on fire, dropping the ashes into the ocean.
They would know.
He was going to lose everything.
His family was at risk now because of him.
Marco was at risk.
Luffy was at risk.
He couldn't do this.
They couldn't suffer for him.
He felt like he couldn't breathe as he pushed back against the rail, turning on his heel and starting towards his Commander's Quarters. He had to do something. It was only a matter of time before the others found out. He couldn't hide this forever.
He had to leave.
He had to make sure they would never follow him. Find him. If they did, they would only be putting themselves at risk. This wasn't something he could just look over.
That man's blood was coming back to haunt him all over again.
His very existence would be the downfall of this crew.
He had to face this, but he wouldn't pull this family down with him. He wouldn't run from anyone who came after him, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let his family get brought into his mess. All merely because he was born.
He had a plan, but he needed the help of one man to do it.
X
Everything was ready. Striker was set up for his departure, bag packed with all the necessities. It felt like a punch to the gut at the mere though that he was doing this. He had to make it to where the Whitebeard Pirates would never want to follow him.
Even if he hated the thought. He was going to hit them where it hurts. His very blood proved it. He didn't belong anywhere. His bad blood would torment those around him. They would never treat him the same. He was going to make a reason for them to hate him. The only one aside from Whitebeard who knew the truth was his former First Mate. Masked Deuce. The man who had been with him since he started this journey. Followed him through everything.
Ace took a deep breath as he waited, just as Deuce walked by, he grabbed the man by his coat and rounded the corner out of earshot of anyone else around. Deuce was staring at him with wide eyes as Ace pulled him into the abandoned room.
"Ace? What's going on?" Deuce questioned.
Ace sighed as he peeked through the small window on the door before turning back to his friend. "The world knows."
Deuce paused, giving a confused look for a moment. "What are you—"
"They know I'm Roger's son. It's all over the papers." Ace stated, cutting him off. "I have to go. I can't bring them into this."
"Ace, our nakama would never let anything happen to you." Deuce replied.
Ace sighed, looking down to the floor. His hat shielding his eyes. "That's exactly why I have to go. They have nothing to do with this. I won't let them spill blood for me."
Deuce sighed, wrapping his arms around his former Captain's shoulders. "Nothing will change your mind. I know that. Just… be careful."
"I'll be fine. I'm not going to run from those who come after me, but I won't let the others get hurt for me." The Logia user stated. "I won't be alone. At least for a while. I need to make sure someone goes to make sure Luffy is okay."
Deuce eyed him for a second as he looked back up. Understanding on his face. "You're going to Red-Haired Shanks."
Ace nodded. "He knows better than anyone the severity of this situation. He'll send someone to make sure Luffy is fine. I can't go see my brother. I'll attract attention to him if he doesn't already have it." He explained. "Shanks is probably already seeking me out. He has a piece of my vivre card, he'll find me in no time. He's been able to stay under the radar this long. No one will expect me to be with the Red-Hair Pirates since he's Oyaji's rival. I'm only telling you because it's you." In his pocket was a piece of Shanks' vivre card. One that was given to him when they met in the cave three years prior. Given to him in the case he ever needed to seek out Shanks.
"You know the others will try to stop you." Deuce retorted.
Ace shrugged. "I've got that covered." He stopped, reaching into his pocket, and pulling out a piece of his vivre card. "So, you know that I'm alright. Deuce, you were my first friend after I left home. Please, stay safe." Deuce took the vivre card from him with a defeated look in his eye. Ace gave him a soft smile as he exited the room and started out onto the deck where the others would be. He still had time before the others would find out. He'll just make sure he's long gone before they realize anything.
The last place they would look for him is with Shanks. It's the perfect place to lay low for a while.
This was going to hurt worse than he thought.
Walking out onto the deck, all the other Commanders were already there. Whitebeard was in his chair. A majority of the crew was on the deck. The more the merrier. Ace adjusted his shirt just out of pure anxiety. He hated covering the mark on his back. His pride and joy, but he didn't have a choice. Not after what he's about to do. Adjusting his hat, he walked froward.
The second Marco saw him, the blonde smiled at him. Only for his face to fall a second later. "Ace? You okay?"
Marco's question gained the attention of the others. Ace placed a smirk on his face, letting the light leave his eyes. Placing a mask on his face as he stepped forward. "I saw Striker. Are you going somewhere, son?" Whitebeard questioned next.
Once Ace was up to Whitebeard's chair, he lifted his head enough they could see his face fully. "I'm resigning as the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates." The stunned silence followed as Whitebeard's eyes widened.
"Son? What is the meaning of this?" Whitebeard queried.
Ace buried his hands into his pockets, making sure none of them would see the shaking of his hands. Marco used to tell him that his body gave away his emotions before Ace would ever verbally say anything. Marco could read him like an open book. He couldn't let that happen right now.
"Commander Ace… what's going on? Why are you resigning?" One of his subordinates questioned, stepping forward with a shocked look.
"Ace, we can talk about this. Are the duties becoming too much?" Marco asked following.
Ace moved his gaze from Whitebeard to Marco. The ping of guilt going through his chest. The hurt that followed. "It's been fun, Marco but I have everything I would ever need. I don't need you anymore." He stated. Marco's eyes widened, mouth dropping open. He wasn't sure what was worse. The pain of defecting from his crew or the pain from seeing that look on Marco's face. The hurt that flooded over the older pirate.
"Ace… what are you saying?" It was almost disbelief laced in those words as Ace turned his head. Just so he wouldn't have to see the hurt within Marco's eyes.
"I'm saying, it's over." Ace would never truly understand how he was able to say that without his voice cracking. Despite his own heart shattering within those seconds. Just last night, the loving touches and passionate kisses. Marco made him feel more alive than being on the sea ever did. The person he had given his entire being too. He was crushing that within seconds.
"Ace, c'mon, man." Thatch started. "Something's bugging you."
"We can talk about this, son." Whitebeard interjected. "You are troubled."
"And you are blind." Ace snapped.
He hated this.
Everything about it.
He didn't want to do this anymore.
"Son—"
"You should have killed me when you had the chance." Ace growled, letting his anger towards the entire situation take over. He lit his hand on fire, sending flames right by Whitebeard's head. Effectively shocking the man.
A hand wrapped around his throat, slamming him into the deck below. He looked up to see Marco glaring at him. Ace's heart only broke more from the conflicted look in the older man's eyes. "Why are you doing this?! After he spared your life! Brought you into his family?!" Marco hissed. The grip tightening. Marco's hand was shaking. His hold tightening and loosening as if he wasn't sure what to do. "Why attack him?! What the hell is going on with you?!"
Ace took in a deep breath, letting his shoulders catch on fire that had Marco's flames igniting to heal the energy. Ace looked at the flames, watching them dance together. Hues of purple right before his eyes. It would be the last time he ever saw it.
"I got exactly what I needed from him. I don't need any of you anymore. The Spade Pirates never knew my motives. I kept them in the dark. Don't take this out on them for following my orders. I learned everything that I needed to. It was easy once you put your trust into me." Ace stated. Marco's grip tightened. The younger tensed as he felt the tear drops hitting his face. "I've had my fun. It's time to move on. Onto my next target."
"You bastard. How can you do this?!" Marco shouted. "We trusted you!"
"I'm a pirate." Ace muttered. "Pirates lie. I never loved you. I never put my trust into you. Whitebeard was just a stepping stone in my own endeavor of becoming Pirate King. I used you for everything you had."
He didn't even flinch as Marco's fist slammed into his nose. The blood that followed. His lip busting open from the impact. Marco's hit wasn't enough to break it, but he sure did feel the pain behind it. Purposely not activating his fire. He deserved it for the words he was saying.
He pushed the pain away as he let his fire take over, heating himself up until it was forcing Marco to step away from him. He pushed himself up. Adjusting his clothes and hat as he sent a smirk over at his former Captain. "I enjoyed my time here. Thanks for everything." He stated, placing a smirk on his face as he picked his bag. Walking towards the rail through the stunned silence that came from them. Before they could react, he jumped over and burnt the rope that kept Striker from floating away before activating his flames in his feet and starting forward.
Forgive me.
X
Shanks' heart had fallen into his stomach the second he laid eyes on that day's newspaper. Their secret was out. More so – Ace's secret. The World Government had placed a massive target on the boy's back. It rose many questions on how the World Government had even figured it out. Rouge had done everything within her power to throw them off of Ace's trail before his birth. Her very sacrifice costing her her life. A life she stated she was more than willing to give up if it meant letting Ace have a chance.
Shanks had watched as Rouge's vivre card had burned up the day of Ace's birth. His mind had went to worse case scenario. He had believed Ace perished right along with her. Ace disappearing just moments after his birth and no record of what had happened to him. Honestly, Shanks should have see Roger's trump card. The man was careful. He had his back up plan. One that kept both Shanks and Ace out of danger. Even if it meant not knowing each other for seventeen years. Shanks understood to an extent. It didn't hurt any less.
He had lost everyone that day. First was Roger the day of his execution. Rouge dying during child birth. Then not knowing what had happened to Ace. Hell, he didn't even know if the baby was a girl or boy at the time. Just that Rouge was pregnant and hiding in plain sight on Baterilla.
Now the world knew who Ace was.
Ace was in danger.
Shanks came out of his cabin with Ace's bounty poster in hand. His vivre card in his pocket where he always kept it. "Men, set sail."
X
They were absolutely stunned. No one knew what to do. No one could move. The shock hanging over the deck as they watched Ace disappear over the horizon. None of it made sense. This entire time… Ace was pretending?
Marco growled, falling onto the deck on his bottom, pulling at his hair as he leaned his head down. How could everything be a lie? Marco didn't understand a thing. Ace wore his heart on his sleeve. At least he thought he did. How he would react when one of his men would get hurt. How he reacted when Thatch talked about the Spade Pirates when he was first brought on board.
He really thought Ace had just been lost. Needing guidance in this world that he had found with Whitebeard. With them. With him.
Ace was fine just last night. They had been together the entire night. Ace had been happy. This was a total one eighty from everything he had ever said.
Marco didn't understand a thing. "What are we going to do, Oyaji?" Izou questioned, the confusion and anger mixed in his own voice.
Marco let Ace's words ring through his head. It was almost uncharacteristic of him. He had avoided their questions. Just statements that were out of the blue.
Ace was gone.
There was nothing he could do.
He had attacked Whitebeard and fled.
That alone was a huge red flag.
Ace never ran.
Marco felt like he was missing something, but the pain surging through him from Ace's words clouded over his mind.
"He knows the rules of the ship. We have to go after him." Jozu muttered, disbelief also in his voice. The hesitance ringing through.
"Leave him be." Whitebeard stated. "I have a feeling about this one."
Marco eyed his Captain. The glint in his eye that was reassuring to those around him. "Oyaji—"
"Trust me on this one."
X
Ace had found Shanks a lot quicker than he thought he would. His suspicions were correct with Shanks seeking him out from the announcement. It had only taken a week to find him. The two practically meeting in the middle as Striker was tied up to the Red Force. It could be dealt with later. He was exhausted.
Shanks met him at the rail. The Red-Haired Captain giving him a fond smile as Ace let his feet touch the deck before he was falling into Shanks' chest. Tears falling out of his eyes.
In order to protect the others. He broke his own heart.
X
It had been two weeks since Ace had left the ship. Left them all. No one could come to a conclusion on what had sparked it. They were angry. They were hurt. Most of all… confused.
Ace wouldn't just leave like this.
"Oyaji! Garp the Fist's ship is coming our way!" The look out shouted.
Marco looked over his shoulder to indeed see the Marine vessel heading directly towards them. He could see Garp's form on the mast of the ship. His haki reaching them even from where he was.
What now?
Marco groaned. He really didn't want to be involved in an altercation with Garp. That's the last thing they needed.
He waited next to Whitebeard as the ship approached, waiting for orders from Whitebeard on how to proceed.
Garp jumped aboard, hands in his pockets as he approached with a large frown. His eyes moving over the nakama who were standing on the deck. The Commanders lined up next to Whitebeard.
"Where is he?" Garp questioned.
"Where's who?" Whitebeard countered.
Who was Garp looking for?
"Ace." Garp replied. "I need to speak to him."
Marco growled. "He left. He's gone."
Garp paused, his wide for a second. "He left?"
Whitebeard made a noise of confirmation. "Two weeks ago. He's long gone by now." Thatch stated in Whitebeard's place. "He betrayed us and left. We'll take care of him."
Garp and Whitebeard had a strange relationship. One that was respect, but Garp still attacked them to keep up appearances whenever they saw each other. It was not enjoyable to fight off the cannon balls that Garp would throw at them.
Garp growled, face darkening. "That damn brat. What is he doing?!" Garp exclaimed.
"What do you want with Ace anyway?" Izou questioned.
"My foolish grandson is in a real mess." Marco froze, eyes wide as he looked over to Thatch. His brother's eyes just as wide with his jaw dropped.
"Grandson?!" Marco muttered. Ace was Garp the Fist's grandson?
"He attacked Oyaji. He knows what happens when someone betrays us." Curiel stated.
Garp eyed the Commander for a second. "He did what?!" The Marine paused, wiping his face with his palm. "From what I can tell. None of you know what is truly going on."
"What the hell are you going on about?!" Marco snapped. "Ace betrayed us."
Garp crossed his arms, eyes falling on Marco that had a chill going down his spine. "I would figure that is because of what was announced two weeks ago."
"Nothing was announced." Thatch stated, looking in confusion at the Vice Admiral.
Garp reached into his pocket, pulling a piece of paper out before revealing it to them. Marco's blood ran cold as he saw it. It was a bounty poster. Not just any bounty poster.
Ace's.
Only it didn't say Portgas on it.
It said Gol.
Which is the name of the Pirate King.
"Gold?" Fossa muttered.
It was suddenly starting to make sense.
He also noticed another detail. Ace's bounty had jumped. Instead of sitting at five hundred and fifty million berries, it was up in the one billion range. Just under where Marco's bounty was. It had practically doubled.
"My foolish grandson didn't betray you." Garp stated, his eyes moving again before they landed on Deuce. "You! You were my brat's first mate. C'mere."
Deuce gulped before stepping forward. "Garp-san."
"You were the only one who didn't look surprised." Garp stated.
Marco turned his gaze to see the shame on Deuce's face as the masked man looked down. "Yeah, I knew." Deuce stated. "I've known since we met."
"What is going on here?" Thatch questioned, looking to Whitebeard. Who also didn't look the least bit shocked.
"Ace is the son of Roger." Whitebeard stated.
If they were shocked about Ace's betrayal, this stunned them even more.
Gold Roger had a son. And it was Ace.
"You mean…"
"He told me right before he accepted being the Commander of my Second Division. He came to me thinking I was going to kick him out of the crew." Whitebeard stated. "I apologize to all of you for keeping this from you, but Ace wished to keep it a secret. A boy should not be condemned for the sins of his father."
Garp sighed. "Ace is in far more danger on his own than being here." The Marine stated. "The World Government released everything about him to the world. Everyone knows now. There won't be a place safe for him."
Marco felt his heart start to race.
Ace betrayed them… because he wanted to protect them. Bounty hunters and Marines alike would come after them now. The world viewed him as a threat.
Ace was in danger.
Ace was protecting him.
"It's impossible… Roger died over a year before he was born." Izou muttered, shaking his head.
"That's because Portgas D. Rouge pulled off the impossible." Garp stated. "She kept her unborn baby hidden in her womb for twenty months. I was there when he was born. Roger…" Garp stopped, the dark look back on his face. "Roger asked me to take care of him."
"Who got the newspaper the morning Ace left?" Whitebeard questioned, looking at his Commanders. The Commanders were always the ones to get the newspaper. Always to make sure that the updated bounty posters could be logged.
They all looked to each other but not one of them spoke up. That could only mean one thing. Ace was the one who saw it. That's how they didn't know. Why Ace was suddenly different.
"We have to find him." Marco muttered.
"He's practically disappeared. Even the recon teams can't find him." Vista stated.
Garp looked back at Deuce. Marco's eyes narrowed as he noticed the way that Deuce shifted on his feet. "You know, don't you, brat?"
Deuce looked up at Garp but didn't say a word. Confirming his suspicion.
"Son, where is he?" Whitebeard questioned to which Deuce shook his head.
"Brat, if they find him, they will kill him." Garp growled. "Where is he?"
Marco walked forward, reaching out and grabbing Deuce by the arm. "Deuce, where is he? Please."
Deuce sighed, looking down at the deck. "He's with Red-Haired Shanks." He paused as he looked back up. "He left because… he knew people would come after him. He didn't want you guys to go down with him."
"Red-Hair? Why did he go to him?" Thatch murmured.
Garp nodded. "Alright, he'll be safe for now but that puts that red-haired brat at risk too." The Marine stated.
"No one messes with Red-Hair. Isn't it a good thing Ace went to him then?" Izou questioned.
Garp sighed. "It would be if it wasn't for the fact they are related by blood."
"Wait… what?!" Marco murmured, eyes wide.
"Shanks is Rouge's little brother. Roger met him as a baby and raised him as his own. When Ace was born, he was already on the sea by that point. Rouge told me right before she gave birth to Ace." Garp replied.
"He's not related to Roger though. The World Government has nothing on him." Namur said.
"Not entirely true." Marco stated. "Shanks was Roger's apprentice after all. They killed anyone connected to him. They might not suspect Ace to go to him, but if they are related by blood…"
"It's enough that the World Government will bend the narrative in their favor as a reason to go after Shanks. Just being on Roger's ship as a kid is enough for that." Garp explained. "Just for the mere fact of shared blood even if it doesn't belong to Roger."
"That's fucked up." Thatch huffed. "Roger might have raised Shanks… but Ace never knew him. He doesn't even realize how much danger he is in… does he?"
"The red-haired brat will. He'll find a place to hide Ace until the hype calms down. He might be a criminal, but he's one of the brightest. They'll be safe for now, but it will only be a matter of time before the World Government figures it out. They figured out Ace just because of his strength alone. Shanks won't let anything happen to him. It's Ace I'm worried for. He's more like Roger than he realizes."
"How so?" Marco questioned. He never saw anything that he had seen from Roger in Ace. They couldn't be anymore different.
"Neither of them has ever ran."
X
Shanks had set them up on an island in his territory. One that no one ever came too. Ace hated every moment of this. He enjoyed Shanks' company, but he could only stay here for so long before Shanks would be at risk of attacks because of him.
Shanks had managed to keep his secret for years. He didn't want his presence to put more eyes on the yonko. He had to figure out a better game plan. Being alone wasn't a good idea either.
This had been the moment he dreaded ever happening in his life. Just like he had thought, Shanks had sent out some of his men to go check in on Luffy and to keep an eye on him to make sure that he wasn't being targeted.
This was all happening just because of his blood.
The thought had crossed his mind of turning himself in. They wouldn't go after anyone else if that's what he did. He would gladly accept death if it meant protecting all those around him. All the people he cared for.
His life was the cause of all of this.
He could only put off the inevitable for so long.
"Boss, the Moby Dick is approaching!"
Ace felt his heart skip a beat. They still followed him. Even after what he had done? "It's alright, Ace. I'll send them away." Shanks stated, standing up and starting off towards the direction that the pirate had called out the Moby was coming from.
Ace sighed.
Everything in him screamed to go home, but he couldn't. Not without putting their lives at risk. It was already a risk being with Shanks and doing the same to his crew.
He stood up, popping his back before starting for the tree line. He would watch at least. Take one last look at his family before he would never see them again.
By the time he reached his destination, Shanks was already speaking to Whitebeard. A smile on his face as the two interacted. Ace sighed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the nearby tree. His eyes settling on Marco.
He paused, noticing the determination. Taking a look at the others, he noticed it was the same with all of them. He couldn't feel a threat coming from any of them.
Why weren't they?
With his eyes settled back on Marco, he could almost see the pleading within his eyes as he spoke to Shanks. He also didn't mess the way that Shanks tensed it was so small. So subtle but it was there. With a deep breath, he started down the small hill, staying within the trees as he approached.
"Red-Hair, we know why he did what he did. We just want to talk to him." Thatch stated.
Ace's eyes widened.
They know.
Shanks sighed. "He doesn't want to see you. I can't make that decision for him. It's all up to him." The yonko stated. "I can pass along a message, but as for him wanting to hear it… I can't tell you if he will."
"Shanks, just tell him… just tell him, it's okay. He always can come home." Marco stated, the look of defeat coming to his face. The heartbreak still written in his eyes, sending another ping of guilt through him.
"You can tell him yourself." Shanks replied.
Ace froze, air catching in his throat. Curse Shanks' haki usage. Eyes turned to him as his throat went dry. He didn't even know what he could even say. He had betrayed them. Spoke harsh words to Marco. He didn't deserve any of this. He didn't deserve any of them. He didn't deserve Marco.
Marco was already walking forward, arms wrapping around his torso before he could even blink. "You idiot. Why did you hide it from us? Do you think we would have thought of you differently?" Marco questioned, hands twisting into the shirt on his back.
He peered over his shoulder to see Whitebeard standing behind the Commanders, a smile on his face as he looked at them. He choked down the lump in his throat.
How could they forgive him so easily?
"We aren't going home without you, Ace." Thatch stated, a grin on his face as he folding his hands behind his head.
"He's right. You're our brother." Izou added.
The other Commanders started to add in their own agreements as Marco pulled back to look at him. Moving a strand of black hair that had fallen into his face. "We don't care you are Roger's son. We care about you. You are not him."
Ace pushed himself away from Marco, fists balled at his side. Head hung as he looked at his boots instead of anywhere else. "How can you tolerate me? When such bad blood runs through my veins."
"Your blood doesn't matter." Izou stated, walking over, and smiling at him with painted lips.
"Izou's right." Namur added.
Ace growled, flickers of fire coming off his hands as he took a step back. "You're wrong. My blood killed my mother. That's why I took her name. I owe her so much. If it wasn't for me, she would still be alive… I don't even understand how Shanks can bare to look at me… I condemned my mother to death just by existing!" He shouted, squeezing his eyes shut as he sucked in a deep breath. "I have disgraced the Whitebeard Pirates for what I have done. Why aren't you just giving up on me!? I deserve anything that comes my way."
"Because you're my son." Whitebeard cut through, pulling a gasp from Ace as his head snapped up and eyes wide. The rest were smiling at him. Soft, fond smiles as they split off to allow Whitebeard to pass through. "You are not alone in this. We will do this together."
Ace felt like he couldn't breathe as he felt Whitebeard's arm wrap around his back, pulling him into until he was pulled into the massive torso of the yonko. "I was never angry at you. I was concerned you had lost your way. Now… now I understand why you are in so much pain. Rely on us."
"Was… was it good I was born or was it just a mistake?" Ace questioned, his voice barely over a whisper.
He felt Whitebeard tense up against him before he was pulling back. Ace couldn't bring himself to look up at any of them. He didn't want to see any of their faces. He had left to protect them, and they still sought him out.
He betrayed them. Why were they trying to talk him into coming home?
How could Whitebeard hug him when he had attacked the man without reason?
How could they be so forgiving?
"OF COURSE, IT WAS!" The Commanders shouted, all at the same time. Behind them the Whitebeard Pirates started agreeing, giving their own shouts towards him.
"Everyone has a purpose in life, son. Everything happens for a reason." Whitebeard muttered, large hand falling on top of Ace's head.
Ace felt the tears well up in his eyes before they were already spilling over. The one thing he wanted to know his entire life… he was getting that now. The world knew that Roger's blood lived on. His life would never be the same, but here was his family telling him he had a purpose. Telling him it was good he was here.
He choked on the sob in his throat as he heard Shanks say, "My sister loved you more than anything. I could never hate you. My sister's will lives on through you."
Ace's shoulders shook as he felt arms wrap around him again, he leaned against the touch. Knowing it all too well. "I know why you said what you did. Did what you did. You wanted to protect us. The world knows what happens when you mess with one of our crewmates. That includes you, Ace." Marco muttered, fingers moving and slipping underneath his shirt before the fabric was dropping over his shoulders and revealing his back. "Come home to us. You belong with us."
Ace backed away slightly, hiccupping slightly as he looked over to Whitebeard. Kneeling on the ground with his forehead touching the dirt, he muttered, "I'm sorry… please forgive me, Oyaji. I never wanted to hurt any of you. I didn't want my life to be the reason one of you might lose yours."
"Son, a family protects their own." Whitebeard stated. "Come back and continuing wreaking havoc across the seas as my son. Let the world know… they can't break you. Become my Commander again."
He looked up to see Whitebeard kneeled down on one knee, just like he had been the night they met. When he first told Ace to become one of his sons. Wear his mark.
Ace smiled, wiping his face as he placed his hand against one of Whitebeard's fingers. "Alright." He whispered.
He stood back up, dusting his pants off as he let his shirt slip the rest of the way off, folding it over his arm as he wiped the rest of the tears off. He looked over to Marco, who was smiling at him, standing in between Thatch and Izou.
"Marco, I'm—"
Marco raised his hand out in front of him, lighting it up in those beautiful blue flames Ace loved so much. Ace shook his head with a smile as reached his hand forward, igniting it in his own flames and placing his palm flat against Marco's. Their flames dancing together. Flickering with more life with each passing second. The flaming mixture of reds and oranges meeting blues and greens, swirling into hues of purple.
"Welcome back, Ace." Marco whispered, reaching out with his other arm, and pulling Ace to him. Connecting their lips together before breaking them apart. "Let's go home."