Chapter Twelve: Reconciliation & New Bonding

A/N: I'm back baby! Also I know the chapter title says 'Bondin' but that's because the stupid thing wouldn't let me add the g. And I forgot to mention in the last chapter but if any of you are curious on how Ace could beat Shanks in a spar, here is why:

He purposely lowers his strength so Ace has a better chance at fighting him but still puts himself as a challenge. And it gives Shanks a disadvantage since he's got one arm, which gives Ace the advantage.

Warning: cruel names and feelings of a panic attack are mentioned

Also a quick heads up, I suggest you go back to the previous chapter and reread about Shanks talking about Buggy to Ace.

Read and Enjoy~

"Then stop caring and get over it! I don't need you!"

Shanks felt his heart drop. His chest squeezed and tightened so badly that for a moment he couldn't breathe. He was so shocked and frozen to the spot that he didn't process that Ace was pushing past him.

How could he ever stop caring? Or get over the fact that Ace, his- whatever they were, almost died.

I don't need you!

Shanks knew that. Ace didn't need him besides for training. But with what they've been through and all their ups and downs, with how much the kid has trusted him, Shanks thought that maybe Ace, well…

Shanks never felt more stupid. He shouldn't have pushed Ace nor yelled at him.

The kid had a panic attack or something, almost met his end, and here he was pushing him just after that. Shanks never felt like the biggest jerk until now.

He turned around but Ace was already gone. Shanks groaned and scrubbed a hand roughly over his face.

He couldn't see the kid now. No. Ace needed to be alone or he feared the kid would leave. For good.

Instead Shanks trekked over to his ship and met the relieved eyes of his crew. Even though he was in a bummed mood he at least felt touched at the worry his crew had for him.

"I heard no casualties but any injured?" he asked.

Benn stepped forward from where he was talking to one of the crewmembers and shook his head. "No injuries, Captain. Everyone is good."

Shanks sighed in relief. He trusted and had faith in his crew but he always worried.

"How about the Spades? Are they ok?" Edward, one of their cooks, asked. The others looked at their captain, silently expressing their concern and worry.

"They're all fine, just some bruising might be the worst but other than that they are ok," Shanks assured.

At that everyone looked relieved and Shanks couldn't help but smile, however small it was. It was nice to see that the Red Hairs cared for the Spades as a whole, not just for one member.

"Captain, can I speak with you?" Benn asked in a near whisper.

Shanks had no shame in that moment of wanting to say no and jump into the ocean. He did not feel like talking right now.

"Sure, we can talk in my quarters." If they were going to talk about what Shanks was sure they were about to talk about then he wanted to talk somewhere that was very private and secure.

After Benn entered the room Shanks locked the door, not wanting to risk anyone barging in on a sensitive topic.

While his crew knew better than to open the door without a warning or in general he still wanted to be safe.

"So, what's on your mind Benny Boo?" Shanks asked in a fake cheerful tone. He even flashed a charming smile.

His first mate gave him a warning look. "Shanks, with all due respect, cut the crap," Benn said bluntly.

The Yonko gave a mocked gasp. "Benn, I have never heard you speak like that. And I thought you were the polite one in the crew."

The gunslinger crossed his arms and leaned against the desk with one hip. To his credit he didn't seem fazed by Shanks's attitude. Then again he lives on the same ship with the man every day.

"Well thank goodness I'm your best friend so I can get away with it." Benn's face then softened at what he was going to say next. "Now, tell me what happened and don't even think about trying to dodge it."

Shanks wished he had his other arm so he could cross arms and give a full pout. That would really annoy Benn.

Yet he knew his friend - or best friend as Benn had touchingly said it - only wanted to understand and help. And to probably make sure he didn't do anything stupid.

"Did you notice Ace freeze during the fight?" Shanks asked, his voice strained. His whole posture looked tired as he slumped back against the wall.

Benn nodded. "I only managed to catch a glimpse but I saw, and heard. I would've intervened but I was busy shooting at ten men from ambushing Jil and Fin."

Shanks frowned in confusion. "Heard what?" he asked.

Benn raised an eyebrow. "You didn't hear what the man said?" When his captain shook his head that surprised the gunslinger.

"He started shouting and calling Ace a demon and other names. I wanted to shoot him in the mouth but as I said, I was watching over Jil and Fin," Benn explained.

Shanks was glad he had perfect control over his emotions because he was sure that if he didn't, he would've exploded and went back to make sure that Icktivus was really dead.

Yet now he felt like an even bigger jerk. He really should have just left Ace alone to recover before asking questions.

"Remember when I told you to go ahead with the crews?" Shanks prompted, pushing through his guilt.

Benn gave him a look. "Of course I do, you literally told me that five minutes ago. But I'm guessing that's when everything went downhill?"

Shanks scoffed darkly. "That's an understatement, but yeah, that's when it went downhill." Wanting to get it over with Shanks told Benn what happened quickly.

His first mate was silent after Shanks finished. It made him feel uneasy and he shifted from foot to foot.

After another minute of silence Shanks threw his hand up in the air with a loud shout, clearly upset.

"Just say it already, I messed up. I should've given him space, I should've given him time. I shouldn't have pushed him and I should've waited until he-"

"Shanks so help me if you don't shut up right now I will take your remaining arm," Benn growled, which effectively shut up his captain.

He looked at the redhead with narrowed eyes but no anger shone in them. "It probably would have made no difference if you gave Ace time. He probably would have still lashed out at you," he said, sounding calm once again.

Shanks snorted, not fully believing him. "Even if that's true, what do I do now? I can't just go up to him, and even if I gave him all the time in the world I probably still couldn't."

Benn nodded, agreeing. "You're right, you can't go up to him. You have to wait for him to go to you, then that'll be enough time for Ace."

Shanks made a noise that resembled a whine, which it probably was. "Do you know how hard that is? I just wish I could apologize to him."

This time Benn glared at him. "It's not about you, Shanks. It doesn't matter how hard it is, what matters is that Ace feels like he's got enough space and time that he feels like he can go up to you."

The redhead flinched, as if struck. Shanks groaned and rubbed his eyes roughly. "You're right, I'm sorry," he said quietly, sounding tired.

Benn sighed and smiled lightly. "It's alright. No one did say that parenting is easy," he joked.

Shanks choked at those words. "D-Don't say that, Benn. Don't say that. I'm not his… I'm not," he protested.

Benn looked like he wanted to say otherwise but held his tongue. His captain looked like he was hanging on a thread and he decided to not cut that thread.

"Whatever you say, Captain. Now, I believe you should talk to the townsfolk and let them know about the Dominant Pirates and that they've been dealt with," Benn suggested.

This time Shanks pouted. "Do I have to?"

Benn felt his eye twitch. "Yes, Shanks. You have to," he forced his words to come out calmly.

Shanks groaned so loudly that Benn almost plugged his ears. "Fine! I'll talk to the darn people but you owe me!" With that the redhead walked out and nearly slammed the door, quite like a moody teenager.

Benn sighed, feeling exhausted. He seriously didn't get paid enough.

Later At Night…

Ace never felt more numb and worn out until today. He felt like he couldn't move. Mostly because he was still half curled up and sprawled out on the floor. His body felt like it was at the bottom of the ocean.

"Then stop caring and get over it! I don't need you!"

Ace wished he could take back those words. He wished he could be nicer. He wished he could be easier for people to be around with. He wished he wished he wished…

Ace sluggishly looked up at his door when he heard knocking.

"Ace? C'mon open up. You don't have to talk but I need to check for injuries," Deuce said, keeping his voice quiet but loud enough to be heard from across the door.

The Spade captain wondered if his crew was asleep already. That would mean he missed dinner. Oh well.

The knocking grew insistent. "Ace open the door, you know the rules. If you miss checkup then I get to check you later no matter what."

Sadly Ace knew the rules. Heck, he was the one who came up with them.

"If you don't open this door I will break it open. Do you remember the last time I did that or do you need a reminder?" Deuce threatened, his voice growing serious.

Ace mentally groaned but slowly got up. He nearly cried out as his body protested painfully at the movement. But he pushed himself to reach his door before his first mate busted it in.

Ace unlocked it but paused to catch his breath and prepare himself. He then slowly opened it and met the eyes of his worried friend.

Without saying anything Deuce gently took his arm and carefully guided him to his bed. He took off his shirt and started to inspect his body, keeping to his word about not talking about what happened.

"You're badly bruised on your chest, it'll take about two to four weeks to heal. You'll need to put ice on it for about ten to twenty minutes a day," Deuce informed after he finished his work.

Ace nodded, showing that he heard him. He wanted to apologize for not saying anything earlier but he couldn't find it in him.

The fire-user was broken out of his thoughts when he heard his closet open. Ace looked up and saw Deuce rummaging through his things.

"Wha- ow," Ace winced. He didn't expect his throat to hurt but it did.

Deuce sighed and answered his cut off question. "You're going to go take a shower and I'm going to get you an ice pack. Now here, take these and go."

Despite his terrible mood Ace smiled weakly at the clothes Deuce handed him. It was a bright yellow shirt with flames on the sleeves that came with a darker yellow pair of sweats with flames dotting all over.

They were a gift Nora and Pakky got him as a joke. He had laughed and tossed them in the back of his closet with no intention of wearing them.

Well that was until tonight and he was kind of forced to take them. He reluctantly took the clothes and did what Deuce told him, not feeling the energy to protest.

On the way to the showers Ace didn't run into anyone which he was thankful for. He really did not want to talk to anyone.

When he finished showering and drying off he gingerly put on his clothes. His chest ached and slightly throbbed as he walked back to his room.

Deuce was sitting on his bed holding an ice pack when he walked back in, looking patient. Ace really wished that he knew what he did to deserve such a great friend.

The masked man wordlessly handed over the ice pack once he settled. Ace nodded his gratitude and placed it slowly on his chest.

They sat in silence, taking in each other's presence.

Surprisingly it was Ace who broke the silence. "Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked.

Deuce raised his eyebrows but then looked unsurprised. "I'm fine, I just got a cut on my arm." He rolled his eyes at Ace's concerned face. "It's not bad. I patched it up nice and tight," he assured.

Ace made a grabby motion and Deuce obliged his request. He gave him his left arm and watched as his captain rolled up his sleeve, inspecting the bandages.

He didn't say anything as Ace carefully squeezed his hand. Deuce turned his hand over and squeezed back, offering comfort and reassurance.

"Me and Shanks fought."

Deuce snapped his head up. He wanted to ask what happened and if Shanks did anything but he held back, knowing better than to overwhelm his friend.

So instead he rubbed his thumb over Ace's knuckles, who was watching him do that with a blank stare.

"It was about what happened in the battle… do you know what happened?" Ace asked, still not looking at him.

"All I know is that Icktivus started shouting names at you… I don't think the others heard, if that helps," Deuce said quietly.

It barely helped but Ace appreciated it. "He called me a demon, a devil. It um, it made me freeze in place and all of a sudden I got hit with flashbacks. Icktivus took that advantage but Shanks saved me just in time."

At the mention of his mentor's name the teen felt guilt surface again. He wanted to apologize so desperately but he couldn't, because he was too scared.

Ace glanced up at Deuce before looking back down. "He pulled me behind to talk about it but I uh, lashed out at him. I didn't want to talk about it and I can't exactly tell him why those names affected me, y'know?" he looked up and smiled a self-deprecating smile.

Deuce gave him a sad smile in return. "I'm guessing it didn't turn out so well?"

Ace snorted. "Well I did say I lashed out so you know how it's going to end. But he said how that you guys, Luffy, and himself cared about me and how you hate seeing me in pain and… that's when I snapped."

Deuce stayed quiet for a moment before asking gently, "Did you cuss him out?"

Ace almost choked at those words. "What? Why would you think that?" he asked, his facial expression bewildered.

His friend shrugged. "He pushed you when you clearly weren't ok. Not to mention you almost… died, so you'd be even more shaken up. Shanks should've left you alone, or at least been comforting and not barge you with questions."

Ace raised his eyebrows at the protectiveness laced in Deuce's voice. Clearly Shanks wasn't lying or over exaggerating when he said his crew cared about him.

"I mean, maybe Shanks shouldn't have but I did sorta tell him to stop caring and to get over it. And that I don't need him," Ace admitted while looking pained.

Deuce widened his eyes. "Huh, that's a bit wow-y," he said lamely.

Ace rolled his eyes and clenched his hand subconsciously, barely hiding his worry. "That's all you have to say? C'mon Deuce, I was expecting some big grown up words. You are super smart after all."

The masked man shook his head in exasperation. "Golly gee Ace, let me say that I'm absolutely flabbergasted. That I'm so astonished I may as well be thunderstruck," he playfully mocked.

He was rewarded with Ace chuckling before he winced, his chest clearly hurting.

Ace then slowly exhaled, trying to ease his pain. "Look, I know what I said was hurtful. And I wish I could apologize and tell him that I was wrong-"

Deuce shook his head and made a sound of refusal. "Nuh uh, no. Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault for snapping. You were pressured and sure, what you said might've hurt his feelings-"

Ace gave him a pointed look.

Deuce rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine, it did, knowing how sensitive he is. But the point is, is that even if you didn't snap you couldn't have told him the truth. Because if you did then that secret wouldn't be a secret."

His speech seemed to not reach Ace. "I could've lied better but instead I-" the teen was cut off by a sharp pain flaring up in his chest, causing him to hunch slightly.

Deuce decided to call quits. "All right that's enough. We're leaving this off as I'm right and you're in pain. Get some sleep," he bossed. He let go of Ace's hand and handed him his blanket.

When he glanced back at his best friend he bit his inner lip. Ace didn't look good and he didn't just mean physically.

The first mate decided to make a spur of the moment decision and brought his legs up, trying to get comfortable as he laid his head down by the end of the bed.

Ace frowned. "You're sleeping here?" he asked puzzled.

Deuce lifted his head up and gave him a shrug as a smile plastered on his face. "I'm feeling kind of lazy. Don't have enough energy to walk back to my bed."

Ace slowly cracked a small but grateful smile. "Well then get up here. I don't have another pillow to give you and you're sure not using my feet."

Deuce grinned at him. "You saying you want snuggles?" he teased.

Ace had to cover his face with his hands, shaking with laughter he failed to contain. "You're making my chest hurt," he giggled. But while his chest hurt he felt lighter, not so burdened.

Deuce laughed before rearranging himself, laying down beside Ace on his right so his injured arm wasn't crushed.

It was a bit of a tight fit since Ace did have only one pillow and the bed wasn't that big but they made it work.

"I don't know how you get so comfortable sharing a bed. Don't you feel claustrophobic?" Deuce wondered.

Ace slightly shook his head, rustling the pillow a bit. "Not when you have a little brother. Luffy always climbed into my bed and I could never get him to really stop so I just went with it. I think he's part monkey like his name."

Deuce briefly wondered about Ace as a kid but got rid of those thoughts. They always led to him imagining a kid who was constantly looking over his shoulder, wondering if today was his last day.

"Huh, maybe he is. Ever tell him that?" he asked, deciding to keep the conversation going.

Ace groaned at that. "I did and he wouldn't stop clinging to me for two days until I threatened to not give him meat anymore. That kid has an obsession with meat that worries me sometimes."

Deuce chuckled quietly. "He sounds interesting, can't wait to meet him someday," he said honestly.

The fire-user smiled fondly. "He's a great kid, you'll love him," he murmured softly. Ace couldn't wait for the day Luffy set sail and became a pirate.

After a moment of silence Ace realized he didn't feel so sad. He looked over at his friend who had his eyes closed but was still awake.

"Thank you, Deuce."

"Not a problem, Ace."

"Night."

"Night."

Next Morning…

When Ace walked into breakfast with Deuce the next morning he didn't expect to see his crew all geared up and ready to go.

"Uh, we got incoming?" he asked confusedly.

Nora stepped up and looked at him fiercely. "Say the word and we'll set sail," she declared, loyalty shining in her eyes along with the others.

Ace frowned. "What? What do you mean?" he questioned.

Gremma stepped beside Nora and said, "We know something happened yesterday and while we don't know what, we do know that something happened to you. And we're ready to leave, say the word and we'll head off."

Ace had to take a moment before he responded. His crew knew that something happened and even though they don't know anything, they all are willing to drop everything and set sail for him.

Ace wouldn't stop asking this but what did he do to deserve such a great crew?

In that moment he was reminded about what Shanks had said, how his crew was his family. Now he fully believed it. And he was beyond grateful that he got to have them as his family.

"Guys," Ace said breathlessly. He felt a hand grip his shoulder and he looked to see the determined eyes of Deuce.

Then it hit Ace. "You set this up, didn't you?" he asked.

His best friend held no shame but looked proud. "Kind of. Nora and Gremma came up to me and asked if we needed to leave, which I told them no-"

"But Deuce said to prepare for that just in case you did want to leave. They others were all on-board with it once they heard," Nora interrupted.

Ace looked at the other Spades and watched them give him nods of encouragement and support.

"We're not leaving," he eventually said. "While I am more than grateful for your support we can't leave. You guys still have training with the Red Hairs and it'd probably be bad to ditch the Yonko crew like a bad date."

Fin frowned, looking concerned. "Do you think they would come after us if we did leave?" he asked, getting the same concern from the others.

Ace gawked at them. "Wha- no, no they wouldn't. Shanks nor the other Red Hairs would chase us. Besides, they don't have a reason to if we did sail away," he assured.

While he may not have known Shanks for a long time or the others, he could say that they wouldn't hunt them down… right? Ace shook those thoughts away, he couldn't think like that right now in his state of mind.

So he clapped his hands together and suggested cheerfully, "Breakfast?"

Everyone shared a look before shrugging.

"I bet Gremma can eat more pancakes than Fin," Nora challenged. She cackled at the look of resignation on Gremma's face.

Fin, however, looked sick. "Seriously Nora? You're going to do this to me this early? Are we not crew, nakama? Aren't we supposed to love each other not set each other up for failure?"

Nora flippantly waved a hand. "Family also like to watch each other get sick and nearly fall into a coma. You in?" she practically demanded.

Fin sighed. "Of course I am, you nut job."

Ace sighed also. "Wait for me, I'm joining this competition too," he announced. No better way to get your mind off of things than a food competition and nearly fall into a coma, right?

Gremma and Fin looked horrified. They were going to lose instantly.

Deuce gave a shark-like grin. "Twenty beli on Ace. Place your bets, cowards."

Despite the laughter and fun at breakfast the day was filled with tension.

The Spades went about their duties - though carefully due to some injuries - but stretched out their senses in case anyone approached. They tried to relax but they couldn't so they ended up doing rounds on the ship, keeping watch.

While Ace was extremely grateful he couldn't let this go on. He didn't want his crew to be wary of Shanks's and for their training to be cut off.

(No training right now of course, since some bruising was bad for others and that Deuce threatened to tape them to the crows nest if they even thought about training.)

So the teen paced back and forth in his room, carefully since his chest, and debated on how he should handle things. Ace never was good at being diplomatic.

"Oh no, you're thinking. Should we expect the world to end?" a voice teased from his doorway.

Ace panicked for a moment if it was a certain someone but was relieved to see Deuce. From the look on his first mate's face he knew they were about to have another talk.

To prolong it Ace gave him a blinding smile. "Please, you should expect great fortune and success from my thinking," he said dramatically.

Deuce huffed a breath of laughter. "If that were true, I would be as rich as Nobles by now."

Ace wanted to laugh but remembered his bruised chest so he stifled it, also deciding to get their talk over with. "You're thinking what I'm thinking?" he questioned.

Deuce raised an eyebrow, growing serious like him. "Depends. Are you planning on talking to a certain redhead or listening to your First Mate - your doctor - about resting and getting better?" he retorted.

Ace sighed heavily and dragged a hand down his face, looking exhausted. "I can't exactly hide from him forever. And it would be for the best if we cleared the air now," he said yet sounding like he was trying to convince himself rather than Deuce.

His friend didn't say anything at first but eventually slumped his shoulders, as if giving up.

"If you think this is what's best then do it. But just, I don't know, be careful?" Deuce sounded unsure of his own 'advice'.

Ace raised his eyebrows, looking amused. "That was the worst pep talk in the history of pep talks," he joked.

Deuce gave him a pointed look. "Not my fault I don't know any advice on how to talk to a Yonko, other than be polite," he bit back.

Now Ace grew serious at the mention of Yonko. How did he end up in this situation? How did he, son of Roger, end up meeting and bonding with Shanks, former apprentice of Roger?

Ace really wished he could beat the crap out of irony.

"Wish me luck," he muttered under his breath before heading out, not giving Deuce a chance to say anything else. If his first mate knew what he was planning to do later then he'd try to stop him.

Ace avoided looking at his crew as he passed by. He walked off the Spadille and threw them a reassuring smile before heading towards the Red Force.

The ship used to look so welcoming to him but now… now it looked intimidating. Like he was seeing the Yonko's ship and not his mentor's ship. It made Ace barely contain a shudder at the memory of Shanks fighting yesterday.

He knew that being a Yonko meant you were one of the top strongest pirates out there, if not the strongest. Shanks had looked so deadly and what didn't help was that Ace had sensed his Conquerors Haki in the fight.

It was like the man was the sea itself. Bringing havoc and ruin to those who dared oppose him and his crew. It was like being caught in a raging storm that was endless and so powerful.

Shanks was like power itself. And it scared Ace that the jolly, kind, and happy looking man that he's come to know can also be the deadliest man alive.

Ace couldn't help but pause once he reached the Red Force. Would the Red Hairs kick him off? But why would they, unless told otherwise?

Ace shook his head. Now was not the time to think like that. He needed to see Shanks and if he had to stand outside all day and yell at the man then so be it.

With a deep breath Ace marched up and carefully ignored the pain in his chest.

The second he stepped on-board he felt like running back to his ship at the many stares he received. Would it be rude if he kept walking? Or did he need to ask permission to see Shanks? Why was everything so awkward?

"Ace, it's good to see you," Benn's voice rumbled out. The gunslinger stepped through his crewmates and offered the teen a kind smile.

Ace felt his nerves die down. But only by one percent. He was still extremely nervous and that wouldn't change no matter how friendly Benn seemed.

"Hey Benn," Ace internally cringed. That sounded so stupid. "Could I speak to Shanks? It's important." His palms were beginning to sweat.

Benn nodded. "Sure thing, kid. Follow me." When the first mate looked back at his crewmates he crossed his arms and gave them a single look that sent them back to what they were doing.

Ace felt impressed. Maybe he should also be more worried about Benn. His intelligence was scary enough alone.

The two of them walked in silence as the elder led Ace to - what he presumed and was proven right - Shanks's quarters. Ace felt awkward but he sure that it was only him. Benn probably felt he was too old or above to feel awkward.

Especially towards a rookie that he could easily crush.

Ace nearly jumped out of his skin when Benn abruptly stopped walking, almost causing him to crash into the man. The gunslinger then turned around and gave him a kind, reassuring smile.

"Ace, you don't need to be so nervous. I know about what happened," he said.

Ace felt his heart drop. "You do?" he practically squeeked. He refused to blush so he bit the inside of his lip, hoping that it would help.

Benn nodded and softly sighed. "Kid, you're alright. I'm telling you honestly that Shanks isn't going to hurt you or whatnot."

Ace wanted to believe him but he stuck to his wary and cautious side. It's the only thing that's been keeping him alive all these years and he wasn't about to let it go.

So he gave Benn a fake but somewhat genuine smile. "I appreciate it, thanks Benn. He's in his room, right?"

The elder looked like he wanted to say something else but didn't. Instead he gave a worn out smile. "Yeah kid, he's going over some things but you can go ahead and enter."

Ace nodded and subtly sucked in a deep breath. As he walked up and reached for the doorknob to his mentor's room he paused.

He looked back at the older pirate and this time gave him a genuine smile. "I really do appreciate it, Benn. Thank you," he said warmly.

Benn looked surprised for a second before chuckling. "Not a problem, kid. Now hurry up before I shove you in there myself." With that he turned around and started to leave.

For a brief moment Ace watched the man's retreating figure. He wondered if there would be anyone else like Benn before realized there wouldn't be. Benn was one of a kind.

Ace mustered up any last remaining courage and opened the door.

After a second the teen thought Benn pulled his leg when he said Shanks was in here but after a quick sweep around the room Ace found him. The redhead was squatted down by his desk and picking up loose papers that fell with his back facing the door.

"Benn, if you threaten to take my arm again I will personally take your gun and shove it-"

Ace coughed and interrupted that sentence. "It's uh, not Benn. It's me, Ace." Of course it was him who else would it be? He mentally slapped himself.

He watched Shanks jump up in surprise and drop his papers all over again. The redhead spun around and stared at him with wide eyes.

"Kid! Um, how are you feeling?" Shanks looked like he wanted to slap himself. That relieved the fire-user somewhat about thinking the man would be stern and harsh.

Ace was confused for a minute that Shanks couldn't see his bruised chest until he realized he had his shirt fully buttoned. That explained why the man wasn't losing his mind.

Ace half shrugged awkwardly. "I'm fine- or, well, kinda. Ugh," he groaned, dropping his face into his hands.

Ace heard a faint chuckle and he looked up to see Shanks staring at him in fondness and something else. Worry?

"You don't have to be so nervous, kid. I'm not gonna hurt you." Shanks looked pained at the thought of Ace thinking that but smiled what he hoped was reassuring.

The teen hummed but didn't say anything to that. When neither of them spoke but stared anywhere at the ground instead of each other, Ace decided to take control.

"We need to talk but not here. Follow me?" he asked, gesturing towards the door.

Shanks frowned but nodded. He was willing to follow the kid to the end of the island and back if that meant he could say sorry.

Ace sharply nodded once before marching out of the room, newfound determination and courage in his steps. He almost turned around to see if the Yonko was following him but the echo of another pair of feet walking behind him confirmed his answers.

The fire-user ignored the stares of the Red Hairs on deck and pushed past them, though politely.

Ace led Shanks towards the islands forest and past their usual training grounds. He wanted to make sure they had complete privacy and that no one knew where they were.

Ace was glad he knew forests almost better than anyone so he could find a good spot.

After twenty more minutes the teen stopped, looked around, and deemed this area good enough. He and Shanks were standing above rocks that led down to an empty beach, no one in sight.

To double check to make sure they were truly alone, Ace activated his Observation Haki and did a quick scan. He was relieved to know it was just him and Shanks.

Trying his best to stay calm Ace finally faced Shanks. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you and said those things. You've only had the best intentions for me and I know that you didn't mean to push-"

Ace stopped when Shanks started shaking his head. "Kid, no, I'm sorry. You were shaken up and I pushed you with questions that you didn't want to answer. I should've given you time but I didn't, and I'm so sorry Ace."

Silence.

Pure silence fell between the mentor and mentee.

Ace couldn't help but feel both surprise and shock. Was Shanks seriously apologizing to him? He couldn't remember the last time anyone ever apologized to him.

All Ace knew was that he was the one that made the mistakes and that he apologized every time anything happened.

"Kid? You alright?" Shanks asked slowly, silently wondering if he just broke the kid.

Ace snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of the elder's voice. He stared at Shanks with a bit of wariness. Not in fear that the man would attack him, but that this was all a joke.

"You're apologizing?" he couldn't help but ask in disbelief. He watched as Shanks looked sad for a moment before nodding.

"Yeah kid, because I made a mistake. And before you say anything else, I forgive you."

Ace never felt more stunned in his life until now. Not only did Shanks apologize to him, but he also forgave him. "Why would you ever forgive me? Aren't you angry?" Ace asked, more curious than nervous if he was digging himself a hole.

Something unreadable crossed over the Yonko's face. "Ace, I was never angry. I was angry at myself for pushing you when I shouldn't have."

Shanks looked hesitant for a moment but took a step forward. He reached out carefully and slowly took hold of Ace's tense shoulder. "When I say I'm sorry I truly mean it, kid," he said earnestly, hoping Ace believed him.

Which Ace did but he couldn't process it as quickly as he wished to.

No one ever apologized to him. Not even Gramps since the man always believed he was right and that Ace was his stupid naive grandson.

Ace opened his mouth to say something but it felt dry. Then he slowly realized that Shanks was rubbing soothing circles onto his shoulder and that was when Ace got his answer.

He could trust Shanks. He could fully, without a doubt, trust Shanks. If the man wanted to hurt him he could've easily done it on their way here or back on the ship. Or even when they first met.

Yet the man always gave him a shoulder to lean on, helped him realize that going after Whitebeard was foolish, and unknowingly helped him see his father in a new light. And speaking of that…

"Shanks, there's something I have to tell you," Ace nearly whispered. All the breath inside his lungs disappeared and his hands began to shake.

Deuce was so going to hurt him once he found out what he was about to do.

Shanks obviously sensed his distress and gripped his shoulder gently in comfort. "Yeah kid?" he softly asked.

Ace sucked in a deep breath and felt his stomach twist and flip with intense fear and nerves. He felt like he was going to have a panic attack. "I um, I uh… have this secret that I've had since I was a kid," he started eventually.

Shanks felt his heart drop. Was Ace really going to tell him about…?

Ace took another deep breath before extracting Shanks's hand off his shoulder, no matter how much he craved comfort. "It's something that only four people know, because if it got out I'd be executed by the Marines and hunted down by others."

Shanks closed his eyes and felt his chest pang. "Ace, if you don't feel comfortable telling me something, you don't have to," he said gently while opening his eyes and making sure to look Ace directly in the eyes.

The teen shook his head. "No, I'm telling you this because I trust you and want to. The reason why I froze yesterday was because Icktivus called me a devil and a monster. Those names affected me because that's what I've always believed myself to be from what people told me."

Ace swallowed the tight lump gathering in his throat. His hands were fully shaking and his head screamed at him to run. "People would say that the… the spawn of the Pirate King would be a devil like him, like their father."

Shanks widened his eyes as Ace met his determinedly and fearfully.

"My father is Roger, and my real name is Gol D. Ace."

Both males were quiet after that declaration. It seemed as if the earth itself was silent also as no wind breezed by and no waves crashed down.

Ace wanted to puke. He actually said it, he actually told Shanks. He felt like he was going to faint. His nerves grew by the second as Shanks just stared at him, looking thunderstruck. Ace really wished the man would say something but he was also scared of what he would say.

Shanks opened his mouth and then closed it.

Ace couldn't help but think humorously that he made the once loud man speechless. Then he remembered that was because he just told him his father was his dead captain.

Ace tensed and stiffened when Shanks suddenly stepped towards him but made no move to flee. He watched the Yonko swallow tightly and hesitantly open his mouth. "Ace… I... "

Ace shakily let out a laugh. "Can you say something or do I need to worry that you're about to have a heart attack?" He didn't bother to feel embarrassed that his voice cracked with fear. His body was shaking by now.

Shanks scoffed. "Just maybe so. I mean, not everyone teenager reveals that their father is the Pirate King, y'know?" he joked, giving his student a shaky smile of his own.

Ace didn't laugh this time. "So, what're you going to do now that you know?" he asked.

While he trusted Shanks he couldn't get rid of years of fear and worry so easily. It was an odd combination of trust and fear that was fighting inside of him.

Shanks exhaled slowly. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do, I'm going to give you the biggest hug and maybe get a drink after."

Ace stared at him in shock and amazement before he ended up face first against the redhead's chest. He tensed and readied to spring out of his hold by instinct until he registered that this was a comforting gesture, not an attack.

Ace slowly relaxed bit by bit until he wrapped his own arms around the elder's waist. He then collapsed against his mentor and released a relieved breath as the man practically held him up.

They stayed like that for what felt like hours until Shanks said, "I kind of suspected- but before you freak out, let me explain. I didn't want to ask you because obviously that was a no go and I wanted you to feel safe and comfortable."

Ace was about to say something until he froze. "Does any of your crew suspect?" he asked, terrified to know the answer.

He grew even more fearful when Shanks sighed. "Benn is the only one I confided with. But let ask you, do you trust me?"

Ace snorted. "Well I did just tell you my biggest secret didn't I?" he said snarkily. He felt laughter rumble in Shanks's chest and it felt soothing. Or maybe that was the presence the man gave off.

"Point taken. But anyways, if you trust me you can trust Benn. He would do anything to make sure your safety never gets threatened. And that man would gladly beat me senseless just for you."

Ace couldn't help but crack a smile. Yet he nodded, agreeing. Benn never gave him a reason or a second to not trust him. He felt Shanks hum and card a hand through his hair. He would never admit it but he leaned slightly into the touch.

It felt so foreign to feel so at peace. It was also freeing to tell Shanks about his heritage. It was sort of the best and worst kind of adrenaline rush.

"Ace, I really hate to ruin this moment, but I need to tell you something," Shanks said slowly.

Ace felt fear rise back up. He took a step back to stare at the Yonko in the eyes.

"My friend Buggy, he knows-" Shanks was cut off by Ace stepping away from him angrily, clearly knowing what he was about to say.

"No! Did you tell him?!" Ace yelled.

Shanks stared at him incredulously. "Of course not! He put the pieces together when he saw your face on the newspaper!" he yelled right back. He would never do that to Ace, not in a million years.

The fire-user barely sizzled down and sighed, grabbing his hair roughly. "Seven. That's seven people who know about my lineage. Shanks, I only trust you and the five others but I don't know Buggy-"

Shanks grabbed his hands from practically tearing his hair out and said gently, "Ace, since you trust me you can trust me when I say that Buggy would rather die than tell anyone your secret."

Ace looked and felt helpless. But he had no choice other than to take Shanks's word for it, though that didn't mean he would stop worrying about it. He would probably stay up all night tossing and turning-

Shanks wrapped his arm around his shoulders, interrupting his train of thoughts, and steered him around to start walking back to the ships. "Kid, I got something that'll cheer you up," he assured.

Ace raised an eyebrow. "Really? I highly doubt that," he muttered, feeling upset.

Shanks chuckled. "Trust me, kid. Just trust me."

Ace watched curiously as Shanks pulled out a trunk from his closet. He waited until Shanks sat down and motioned for him to sit beside him.

When the elder opened the trunk he rummaged through many things before grabbing two certain papers. Shanks turned to face his student but paused. "Ace, if you ever want to see these pictures again just let me know."

Ace wanted to ask what he meant but stopped shortly once he saw what papers his teacher held. They were bounty posters of his father and mother.

The young captain glanced up at his elder before carefully taking the posters as if they were fragile. Roger looked so fierce and mighty, and his vicious grin reminded Ace of his own. Especially the eyes. Ace surprised himself at the happiness he felt when he saw their matching eyes.

He tore his gaze away from his father's poster to his mother's and he nearly dropped the poster in shock.

Ace gingerly traced her face. He looked so much like her. He felt tears start to form and blur his vision. His mother looked so beautiful and to think that she went through so much pain for him…

Ace felt a hand squeeze the back of his neck and he looked at Shanks who wore a big smile. It was probably the happiest Ace had ever seen him be.

"Your parents would be really proud of you, Ace. I know Roger- woah!"

Shanks barely caught the armful that was his pupil and chuckled, ignoring the sting of tears in his own eyes. He definitely was not getting emotional.

"Shanks, I don't know how to repay you." Ace's voice was muffled by his face buried in his neck. His arms clung tightly around his mentor.

The redhead sniffed and wrapped his arm tightly around the kid before saying, "You don't have to repay me. You have no idea how happy I am."

Through the rest of the night Shanks told Ace so many stories and showed him so many pictures, letting him see the family that he would've had if fate had been kinder.

The redhead even showed him a photograph of him and Buggy grinning at their work of a drawing they made on their captain's face.

But Ace's favorite so far was the picture of Roger standing next to Rouge with Rayleigh in the middle. They grinned fiercely at whoever took the picture but Roger instead was staring at Rouge, a gentle smile on his face.

How Shanks never saw that they were in love was beyond him. Ace could clearly tell they were through pictures.

The thought of his parents truly in love with each other stuck with him all night.

Yoooooo that's another chapter! I'm so proud of myself!

If some of you think the moment between Ace and Deuce was too sappy or whatnot, no offence, but I don't care. I'm happy with it and I wanted to show them having a funny and comfortable moment. They always talk about serious things and Deuce is always kinda serious so I thought I'd have a little fun.

And to those who are surprised Buggy knows, I suggest you go back to chapter eleven like I said before the chapter began.

Now I'm thinking about adding two bonuses in the next chapter. One being Luffy reading Ace's letter with the Red Hairs writing on it from chapter ten, and the second being Buggy figuring out about Ace.

Or should I just put one bonus in the next chapter and the chapter after that has the other bonus?

And for those who know about Ace's heritage it's Dadan, Garp, Luffy, Deuce, Shanks, Benn, and now Buggy.

P.S. I literally almost wrote Buggy's name as Buffy XD