Hello everyone.

I'm very sorry for the very, very long absent from my side. Didn't have the time because my own life was really stressful the past years, found other fandoms I joined and was scarred becaue of one experience (it was horrible) and didn't have the inspiration to write this rurther in the past.

Found this on my laptop some time ago and thought: You should continue this.

And here I'm.

I've also started to post this on ao3. The link:

/works/22481683/chapters/53719246

If you want to support me there instead. My name on ao3 is different and I named myself: NubesAequum

Now, I hope you have fun reading the following chapter. Enjoy!

Wednesday, 20. October

Ace was staring at the screen of his computer at his work, his mind somewhere else instead of doing something productive. He was torn out of his thoughts when a heavy and big hand landed strongly on his right shoulder. A tiny shriek left his lips, his heart beating rapidly against his ribcage.

With his eyebrows furrowed and an angry sneer he turned his head to the culprit.

There, grinning sleazily at him with his tooth gaps and his eyes trained on him, was Marshall D. Teach. "Zehahahaha! Did I spook you Ace?" He laughed and asked, a strange undertone in his voice. The freckled male didn't know since when this started, but Teach has some fixation with him because of his father Gol D. Roger, who was one of the most successful businessman alive back then.

For Ace his father was a scumbag, who left him and his mother behind and with some more problems in their life than they thought. After a terrible car accident, which was actually a murder, he became more of a legend. Even though Ace wouldn't admit it, but his father did some good deeds for the working class people. And because he stood against the governments way of exploiting the poorer people in their society he was doomed. Especially after he made it public that he would find a way to change it and go into politics.

Unfortunately, it didn't took that long till his mother was the next one to die because of a disease which spread rapidly through her whole body and taking her away from him. Monkey D. Garp was the one who took him in and raised him mostly. That's when he got to know his best friends, he mostly called his 'brothers', Luffy and Sabo. They were also the ones who brought back the happiness in his life.

As he got older he asked Garp to change his name from 'Gol D. Ace' to 'Portgas D. Ace'. Garp gladly complied this request and since then Ace was known as 'Portgas D. Ace'. Still, he couldn't escape his past fully and there are still people who recognize him in some way, guessing correctly that he was the son of Portgas D. Rogue and Gol D. Roger.

And one of those people, to Ace's dilemma, was Teach. He's still new, even though he started working five months back. Unfortunately, he was quick in finding out that he had the son of Gol D. Roger standing in front of him and since then he bugged him with questions and proposals to get dinner together or go drinking.

"Yes, you did spook me, Teach. What do you want?" Ace was harsh, speaking to the other in this manner. Teach also noticed but didn't let this get to him and asked Ace the same question he asked three times in a month, hoping to get a positive answer.

"Dou you want to perhaps get dinner after work? I would really like to get to know you better. Since I work here we never had the chance to." There! There was the question again. Annoyed, Ace turned his head back to the screen and made it look like he thought about the reply, although in his mind he already got it.

"I'm sorry, I already have something to do this evening. Maybe another time." Looking back at the other he waited for his reaction.

"Zehahahaha! Alright, then another time. My humble apologies if I disturbed you. And as a side note. You should smile some more or you will get this angry wrinkles." With this said the other left to get back to his department. Ace watched after him before he went back to actually work on his tasks.

What no one could see was the inner panic in the raven. Hearing the last sentence from Teach made him think about the issue he had in his life.

Smile some more? I don't have anything to smile or laugh abo-

A sudden thought cam to the forefront of his mind.

Maybe Teach? No, this can't be. He is more interested in my father than myself. Oh, Gosh! What if this isn't far-fetched?

However, as he thought about it, it couldn't be. Teach was one of those people who met up with his friends, even posting it to social media, liking the attention too much as if he would hide himself. He got an alibi for it and at least to Ace he was out of being 'the someone'.

The rest of the workday Ace spent to get his things done correctly, getting lunch with Thatch and Marco and doing a meeting with another companies employees.

Before he realized the day was already over and today Marco kindly drove him home, in their dialogue pointing out that if Ace didn't feel comfortable with Teach bothering him with his requests he would make sure that he let him be.

"No, it's alright," Ace uttered back, while watching the scenery outside. "It's not the worst thing happening to me right now," he whispered afterwards sadly. Marco, who was now more concentrated driving, unfortunately didn't catch it.

On their way Ace received a message in the 'ASL' group chat.

Sabo: Tonight, dinner at mine! 06.14 PM

Luffy: alrighty 06.14 PM

Luffy: will bring zoro with me 06.15 PM

Immediately Ace replied back with a positive answer. Not wanting to be alone on this evening.

Ace: Noted! 06.16 PM

Thursday, 21. October

Ace was tired. He was nearly falling asleep on his desk, after the evening they had yesterday. After dinner they were playing some games and having fun, Luffy also telling them how Zoro got lost again on his way to work - who then defended himself explaining that it wasn't his fault that the streets and buildings were moving around. It was also the time when Ace could forget about his problems and laugh freely.

However, they all didn't pay attention to the time and it was already after midnight when they looked up to the clock displayed in the living-room, everyone of them scrambling to get home and get enough sleep for the next day. The raven though asked Sabo if he could stay the night and sleep with him in his bed to which Sabo only looked at him with an 'are-you-kidding-me'-look. "Of course you can sleep with me, dumb-dumb. As if you need to ask, sheesh!"

And that's how Ace spent the night at Sabo's. Although the night was short, the freckled male hadn't had a good sleep like this in a few weeks and he was glad that he asked. No nightmares and no moving and tossing around in his bed with his restless thoughts about an unknown shadow.

As he made himself ready for work he also noticed that he didn't receive any letters or something else. It was normal the he didn't get something for a few days, but every day that passes without anything from the unknown person made him feel a little better.

A big stack of paper hit him on the head out of nowhere.

"Argh! Who did this?" Looking up he caught Thatch standing there with the stack, grinning mischievously at him and putting the heavy load of paper on his desk. "Have some work for you, freckles," the brunette stated the obvious.

"Now, chop-chop, get to work!"

"Yeah, yeah. At least I do it in contrast to you. I know what you do on your phone under the desk." Thatch shrieked flabbergasted, looking left and right before bowing down to Ace and seriously looking him in his grey irises. "Don't tell anyone. It's our secret," he mumbled, emphasizing it with his forefinger in front of his mouth.

A grin took over the raven's gaze, his eyes glittering with evil intent. "I won't, but only if you could take some of this workload. Or else -"

"Alright, alright! You've won!" Sulkily he took some papers from the stack and left with a pout to his own desk. Chuckling quietly into his hand Ace went back to get over the paper.

The day flew away as usual.

His eyes were focused on his phone when he left the company after the ending of his worktime. A pair of black shoes appeared in his vision. Noticing them he only knew two people who wore these kind of shoes. Slowly, he let his eyes wander up to the face of the person standing in front of him.

He was clothed in an dark attire, dark blue fitting pants and a black coat. Underneath the black coat was a black turtleneck. As he reached his face a goatee appeared and a pair of lips formed in a sly smirk. Amber eyes were returning his glance, shimmering in a way Ace couldn't depict.

"Good evening, Ace-ya," he greeted, his voice as always deep and smooth and with a special tone underneath it.

Breathing out, the warm air building a fog in the cold evening, Ace replied with his own, "G-good evening, Law," with a sudden stutter and waited for the other to ask or talk whatever he was here for.

"My shift just ended and I remembered the time you take off from work. Just thought to come here and ask you, if you would like to get dinner with me?" As Law asked he took a step closer and wrapped both his tattooed hands around Ace's free one, his other still gripping his phone. They were cold in contrast to his own hand, but holding his delicately.

Ace wouldn't and couldn't say 'no'. Every chance he got to not being alone he would take and also going on a 'date' with Law – who would say 'no' to that?

Immediately, Ace nodded and gave a verbal positive answer after it. "I would really like that, Law."

Receiving what the doctor hoped for, he pulled Ace towards his car just parked a few feet away and drove them to the destination he chose for them to get their dinner.

It didn't took long and the freckled male saw the Baratie appearing in his view. It was one of the most popular restaurants in whole Grand Line City and one of Luffy's close friends was working here. Being the adopted son of the chef and owner brought their responsibilities.

Law parked his vehicle not too far away and both stepped out to make their way to the restaurant. Doubt made Ace's stomach heavy, knowing that getting a place at this high sought restaurant without any reservation was tough and impossible. "Law?"

"Yes?"

Ace started biting on his bottom lip, not wanting to destroy the mood but he needed to be realistic.

"I don't think we will get a table here," he finally let out and gazed at the other doubtfully. Law looked at him from the side with a knowing gaze and a confident smirk.

"Don't worry. I've actually organized a reservation for me and a friend, but he couldn't make it. And I didn't want to waste the chance to eat here in this high sought restaurant. It's a convenient that I drove past your work place and just thought that I could ask you out."

"Oh…"

It was kind of disappointing that Law didn't think of him beforehand and came to ask him. All of it was a coincidence it seemed.

"I actually wouldn't have asked someone else to come here with me, to be honest," came the reassurance for Ace's wild beating heart.

Stop, Law. You make me overthink everything.

With a chivalrous gesture Law held the door open for Ace tp pass through, who thanked him politely.

"How can it be that you and Mugiwara-ya are so different? He would have ran through to get to eat immediately." Law asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

Thinking about his brother's antics concerning food made a smile bloom on his face. "He is just Luffy. But actually we all three aren't really different when it comes to food," Ace explained and reminded the other.

"Please, don't make me regret that I've asked you," Law playfully uttered, before he told the waiter his name for the reservation. They were both led to a table more on the side, to have some private from all the other guests.

"Here are today evening's menu card. May I recommend you something to drink?" The waiter asked, giving them both the attention.

"Not needed. I would like something non-alcoholic to drink, please," Law aske and brought his attention back to the variety of diches on the card.

"For me the same, please," Ace requested friendly, making the waiter take a step back from the smile he just received. Blushing heavily he stuttered out, "I- I will be back sh-shortly." With that the waiter disappeared to get their drinks.

Law was observing everything from his place with his dark eyes, taking in the way how people react around Ace's actually friendly and cheerful demeanor. Though, recently he could feel that something in Ace's life or surrounding changed. Most of the time he looked more solemn and paid very good attention regarding his vicinity. It seemed to be like he was more jumpy, on the move like a scared cat getting attacked in the next moment. Now though he looked like he always did.

He stored his thoughts back into the corner of his mind, now wanting to just enjoy the time with the freckled face male.

After that they ordered their dinner, talked about their day. Law about some anecdotes from his colleagues and some annoying people coming to the hospital hitting on him and looking for excuses that they were sick, when they just want to see him.

"I don't understand why they want to be with me ad still try, even though I always tell them the same. That I'm not interested in them." Frustrated he took a bite from his dinner, his face angry and annoyed at the same time. Ace could only laugh and delivered Law the explanation in his head, his mouth faster than his brain filtering what he should and shouldn't say.

"It's really easy to see why. You're very handsome and attractive, Law. You just have this something around you. Being mysterious, cold and unapproachable. This strangely appeals to most of the people it seems. Oh…" Slapping his mouth shut with his own hand he gazed at the other, blushing heavily blurting all of this out.

"Why, thank you, Ace-ya. Didn't know that you would think of me that way," the doctor uttered with a smirk adorning his face.

"I- I'm just stating a fact," Ace defended and went back to eating, his face directed towards the plate of his dish, too embarrassed to look at the other.

"Hmm…"

Suddenly, someone appeared behind Ace and put his arm around his shoulder.

"Zehahahaha! What a coincidence meeting you here!"

Ace went stiff, when he recognized this voice and this unmistakable laugh of this stranger. Slowly, he let his eyes roam from the hand on the table to the arm, shoulder and the face to the owner of said hand.

"T-Teach! What are you doing here?" He questioned bewildered, his eyes looking from Law to Teach. He didn't feel comfortable in this situation.

"I'm here with my friends and saw you sitting here. You here with your date?" A leering gaze was confronting him, emphasizing the word 'date' and throwing a quick glance to the doctor sitting opposite from him.

"Tsk…," was the only respond he got from the doctor.

"Ehm… We're just here to eat dinne- "

"Yes, we're here on a date. My name's Law and we would like to be not disturbed any further." Law said, interrupting Ace to give Teach the answer, while glaring at him in an intimidating way.

Annoyed, Teach turned his attention back to Ace, squeezing his shoulder lightly. "What kinda rude company you have here. Then I'm gonna take my leave to not bother you any longer. Have fun, Ace." And with that he left the pair alone. Ace could finally relax, his stiff shoulder eased after the tight grip from Teach on him.

Concerned, Law bend forward, placing his elbows on the table and trying to get a look at Ace's face, whose got it face downed.

"You alright?" He asked, the worry also creeping in his voice. A smile crept on the younger raven's face. Hearing the doctor speak in this manner was something Ace experienced for the first time and would forever stay on his mind. Slowly, he looked up at the other and reassured him that everything's alright and that he was just surprised.

"Don't worry. I was just surprised to see him here. I-I just wondered why you told him that we're on a-a date?" Ace questioned, not realizing that he started playing with the napkin next to the plate. Law leaned back, taking in the posture Ace made unconsciously. Unsure, shy.

"I saw you being uncomfortable. Also it seemed that this person isn't someone you like to hang out with. It was easier to tell him that he was bothering our time alone together and be rude about it than telling him that we are just here as acquaintances. It could have led to him inviting us for a drink or to their table."

Ace took in what he got as an answer and nodded, agreeing to the last point he made. "Ye-yeah. You're right."

"Let us enjoy the rest of our dinner and evening, before I have to take your pretty face home and wait the time out till I could see you again," Law suggested, throwing a wink and a small smirk to the other, getting the bashful reaction he hoped for.

Embarrassed Ace sputtered out that Law shouldn't say stuff like that or he would think something wrong. "Don't say shit like that or I think you are interested in me."

"I was just stating a fact and complimenting you. I like looking at your face." He repeated after what Ace said a while ago, a deep chuckle following. They went through the last course and then paid respectively for their meals, walking out to the restaurant to Law's car and making their way home.

They reached home. Though, after Ace thanked Law for the ride he was held back as he was to step out of the vehicle.

"Do you need something?" Ace asked, yawning in his hand after this stressful day.

"Just wanted to say 'thank you' that you made this evening enjoyable for me after a very tough shift at the hospital. So, thank you, Ace-ya." The freckled face male gazed at the other's amber eyes, seeing something in them and just thought to himself

Go for it.

Bending forward he placed a kiss on the corner of Law's mouth, smiled at him and wished im a Good night.

"Good night, Law."

Stepping out of the car he rushed home and shut the door close. Breathing heavily he looked at the dark corridor, feeling a warmth spreading in his cheeks.

"Gosh, are you stupid, Ace? Why did you do this?" Ace scolded himself before shutting his eyes close and taking a deep breath and exhale slowly. Then he went to turning on the light and hanging his coat on the hook of his wardrobe at the entrance of his home.

Suddenly, the ring of his home phone resounded through his house. Quickly, he made his way to the living-room, where his phone was placed and reached for it to answer the phone.

"…"

"Hello?" Ace asked, but there was nothing coming back. Shrugging with his shoulder he wanted to hang-up. However, a deep, raspy and breathy voice was calling his name.

"Aaaaaace…"

"Hello? Who is this?" Ace asked again. This time he could clearly hear the hard inhale and exhale from the other side. Goosebumps were appearing on his body, a cold shudder was going down his back. His fear was going up and up, when there wasn't coming an answer from the other side.

Seconds passed and the raven thought of just hanging up.

"You're mine, Ace!"

Then a constant beeping sound came from his phone, an indication that the person on the other side just ended the phone call. With widened eyes he looked down at the phone still beeping from the receiver. His heart was pounding hard and fast against his ribcage. Ace felt like he couldn't breath in enough and tried to inhale as much air as possible, but too quick that he exhaled it at the same time out. He was hyperventilating.

Without another thought he rushed out of his house over to Sabo, he wasn't knocking but pounding against the door, calling Sabo's name from time to time. It didn't take long till someone opened the door from the other side. It was the blond himself. Surprised and shocked he took in the disheveled appearance of his close friend with a worried frown on his face.

"Sabo…"

Hearing Ace so desperate and sad made Sabo take action immediately. Ushering him inside he put his arm around his shoulder, throwing a glace over his own to assess the surroundings on the street before shutting the door close to care for Ace.

What was going on here?

He put the burn phone on his table, to not forget to get rid of it later. He just wanted to listen to his beloved's voice.

Sadly, he couldn't make it tonight. Tomorrow he has some important matters to attend to. The reason why he didn't have the time to visit Ace tonight.

Walking up to the only wall consisting of photographs, he let his finger follow the bone-structure of Ace's face on the best photo he could take of his beloved. Ace was smiling brightly from this picture, his eyes glistening in a way it automatically captivates you.

However, this smile wasn't directed at him today. Instead this wretched doctor received them.

No!

Ace was his and no one else's and he needed to remember it. With this call he just wanted to reassure himself and Ace. That he already belonged to someone. Maybe he should write him the next letter with rules Ace had to follow or he had no there choice but to get rid of them.

He needed Ace to stay faithful to him.

Or these people would be at the receiving end of his wrath…