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Disclaimer: I forgot to do it and editing is annoying so of course I don't own One piece ( because Ace would still be alive and Akainu dead, burning in hell for all I care... )

Chapter 3: Friendly faces

Being awoken by a rumbling stomach was not the best way of waking up. Being awoken by the roar of an hungry stomach which sounded like an angry bear was downright frightening. But totally normal in the brother's household.

Ace and Luffy both opened their eyes and without saying anything, made their way to the kitchen. Ace took out the milk and cereals while Luffy flopped on a seat, resting his head on his arms. Heating up the milk was always the longest part. The worst two minutes of their morning. But well, cold milk was gross. When the microwave rung, Luffy opened one of his eyes, staring with interest as his brother put more chocolate than milk into their cups. Then he nearly emptied the box of cereals and put one beverage in front of his brother and took the other for himself.

Only the sound of chewing could be heard for a while and when the both of them had had heir fill ( Luffy finishing the box of cereals in the process) the youngest went back to bed and snuggled into the still warm covers. As for Ace, he took the cups, washed them and made his way to the bathroom to prepare for his day.

Luffy had taken this weird habit of getting up just so he could eat something at 7 a.m stating that missing a meal was not acceptable. Even if he took another one when he woke up ( at 10 or 11 a.m) and ate at 12 p.m... Meal were no joking matter in their household. Luffy would get cranky if he didn't get enough to eat, and a cranky Luffy wasn't funny at all.

Once dressed, Ace made his way to his tatoo parlor. It was only a fifteen minutes walk from where they lived and a ten minutes one to go to Luffy's workplace.

Thankfully Bartolomeo and Bonney would be there today. When he thought about his employees, he couldn't help but feel content with his choices.

Kid and him had met through an add Ace had published on the internet. Four years ago Ace was searching for people to work with, as his shop was booming, and Kid had applied for the position. They soon became friend as both of them shared a passion for tatoos. Kid had then introduced him to Bonney, a friend of his he had met in highschool. She was funny to work with as she was very blunt and always said what was on her mind. And her similarities with Luffy were astounding. Both of them held food in such a high regard it was funny as hell to listen to them talking about it. And then Bartolomeo was a friend of Luffy. Or maybe more like a follower. Bartolomeo was one year younger than Luffy and had always admired him for his carefree behaviour... Well, to each their own as they say. Anyway, Ace now had a thriving shop and three employees that were in reality close friends of his.

When he arrived at the shop, Kid was already there. It was the case most of the time. Kid was always on time, or in advance. It was a quirk of his or something. But he was a nice guy to hang out with. He had a sharp tongue, an unusual sense of humor and he was fun as hell to piss off. His grumpy tone was gold, really ! Despite his punk look he could be caring, as Ace had discovered when his world had fallen apart two years ago.

"Hello Kid !"

"Hi !"

"Barto and Bonney aren't here yet ?" Ace asked looking around.

"No but they should be there soon. Or else they'll have to answer to me."

"Sometimes, one can wonder who is the real boss" a voice full of mirth said.

"Hey Bonney ! Don't say that to him !" Ace complained. "His head is big enough as it is."

"I'm sorry, I don't have an ego the size of a planet," Kid replied evenly.

Both his employees burst into laughter. Fighting a smile of his own, Ace said in the most serious tone he could muster

"Come on, you have work to do, chop chop !"

Shaking their heads they huried to do their work as Bartolomeo and their first client entered.

His employees were busy cleaning up the shop while he washed the material. The chores were the most tedious part of the day but the easy atmospher made it bearable.

"Hey Bonney ! Are you done yet ?! I need the broom here and you broke the other one last week !" Kid called out, annoyed.

"Yeah, yeah !" She replied, her voice muffled by something.

"Are you eating again ?" Kid yelled. "God dammit, Bonney !"

Ace couldn't stop a grin from stretching his features. Listening to those two was always entertaining.

"Come on you too," he said turning to look at them, an empty mug he was cleaning in his hand, "Will you stop..."

He stopped as a loud crash sounded in the shop. Looking down he noticed that he had dropped the cup. What ?

"Are you alright Ace ? Are you hurt ?" Bonney said as she came closer, followed closely by Kid.

"I'm not hurt. I didn't even noticed that I had dropped it till it crashed."

"Well your hand is shaking, maybe that's the reason." Bonney remarked.

He looked at his hand and noticed that it was indeed shaking pretty badly.

"... I must be more stressed than I thought..." He said after awhile.

He took his hand into his other to stop the shaking.

"Or you're just clumsy," Kid said, picking up the shards of glass.

"What happened ?" Bartolomeo asked as he came down the stairs, having heard a loud crash as he was cleaning upstairs.

"Nothing, don't worry, I just dropped a mug. I must be tired. Not clumsy, thank you very much Kid" He said glaring at his friend.

"Just saying." He replied looking smug as he put the shards in the bin.

They resumed where they left off and the incident was soon forgotten.

"Oh by the way Ace !" Bonney said after awhile. "I heard your little brother hit it off pretty well with Law ? That's good ! Law needs someone like Luffy or he'll spend his life his nose in his books ! Both of them are so cute together !"

What ? He turned sharply to tell her to mind her own fucking business when the desperate voice of Bartolomeo rung into the shop.

"What ? Luffy-sempai found someone worthy of him ? Oh I'm so happy for him ! But ... But ... does that mean Luffy-sempai won't ever look at me ? Oh no !"

Bartolomeo then began to cry and weep and bawl. And it was just unbearable. Kid came up behind him and whacked him making him shut up.

"Shut your mouth, Bartolomeo," He growled. "Or I'll make you."

"But ... but !"

"... Bartolomeo..." Kid repeated threateningly.

The green-haired man seemed to not want to tempt fate and closed his mouth.

"And you Bonney, you should know better than to open your mouth. You know how he is whenever Luffy's brought up."

"Yeah yeah !" She replied, not really caring about what was being said to her. "I was just wondering if Ace had met Law yet ! He's charming when you get to know him I tell you !"

The pen Ace was holding in his hand broke in two.

"Or not... ?" She then said, looking wary.

"Bonney..." Kid sighed.

"You know this Trafalgar ?" Ace finally said.

"Huum... No ?" Bonney asked, looking at Kid for help. But he had decided to be unhelpful, simply glaring at her

"Bonney." Ace said scowling, looking at her angrily.

"Well... He is a schoolmate of ours ?" She said pointing between her and Kid.

Ace then decided to glare at Kid. So he knew this Trafalgar... and hadn't said a thing...

"I didn't know they were dating. Law and I... had a fall out. We don't really talk anymore."

"Liar !" Bonney laughed. "You tried to get in his pants and he refused ! Tell them the whole story ! A fall out ! How rich !"

"Bonney" Kid growled, glaring at her visibly debating between choking her to death and cutting her head off.

"You tried to get into Trafalgar's pants ? Urgh !" Ace shrieked, disgusted.

"What ? But Law's sexy !" Bonney interrupted.

"What are you talking about ? He's pale as a vampire, has dark beady eyes shadowed by too many sleepless nights doing whatever and an unsufferable smirk !"

"Yeah ..." Bonney said dreamily. "He's perfect !"

Ace couldn't understand why his friend was so enticed by this bloody scarecrow. Luffy was cute, Kid was okay and he, himself, looked good. But Law ? What a joke.

"Okay, let's stop talking about Law." Kid grumbled.

"Ah come on ! Bonney cooed. "You know you want to !"

She giggled as Kid tried to grab her, running to hide behind Bartolomeo.

"Tell me about Trafalgar, Bonney." Ace growled.

Better learn who he was dealing with before facing him. Know your ennemy, they said.

"And what do you want to know?" She asked, her tone full of mischief.

"Everything." He replied, heading to his office, motionning for Bonney to follow him. He left a disgruntled Bartolomeo and a murderous Kid behind to finish cleaning up.

Both Bonney and himself had a knowing smirk on their faces. As if they were about to plot the dismiss of someone...

Well. Bonney was crazy. That he knew. But to this extent ? ... Law was handsome and clever and handsome and wonderful ! And going out with a guy as cute as Luffy ? That was the B.E.S.T ! Damn fujoshi !

He hadn't learnt anything useful ! Traflagar had been a loner, spending his time studying or reading books, not dating anyone till he was out of highschool and even then, it had not lasted long beecause "the other guy was a creep and a jerk" – Bonney's words. He was gay. But Ace would be a huge hypocrite if he found something to say about it. He worked. Too much. Had little time to do anything else. "But he still find some time to spend with the love of his life, isn't that romantic ?"

Romantic ? Urgh.

He didn't like bread... Okaaay... and he was handsome and so dark and just ...! Ace's ears still rung because of the shriek that had followed this statment.

He was no closer than before. Tch. Maybe he should ask Kid. But... Hum, it might be better to wait a bit.

A knock at his door made him look up

"We're leaving." Kid informed him.

"Ah okay ! Goodnight !" He called out.

Left alone, Ace tidied up his desk and got up to leave. He suddenly lost his footing and slammed his right knee on the chair, cursing out loud. Thankfully, he had put both his hands on the desk to prevent his head from slamming onto it.

"I should sleep." Ace grumbled, making his way to the frontdoor.

He stopped in his track as he saw a flash of purple on his left, upon exiting from his office. Sitting on the counter as if he owned the place was Izo. Ace couldn't stop himself from feeling slightly annoyed. With how he left thing two days ago, he knew that he was bound to have a talk with Izo, but he didn't wanted to have it right now. He was still angry and hurt. His so called friends were just traitors.

He levelled a hard glare at Izo and exited from the shop, holding the door for the other man. Izo got up without a word, a strained smile on his face. He made his way to the door at a slow pace and once outside, Ace closed the door, leaving them both on the sidewalk. His friend looked at him warily, but Ace refused to even glance at him.

"Ace..." He began slowly.

Seeing that the man wasn't going to answer he sighed and resumed talking, leaning against the door next to Ace.

"I went to your house yesterday. You weren't there."

Asking outright where he was wasn't Izo's style. But well, Ace wasn't going to make it easy for him by answering, it was none of his business.

"... I'm sorry. For what Thatch said."

The silence stretched, uncomfortable.

"Come on Ace, talk to me," Izo pleaded, now facing him.

He tugged at his sleeve to get him to move.

"Ace. Please. At least come back to my place. We need to talk. I'm sorry."

Scowling, Ace freed himself from Izo's grasp and began to walk away.

"Ace !" Izo called out, following him. "Listen to me !"

"I am. We are going to your place. At one condition. Is Thatch there ?"

Izo looked relieved but still wary.

"No he isn't."

"And .. him ?"

"... Marco ?"

Ace nodded curtly, not trusting his voice.

"No. He didn't called at least."

They began to walk in silence.

The night was rather cold and the moon was hidden behind menacing dark clouds. Winter was slowly setting in. Soon there would be snow. As for now it was just cold and grey. Ace didn't like snow. At one point he did. But someone ruined it for him. No need to say who, really.

They had first cuddled under warm covers because snow blanketed the world outside and they shared their first kiss on a snowy day . Winter had been their favorite season. For four years. Four damn bloody years. The snow reminded him of what he had lost. This god forsaken snow.

His already dark mood worsened and Izo seemed to notice it but didn't said anything.

"You know," Ace said after awhile. "I hate him. No matter what you say. I hate him."

Izo stayed silent, pondering upon what his friend said.

"I ... I don't know what to say Ace. Really. Neither of you told me what happened back then."

A dry chuckle escaped Ace's life.

"Yeah I wonder why." He said, his voice full of irony.

"Tell me."

"There's nothing to say."

"Ace..." Izo begged.

"No. You should ask him." He spat.

"I tried. He didn't told me anything"

"Well. It's not surprising. He's a damn coward."

"What ?" Izo asked surprised. "Are we talking about the same Marco ?"

Ace sent him a murderous glare.

"We are."

"But... I mean... not that I doubt you or anything but... I know him and..."

"You don't know him as well as you think then." He hissed.

"Why would you say that ? What did he do ?"

"Nothing." He said.

Izo didn't insist. Ace's walls were up and no amount of patience and sweet talking would help him break them. He was so damn stubborn.

Izo didn't know what had happened between those two and it was bothering him. Maybe not bothering. Troubling would be more accurate. He was helpless. Ace and Marco had been madly in love with each other. They had been the kind of couple that couldn't keep their hands off of each others. The kind of couple that got on everyone nerves. But the kind of couple that was eternal. That was meant to be.

What happened was a total mystery.

They had met in college, seven years ago; Ace was eighteen and Marco twenty. Ace had taken History while Marco was a Business and Law major. They had met at a party and couldn't stand each other for a long time. But little by little, they had grown close. And , one day, even closer.

Their relationship had been a sight to behold. Izo had even been jealous at them for finding their one true love when Thatch was being his oblivious self.

They had fights for Ace was hot-blooded and Marco's calm hide a storm; but they always made up. Izo thought that they liked make up sex way too much but well, it worked for them. As time passed, their love grew stronger. Marco had even prompted Ace to open his own business, saying that he couldn't waste his talent in college studying boring courses. From then on they had lived an idyll.

And one day Marco had received a call from their father asking him to go to New-York to take over a part of his business. Marco had been upset and dead set on refusing but the week after he was gone. Leaving Ace behind.

At first, Izo had thought that Ace had done something unforgivable seeing that his brother had put an ocean between them. Marco had been the shell of himself for a long time. But had refused to say anything. And Izo hadn't been able to corner him or guilt trip him into saying anything. At that time Izo himself had stopped seeing Ace, not wanting to see the one responsible for his brother's pain.

He had seen him three months later, pale, gaunt even, huge shadows under his eyes. Ace had been the shadow of his former self, his liveliness nowhere to be seen. Izo had debated between going to see him or leaving, feigning to have seen nothing. Maybe Ace was now regretting breaking up with Marco. But some time later, listening to his heart he had gone to see him. Ace hadn't taken their break up better than Marco but refused to reveal anything, not believing a word Izo said. Marco was depressed ? Serves him right.

.

Izo had even learnt that Sabo had had an accident one month ago and was now in coma. Seeing Ace like this, so depressed had broken his heart.

Ace's flat had been a mess, empty bottles of alcohol littered the floor. There was drug on the coffee table. Hard drug. Ace wasn't himself. He was high all the time. And drank too much.

Luffy was gone, shipped away to do some kind of training Garp had the secret of as it was the summer holidays. Luffy didn't even know what had happened to Sabo as Garp had taken away his phone.

Luffy could have helped Ace. But he wasn't there. And Ace needed to forget. Everything. He needed to numb his mind. In any way whatsoever. So, he had taken to drinking a week and a half after Sabo's accident, or so Kid had told him. And to taking drugs two weeks after.

And Izo had been left to watch as his friend slowly wasted away. He had tried to talk some sense into him, even involving Thatch, but to no avail.

And then, one day, maybe after a whole month, all the bottles had disappeared from Ace's flat. His friend was working again. He was not smiling but wasn't as depressed anymore. Izo didn't know how it happened. And Ace hadn't wanted to talk about it. It happened a year and a half ago already.

He had learned some days later, when Ace had complained about it, that Kid had poured all his alcohol down the drain, taken away his drug and had been spending all his time with Ace so he wouldn't do something he regretted.

Izo had gone to see Kid. He needed to know everything. But the man hadn't been helpful at all, sending murderous glare his way as soon as he had seen him.

"What were you waiting for ?" He had spat. "Weren't you his friend ? Couldn't you see that he was in bad shape ? That he wished to die ?"

Izo had been shocked. Die ? Ace ? Ace had wanted to die ? How come ? Was it because of Marco ? Because he regretted breaking up with him ? No. That couldn't be. Ace wouldn't have broken up with Marco. Never. So Marco had broken up with him ? But... That didn't make any sense. Maybe because of Sabo's accident ? But his brother wasn't dead ! Or maybe it was because there was no one to hold him up with Sabo in a coma and Luffy gone. But Izo couldn't comprehend how a guy so strong could have entertained the thought of taking his own life... He had so much left to do.

"Such a friend you are." Kid had added.

"Tell me". Izo had begged. "Was it Ace who broke up with Marco ?"

"Humpf. It was the other way around." He had replied, a disgusted sneer on his face.

He had called Marco right away.

"You broke up with Ace ? What the hell were you thinking ?"

"Izo. Good morning to you too."

"Don't give me this shit. Why did you do it ?!"

"... It's none of your business."

And he had hanged up. And at every attempt from Izo's part, Marco hanged up on him. Even going as far as New-York had been for naught. Marco was not going to tell him anything. Even when Izo told him how Ace had been since their break up and about Sabo's accident.

"Kid helped him ?"

"Yes. I should have but..."

"No need to bother. It was Kid's job after all."

They were getting closer to Izo's house and it was high time as Ace was starting to shiver.

"You know Izo." Ace said as he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. "I wonder sometime. I wonder if I ..."

"Yes ?"

"... No nothing sorry."

"If there is something bothering you, I'm here."

"... I don't know. You're his brother after all. I don't even know why I'm still talking to you."

That hurt.

"I'm his brother but I'm also you're friend."

"You weren't back then."

"... I know. And I regret it. From the bottom of my heart."

"I believe you."

"But you can't forgive me ?"

"... I..."

"I know. I can't forgive myself." He murmured, a wry smile on his face.

"..."

"Come on, we're almost there."

Izo opened his door and they made their way to the kitchen.

"Tea ?"

"At eight ?"

"Yes ?"

"Okay."

They sat down, waiting for the water to boil. The silence stretched, none of them willing to break it. Izo didn't even know what to say anymore. And Ace didn't wanted to tell Izo anything.

Izo got up to pour them some tea and both of them nursed their mugs. Ace got up and made his way to the window. He loved watching the night life. It was so different. From Izo's window he couldn't see much. There wasn't any street lights here. A huge tree hid most of the view. He started to take a sip of tea when his arms felt heavy and he let go of the mug. It crashed on the floor, sending boiling water on Ace's pants. A little had splashed on his hands. He cried out and ran to the sink to pour cold water on his injuries.

"Oh god Ace ! Are you alright ?" Izo asked getting up to see the damage.

"Yeah, don't worry. It already happened today. I'm getting clumsier. I must be tired. Sorry."

"Don't worry, it's just tea, I'll clean it up."

Izo went to fetch a mop. Ace was left alone in the kitchen, cursing his clumsiness. Two cups in one day ? Was it a bad omen or something ?

Once the floor was cleaned up, Izo poured another cup of tea and they resumed where they left off, but the heavy atmospher was gone.

"You know Ace. I can't help you if you don't tell me anything. I know that you don't even want my help but... but you're my friend and I hate seeing you so down. Especially about my brother."

"... I ... I know you're there for me. I know. But. I don't want to make you despise Marco or anything. He's your brother. I..."

"Despise ?" Izo asked, taken aback

What the hell ? Despise ? Not just lecture but despise ?

"... Maybe not despise then. More like ... I don't know. I'm not you. I don't know what you'll feel."

"Tell me."

"No."

"Ace..."

"No. Don't insist Izo. I won't say anything."

As Izo was about to say something else the rattle of keys in the lock stopped him. The deep voice of Thatch boomed in the flat. As soon as he heard it, Ace stood up and looked warily at Izo.

"Hey babe ! You're there ? Look what I brought back !"

His voice was getting closer and Ace didn't wanted to see him. He stepped back, looking everywhere and searching for an escape. But it was too late.

Thatch walked into the kitchen and his eyes widdened comically, his mouth hanging open.

"Hello love !" Izo exclaimed cheerfully to break the tension, going to kiss his lover. But he stopped dead in his track as he caught sight of a familiar face just behind Thatch.

He looked back at Ace who just looked pale and fidgety. He hadn't seen him yet then.

Izo was suddenly very worried.

"Hello Izo." Marco said, smiling, walking into the kitchen.

His eyes landed on Ace and his face darkened. Ace's own fall; his mouth opening and closing without a sound coming out of it.

The silence stretched.

Oh God. Oh God. Ace thought. Was he dreaming ? What he imagining it ? What was this man doing here ? Ace wasn't prepared to see him, to face him. To feel his heart beat once again. To have to fight his own traitorous body which wanted to cross the room and hug the man. To feel the missing part of his heart coming back in his chest.

He should feel hatred. He should be screaming but... But all he could feel was glee upon seeing Marco. What was wrong with him ? What the hell was wrong with him ?!

His hope, as flimsy as it was, crumbled suddenly. Marco had barely spared him a glance. A glance full of disdain and resentment. Those eyes were once filled with so much love... Such a long time ago...

Marco was now glaring at Izo, as if he had been set up, while Thatch seemed torn between guilt and anxiety.

"What's the meaning of this ?" Marco spat.

A few tears gathered at the corner of Ace's eyes upon hearing this and it prompted him to react. He hadn't even aknowledge his presence. Did he mean so little to this man ?

He ran to the door, brushed past Marco without looking at him – a spicey smell he knew all to well permeating his senses – made his way to the door and ran away into the night.

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See you next time

Next chapter: Night out, lights out.