Note: Hello again ! Thank you for your reviews, favorites and kudos ! I noticed that some of you wanted to see Marco burn at stake ... x) It would be a shame, really, he still has a part to play in this story ^^

PS: Next week chapter will probably be late and in a worst case scenario there won't be a chapter next week cause I'm in my third year of university and let's say my work is finally catching up to me... Sorry ! But the outline is done so I'll try to write it !

NB: Thank you again for your help, my vanilla ice cream ^^ This chapter according to her: she'll gladly punch Ace and Marco, hug Thatch and pat Law's back ( cause hugging him might be a bit risky)

Chapter 5: Let's start over

"What do you mean they can't find him ?" Thatch cried out.

"Well they can't find him !" Izo replied an edge of anxiety in his voice. "He was at the hospital and then nothing ! He ran away. God it's my fault."

Izo slumped on his seat, his head between his hands.

Luffy's call had left him shaken. He was worried. Really worried. Because he knew what Ace was capable of...

"No, it's mine, I should have called to tell you Marco would come..." Thatch sighed, rubbing his boyfriend's shoulder soothingly.

While both of them looked grief stricken, Marco was slowly sipping a glass of water, not having moved an inch.

"He's an adult, he can do what he wants." His face a mask of impassivity.

Izo glared at him and stood up to tower over his brother.

"You're really insensitive, aren't you ? I don't know what Ace did to you, or what you did to him, but seeing you this cold, it breaks my heart." Izo murmured before heading to his bedroom, phone clenched in his hand.

Silence stretched between the two remaining brothers in the room, neither knowing what to say. Finally, Thatch broke it, unable to stay silent for long.

"Don't worry, he'll come around." Thatch tried to reassure him.

He didn't like to see his brother and lover fighting. It never ended well. Yet he understood both of them, and couldn't decide who was in the right and who was not. Izo had the right to be angry. Ace was his friend and he was hurting while Marco seemed, on the oustide at least, quite alright. Still... if Marco had decided to break up with Ace, he probably had his reasons. He wouldn't have done it if it wasn't serious.

"Yeah, I know..." Marco sighed.

"You should just tell us what happened. Izo is simply worried about you. You aren't yourself, you know. You used to be more open. And Ace used to smile a lot."

Thatch wasn't known for his subtility so the best course of action was to shove Ace's condition down Marco's throat. Maybe that would make him react. Because deep down, Marco was a caring person.

"... He doesn't smile anymore ?" Marco finally asked in a quiet voice, looking anywhere but at Thatch.

"He smiles but ... It never reaches his eyes... He's sad. All the time, really. It's hard to make him laugh if it hasn't anything to do with Luffy."

"..."

"He hasn't smiled for real since you left."

"He hasn't ?"

Thatch nodded. He could see that it bothered Marco. He had learnt to read his brother quite well after all the time they spent together. It meant that he wasn't as insensitive as he wanted them to believe. His heart had not suddenly turned to ice. It was good to know.

Well, let's start with plan B. Thatch got up and headed to his liquor cabinet; he took a bottle of whiskey and two glasses and made his way back to the table. Pouring two overflowing glasses he pushed one to Marco and downed the other one in one go.

"It has nothing to do with me anymore." Marco finally said, looking at his glass an edge of anger in his voice.

"It has a lot to do with you though." Thatch said, voice devoided of any judgement.

"You're not going to lecture me too, are you ?" Marco asked annoyed, frowning, probably ready to storm out of the room. Thatch had never taken his brother for a drama queen but well...

"I'm not. I'm going to get you drunk and then you'll spill what happened cause I'm not as patient as Izo."

"Fat chance." Marco replied, raising his eyebrows and relaxing a bit seeing that his brother wouldn't bother him too much.

"Okay, I know I'll end up drunk before you but at least you can tell me what's on your mind and it won't matter because I'll forget all about it !"

"Thatch... You're ridiculous."

"What ? I'm trying to help you!" He replied, grasping his shirt near the heart area and pulling a face as if he was going to die . "I'm deeply wounded !"

"You know... You all try to help me but do you ever think that I don't need it ?" Annoyance clear in Marco's tone.

"We know." Thatch said reverting to being serious, a wry smile on his face, pouring himself another drink. "But we worry. If you won't tell us anything, at least let us worry."

"You have nothing to worry about."

"Marco. I know you. Izo is pissed so he probably didn't see it but... You're hurting too. Ace's hurt is visible but yours is more hidden. You have expressive eyes you know. When one knows what to look for..."

"I'm not hurt." Marco snapped standing up. He cleared the table and headed to the sink to wash the dishes.

"If you say so. But give me some credit. I know when there's something wrong with my brother."

"There's nothing wrong, okay ? Ace is a thing of the past. I don't care if he doesn't smile. I don't care, okay ? I'm done."

And after that he wasn't hurt ? Yeah. Did he think Thatch was an idiot ?

"Tell yourself that but I know what I saw when you looked at Ace... I don't understand but, please, make it better, not worse.

Marco remained silent and Thatch didn't probe any further

- Letting go -

"Young man. Young man ! Are you alright ?"

Ace's head was pounding like hell. He had trouble opening his eyes and feeling someone shaking his shoulder made him want to throw up. He batted the bothersome hands away and groaned.

"Young man, you should get up. You're cold as death. Did you sleep here last night ?"

The voice continued. It was kinda high-pitched and way too loud to be pleasant

"You know, there are shelters for people like you. It's not shameful to seek help."

People like him ? What was he like exactly ? His eyes fluttered open and he came face to face with an old lady who had more wrinkles than a rotten apple.

"Do you know where you are ? Can you see how many fingers I have ?" She asked waiving her hands way too close. It was a wonder she didn't slap him.

Ace groaned another time and closed his eyes again, attempting to sit down. Urgh. Sleeping on the ground was definitely not a good idea. His body was so sore, and not in the good way. And his head was pounding as if he had drunk himself under the table the night before.

"Do you hear me ? Can you understand me ?" She resumed, still waving her fingers in front of him.

"Yeah." He replied groggily.

"Ah I was getting worried !" She exclaimed smiling.

She had a nice smile. Full of kindness. Her eyes were even sparkling with happiness.

"Are you alright ?" She asked, her voice soft at last.

Ace was a little taken aback. Strangers weren't usually so kind. And especially with young men who slept in parks... Yet here was this woman, trying to help him out.

"Yes... Thank you." He said at last. Manners were, after all, a necessity in this kind of situation.

"I'm glad ! I thought you were dead ! You gave me quite the scare !" She said, still smiling.

"... Sorry about that."

"No worries young man. It takes more to give this woman a heart attack !" She proclaimed quite proudly. "But what were you doing here ? There are shelter for homeless people. You shouldn't stay outside, especially now that it's getting cold ! You could die in your sleep !"

Die in his sleep ? Well surely it would be less painful than anything else and less tiring than waiting for death to take him...

"Are you sure you're alright ?" She asked once again.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for waking me up." He replied. He had probably zoned out. He was so tired...

"Anyway, think about the shelters young man. They can help you." She went at it again.

"I'm not homeless." Ace snapped. God this woman was kind and everything but couldn't she stop bothering him ?

"Why were you sleeping oustide then ? You don't have to pretend... it happens. Life is hard to everyone."

"I know that life is hard !" He could feel his temper rise. "I was sleeping here because I fell asleep here last night. I have a flat, I have a job, I have money."

The old woman stayed silent and Ace suddenly felt guilty. She was just trying to be kind and he had the nerve to get angry and be disrespectful.

"I'm sorry for my behaviour." He said, standing up shakily and bowing.

"No, no. I should apoligize for assuming you were homeless. But you have a family waiting for you then ? They must be worried no ?"

Would Luffy be worried ? Probably. After all he did ran from the hospital... And Law had surely told him Ace had been crying. He knew he had to go home, at least to reassure his brother that he was alright. What a lousy big brother he was...

"Yes. I think I should head home. Thank you for waking me up." He said bowing once again.

The elderly woman smiled and turned back heading toward the bench overlooking the city. He noticed she had a bag full of seeds. She was most likely here to feed the birds.

Ace then processed to go back home. He was feeling slightly better. He did not feel like running in Marco's arms anymore. It had just been a lapse in judgement. Nothing more, really. Now, he was sure that if he were to see Marco again, he would punch him. Surely.

Still, he was a bit angry at himself. Once again, as things turned sour, he had looked for Sabo. He sighed, shaking his head and, all of a sudden, slapped himself with both hands twice, as if to wake himself up. He needed to get back on tracks. He couldn't cling at the straws of his past. He couldn't cling to the idea of a better future. He had seen for himself that Marco despised him. So he needed to move on. He did not have any choice now.

Easier said than done.

But he would. It had lasted long enough. He had cried enough. He had waited long enough.

- Letting go -

The jingle of keys made Luffy perk up and, when the front door opened, he made his way to the corridor as quickly as he could, jumping on his brother.

"Ace ! Ace !" He cried out, fat tears running down his cheeks. "I was so worried ! So, so worried ! I thought – I thought something had happened to you ! Ace !"

Ace nearly lost his footing but managed to hold himself upright gripping the front door handle.

"Luffy..." He murmured, stroking his brother's hair in a soothing gesture, suddenly feeling guilty.

He did feel guilty quite often this days but he wouldn't need to lie anymore. He had decided to move on. No problems, no lies.

Suddenly, Luffy went slack and before Ace could react, Trafalgar had caught the younger man and was now carrying him bridal style. As Ace was about to lash out at Law, the surgeon put a finger against his lips to silence Ace and looked pointedly at Luffy who was sleeping. He then went to Luffy's room and laid the young man down on the bed, kissing his forehead.

Ace marched behind him and as soon as he saw this affectionate gesture snarled and pushed Law aside, taking his spot next to his brother, sitting on the floor and petting his hair lovingly.

"He was worried." Law said leaning against the wall near the door. "He did not sleep all night."

"God, leave me alone Trafalgar !" Snapped Ace, petting his brother head still.

"Not when you're hurting him !" He replied in a cold voice.

"I'm not." Ace could feel his temper rise. He just got home, he was tired, aching, guilty and this man still bothered him ? God couldn't he just go home and leave them alone ? Was it too much to ask ? He felt shameful enough. He did not need the beast to tell him he had hurt Luffy. He knew it already. His guilt felt like a vice squeezing his heart and it left him feeling light headed. He just needed to stay with Luffy. It was all he wanted.

"Lying to him, disapearing, is that how you're not hurting him ?" He asked, disbelief clear in his voice

"Shut up !"

Luffy stirred and Ace closed his mouth, shushing his little brother with cooing sounds.

"I care about him." Law resumed.

Ace glared.

"And I want him to be happy."

"I want him to be happy too ! Who do you take me for ?"

"I don't take you for anything. I'm just a bystander. Still, he suffers from your silence."

"He'll suffer more if I were to confide in him."

"You don't know that."

"Don't meddle in our lives. I know what's best for my brother. And you obviously don't. As you said, you're a bystander."

Law's displeasure was clear on his face and it seemed to take a lot of him not to just punch Ace and be done with it. But he had promised Luffy. And he did not break his promises.

"Come on" Law growled, his temper showing. "We need to talk and we can't do it here."

Law motioned for him to follow and left the room.

"I'm sorry Lu... I didn't want to make you worry." Ace murmured, kissing his brother's forehead gently.

He got up and made his way to the living room. So Trafalgar wanted to talk. Either to gain his favours – but that certainly wouldn't end well – or to fight. And Ace was more than ready to put his fist in the beast's face. And to throw him out of his home.

"So you wanted to talk." Ace drawled upon entering the room. "Then talk."

"Can you stop being so childish ?" Law growled levelling a hard stare at him.

Law was angry. Seeing Luffy as worried as he had been last night had shaken him. Luffy was the kind of person who was full of life, always laughing or up to some mischief. Yet, yesterday, as they waited for Ace, he had been so sad, so grief stricken it had pierced Law's heart. And Ace's apparent detachment wasn't helping.

"I understand that you try to protect him by antagonizing me."

Ace opened his mouth as if to cut Law but the surgeon didn't let him.

"Wait. Let me talk. Then I'll listen to you. I understand. You're his big brother. Still, most brothers will content themselves with giving the shovel talk and be done with it. But you don't. You want me to break up with him. Why ?"

"You're not good for him !" Ace yelled. Of course he wasn't going to let this beast have his little brother.

"Why is that ? You don't know me."

"You don't have time for him and you'll leave once you're bored with him !"

"Like I said, you don't know me." Law repeated. Arguing with this brick of wall was definitely delightful.

"But I know of you."

"Oh. And tell me what do you know ?" Law asked darkly, visibly not amused by what Ace was implying.

Ace was getting nowhere and he shoud realise that his excuses were flimsy at best. But no, he was too stubborn to know when to quit. Law was getting increasingly pissed off even if he remained stone-faced. He needed to keep his temper in check. Punching his lover's brother wasn't the solution. Even if said brother was a pain in the ass. To put it mildly.

Silence met his question and Law scoffed.

"I like Luffy. He is naive, sweet, he smiles a lot. He's everything I'm not. I'm a cold bastard, I'm aware of that fact and it doesn't bother me as I don't really care about other people. But Luffy makes me better. He is someone unique."

Honesty shone in Trafalgar's eyes and Ace narrowed his eyes. Did he think he would buy his act ? That he would be convinced by a few words ? Words were just words. They could be used to lie. And he was sure the beast usually deceived all his preys with sweet words... but – but he seemed honest. And that was something he had to watch out for. Cause he surely was a two-faced bastard.

"But he doesn't need you." He said bluntly, glaring at Law.

"Maybe. I'm pratically sure I don't deserve him, especially when he smiles at me but... I won't let him go. Ever."

The same honesty was shining in the beast's eyes. The beast wasn't budging. It stood firm on his feet. Ace's resolve faltered. He could almost see love in its eyes. Was it really love ? Law stood his ground against Ace's anger, professing again and again his affection for his little brother...

"Do you... Do you love him ?" Ace stuttered.

"I do." Sincerity sparkling in his dark eyes.

His words felt like a blow, almost making him gasp aloud. He could tell, really, that Law wasn't lying. That he probably did love Luffy. That he would probably cherish him. Ace remembered what it felt like and he could only wish for Luffy's hapiness...

"... I still don't accept you. You'll break his heart one day." He said in a quiet voice, his anger having finally deflated.

"Or he'll break mine, seeing how underserving I am." Law, said bluntly.

"You'll hurt him." Ace insisted.

"Never." His voice, as well as his feelings, unwavering.

Ace could see Law was sincere and he knew, deep down, that Luffy wouldn't date suspicious people. His brother was naive but he was also a good judge of character. So what to do ?

"You know, Ace-ya, I won't ask you to accept me. Anyway, know that if you make him choose, it will hurt him." Law added, needing to make Ace understand that his decision regarding their relationship would affect Luffy.

Law was right, even if it was hard to admit it. Luffy would probably come to hate him if he asked him to break up with Law... But if it was for his own good... Yet, in a way, would he, himself, have done it, had Luffy asked him to break up with Marco ? Probably not. Definitely not. Even if he would have been right in the long run. Anyway... it wasn't about him and Marco here.

"Anyway, you should call Izo. He was worried." Trafalgar said flatly, deciding their conversation was over and wanting to go back to Luffy and maybe sleep a little. It was nearly 10 a.m and he hadn't slept in more than 24 hours. And he worked at 6 p.m. It was going to be a long night. Maybe he could ask someone to exchange shift with him... Ace's voice broke his train of thoughts.

Dread had filled Ace's mind. "He called ? What did he say ?"

Law looked at him, his face impassive.

"We called as we did not know where you were. He told us you came face to face with someone named Marco and ran away. Luffy told me he was your lover."

"He was." Ace spat after a short while, his tone dripping with anger.

Why had Izo told them about Marco ? What right had he to meddle once again ?

"Is this because he broke your heart that you think I'll do the same ?" Law wondered, his voice flat and his face totally emotionless.

"That has nothing to do with anything !" He snapped, standing up, anger swirling in his eyes.

God dammit. This man was definitely pissing him off. Just as he was about to accept him, or to tolerate him, he had to show his true colors. He couldn't trust him, that was for sure. Just seeing his face made him angry. What was good about someone who had such a poker face ? There was no way to know if he was telling the truth... He suddenly recalled he had thought the same of a certain someone a long time ago before being able to see the little changes on his face. Before being able to read him... He clicked his tongue at his own foolishness for once again letting his thoughts stray and decided to make some coffee.

"It has everything to do with it. I'm not this Marco."

"I know you aren't !" He shouted; "Do you think I'm stupid ?"

"Yes. But mostly heartbroken." He stated bluntly.

Ace stood flabbergasted. What was that ?

He turned to face Law and snarling, he lunged at him. This man got on his nerves so bad. Ace would love to knock him down a peg or two... He aimed a punch at Law's jaw knowing that seeing an ugly bruise on this bastard's face would definitely make his day.

"Ace ?" Luffy's sleepy voice made him stop abruptly. He turned his head slightly to look at his brother and opened his mouth to speak. It was sufficent for Law to take the upper hand. He grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back, made him trip and land on the ground, his knee on the small of Ace's back

"Law ?" Luffy said yawning. "If you were fighting you could have woken me up ! I so want to fight too !" He said smiling, already bouncing on the ball of his feet.

"We weren't Luffy." Law said standing up, brushing his knees with the back of his hands. "I was simply semonstrating my point to Ace-ya but we're done."

"Kill-joy." Luffy pouted but still got closer to hug his lover.

Twin smiles full of complicity and affection stretched their features.

Luffy then began to nudge Ace in the stomach with his foot as his brother was still down, his ego trampled by the beast.

"Come on, get up Ace ! Sleeping on the floor is lame !" Luffy said.

Ace grumbled and rose, glaring at Law with as much hatred as he could muster.

"Where were you last night?" Luffy suddenly asked. " And what happend to your forehead ?"

Ace's head snapped back to look at Luffy. He had some explaining to do but... What about his forehaed ? He prodded it carefully and surprisingly it stung.

"There's a huge bruise and a little bit of blood." Law stated, his voice still flat and uncaring.

Figure he would be a surgeon and not a nice doctor. He probably enjoyed cutting people open and not having to bother with "bed-side manners". But this bruise... Ah yes. That must have happened last night... Ace let out a strained laugh, rubbing the back of his head in an embarassed gesture.

"Well I slept at a friend's home and a carpet got in my way... so I stumbled and hit my head on the coffee table..."

"Did you go to the hospital ? You could be concused or have brain damages." Law stated.

Ace didn't think Law meant it as an insult as Luffy was in the room but still, he couldn't be so sure with this beast.

"It's alright. I don't need to go to the hospital. I'll just wash it and put band-aid on it or something."

"Who was your friend ?" Luffy resumed his interrogation, stone-faced.

It was rare to see Luffy so serious. To be the one to put such an expression on his baby brother face...

"Jimbei." Ace blurted out.

No time to reflect or he would get caught lying. He was, after all, a lousy liar.

"Jimbei ? What were you doing with him ? I thought he was out of town !"

"He came back for a day. He's already gone."

Better not to talk a lot otherwise he wouldn't see the end of his lie and at one point or an other he would contradict himself. Or Jimbei would...

"Oh... You should have told me ! I would have come with you ! Did you you know he is a police officer ? And he is so big ! Like this big !" Luffy began to babble and make wide gestures at Law.

"Well I'll call Izo." Ace said quickly, intending to leave Luffy while he was side-tracked. No need to tempt fate by staying.

"Okay !" Luffy beamed and then his face feel. "Are you okay... he told me... if you want to talk or..."

"Yeah don't worry." Ace forced himself to smile. " I don't care about this bastard. I left because I didn't want to go to jail for punching him. You know I lose my temper quickly." He finished letting out a slightly strained laugh.

Luffy's smile came back but not as wide as before.

"Okay, I'll be in my room." Ace said quickly before Luffy could interrogate him further.

Without waiting for an answer he left the room.

He closed his bedroom door, took out his phone and called Izo.

"Ace ?" Izo's voice sounded frantic in the receiver. "Is that you ? Oh God ! I was so worried ! Luffy called ! Where were you ? I'm so sorry !" His voice dripped with anguish and guilt. Still, Ace's anger couldn't be abated by a few words.

"Izo." He cut him.

"I didn't know Marco was going to be there ! I swear ! I'm really sorry ! I mean..." Izo went one, spouting apoligies that Ace didn't feel like hearing.

"Izo!" He snapped to make him shut up.

His friend stopped suddenly and a strain laugh escaped him.

"Sorry. I'm just relieved that you're alright."

"Yeah. I did not intended to worry you." He said flatly, not apoligizing. He didn't feel like doing it. "You told Luffy that I ran away. Why ?" He gritted out after a short lull in the conversation.

Izo probably sensed his anger

"What should I have said ? We were worried ! I didn't know where you were or what you were doing ! I had to tell him !" He replied, defensively.

"No ! You had no right !" Ace bursted out, deciding that keeping his temper in check was no longer necessary.

Izo was always meddling. And now it was the final straw. Ace was beyong pissed.

"He would have discovered it ! I needed to tell him ! What if something had happened to you ?" Izo shouted, visibly quite angry too.

"You had no right ! Now Luffy worries over something that I had decided to put behind me !"

"He was already worried ! You can't keep him out of your life ! He cares about you ! We care about you !"

"Oh, you do ?" Ace's voice sickly sweet. "Then leave me alone Izo. You're pissing me off."

And he hanged up.

TBC

- Letting go -

Note: Hope you enjoyed ! Feel free ( reeeally free ) to leave a comment ! I like to know what you think ! If you want to punch Marco and Ace or hug them both !

Not much on his disease but it will come up shortly !

See you (hopefully) next week !

Next chapter: Take a deep breath (and fall)