It's been a few weeks since Ace arrived in the Mirror World, or Kyōto as it's officially names, and he finds himself loving every inch of this strange world. It's a lot like an ordinary town, though reminds him of a time before modern technology. It's beautiful, humans co-existing with nature and strange other-worldly creatures that are painted in all shades of the rainbow, some even with patterns that flicker over their bodies. Ace has spent a lot of time running through forests and fields since he got here, as the town they are in is the only human settlement, and he thinks this is such a beautiful world. This world doesn't obey any of the rules the other worlds live by. This world is special, Ace thinks, and it never stops surprising him.
During the second week, Ace had met the head of the science research committee, a stern man named Izo. He had greeted Ace curtly, though his entire demeanour had changed the moment Ace had shown him Aratama. Izō is fascinated by the hammer, muttering about cosmic powers and otherworldly energies, and when there's an opportunity, he has Ace down at the lab, trying to understand what exactly Aratama is and its power.
Currently, Ace is sitting leaning on the handle of Aratama, bored out of his mind. Izō is pouring over graphs and charts with his dedicated team, too busy to even look in Ace's direction. Sabo and Luffy aren't even here, having been banned from research rooms since the first day. Luffy had knocked things over and while everything had repaired, he had been deemed a menace and barred. There is no way Ace is letting Luffy roam the world unsupervised, and so Sabo is tasked to watch him.
Which leaves Ace bored out of his mind. The last time he felt this bored was during one of Tsuru's lectures at the Shrine, on something to do with the technicalities of world-travelling. Ace has never been one to follow the rules, and the rules would never have gotten him to Kyōto in the first place. Ace doesn't do by the book.
Izō is still busy with science stuff, so Ace closes his eyes. A nap is always a good thing, no matter time or location, and he is prepared to get a good rest when the door bursts open. He can tell who it is without opening his eyes, and Ace grins as Luffy zooms towards him in his creature form, Sabo and Marco hanging back at the door.
"You!" Izō shouts, though he pauses as Marco steps into the room.
When he found out that Marco is the ruler of this world (co-ruler actually, but Ace hasn't seen the other one, so he assumes this Whitebeard is a strange, invisible man if he really does exist), Ace had laughed. He knows what powerful people are like, and Marco has none of the arrogance or controlling demeanour to rule this world. Still, it had been the truth, and Ace is surprised at how loved Marco is. And it is genuine love, something Ace never thought a ruler could have.
It's not that the people at the Shrine are cruel or harsh. They intervene with all the worlds, though, so they have to be objective. Do not get involved, is what Ace was always told, and he always thought he'd be able to uphold that. None of the worlds he's been to have ever captivated him, at least until this one.
It is strange to see a man who cares so tenderly for his world. Marco will do anything, Ace knows, absolutely anything, to protect this world and its people, though Ace thinks that is something Marco doesn't even know about himself. He has so much love for this world, but very little for himself. Ace doesn't know why, doesn't care to find out – he's not here for Marco, even if they get on well, and he enjoys Marco's company.
No. Ace isn't here to make friends. He's here searching, a hunt he began years ago. Ace is looking for Inari, for the man who raised him, and the man who vanished without a trace. It's been over six years since Ace last saw him, but Ace will never give up his search.
He is glad he gets on well with Marco, though. Even though he has Luffy and Sabo, it is lonely sometimes. Marco seems to understand his loneliness, though Ace doesn't know how or why, and they just seem to fit together nicely. Ace feels something deeper for Marco, something he doesn't want to think too much about, especially when he'll have to leave eventually, but he thinks that if he stays, something might grow. The thought scares him a little, but every now and then he'll catch himself staring at Marco as he's washing the dishes, hanging out kimonos to dry or even pointing out interesting things for them to look at, and he thinks that Marco could be someone he gives himself to entirely.
Ace clenches his jaw, stanching the thought at that. He likes Marco, and that's it. They're friends. Nothing more, despite the thoughts that linger in Ace's mind every now and again. They're only there due to the kindness Ace has known from Marco, nothing more. Ace has hardly had much experience with people, genuine people, so any kindness was always going to result in a small crush of sorts. The teachers at the Shrine were hardly going to do anything for Ace, and he's never been bothered chasing after people like some of his peers.
"Something funny's happening!" Luffy says brightly, changing into his human form and looking down at Ace. Ace thinks he's grown a bit taller in the time they've been here. One day maybe Luffy will rival him in height, though Ace thinks he'll always be a bit more of a string-bean than him.
"The station's opened," Marco says, and Izo hums to himself, packing the papers on his desk away and shooing his colleagues out of the way.
"I suppose you want Ace back then?" he says, and Marco nods, tight-lipped smile on his face.
"It's so cool," Luffy begins, and Sabo rolls his eyes as he joins them.
"It's like taking everything to landfill," Sabo counters, and Luffy's eyes narrow dangerously.
"It's cool," he repeats, poking his tongue out childishly. "Marco says it's only for objects, but I thought there should be one for people too because-"
"We can fly anyway, why would you need one of them for people?" Sabo says, shooting an amused glance to Ace. Ace still has no idea what they're on about, but he takes Aratama's handle and shrinks the hammer, standing up and stretching as he hides Aratama in his pocket.
"Something weird's going on then?" he asks, and Luffy turns back to him, nodding enthusiastically.
"Marco said we needed to show you too," Sabo says, tilting his head in Marco's direction with a smirk. It's not an unkind look, but Sabo is smart, and Ace knows that he's never been able to keep any remote secret hidden from him.
Sabo knows about his little insignificant crush, no doubt. Ace ignores that piece of information and instead plasters on a bright smile. He'll talk to Sabo later, probably, so why bother thinking on the issue now?
Marco leads the way, Ace a half-step behind him. They walk in silence, Luffy whizzing by with a cackle, Sabo choosing to stay behind them. He seems more interested in the science that's going on here, and Ace wonders if he can let Sabo join them for a bit. There's not much else for them to do in this world, at least while Ace researches, and Sabo is more likely to get helpful information here than stalking Luffy through towns and fields.
They step into the sun, and Ace has to shield his eyes for a moment. It's warm out, and his body relaxes. He always did do better in warm weather than cold.
"Look!" Luffy shouts, and Ace follows the direction of his paw. It looks almost as if there is a huge, bubbling river in the sky, and Ace narrows his eyes, trying to figure out what exactly is happening.
"The station opens once a year," Marco says, shifting to stand beside Ace. Their shoulders are barely centimetres apart and Ace can feel the heat radiating from Marco. He'd be a good person to share a bed with in winter, Ace muses lightly, cutting off that trail of thought straight after.
"Everyone uses it to get rid of things they don't need anymore, but it's also become a tradition." Marco's voice is low, eyes narrowed, and Ace can see there's more to this station that it just hoarding loads of junk.
"It's a portal?" Ace asks, and Marco nods stiffly.
"Only for objects," Marco says, and Ace can tell that's the voice of someone who has tried. Ace doesn't know why Marco wants to leave, but he can sense Marco's need, his desperation, and thinks it has to be a good reason.
"You might be able to use it though," he adds on lightly, far too lightly for him to mean it in such a way. This bothers Marco. Ace's abilities bother Marco. Ace wanting to stay bothers Marco but not for his presence. Ace is a constant reminder of what he can never have, Ace can tell.
He hums to himself, bumping Marco's shoulder lightly.
"Maybe," he comments, though Ace doesn't think the station will be any use to him at all. "But I haven't found whom I'm looking for yet, so I have to stay anyway."
Ace thinks he can see a soft smile on Marco's lips, but it vanishes before he can confirm it.
"So," Ace begins, ignoring the fluttering in his stomach. "Do you just throw things up there?"
Marco shakes his head, leading Ace to his moped, parked outside of the science institution. Sabo shifts as Ace climbs on behind Marco, flipping the visor to his helmet down, and soon they're cruising towards Marco's house, Sabo and Luffy above them.
If there's one memory he has to keep, Ace thinks as he tightens his grip around Marco's waist, then he wants to keep this one. He wants to remember Marco in front of him, Luffy and Sabo above them, and the wind sweeping the world away. They're not going anywhere fast, or in particular, but this little moped journey is their entire world. They don't think of gods and duties here. They don't need to think of responsibilities and trying to claw their way free of this world. They are what they are, two people making their way through the universe.
All things have to end, however, and they pull up at Marco's house, wheels crunching on the gravel drive. Luffy instantly takes off, shouting that he'll get rid of anything he doesn't want, and Sabo follows him with a warning shout. Knowing Luffy, he'll just throw everything away.
"I'll show you how it works," Marco said wearily, though there is a smile on his face, and Ace knows that he doesn't mind the multitude of things he's had to show the three of them over the past few weeks.
"It's about intent," Marco says as they walk through the front door. Thatch is holding a chewed-up ball, and he whines, pawing Marco's leg as they pass.
"Good boy," Marco says, crouching down to remove the ball from Thatch's mouth and stroke him. "We'll get rid of this."
They move out to the garden, Luffy joining them with a handful of sweets that he says he won't miss (or that Ace knows taste disgusting, gifted to them by someone back at the Shrine who had thought they'd try to get Luffy to eat healthily, giving him sweets that tasted pretty much like dirt). Sabo sits on the wooden deck, swinging his legs as he watches them. Ace smiles at him as he joins him, focusing on Marco as he holds the ball out.
"You have to wish for it to go," Marco says, and he lowers the ball to the ground, nodding to Thatch. "Like this."
He lets go of the ball. Instead of falling to the ground as a ball should, it slowly rises, aiming to join the small streams of unwanted items in the sky. It doesn't get to make its goal, however, for Thatch leaps in, catching the ball before it can vanish entirely.
"Here," Marco says as Thatch wanders over to Marco. He dumps the ball in Ace's lap, head resting on Ace's thigh. His brown eyes stare up at Ace, pleading, and Ace can excuse the slobber that now covers his shorts.
"I just wish," Ace says, rolling the damp ball in the palm of his hand. It doesn't seem too hard, he thinks, but he's never done anything like this before so he has no real idea. He thinks hard about it, trying to command the ball to rise, but it stays firmly in his palm.
"You're not wishing," Sabo mutters, eyes leaving Luffy's scene of delight as he sends sweets flying into the air around him. "If that idiot can do it, so can you."
Ace raises an eyebrow, glancing over to Luffy, and it clicks. He's thinking too hard. It's easy for Luffy because Luffy is all instinct. It's not about forcing the ball to rise, it's about wishing it gone.
"Okay," Ace says, and Sabo nods to himself, sliding off of the deck to wrestle a few sweets from Luffy, wanting to try his own hand at this. Ace turns back to the ball and takes a deep breath. He doesn't wish for it to float, doesn't wish for it to zoom off, simply decides that he doesn't need it.
The ball has no purpose for him, and he watches it rise slowly, Thatch's head moving up to follow its journey.
It's soon a speck in the blue sky, joining thousands of other specks. Ace smiles, looking at Marco.
"I did it," he said, and Ace feels proud of himself. It's not a great accomplishment, but it's something he did in Marco's world. He showed Marco he belonged in this world every bit as much as everyone else, essentially.
Ace looks away from the sky and to Marco, unable to help himself. He really does have a problem, he thinks. He seems magnetised to Marco, as if there is some unstoppable force that he can't fight. It's a pretty useless force, really, because looking at someone all the time doesn't do much. Marco probably thinks he's a little touched in the head.
"That's how the station works," Marco says, heading back inside. He returns with a small bin, full of odd bits and pieces, and he holds the bin out for Luffy and Sabo.
"I'm going to start on lunch. Here's some more things you can get rid of, if you like." Thatch barks at the words, digging his nose into the bin and dragging a few items out, running to pass one each to Luffy, Sabo and Ace. They play this game for a while, chasing Thatch when they run out of items, until Marco calls them in for food.
"I'll take you to the station this afternoon," he announces halfway through their soup, fingers ducking down to his hip, a gesture Ace has seen Marco make hundreds of times, and he's every bit as curious as he was the first time he noticed. "If you see anything you like, you can bring it back too."
Luffy shouts merrily at that, and even Sabo grins. It's been awhile since they got anything for themselves, and Ace thinks the station will be a goldmine of old, useless crap. And everyone loves old, useless crap.
The station front is always busy as it's situated right in the centre of the main town. People greet them kindly, most a little withdrawn from Marco. Ace sees a few blushes on the faces of passers-by, and he feels something stir in him, something that he doesn't acknowledge.
There are trains waiting on the tracks, steady streams of items loading into them. Marco passes through a sparse crowd, taking their little group to one of the trains at the edge of the station. It's quiet here, save for the sound of items clanking into the train carriages, and Marco peers through the windows.
"Everything gets loaded into these trains and then it passes through the station, never to be seen again." He folds his arms over his chest, leaning his back against the metal of the carriage.
"You can explore," he says to them, and Luffy practically rips open the train door to get inside, laughter echoing from the carriage as he digs through items to find something he wants. Sabo enters curiously after, leaving Ace alone with Marco.
"Do you not want to look?" Ace asks. Marco shakes his head, an empty look in his eyes as he glances at Ace.
"I tried using the station to get back to my world," he confesses, and the confession is so soft that Ace has to step closer if he wishes to hear more. "It didn't work," Marco finishes, and Ace looks away.
Universe travel is difficult. Ace has spent the better part of two decades studying it, and he's still not entirely sure how he managed to break through to this world. He's passed through the temples at the Shrine, stepping through doorways to other worlds, but this world is different. This world shouldn't be here, not really.
"I'm going to join them," Ace says. There is no way he can save Marco from whatever demons haunt him, and he doesn't want to. Ace has his own ghosts to chase, and he knows that if anyone else caught them before he could, he'd never forgive them. They all need to work on their own problems.
Ace is looking through a collection of shiny, gold buttons when Marco joins them inside. Luffy instantly presents him with his greatest find – an old pirate hat, raggedy feathers and soft cloth replacing his straw hat for a moment. His precious hat sits on Ace's head for now, shading Ace's eyes as he traces Marco's passage through the train carriage.
"So I was thinking of asking Marco if he can get me in with the science division," Sabo says, poking at the buttons Ace was looking at before. Tucked under his arm is a book, and while Ace can't quite see the title, it looks like an old book. Sabo's always been on a quest for knowledge, and it's no surprise he's picked a book out of everything else.
"I heard they were having some trouble with their latest project," Sabo continues, and Ace hums to himself, thinking of the monstrous machine he'd seen a few days ago.
"I don't know what they're trying to do with Bishimaru," Ace says. Bishimaru was the name Izo had given the huge robot, gleaming gold and slickly oiled joints making it the largest robot Ace has ever seen. He doesn't know the purpose of the robot, Izo had glossed over that probably with reason, but it has piqued Sabo's interest in a way few things do.
"I think," Sabo says quietly, smile bright as he slips under the safety of Luffy's straw hat rim, "we'll be able to use Bishimaru."
Ace raises an eyebrow, understanding exactly what Sabo means by use. Bishimaru is their key to getting home, and perhaps he can use it to help Marco.
"I can keep an eye on Luffy," Ace says, and Sabo nods thankfully, drawing back. He pulls a button shaped like a cat out of the button box, wiggling it in front of Ace.
"Go look properly," he says, and Ace nods. "There's lots of stuff you'll like here."
Ace does as he's told and starts sorting through piles of useless items, wondering what he'll find. He doesn't mean to, but he ends up at Marco's side, fingers brushing Marco's as they reach for a painting together.
"Sorry," Ace rushes out, looking at Marco. He pauses, stifles a laugh, and hurriedly turns back to the painting, trying to get the image of Marco in the pirate hat Luffy had found out of his mind.
"Luffy decided it looks better on me than him," Marco says, and Ace can tell he thinks fondly of Luffy. It's a terrible hat, really, and Marco looks ridiculous.
"It suits you," Ace manages to say with a straight face, though he isn't sure how he manages that. He does laugh a moment later, shaking his head at the absurdity that is Marco.
"Please wear it all day," Ace pleads, and Marco rolls his eyes. He keeps the hat on though, perhaps just to wind Ace up, and pulls out the painting they both reached for. It is a landscape, a mountain view, and Ace thinks it would suit Marco's hallway well. He says as much, and Marco nods.
"I was thinking the same thing," he says softly, shifting so he can remove the painting from the pile properly. Ace doesn't know the painting's story, but he feels a little sorry for it, for all the objects on this train really. It's not all complete rubbish. A lot of it is simply unwanted, and he is glad that people can sift through and take what they like.
Luffy comes over to them. He's absolutely filthy, and Ace doesn't want to know where he's been. He looks proud, though, and he holds out his prize. It's a map, a fairly old one, of Kyōto, of this world. Luffy loves exploring, and as Ace sets Luffy's hat back on its rightful owner's place, he glances at the beautifully drawn map. Luffy has adventure in his veins, Ace is sure, and he knows Luffy's more interested in where he can go than the details of the map. This map is his key, and Ace is happy for him.
Still, now everyone is waiting for him. Ace searches on for something, but he cannot find anything he feels is right. He is aware that the others leave the train, and he sighs, sitting down as he peers outside. He is surprised to see that the sun is already setting, and resigns himself to leaving empty handed.
Ace stands up with a sigh, dusting himself off and heading to the door. He moves slowly, hoping something will jump out at him. He doesn't know why it's shameful to return to the others empty handed, but Ace doesn't want to leave without something. His foot catches against something and Ace stumbles, leaning against an old cupboard, and his eyes meet something he wants.
It's a fairly small picture frame, simple dark wood and smooth glass. It's not remarkable in any way, but Ace reaches for it as if it's food for a starving man. He cradles it gently, thinking about how he will use it, and darts out of the train with a triumphant grin.
"Do you have a camera?" he asks Marco as soon as he steps into cool evening air. Marco turns away from the person he'd been talking to – an elderly woman who looks to have given him a melon if the fruit cradled in his arms is anything to go by – and looks at Ace, mouth half-open, sentence dying. He apologises to the woman quickly, and she shakes her head with a little smile, as if she's seen this before. Ace doesn't exactly get the look she gives him, but it fills him with warmth, and he steps up to Marco, picture frame in hand.
"I want a photo," Ace says, and both Luffy and Sabo creep closer. Luffy's in his creature form, and he floats above them, red fur brushing Ace's cheek as he peers down.
"We have photos," he says, poking his tongue out at Sabo as Sabo joins him, pushing him out of the way. Luffy decides to half-rest on Ace's head instead.
"We need one with Marco," Ace says, and he feels everyone stare at him. There is silence for a moment and he hastens to continue. "And Thatch. I thought it would be nice for all of us."
Luffy slides down his back until he hits the ground, shifting to his human form. He smiles, stating it's a brilliant idea, and any awkwardness vanishes instantly.
They set off back home, and Ace gets the important job of balancing a painting, his picture frame, and a melon in the space between him and Marco. Sabo carries his own book, and Ace is pretty sure he's tucked Luffy's map inside to keep it safe.
Thatch greets them happily as they step inside, sniffing at the treasures they bring with them. He barks as Luffy creeps in, and it doesn't take long before they are chasing each other through the house, laughter echoing in the rooms. Marco passes him with a smile, asking Ace to find a place for the painting, and slips into his room.
There is a perfect space in the corridor near his room. Marco's bedroom is at one end, the room Ace is sharing with Sabo and Luffy the other end. There is a perfect space halfway between the two rooms, and Ace collects a nail and a hammer from the toolbox Marco keeps under his sink, making quick work of hanging the painting. He's happy with his placement and moves to knock on Marco's door, hesitating as he hears the sound of rifling through drawers. He'll come back later then, Marco's clearly lost something and needs to focus.
The house is eerily silent for a long while after that. Ace sits in the living room, looking as the moon throws strange shadows over the garden. Sabo is lying to the side of the room, head buried in his book, and Luffy went to their room with Thatch to sleep a little while ago. Marco hasn't come out of his room since he entered, and Ace admits he's a little worried.
"Should I make dinner?" he wonders aloud, ignoring the snort of laughter Sabo lets escape. He's not the best cook in the world, but Marco seems busy. It would be a nice gesture, Ace thinks, if he did some of the work for once.
"You'll end up burning the house down," Sabo comments lightly, flipping a page in his book. "I know this world fixes everything, but I don't think Marco would be too impressed either way."
Ace hums to himself, resting his head on the table before him, eyes still staring out at the garden. This world has such a peaceful atmosphere, and Ace thinks that if he had to pick just one world, if he really had to, this one wouldn't be so bad.
"I wouldn't mind staying here," Sabo says quietly, as if he read Ace's mind. Or perhaps he knows Ace well enough to know instantly what's on his mind. "I know we have to find Inari, but if we got a choice…"
Sabo trails off, flipping another page. He doesn't finish his sentence, and Ace is thankful. He isn't sure he'll be able to cope with someone else articulating what he's kept inside his head. They can't stay here forever, especially if Inari isn't here. And Ace really should start looking for him properly, he really should, but looking and finding things means Ace will have to leave. He isn't sure he's ready to leave yet.
He's about to say something when he hears a door open. Ace expects it to be Luffy, but a pale-faced Marco enters the room instead, heading for the cabinets and shelves in the room. He spends time going through every space he can find, shaking his head in irritation when he can't find what he's looking for.
Something's wrong, Ace thinks. Marco hardly seems to notice them, passing from cabinet to drawer, trying desperately to find something. Ace stands slowly, walking to Marco's side.
"Can we help?" he asks quietly, and Marco pauses for the first time in ages. The tips of his fingers are pink, probably sore too from all the digging through things he's been doing, and Ace fights to not take his hands and inspect them.
"I-" Marco starts, frowning. His eyes clear a little, and he takes a deep breath. He seems to recover himself, and there is a little more life in his gaze when he meets Ace's eyes.
"I lost something precious to me," he says, and Ace feels his stomach drop. His thoughts flee to the image of a train, and he hopes, as he thinks Marco does, that whatever Marco's lost is in this house. "I can't find it," Marco continues, and Ace can hear the hopelessness and panic he must be feeling.
"We'll help," Ace decides, and Sabo closes his book, darting out of the room. He returns a moment later with Luffy and Thatch, and they wait for Marco to detail what they're hunting for.
"It's my tantō," Marco says, hands moving to his hip. "I keep it here, and I know I had it at lunch." So that's what the strange hip-touching gesture was all about then, Ace thinks, and while the circumstances are shit, he's glad to have found out the answer to one of his mysteries.
"We'll search the house," Ace promises, and it can't be too hard to locate a tantō if it is indeed in the house. The sinking feeling returns, though, and Ace thinks they all must know that it can't be in this house.
The house turns up empty, as they all expect. Thatch whines low in his throat as they come together, disappointment clouding each of their faces. Ace feels hopeless, but he knows what they must do next. It's late, probably reaching midnight by this point, but no one complains about the lack of food or tiredness. They have to do this, and it's not long before they're rushing from the house, all five of them heading towards the station.
At night, it paints an entirely different picture. The station is quiet, but it's calm and peaceful, not eerie. Ace feels relaxed as they walk in, heading for the train they'd been at earlier in the day. Thatch leaps in first, nose digging through piles of objects as Luffy and Sabo float, keen eyes trying to spot Marco's blade. Ace works outside of the carriage, wondering if the tantō could have fallen down on the platform, and Marco flits like a ghost between them all.
They're there for what feels like hours. Ace has bruises all over his hands and knees, his eyes are sore, and he is sure the twinge in his chest is build-up of all the dust he's inhaled. He sighs, trying not to cough, and looks up as a shadow crosses over him. The sun has started to rise, and it frames Marco in soft, warm light. He looks exhausted, but his desperation has changed to acceptance. Ace can see it in the sad edge to his lips and the downcast look he gives Ace.
"We should go home," he says, and everything stills. "It's gone forever."
Ace refuses to believe that, and he turns away angrily, digging through the pile of stuff in front of him. He thinks this is where the golden buttons were before, but he's not sure. He's lost track of where he is, but he knows he can't stop now. Not when Marco looks that sad, not when this means so much to Marco. Ace has lost things, people, and he's not about to let Marco lose something precious to him.
"Ace," Marco says, and Ace can hear a different breed of worry creep into his voice. He ignores it, shuffling to the next pile and scanning it. He can't see the tantō, but he thinks if he just keep trying-
"Ace," Marco says again, and this time a hand comes to fall on Ace's shoulder. "Stop." The words are firm, and Ace does still, though he refuses to look away, refuses to accept that there's nothing he can do to fix this.
"It's gone," Marco continues, and his voice sounds so tired. "We have to accept that not everything returns the way we want it to."
Ace can feel the words wrap themselves around his neck, and he stands slowly. He knows it's true, but he never wants to accept something so cruel. He doesn't want to accept that Marco's lost a part of himself, doesn't want to accept that he can't find something precious, and doesn't want to think of how the person he's searching for might have changed. There was a reason Inari left, Ace thinks.
He lets out a shaky breath and leans against Marco, eyes on the ground.
"I wanted to help," he manages out, and Marco wraps his arms around him. He is hesitant, Ace can feel, but sincere. He lets Ace know that it is okay, that he doesn't have to do everything, and pulls away gently. Ace feels lighter, by a tiny fraction, and thinks that if Marco can handle this then so can he.
Sabo, Luffy and Thatch join them, looking on in curiosity. Ace shakes his head slightly, and the air changes. Marco is still upset, but he's dealing with it. He might never recover from his loss, but he's accepted that's the way things are. Ace wishes he could be more like that.
It's a few days before Ace realises he can do something. He's seen Marco moving through the house like a shadow since he lost his tantō, and every time he sets eyes on Marco's shoulders, Ace feels a pang inside of him. He realises, though, that he might not be able to find Marco's old one, but he can give him a new tantō, a new memory.
Ace has never met Whitebeard. He's heard a lot about Marco's co-ruler, but he's never seen him. Whitebeard could have been an imaginary figure for all Ace knew, if it wasn't for Izō backing up that Whitebeard is indeed a real person.
He takes Sabo with him when he heads to the science labs. Sabo is more than happy to comply, and it isn't long before they're standing in Izō's office.
"Where can I find Whitebeard?" he asks, not bothering with small talk. Izō wouldn't appreciate it anyway.
"Whitebeard?" Izō questions, eyebrows drawing together. "What for?"
Ace tilts his chin.
"Private business," he says, and it seems to be a good answer. Izō smiles, flashing white teeth, before standing. He leans over to dial a number, speaking quietly into it, and his eyes shift from Ace to Sabo.
"You'll find him down the hall," Izō says, waving his hand vaguely to the left. If Ace remembers correctly, there is a room down there, but he never knew it was Whitebeard's. "Your friend can stay here," Izō adds, and he pulls a stack of papers from a drawer.
"This is some of the data we've gathered on Bishimaru," Izō starts, and Ace leaves with a smile, Sabo reaching eagerly to try and figure out whatever problem Izō is stuck with.
It doesn't take long to get to Whitebeard's office, and Ace doesn't bother knocking. Whitebeard already knows he's coming. He walks in as if it were perfectly natural, nods to Whitebeard and sits opposite him at the large desk.
Whitebeard is nothing Ace thought him to be. He's a giant of a man, easily over seven foot, and broad. He looks kind, though, and he smiles as Ace sits, his moustache reminding Ace of Inari.
"How can I help?" he asks, right off the bat. He's a kind man, Ace can see, though he has the weight of a world on his shoulders.
"Marco lost his tantō," Ace says simply. Whitebeard draws back slightly, eyebrows raising. Clearly the tantō is an extremely big deal, and Ace is glad he's learnt this only after deciding to replace it.
"I want to give him another one. One that makes him happy." Ace nods along with his words. He's never meant anything as much as he means this, and his sincerity seems to surprise Whitebeard.
"You barely know him," Whitebeard says, though it's without accusation. He seems curious, and Ace can't fault him for that. It is rather strange that he's going to such lengths just for a blade.
"It means something to Marco," Ace replies, shrugging. "Even if it was a painful memory, he still cherished that tanto."
Whitebeard is quiet. He nods slowly, grabbing a piece of paper and writing something down. As he passes it to Ace, Ace notices it is an address.
"The best smith in this world," Whitebeard says. "I'll cover the payment, do not skim on any accounts."
Ace smiles, takes the piece of paper and nods. He'll make the nicest blade he can, and he sets off for town at once. He opens the door, glancing over his shoulder.
"You're not what I expected," he admits, and Whitebeard laughs, the sound rumbling through the entire building.
"Neither are you," he comments, and there is a weight in his words that Ace can't grasp. He smiles and decides that's a mystery for another time. Besides, he has something to do, and he needs to get it done as soon as he can.
The man in the shop is nice, and he shows Ace some designs he's never been able to make before. There are a few Ace is interested in, but it's the last design that catches his eye. The sword maker seems pleased, and he sends Ace out of the shop, closing up as soon as the door's closed. He has work to do, and Ace returns to Marco's house with a smile on his face. No one asks where he has been, and life continues as always.
It's a couple of weeks later that Ace returns to the shop. The tantō is finished, and the shop owner displays it proudly. The handle is a traditional black, the sheath a deep crimson, the blade itself gleaming. It is a master's work, and Ace thanks the man profusely, handling the tantō delicately as he makes his way back home.
Ace has no idea if this is similar to Marco's old tantō. It could be identical for all Ace knows, but it had none of the terrible memories. Marco's been quieter than usual these past weeks, spending time by himself or at the temple more than at home. Ace isn't entirely sure why, but it pains him, and he wants to help. Maybe this tantō will help, maybe not, but at least he's trying.
No one seems to be in when Ace returns, and Ace remembers Sabo mentioning that him and Luffy were taking Thatch for a walk. Ace smiles to himself. Sabo always has the best timing.
"Marco?" Ace calls, and he can hear movement from Marco's room. He knocks on the door and slides it open when he hears Marco call him in. Ace is even brave enough to slide the door closed behind him, and Marco looks up at that.
At least he isn't going insane in here, Ace thinks, as he realises Marco is wading through a stack of papers. There's a desk light on, but aside from that it's dark inside, despite it being only around lunchtime.
"Is everything okay?" Marco asks, concern dotting his brow. Ace smiles, nodding quickly.
"I wanted to give you something," he says, stepping closer to Marco's desk. Marco nods, setting his pen down and turning around to face Ace, and Ace knows this is about more than a tantō. This is about Ace doing something, acknowledging that he can't just let Marco sit and be upset. This is Ace accepting he feels something to himself. This is Ace showing it, and Marco has absolutely no idea.
"I know your last one meant a lot to you," Ace says, shifting the arm that is behind his back and offering the small, long box to Marco. "But I also know it was a painful burden to carry."
Marco's eyes are wide, and Ace thinks he'll reject the tantō there and then. Marco doesn't, though. Instead he reaches out with shaky fingers, curling them around the box and taking it as if the blade would spring from the box and sink into his flesh.
"Ace," Marco says softly, and hearing his own name sends shivers through Ace's body. "What did you do?"
He opens the box slowly. The lid falls to the ground and, for a terrifying moment, Ace thinks he's made a horrific mistake.
"Ace," Marco says again, and he sounds as if he's about to break. Ace bits the inside of his cheek, unsure whether he should stay or run. Marco's next words still him. "It's beautiful."
Ace relaxes, inching closer to Marco with a nervous smile.
"I wanted it to be something you thought fondly of," he says, and Marco looks at him sharply, eyes sparkling. Ace doesn't want to consider what this means, but he can't stop himself bending down slightly, looking closer at the tantō.
"I don't think you should forget your past, but I don't think you need to let it hold you back," Ace says, summoning wisdom he never knew he had. Marco looks at him, then down at the tantō, handling it as if it is something precious.
He sets it on the table and looks at Ace as if he is something even more precious. And so Ace does what he always does. He doesn't think, merely acts, and moves until his lips brush Marco's ever so slightly. He's not sure it can be called a kiss and makes to move back, but Marco touches his hand, fingers skimming his wrist and curling around his forearm. It's all the permission Ace needs, and he kisses Marco properly.
As much as it pains Ace to admit it, they don't start snogging like horny teenagers. They don't fall on the floor for a romp, and they certainly don't confess long-term feelings. That isn't what this kiss is, and they both know it. Ace feels no disappointment as he pulls back, though he does know that he is ruined from now on. While the kiss wasn't that of romantic intent, Ace can only imagine what a proper, passionate kiss would be like.
"I'm going to find Sabo and Luffy," he rushes out, spinning on his heel and almost sprinting for the door. Although he feels butterflies and embarrassment heating his stomach, Ace also feels comforted. Marco hadn't pushed him away; Marco had pulled him closer. Marco had allowed the kiss.
Ace let his back rest against the wall after he'd closed the door. He closes his eyes and sighs. There's no way this is just an infantile crush that can be ignored now, he thinks. Still, he brought something good to Marco's life, and that night the five inhabitants of the house ate together, laughing and playing games until the early hours of the morning.
As he falls into bed that night, Luffy's arms tight around his stomach, Ace thinks that an unrequited love is fine, just as long as he can see Marco happy.