Hi again guys :) this chapter's going a little bit back in time, but it did help me figure out some of the rules in this world.
First off, have you figured out that Ace has self worth issues? he's got them big time, and I'm pretty sure my Ace has Episodes of MDD. it shows a lot in this chapter.
Second, this Teach makes it a point to be one of the first positive influences for anyone joining the crew. whatever that ends up being. it's one of the reasons he's stayed under the radar for so long. Everyone has this general memory of good and nice so no one looks to notice that sometimes things don't quite match up. With Ace he's taking a special interest, and a more active welcome, b/c of his wild card status and the fact that he spent over 3 months trying to kill WB.
also i want to start answering reviews, so I'm gonna put them at the end of the chapter.
as always, if you have any ideas, questions, or concerns, let me know =]
Place: Moby Dick
Time: Right after Ace's 'Official' joining of the WB Pirates
Ace slumped against the railing dejectedly. Now what? He knew it was the best option. The only option. It would keep his crew safe, it would keep Lu safe. It just…. It felt a little like Ace had sold off his soul for that safety. Not that he wasn't willing to, a soul as tainted as his couldn't be worth very much anyway. Hell, Ace would willingly become the demon everyone claimed him to be if his baby brother needed him to, he'd just… never thought it would hurt this much. Ace felt Empty, and Numb, and…. Gross. He just wanted to curl up somewhere and just… stop. He was flushed and hot and the sea looked so cool and inviting and he wouldn't need to deal with any of these emotions anymore and….
Ace dug his nails into his palms and forcibly dragged his thoughts away from the Ocean. No, You promised Luffy. He had promised, he had lasted this long and there was no way in hell the older brother would go back on that promise. No matter what happened to him, he would not leave his Light alone. Ace would never let himself be the cause of his baby brothers tears again.
Taking a few shuddering breaths Ace drew his knees up to his chest and buried his face in his hands. Unfortunately this action caused him to push back against the railing. The hard wood dug into his bandaged back and Ace has to bite his lip to keep from crying out. It Hurt. It hurt and it was never going to go away. Fire Fist belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates now, The Old Man's Brand lay across his entire back. Now and Forever Ace was bound to the service of Edward Newgate.
Ace felt his stomach churn. He quickly turned and hauled himself to his feet. Leaning over the railing he proceeded to empty the contents of his stomach into the churning waters. Since the young man barley had anything in him to begin with, he was left dry heaving for several moments and the hunger pangs he's been ignoring came back with avengeance. Ace hadn't had an actual meal since… well since before he's fought Jinbe. He's been living off what he could sneak and snatch. Ace'd managed to avoid eating anything they gave him directly, who knows what was in it, right up until the Phoenix came with his 'peace offering'. Well, he supposed he'd be getting plenty of meals now. Eat in the mess hall proper with all of Whitebeard's other 'Children'. Sit down every night to a wonderfully perfect family dinner.
Ace slumped back against the railing again as slightly hysterical giggles slipped out. He was losing it. He was losing it FAST. Hunger, Sleep Deprivation, and Emotional Exhaustion were rapidly destroying his psyche. But maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it was what he needed to survive this. Maybe Ace should just let them make him one of them. It wasn't as if he could ever leave anyway, so wouldn't it be better if he just….
Ace's thoughts were shattered by something hot dropping into his lap and a huge thump as someone plopped down beside him. Ace looked down and sitting on his legs, was a sealed container of… it looked like some kind of stew. His stomach made itself know again so, hesitantly, Ace popped the lid off. A thick rich meaty smell immediately overwhelmed his senses and without thinking Ace scooped out a chunk and swallowed it whole. A burst of flavor raced across his tongue and before he realized it he was shoveling the stew down.
When Ace finished his hunger induced scramble a few minute later, he realized that somewhere in his frenzy someone had pressed a spoon into his hand. Ace sat there, staring at the utensil, not quite comprehending what had happened, until a voice broke him out of his thoughts.
"Feeling better?" it asked.
Still reeling, all Ace could do was nod. He must have communicated effectively enough though, because the voice continued.
"I'm glad. The first little while can be… somewhat unpleasant. And especially considering your… unique circumstances. But good food always help, no?" came the jovial question.
Ace finally looked up and turned his head. The man next to him was… large. Not massive like Whitebeard, but certainly larger than the average human. And there was a whole lot of black hair. He sat blinking for a few moments, not actually sure where to go with this whole situation. Finally he gave up trying to figure it out and just nodded again.
The man let out a booming laugh. "Well despite everything, you're actually doing a whole lot better than most."
Ace just nodded again. It was starting to feel like the only response he was capable of at this point.
The larger man looked at Ace for a moment, almost studying him. Then a comforting smile, (at least Ace thought it was supposed to be a smile) slid onto his face. "Let me guess," he said, "Right now you're confused, overwhelmed and exhausted, yes?"
Despite his determination to not show any more weakness Ace found himself nodding. Again.
"Right!" the man said slapping his knees as he stood up, "Let's go." He then reached down and hauled Ace to his feet.
The younger man blinked and spluttered a little bit as he was pulled down below deck, finally he managed to get out a 'Wha…?" Ace decide that whoever this was, they must have some sort of training in deciphering confusion because he got an answer.
"You have had food, now sleep, then we will be able to help you." Ace's impromptu guide responded. "There is a little room on the lower deck, off in the back corner. It's a tad cramped but no one will find you and I'll keep an eye out as well." The man nodded as they turned another corner. "You will sleep, rest and recover and all that jazz. Then I'll show you around. It's a large ship, There are a few side halls that no one uses that are good for when you need to get away from… for when you need to get away. Ah ha," he finished finally stopping in front of… a wall?
Ace stared, then turned and gave the man an incredulous look.
He was answered with another deep chuckle. "Watch." Then the wall was sliding to reveal a tiny, tiny, probably actually a closet, room. But it had a bed. An extremely soft looking bed. The exhausted boy actually took a step forward before catching himself. Then there was a large warm hand on his back, gently urging him forward and Ace finally gave in to his long suppressed basic needs.
Collapsing on the bed, he could feel his body shutting down on him and actually started to panicky at how fast he was loosing consciousness and at how vulnerable he was. He didn't even know this man's name and he's followed him all the way down here and now he was in this tinny closet and… There was a soft chuckle as the older man seemingly read his mind once again. "The door latches from the inside, you'll be fine until you're feeling up to come out." He said as he started to close the door. "My name's Teach by the way. Marshal D. Teach." There was a soft click as the wall slid back into place and as the darkness closed in around him, Ace finally submitted to sleep.
Review Responses:
Random Person - Well thank you for waiting and i hope what I manage to get out lives up to your expectations, or at least is fun to read. ;)
Anon - Yes, yes there is. :) and there will be a lot more so i hope that's ok.
EmperialGem21 - Thank you so much! and that's actually what the plan is for the next chapter. as soon as i figure out what that reaction is. ':} But i hope you like it!
Guest (1) - Thank you! It was an idea that had been bouncing around in my head for a long time before i did anything with it, b/c it is hard to imagine a way to have it play out. And No, Ace defiantly didn't tell Teach everything. The general idea is that Teach has been emotionally manipulating Ace to 'be friends' have sway over him. but that also means that Ace's insecurities and self hate have only gotten worse. His parentage is definitely something he never told Teach b/c your right, as much as Teach has messed with Ace's head, Luffy and Sabo hold highest priority. Truthfully the only reason Teach knows about Sabo is that he caught Ace on the anniversary of his death and Ace caved, looking for some kind of comfort. And the secret ability idea is cool, maybe some sort of awakened devil fruit thing, we'll see. =]
lostdog200 - Thank you for your dedication to this story, and i hope that whatever caught your eye enough to bust out praise like 'a black winged angel' will continue. =]
Icewing5 - Thank you and you're welcome. :) Half of me thinks the problem is that Teach is so good at playing his cards that I'm not actually sure what they are and the other half is convinced he's gonna drop them all over the floor and I'm gonna have to figure out from there. I'm a total sucker for Ace-whump too so you'll definitely be seeing it. Hopefully he'll get some time to be happy as well though. Maybe. ;p And i apologize for the grammar mistakes. i don't actually have anyone to beta this and I'm a little over eager to get things out that i haven't been taking enough time to edit after i finish writing. I'll work on improving that, and i'm glad you think this could be an interesting story!
Guest (2) - I'm glad you enjoyed it despite how messed up Teach is. There's nothing romantic in hes head at all, but you're right, Teach sees Ace a HIS. Kind of like a reward for putting up with Whitebeard for so long. i don't think this Teach really registers others as human, or having valid emotions. He knows they do, b/c he uses them against them, but they don't count. Basically he's looking like a textbook Psychopath. And you're also right that it's going to take some... persuasion, to get Ace to say yes. Just remember that this Teach kept Ace from forming truly strong bonds with the WB Pirates, so Luffy is his paramount. =] And SABO! Thank you for reminding me about Sabo! Yes, he would totally be able to throw a wrench into everyone's plans. If he remembers in time. ;p
Pokipo - I didn't intend for there to be anything really romantic between them more possessive like a Prize or a Trophy, but if it makes you happy to read it that way, go for it. :)