Disclaimer : I claim no rights to the anime One Piece.

Current Song : LIVE! LIVE! LIVE! - by Noriyuki Iwadare - Grandia II Soundtrack.

"People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that's bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they're afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain." - Jim Morrison.

Chapter Ten : Diving.

Antaeus let the water flow over him, sighing as the hot water soothed his aching muscles. Reaching up, he scrubbed his face and ran his hand through his soaking hair. Letting his arm fall back to his side, Antaeus leaned against the tile wall and wrapped an arm around his waist, letting the water wash the soap off his body and shampoo from his hair and eyes. Vaguely, he could hear Ace's deep voice and Robin soothing one, most likely trying to placate the Pirate King. Antaeus huffed, closing his eyes and allowing the voices to drift away. It wasn't his problem that Ace was so angry. Opening his eyes to half-mast, Antaeus smiled, albeit sadly, and thought about how childish he was being and how unfair he was being to Ace.

It wasn't Ace's fault he was feeling the way he was nor was it Ace's fault that he lost his memory. It wasn't neither of their faults really, but knowing that didn't make Antaeus feel any better about the situation he found himself in now. How could Ace, no, how could anyone expect him just to accept the fact that he was the husband of the Pirate King and live happily ever after?

Life didn't work that way, he didn't work that way. The old him probably would have, but currently he couldn't even remember the old him. He couldn't remember anything but Ace's marriage proposal and the sounds of a ship being destroyed.

Knocking his head back against the tiles, Antaeus ignored the tears sliding down his cheeks as he allowed his body to slide to the shower floor, wincing when his ankle and broken arm protested the movements. Burying his face in his free hand, Antaeus let out a small sob before soon enough his entire body was shaking, he quickly bit his lip to stifle the noise. He didn't need Ace or Robin rushing in when if they heard him crying like a child.

This wasn't fair. What was he going to do now? What did they expect him to do? It wasn't fair of them. It was fair of Ace to make him go through this. Removing his hand from his mouth, Antaeus took a deep shuddering breath, shivering when the now cold water pierced his skin like ice needles. He needed to get out, but he couldn't find the strength to move.

Antaeus jumped when a heard a knock at the bathroom door. Shuddering again, he leaned back against the tile and listened at whoever was at the other side of the door knock.

"Luffy?" Ace smooth voice came through the wood. "Are you alright? You've been in there for awhile."

Red-hot anger went through Antaeus at sound of his real name. He remained quiet and took a quiet breath and let the anger fall off him. Being angry for something as silly as being called by his real name was ridiculous and he certainly wasn't going to waste his energy doing it. He jumped when Ace knocked on the door and he smiled bitterly when the pirate sounded less patient and more angry.

"Luffy? Answer me! I swear you'd better have not passed out in there for making the water too hot. I can see the damn steam crawling under the door." Ace knocked-well more like banged on the door. "You have five minutes to get out of there or I'll burn the door down."

Antaeus waited until Ace's footsteps faded away before slowly rising from the shower floor and sliding the door open. He gingerly stepped out and reached for a towel, wincing when he put too much pressure on his still sore ankle. By the sea, he couldn't wait until the damn thing healed up. Unfolding the towel he gently patted his hair dry whilst limping towards the body length mirror. Staring at his reflection, he flinched at the number of bruises and scars lining his body. He never really paid attention to them seeing as they most likely happened when he was child through his teenage years.

Turning away from his reflection, Antaeus quickly dried off and donned a robe, and painfully reaching down and picking up his dirty clothes and tossing them in the basket on the way out.

Gently closing the door behind him, Antaeus gently tightened the robe and made his way into the living room where the tinkling of glasses and the sound of pages being turned could be heard. Taking a peak around the corner, he hissed quietly when he spotted Ace sitting on the couch nursing a drink in his hand and Robin sitting in the armchair with a large tome in her lap. Dr. Kureha was nowhere to be found, probably headed home for the night. Leaning back against the wall, Antaeus began to make his way back to his room when the sound of a glass setting against the table and Ace deep voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Luffy? I know you're around that corner. I think it would be best if you don't make me get up and come and get you, don't you agree?"

Cursing under his breath, Antaeus turned back around and limped his way into the living room. Ignoring Ace, he took a seat on the love seat directly across from Robin. Turning his gaze to the wooden coffee table, he ignored Ace's gaze on him and turned his full attention to Robin who continued reading as if she didn't mind the tension in the room. Antaeus envied her.

"Where's Dr. Kureha?"

"She returned home." Ace replied, picking up his glass, which was half full, and took a deep sip, downing it in go. "I'm sorry but you're going to have to deal with Robin and I for the duration of the night."

"Your apology is accepted." Antaeus stated icily, it suddenly clicked what Ace said and he turned to Robin in alarm. "For the duration of the night? He's staying here?"

"Yes," Robin finally glanced up from the pages of her book, giving him a scolding look. "Ace will be staying here for the time being."

"Why?"

"Antaeus." Robin stated somewhat coldly. "Please, do not be rude."

Blushing in mortification at the scolding, Antaeus lowered his head, murmuring an apology. He shivered lightly as the breeze from the ceiling fan washed over him. Before he could open his mouth to excuse himself, Ace voice drifted over him; apologetic and concerned.

"Are you cold?"

Taken aback by the tone, Antaeus quietly shook his head, consciously covering his legs when he saw Ace's gaze drifted down to them. Yes, he knew he had scars and his ankle was blue and bruised, but did the man have to stare so openly? His blushed deepened when Ace's gaze fail to leave, in fact, it was drifting up until it stopped at his lips.

"Are you sure?" Ace asked again, sending Robin a quick smile as she refilled his drink. "I could warm you up."

Antaeus stared, scandalized, as Ace's lips pulled into a wicked grin and his dark eyes glittered with heat. Rising up, Antaeus yelped when his ankle twisted an odd angle causing him to collapse in a tangle of limbs.

"Antaeus!" Robin soft voice cried out. "Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine." Antaeus hissed and grabbed his ankle, he glared at Ace who had rushed to his side and who was now wearing a guilty look. He slapped the man's hand away when it reached for his arm. "I can help myself fine, thank you."

"Don't be stupid." Ace muttered, lifting Antaeus easily from the floor and dropping him gently back on the couch. "I was the one who made you fall and I apologize."

"If you're sorry then you'll take me to my room so I can get dressed." Antaeus folded his arms, and turned away from the pirate king. "It's the least you can-AHH!" Antaeus quickly gripped Ace's shoulders as he was suddenly lifted into the man's arms. He shivered as he felt Ace's well-developed muscles through the folds of his robes. Well, this is slightly unpleasant.

"I'm happy to help you, Luffy." Ace murmured, he turned to Robin with a polite smile. "If you'll excuse us, Miss. Robin?"

"Of course." Robin set her book aside and rose from the arm chair. "I'll go fix dinner and I'll come get you when it's done."

Antaeus stared as Robin winked at them as she passed by, leaving him in Ace's arms. He could do nothing but deflate in said man's arms. Really? What happened to helping friends out in sticky situations?

xxxxxx

Antaeus tried hard not squirm in Ace's arms as the pirate took him to his room. He did startle when Ace's grip on his thighs tightened. Looking up, he found himself staring into the older man's black eyes.

"I wanted to ask." Ace began, now standing outside Antaeus door. "If you remembered anything?"

"And if I did?" Antaeus goaded softly. "What makes you think I'm going to tell you?" yelping when Ace tightened his grip even further, he glared in retaliation. "You can put me down and stop groping me now."

"No," Ace gently kicked the door to his room open and stepped inside. "Not until you tell me if you remember anything."

"And I say it's none of you damn buisness..." Antaeus faltered when the room suddenly grew hot, too hot to be normal. Swallowing, he looked down to see a ring of fire surrounding him. "Stop it! Stop! You're going to burn the room up! What in the hell is the matter with you, Ace!"

At the sound of his name from Antaeus lips, Ace quickly quelled the fire and made his way to the bed, unceremoniously dropping Antaeus on it. "I'm sorry, but you're pissing me off with this nonchalant attitude of yours. It's like you don't give a damn if you get your memories back or not."

"I do care!" Antaeus blurted out, taking in Ace's surprise at his outburst, he continued, all too aware that Robin could hear them in the kitchen. "Have you consider how all of this makes me feel, Ace? Do you? I married to the damn Pirate King! Do you really think this an easy transistion for me?" panting, Antaeus dropped his head. "By the sea, you make me so angry."

"Good." Ace dropped onto the bed next to him. "I'm happy this makes you so angry because I'm sick of seeing you so emotionless about this."

"Oh, I'm so happy for you." Antaeus drawled sarcastically. Pointing to the door, Antaeus gave Ace a meaningful look. "Do you mind?"

"Sure," Ace rose from the bed, making his way to the door, he turned at the last second and graced Antaeus with a smug smirk that made him feel a rush of nostalgia. "But, I have to say that it's nothing I haven't seen before."

Picking up a pillow with his uninjured arm, Antaeus flung it at Ace who chuckled and slammed the door shut with a bang, making the pillow slam harmlessly against the door. Picking up the second pillow, Antaeus buried his face into the pillow and screamed long, hard and as loudly as possible. Lifting his face from the pillow, Antaeus felt tears of frustration and despair burn his eyes as Robin's words about Ace staying echo in his head.

This was going to be a long few days, weeks or months, or whenever Fate decided to give him his memories back.