Another chapter. Though this story hasn't taken off as I would like it to, I enjoy writing it and maybe the more I upload, the more it will. I know, I have to work again to get viewers/reviewers and long term fans of any fanfic. Again I'm sorry I took so long in the past. But maybe I've got my shit together. Anyway, here's another chapter! And a little note that I kept forgetting to add in the previous chapters.
(i just wanna point out some things I keep forgetting about. One thing js the first chapter where Ace points out that he's only still where he's at because of 'pops and Luffy'... honest to god i didnt think this through. Well I did. At first I was going to have Whitebeard run the escort and Teach be the nasty client to Ace but I didn't like that. So, I switched it. Ignore that bit. I cant fix it as I didnt save it to my computer. Currently, Ace hasn't met whitebeard. Also, if Ace is all beat up in one chapter, and isnt talked about in the next (for instance around Luffy)... he is covering it up with clothing and makeup.)
"So, what did you bring me out here for?" Ace asked, glancing over to Smoker. This was so unusual. Ace was use to sharing hotel rooms or his room back home with Smoker... not on a bench in some park. This wasn't the usual meeting though.
"I'm not one to beat around the bush so, I'm just going to tell you... I'm not going to be around for a while. Something's come up and I have to leave the city. I don't know when I'll be back."
Ace looked up to him and raised a brow. "What? Where are you going?"
"I can't tell you, it's classified but I just wanted to uh let you know that it's been fun... I didn't think this town had anything worthwhile. I appreciate my time here because of you."
Ace just stared at him for a bit, completely shocked. Seriously?! The one thing that was beginning to give him a sense of belonging, hope even! Was leaving and couldn't even tell him where? No. That wasn't going to work.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" He snapped. Maybe he was just tired... no, he was tired, exhausted mentally, physically, everythingally. "You're leaving and all you have to say is that it's been fun?!"
"Uh, what else do you want me to say?" Smoker asked, eyes widened slightly.
"Oh I don't know, maybe something different than what every other pig says after they've finished treating me like shit!" Ace retorted and shook his head. "You know what, no. Never mind. Forget it. Have fun with whatever it is you're doing and don't bother coming back here whenever you have an itch because I won't be there to scratch it." He huffed and got up.
"Hold on! It's not the way you thi"
"Goodbye, asshole." Ace snarled and began walking. Oh how he hoped Smoker would get up and chase after him, grab him by the shoulder and stop him. Ace even glanced over his shoulder but no, that was all just wishful thinking.
Smoker had just lit two cigars, and proceeded to sit there like nothing had happened. Ace narrowed his eyes, body on fire with anger... anger and embarrassment for actually thinking this ithing/i they had meant something.
Ace had never felt like nothing more than just a common whore as he did now.
All throughout that day, Ace sat mopping on the couch, curled up in a blanket, some sappy movie playing on the tv. Ace wasn't one to cry, not over things like this but it was clear, he was upset.
Marco stood at the door between the living room and the kitchen, just staring at him. He didn't even have to ask, he already had a well painted picture of what happened and it made him shake his head.
It was things like this that was the very reason why Ace had closed himself off to most people.
Marco sighed. Of course, he was here to pick up the pieces. He made his way over to the back of the couch, leaning in to place a hand on Ace's shoulder.
"Alright... what'd he do?"
Ace didn't so much as look at Marco, instead curling in on himself as he gave a soft 'humph'. "Whataya think?" He asked. "He's leaving... and not even a 'I'll miss you' or a 'I'm sorry'... just a 'it's been fun'... He couldn't even tell me why he was leaving."
Marco leaned in further, reaching out a hand to run through Ace's hair gently. "Maybe he'll come back. I'm sure it was something important if he couldn't tell you."
Ace scowled at him slightly, not exactly thrilled for his logic of things at this current moment. He sighed however and gave a light shake of his head. "Maybe I just got ahead of myself… I don't know. I just thought that you know, maybe it was something worth while." He turned away from Marco, curling back into himself. "He better not return… Bet he has a wife and kids somewhere anyway."
Marco opened his mouth to speak but, there wasn't really anything he could say about that, it could've very well been the case and there wasn't anything more he could say to Ace on the matter. He was just in one of those moods where nothing really mattered, he was going to think what he wanted anyway. Sometimes Marco hated that stubborn side of his.
"Alright, so enough of that…" He trailed off deciding it was best if he just changed the subject completely. "Hey, I called that guy about the position I was telling you about, he wants to meet with you Friday… Now, don't say anything about me applying for it… Just let me do this one nice thing for you…"
Ace looked back at him and gasped suddnely. "Oh, that reminds me! I did talk to Luffy about the Baratie's position yesterday… Dig out some decent clothes cause you got yourself an interview Wednesday." He said with a huge smile plastered along his face. "I didn't want to go for it because I'm pretty sure I'd eat all the food… You know me."
Marco just blinked at him several times, then let out a chuckle. "Well… How about that…" He muttered with a grin. That was one thing he loved about their relationship. They never had their own self interest first. They always seemed to put each other before their own self. It was just who they were.
"Ace, I think we're gonna do great… I can totally see myself in a restaurant. I'm not complaining… And if it's with Luffy's friends, even better. They're really good people."
Ace smiled and he sat up to hug Marco. "Ya know what… I'm not even sad anymore."
Marco returned the hug tightly. "You shouldn't be… You are capable of anything you want… Just keep your chin up… Don't let anyone bring you down."
Ace released him and just as he had done so, his phone began to vibrate in his pocket and he gave a long drawn out sigh as he pulled it out. Of course, it was 'work' calling.
"I can't wait until Friday…" He muttered and answered the incoming call.
Marco leaned in quickly to give him a kiss upon the head. "Hang in there…" He whispered, and left Ace to tend to the phone call.
The 'goodbye' scene may be a little bit, not so well written but I suck at those kind of things and it was rushed that a tiny tiny bit. But hopefully it's still good! I know it's not the ideal plot point with Ace and Smoker for this particular timeline but he will be returning. :) Ace just needs to be alone and work on his success first and getting out of the escort service. :D
Anyway, as always, if you like what you read, review and give me that little push to write more! Gods know I need it.
