[Wishfull-star] ~ Glad to see you like it so far! If you see this the day I posted, I'll post another chapter today or maybe two! Stay safe! :)
A/N - I feel so fuckin stupid right now. I use some sort of symbol that looks like an X as a line break when there's time skips and scene changes, and I JUST realized that they don't work here. Welp, this stupid writer got some work to do now.. I'll use horizontal line here instead of the x's. The other chapters should be updated now with horizontal lines.
"Well.. Do you want to eat it?" The raven teen asked, holding a strange fruit in his hand. For a moment, the blue haired man in front of him contemplated, as if thinking about this option for the first time. But then he nodded, eyes showing nothing other than determination. His captain smirked and tossed him the fruit. Smirking back, he took a bite and quickly regretted his recent choices as he gagged on the disgusting taste of a devil fruit. Ace laughed hard as his first mate Deuce tried not to throw up.
"Don't laugh, jerk. You knew its taste, didn't you?!" Deuce shouted as he tried to muffle the taste with beer while Ace continued laughing his ass off.
"Oh god, that was hilarious!" Ace wheezed out, wiping his tears off. Deuce glared, but before he was even able to shout at Ace a little more, something started wrapping his body. Whatever it was, it was coming out from his own body.. He felt his hands get wrapped, and looking down.. It was a black, creepy thing? Maybe a little cool, like spooky-cool? This is the yami yami devil fruit's powers? This.. is darkness? Eh.. He didn't know what he expected but cool.
"Whoa, it's really creepy and cool. Darkness, huh?" Deuce murmured to himself as he raised his hand up and made the darkness dance on his hand. It was going up and down, making swirls, dancing in the dim light of lanterns. He then tried to make it go away, but it just grew bigger and made him feel nervous.
"Don't let it nerve you." Ace said, and Deuce nodded, calming himself down. With a little more effort, the darkness was now gone. He looked up to see a grinning Ace and smiled back at his captain.
"Well, that was a success? Now we won't worry about the fruit being stolen." Deuce said, still smiling. Ace sat down on his bed and nodded. But he had to make sure Deuce wouldn't be in danger. Teach is someone that killed his own crew mate, someone he had once called brother. Surely he would kill a stranger without blinking. Well, still, he didn't worry as much. Deuce was more than capable of defending himself. And now with the fruit he would be more powerful in no time. This was Deuce, after all, he was a quick learner and his first mate.
"Deuce. You'll train with me longer to be able to control your fruit. Now, it's a very powerful one. You'll have to find out the fruit's secrets on your own. I only know the fact that it can overcome any fruit. You'll be able to play the role of a seastone, to cancel your opponent's devil fruit powers. Anything other than that.. I don't really know." Ace explained Deuce what he knew about the fruit. It was a disappointment nothing much was known about it, really, but they couldn't do anything about it. Even when Thatch had found this fruit, nothing was known about it other than the fruit controlling darkness.
"It's okay, cap. Don't worry, I'll be able to manage things." Deuce ensured him, and then went out after wishing Ace goodnight. He left the captain's quarters and went his own way to the other rooms. Ace sighed, and flopped back on his bed. This was going to be a headache. They were on their way to the New World, already have left the Fishman island behind. They had little time until they met with Jinbei. Ace felt bad for what he'd done to meet Jinbei.. but that's kind of the quickest way to meet Whitebeard pirates.
It was on the second island of New World that something, or someone, other than Jinbei found them. It was Jesus Burgess. It seems the man has been following them back from Sabaody. Ace glared daggers at the man in front of him, feeling no urge to feel worried even just a bit because this man was nothing compared to him. He would be able to kick his ass with no problem. He had demanded his crew would stay out of his way, and they did so, giving their captain the chance to take out the man himself. The Spades were watching them from a far, all ready to jump in if something unexpected happened. Though, they all knew Ace wouldn't appreciate it. Eh, screw that. It was the first mate's orders. Sometimes, first mate orders can overcome captain orders. And when their captain was so reckless, like Ace? Deuce would give a helping hand for sure.
"Jesus Burgess." Ace spat out in hatred, letting his anger dwell up inside. "You are dead meat." This bastard was going to regret every life choices he had ever made until today. Following the Spades was a bad, bad idea.
"Fire-Fist Ace. You have something that my boss wants," The man said with a sly grin. It made Ace want to puke. But, well, he had to take the bastard down first. And so on, with so much anger one can have, he charged towards the man. Ace's arms caught fire as his adrenaline rised. Burgess took a few steps back and tried to shoot Ace with his guns, but of course, it was pointless. The bullets went through Ace's fire body, causing his fire to burst out dangerously. He smirked as Burgess cursed, and managed a kick to the man's torso. Burgess swayed back in his steps but got his grip back, this time attacking Ace. Well, despite his efforts, Ace was still stronger than him- of course he is. And in no time, Burgess was down. Ace looked down at his fallen form with disgust and called one of his crew members to handcuff this bastard. They were going to need him to spill out every plan his so said 'boss' had. Now, this is a big plus. They can use Jesus Burgess against Teach now. Ace was sure this man knew who his boss was, what his boss looked like and all his plans.
"That was rather easy." Masked Deuce said just after finishing the hourly beat-up of a certain bastard they had managed to keep caged in their ship.
"Did you really expect someone following Blackbeard to be loyal? They are all rotten, Deuce. All of them." Ace answered for Deuce, who nodded along. It was far from obvious that they were rotten, if not all. Now that they knew what the bastard's plan was, all left to do was wait for that time. The fight with Jinbei. It'd take at least two or three weeks to get to that island from where they are as of now, they had to stay in the same island for a while to snatch some answers from the bastard. That was enough time to train more, the crew (and especially Deuce for his fruit) needed training. And with training, he meant haki training. For the past months they have been sailing, Ace had managed to teach his crew mates observation and armament haki, but some still needed further training. Sighing, Ace went up to his room to take some notes. He was writing things down in case he forgot about something. That would ruin everything they have been getting ready to do.
It was in the middle of the night that suddenly a sharp feeling of his flesh burning woke Ace up. He groaned in pain, clutching his chest as he tried to figure out what was happening. The thought of their ship being attacked popped up, but that felt odd. Ace would be more than capable to wake up if he felt stranger presences. But.. opening his eyes, Ace could see that wasn't the case. This was still his room, and he was in his bed. Nothing has changed. It was dark out, and he could sense everyone was asleep in their places excluding Saber who was on watch tonight. No one is attacking if everyone is sleeping and Saber is in his place, giving off a calm feeling. But.. why is he so much in pain? Perhaps his devil fruit is malfunctioning? But, no.. No, this isn't it. This isn't malfunction. This.. oddly feels familiar if ignoring the raging pain. ...Then reality hits Ace. His eyes widen with both the familiar pain growing suddenly and from remembering that day.
This was it, Ace thought. He was feeling his insides rapidly burning again. Akainu's magma fist, he could feel it in him. He could feel Akainu's fist tear off his skin, burning his flesh, breaking his bones. Ace shut his mouth close, trying not to make any noice so others don't wake up. But one can only bare a pain like this for not long. He couldn't help but whimper in agony under the crushing pain. Pressing his hand on his mouth to muffle his whimpers, Ace tried to stand up and go outside. His room was just next to the others' room, and he didn't want anyone to wake up because of him. Slowly, cursing under his breath he walked towards the door and went out, going up to the deck, all the while ignoring the pain and trying hard to not wake anyone. But it seems his efforts were met with failure as Deuce seemed to wake up.
"Ace?" The masked man called out carefully, sprinting over when Ace swayed on his feet. Deuce caught him just in time before he hit the wood. He could see that Ace was in so much pain, clutching his chest, breathing heavily and whimpering.
"Shh.. What happened? Are you okay?" Deuce asked in a soothing tone. His younger captain in his hands opened his eyes, looking miserable. His eyes were somewhat asking for this pain to end, Deuce could see it. He simply nodded that he was okay but Deuce didn't bite it. Ace on the other hand was praying that Deuce would leave him be on his own. But the first mate had different plans. Carefully, he stood up with Ace in his hands, carrying him bridal style and he walkwd back to Ace's room. Deuce could feel Ace's grasp on his arms tightening, meaning Ace probably wanted to stay outside. But Deuce was a smart man, and he knew Ace enough to know the reason behind. Ace didn't want anyone to be worried. Well, it can't be helped that Deuce is worried all the time. Going inside Ace's room, he put Ace on his bed and tackled him in.
"It's okay, Ace. I'll be right here. I'll always be by your side." Deuce reassured him, grasping his hand. Ace sent his first mate a wobbly smile, appreciate seen in his eyes. Deuce was really the best friend he could have ever asked for. And.. for someone like him, someone who carries a demon's blood, this was too much.
"Th-thanks, Deuce." Ace said lastly, before drifting off to sleep. Or maybe he passed out. Well, in the end, he lost consciousness and is now asleep. Deuce didn't leave, though, he stayed with Ace just as he promised.
"Captain? Are you okay? Is the feeling back?" Deuce asked in concern as he saw Ace glare at nothing, starting to breathe heavily. They were out on the deck and it was later at night, almost nearing sunrise. Deuce was on watch and Ace couldn't sleep, so he trained with Deuce. Now, their little nighttime training session was over and both were just chilling.
"I guess?. It's.. not Akainu's, I know that. Probably from the time I was down in Impel Down.. It's hard to ignore. The pain is immerse. Ugh.." Ace said angrily, and Deuce looked at him in an apologetic way.
"I'm sorry you have to bear with this, cap'." Deuce said, making Ace smile. No matter what, this man was always by his side. Deuce is really something else.
"It can't be helped. This is probably the after-effect of being reborn into life again. Well, don't get me wrong, I'm still happy to be here no matter what pain I'll go through. Even if I die in the end, I'll know that those who I've looked up to, those who have been a family to me will be alive. They won't suffer because of me." Ace told Deuce, a bright, or well, as bright as it can be through pain, smile on his face. Deuce sighed and hugged Ace suddenly, making the latter's eyes go wide. After a second, Ace gave in and hugged Deuce back. He knew what Ace needed at all times. It was kind of scary, but very sweet. Ace loved that Deuce cared so much about him, including all the Spades. But Deuce was.. different? He didn't want to play favorites, but to be honest, Deuce was his personal favorite of them all. He wasn't the first mate for no reason. He was the first mate because he knew their captain the best. He was the first mate because he knew what to do whenever Ace wasn't around- He knew what Ace would do. Deuce might know Ace better than himself.. And yet, they spent what? Almost a year together? That's a lot to know for little time. Ace was so proud of him. Him, and the Deuce from the timeline where he'd died. At that time, though, Ace thinks that they weren't as close as this. Most likely it's because of how Ace told everything to Deuce this time. Deuce became.. kind of a terapist? But, still, Deuce is always Deuce no matter what timeline it is. He'll always be Masked Deuce.
"Thank you so much for being by my side. I know this isn't easy, dealing with me and the problems I'm bringi-"
"Shut up." Deuce shut Ace's mouth, giving him no chance to 'explain himself'.
"You're my captain. My best friend. Actually, my first ever friend. You are the one who helped me stand up on my feet. Thus, Ace, you're the best person I've ever met and seen. The best captain that I could have ever asked for. The best friend that I have been thinking I don't deserve of. But, I've come to realize.. I think we both deserve each other, because I love you so much, Ace." Deuce happily said and laughed, ruffling Ace's hair, ignoring his cheeks heating up. So.. Deuce felt like that? Ace asked himself. He smiled fondly, unaware of the blush spreading on his cheeks. Unaware of the eyes watching him lovely as he looked down, averting gaze.
"Well.. I love you too." He said after a moment, the hand patting his head stopping. He looked up to see Deuce stare when he felt the hand on his head draw back. The same hand was now cupping his cheek. With his other hand, Deuce cupped Ace's available cheek and now Ace was in Deuce's hands. Both staring into each other's eyes. Well, Deuce thought, this might be my only chance.
Deuce leaned in unconsciously, eyes never leaving Ace's. Ace let Deuce come closer and closer, feeling that yes, this is the right thing. Because it is. This is Deuce in front of him. Not anyone else. The man who'd always been by his side from where they have started, to where they have ended- Marineford. This is the man who never ever left his side even when learning his greatest secret- His heritage. This is the man.. he'd loved once, in the past lifetime. This is the man he still loves, this is Deuce. His Deuce, his Masked Deuce. And so on, he let Deuce in. He let Deuce's soft lips land on his own lips. He let his eyes close. He let Deuce lead wherever this was going. Maybe, things wouldn't be as bad now that everything with Deuce would be cleared. Ace never let Deuce know of his love towards the man in his past lifetime. Never. But, now? It's different. It's okay. And so on, they kissed, and,
"You're sweet." Deuce whispered out, breaking the kiss to look at Ace in the eye again. Their eyes never left each other's, never averted gaze. Both then blushed, now coming to realize they just kissed, but, then smiled softly.
"I don't regret it." Deuce said with a smirk.
"Nor do I." Ace answered, hugging Deuce and resting his head on the man's shoulder.
"Deuce?" The raven called out, and continued when he heard a hum and felt a hand gently caressing his hair.
"In my past life.. I loved you, y'know. And I still do, heh. I guess I only got my chance to voice it out in a different lifetime. In here. So.. My Masked Deuce, I want you to know and never ever forget that I, Port- no, Gol D Ace, love you." Ace said with so much fondness in his eyes, a new sparkle clearly seen. Deuce's eyes widened with his words, but soon enough, he smiled the brightest smile, eyes shining in the darkness of night. He gave a low chuckle and tightly hugged Ace.
"I love you too, Ace. I love you so much." Deuce whispered into Ace's ears, stroking his hair gently. They didn't let go for a few minutes, enjoying the tight, warm hug. And when they did let go, Ace leaned and gave Deuce a kiss, the blue haired man melting into it and deepening the kiss. Their eyes shone with new shine, looking at each other with love. So much love. They were both happy to find each other. Happy to live each other.
"Never leave my side." Ace said, closing his eyes and resting his head on Deuce's chest. Deuce pressed his lips on his head softly, patting him with his hand.
"Promise," He said. He would never leave Ace. Never. Only death would tear them apart. And nothing else. 'I'll make sure you're okay, Ace. Till the end of the world, I shall protect you. I shall be by your side. I shall make you smile at all costs. This is my promise to myself.'
Ace and Deuce are so cute I can't-