Hello everyone, here is the next chapter in this mass of one shots

In this one, we will see how Thatch handles this

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

"Nice. New sweater?" Ace gave a small nod, still worried and hesitant about what he needed to say, but he had promised Izou. "Yeah… Izou made it for me. It's just a shirt, he made it with sleeves and it's a breathable material that is less flammable." Ace loved it and he didn't know how to thank Izou. The crossdresser said he didn't need anything, but Ace felt he should do something to repay his kindness. Ace shook his head. He should worry about that later. "That's nice. Izou is amazing with clothes and art, and, well, everything really. If I could only incorporate them into one of my pranks somehow. It would be so great, but Izou would be furious, and therefore, very, very scary." Ace smiled. Thatch was the usual happy-go-lucky guy, which made this much worse… he didn't want to make the other sad, or mad, or for him to pity him. He hated that. When people found out about it, they would always walk on eggshells around him. They treat him like he's weak, preventing him from doing anything; or worse, simply ignore him, thinking that he's too much of a burden, or liability. But, most of all the sight of his arms always seemed to unsettle people. How hi-. "Oi! Ace! Okay there?"

Ace blinked, realising he got lost in thought, seeing Thatch looking at him worriedly, having stopped doing the food preparations. "Yeah… I just… I… I have something to tell you." Thatch dried his hands on his apron, before grabbing a new cloth, throwing away the older one. "That sounds ominous. If you pissed Marco off, don't expect any help from me, kiddo." Normally, Ace would have laughed and joked at that, as he usually drove the older commander crazy with his antics. But, he couldn't. What if… What if Thatch didn't want to play pranks with him after this? What if he thought him to be too weak? He loved the pranks they played. Ace was startled out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. "Okay, kiddo, you're worrying me now. What's up?"

Ace gave a breath, no idea what to say. Maybe, just say it? Or… maybe that wasn't a good idea. He didn't want to ruin the friendship he and Thatch had. He loved it, cherished it. He felt like he belonged here and didn't want to ruin it, but needed to tell him. He had promised. Maybe, just come out with it. But, not too subtle or abrupt.

"I used to cut myself."

Yeah, real smooth Portgas, thought Ace as he did a facepalm, mentally. He did not intend for it to come out that way. Thatch looked stunned and shocked. "Wha- you what?! Why?" Ace gave a shaky breath, seeing Thatch looking at him with worry and uncertainty. "I just… Didn't have it easy growing up. I mean, none do, most don't, I just…" Ace didn't know what to say next. But, he didn't get a word out as Thatch moved and was suddenly hugging him tight, shocking him. "Don't think that. What might be a scrape to me, can be deadly to you. Or what you can brush off, will stick with me. I'm just glad you're here." Thatch slowly let go of Ace, before clapping him on his back. Ace felt a lot lighter having told him, I seems that it did help a lot. "Now, let's make some food for you. You look a little drained. Whilst we eat, we can plan how to annoy birdy tomorrow. Sound good? "

Ace nodded. "Yeah. That sounds perfect. And, thanks." Thatch gave a small chuckle and told him to not mentioned it, before they both began to prepare some food together. Thatch didn't even ask to see the scars, and even knowing that he use to self-harm, he still wants to be around him and plan and play pranks. That's more than he could ever ask for.

He didn't lose a friend. Not for now at least. It felt good to have told him. It was now done.

They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes before they started discussing different plans on how to prank Marco. Ace loved that Thatch hasn't seemed to have changed, acting and treating him the same. It wasn't the first time they've had a private meal together. Sometimes a few others joined, but never too many. Just as Ace liked it. He loved these small and simple moments.

When they started eating the second dish, Thatch sent him a small look. "I need to ask, though. You're not doing… that anymore, right?" Ace shook his head, looking down at his plate. "No, I'm not… It's just… the lasting effects; the feelings… the scars…" He got a thoughtful nod in return. "May I see..? I don't need to. I'm just worried about you." Ace understood the underlying motivation behind that request; he wanted to check that he had really stopped hurting himself. Ace gave a small nod, but was still unsure. He didn't like showing them, but knew that he should… Thatch didn't prod or mention it for the next few minutes, letting Ace think it over and decide for himself whether he was comfortable enough to show him them. He gave a breath, before he slowly rolled his sleeves up. He could feel Thatch looking at him, having a shocked and concerned frown.

After a second, he felt a hand touch his arm. "What's this?" Ace slowly looked down, certain that Thatch would be pointed or feeling one of the longer, or deeper scars.. But, when he looked down, he blinked before a small smile appeared on his face. Thatch was tracing his thumb over a faded, half-done tattoo line. Ace brought a hand to it too, over the one underneath it, that was blue, and much more faded, being not as visible. "It's from my brothers: Luffy and Sabo. They told me to 'not kill the butterflies'." It was one of the best memories he had with his scars, and knowing just how they had cared about him. Thatch nodded. "That was a good idea. Sounds like they are amazing brothers. But, Sabo? I don't think I've ever heard you mention him before."

Ace felt himself regress, lost in his memories, once again seeing how Sabo died. That was why a few of the butterflies were dead. "...He… died…" He found himself unconsciously moving his thumb over a 'killed' butterfly, having a cut through it. The one underneath was overlapping the same scar, one Luffy had given him a bit later, along with some additions from Makino… even Garp… He felt his eyes grow blurry, and before he knew it, he was enclosed in a hug again. "That- losing a brother is never something one wants to happen, especially at such a young age. It shouldn't happen. Just getting through that is always hard. Never be afraid to let your emotions out, or in front of people. There is nothing shameful about simply feeling something, anything.." He remember getting really low after losing Sabo, and didn't want to show Luffy he was sad. It was easy to hide the emotional pain with another kind of pain, one he chose and controlled.

Ace took a shaky breath, glad Luffy got him through it. When Thatch let go, Ace used his shoulder to wipe a stray tear, before a small sniff, to rid his eyes from the worst of the blurriness. Thatch didn't comment on it, which was something he liked. Thatch sat down again, and when he did, he grabbed a piece of chicken from his plate. "So, how should we prank feather brain?" Ace gave a small laugh, using a hand to dry his eyes as he pulled his sleeve down. He just loved Thatch. He was an amazing brother. He didn't want to speak more about Sabo or his past, and the chef seemed to get that. When he moved to pull his other sleeve down, Thatch did mention that he didn't need to, that the scars didn't bother him, and that he liked the butterflies. Ace gave a sheepish smile as he continued to pull his sleeve, the rest of the way down. He wasn't ready for that yet.

He then started to plan with Thatch, on how they could manage to sneak into Marco's room and plant a nest in his bed, and joke about it.

Ace loved his family.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

The family is going to find out one by one (Maybe two at one time maybe), and you can send a request who you want to find out. I will mostly focus on those I love the most in the commander group, so a few I have planned, but not all yet

If you liked this, feel free to leave a review, and ideas or requests if you want too.

For those interested and willing to help (No need to, but only if you want), I have a now, for support as every little bit would help. Rewards and goals are up too. My name there is Azuruko. Information and link is also on my Twitter and Discord

If you want to, come follow me on Twitter, where pictures and such will be posted, as well as updates, and if I'm late. My twitter is Azuruko You can leave comments, requests, ideas, or just say hi (Link also on my profile)

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