Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
This will mostly be around Luffy and Sabo
I also hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy during these corona times
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Sabo had been on the boat for a couple hours, and he seemed to be okay, at least to Marco's eyes. He seemed a bit tense at times, but aside from the thing during dinner, things had gone by fine. Marco had a feeling he would be sleeping alone for the next days, sure Sabo would be sleeping in Ace's room with Ace, same with Luffy when he got to the boat tomorrow. Marco didn't mind it, he understood that right now, Sabo and Luffy needed Ace and each other.
As some hours had passed, he could see Sabo talking with Ace. "What does this make me? That I let this happen?" It was clear Sabo blamed himself, and it would be tough for him to get over this. Ace gave a sigh to it, before he moved to crouch in front of Sabo. "Sabo, listen." Started the assassin with a calm voice. "Don't blame yourself for what happened. None of this is your fault. You have absolutely no blame in this. But I need you to be strong for me. You did the right thing, and I know it's going to be hard, but you need to accept it. I am always going to be here for you, don't question that. But you need to be strong for both me and Luffy. You have done nothing wrong. Okay?" Sabo looked at Ace for a few seconds, before he slowly nodded, not saying anything. Ace then leaned his head against Sabo's. "You are an amazing brother and you've not done anything to change that. You've just proven how right that is. Be strong, okay?" Sabo nodded again, letting out a breath. "Okay. I'll try." Ace nodded. "That's all I ask. You're an amazing brother." Ace said with a smile to Sabo, who nodded again. Ace then moved into hug Sabo, who hugged back, before they parted again, Ace patting Sabo on his back. "You're amazing, Sabo. You are." Sabo nodded at that, eyes going a bit blank. Marco got this was hard for Sabo and he was emotional. This whole situation was horrible.
As time moved on, and the clock was closing in on 7 in the evening, the commanders and Pops headed to have their routinely meeting. Sabo couldn't join, and was out on deck, having gotten on a good tone with some that was out on deck and had watch, and everyone knew what had happened. Marco knew his siblings was understanding people, so Sabo would be fine. As the meeting was coming to an end, nothing special needing to be brought up as things was calm, Ace gave a sigh. "I have a question for everybody. If you were in my shoes and you need to deal with someone who mistakenly put Sabo almost alone on a ship, what would you do to him? Speak, lecture, maim, kill?" Marco heard Pops hum. "I would lecture, I think. It was a mistake, and it went sort of fine; none got terribly injured." The others nodded to it, and Ace moved a hand to his face with a sigh. "I was hoping you would say maim or kill. Cuz I want to maim and kill." Trevor chuckled. "Well, you heard what they said. Hey, even Rayleigh said lecture. So I think most will say that." Ace sighed. "I guess. But if he even looks at me wrong, I can maim and kill, right?" Trevor shrugged. "Probably. But I am sure he won't. I am sure he will lay down flat; you're scary when mad." Marco could imagine Ace was scary when he was mad. He could be scary when he wasn't too. Ace nodded. "I can hope." It was clear Ace was annoyed with this man, and Marco got it. He should have been more vigilant. Ace let out a breath. "I will then head to lecture after this then. Hopefully it turns into a fight." Since Ace was annoyed, it wasn't surprising he hoped for a fight.
When the meeting was over, Ace headed to take on his things, before he headed to speak with this Dragon, Marco not sure how the outcome would be, but had a feeling Trevor was right in that Ace's hope to maim and kill wouldn't happen. So when Dust appeared out on deck two hours later, Marco headed to Ace's room, seeing Ace there and had just taken his outfit off and regular clothes on. "How did it go, yoi?" Ace sighed. "Horrible. I only got to lecture." Marco chuckled. "It might be good in the long run, yoi. He might be good for Sabo." Ace nodded. "I know, I know. But I don't like it. I'm just glad this situation wasn't worse." Marco nodded. "What happened is horrible, but a brand is livable. It could have been worse." Ace nodded. "Yeah, I am glad he didn't get to do more."
Ace then moved to lie on the bed, lying on his back, letting out a loud sigh. "I should have killed Outlook years ago! Why didn't I do that!" Marco moved to sit down on the bed next to Ace. "Don't blame yourself for what happened. None of this is your fault, yoi." Ace gave a chuckle at it, probably since it was the same thing he had said to Sabo. But the chuckle soon cut off with a sob, another soon following as Ace moves his hands to his face, moving over to have his face in Marco's lap, more sobs being let out. Marco moved his hand on Ace's back, comforting the other so he could get it out of his system. It was obvious this was a hard situation for Ace too, and Marco would be here for Ace. Marco sat and comforted Ace for half Ace hour, until Ace's sobs let up, just sniffing a bit. It had Marco speak up as he moved his hands comfortingly on his back. "Don't you dare blame yourself for this, yoi. I will repeat the entire speech you did to Sabo if I must, even add things to it, yoi." Ace nodded, head still in Marco's lap, not saying anything, only sniffing a bit still. Marco moved a hand to thread through Ace's hair. He got why Ace was upset, this was a hard situation on him too. It was obvious he felt guilty about this too, for not having killed Sabo's father earlier. But it wasn't Ace's fault, he couldn't have known this would happen. However, he was glad Ace wanted his comfort, letting him be here for Ace in this time. Ace was still opening up slowly and trusting Marco more.
When Ace seemed to have gathered himself, Marco let out a breath. "Did he usually do it? Brand people, yoi?" Ace shook his head, head still in Marco's lap as he spoke. "No. He didn't. Only very rare. He did it to get to us, I am sure of it. He did it to anger me. He was probably going to brand Sabo too." That made sense, and since he didn't do it usually, it was obviously done because of who they were. Marco was glad this Outlook was dead; he didn't deserve to live. Ace laid with his head in his lap for about 10 minutes, before he lifted it and used a hand to wipe his cheeks and rid of tear tracks. Ace looked to have gathered himself, which was good. "Don't do this, yoi. Don't go blaming yourself. You did the right thing, just as you said to Sabo; you did the right thing, and I know it's going to be hard, but you need to accept it." Ace nodded, giving a weak chuckle. "I sometimes hate my own advice." Marco sighed. "I get it, I do. It's easy to give advice, easier than following them." Ace nodded. "Yeah. But I guess you're right. I should try and not blame myself. It wouldn't do good for Sabo." That was true. This was all tough for Sabo too, and Ace needed to be there for Sabo and Luffy. That didn't mean Ace had to be alone in this, and Marco would be sure to be there for Ace in all of this.
As the day went by, nothing special happened. Sabo seemed fine, same with Ace. Ace was always close to Sabo, and the two had spoken in low tones now and then, but Marco was sure things would turn out fine, Ace was amazing and he cared for his brothers amazingly. Things would be fine, it would just take time.
-x-
Ace felt himself waking up when he heard harsh breathing, moving to sit up on one arm and using the other to shake Sabo, who was obviously having a nightmare. "Sabo, it's just a nightmare." As Ace had spoken, Sabo sat up with a start, a sob being let out, before more followed. It had Ace move to sit up and lean against the headboard, moving to have Sabo rest against this chest. "It's okay, Sabo. It was just a nightmare." Sabo nodded, trying to take deep breaths and calm down, having issues with it. Ace moved his hands to be on Sabo's back and stroking. "It's okay, Sabo. Just breathe." Sabo did his best, and it took about half an hour until Sabo managed to take calming breaths. When Sabo seemed calm, Ace took a breath. "What was it about?" He had an idea, but Sabo needed to speak about it. Sabo did his best to take a deep breath, arms moving around him. "I- I didn't get lose and you never showed. I- I couldn't help." Ace nodded, arms moving comfortingly at Sabo's back. "But you did get lose and saved Luffy. You managed to do it. It was just a nightmare." Sabo nodded, not saying anything. It had Ace sigh. "You managed to do it, and you saved Luffy. You did amazing." Sabo nodded again, not saying anything. Ace sat and comforted Sabo for an hour, before Sabo fell asleep again.
As Sabo was asleep, Ace gave a sigh, knowing this would be some hard days for Sabo. He only hoped it would help when Luffy came tomorrow, or later today as the clock was past midnight. Ace would get Luffy after breakfast, a bit before lunch. Ace really hoped Luffy was fine after all of this. This would be hard on him too. Sabo thankfully slept well the rest of the night, Ace sitting awake while holding around Sabo. He had slept enough, and wanted to keep Sabo safe and well. When the day started and he woke Sabo up, Sabo seemed to be fine, at least for now. The morning went by fine, nothing special happening, and when the clock was a bit past 11, Ace headed to get Luffy. When he appeared on the ship, one of the crew members to Law went and got the captain, Ace waiting patiently outside, hoping to see Luffy was fine.
-x-
Law swallowed as he moved out of the ship, seeing Ace out on deck, having on regular clothes, which might be a good thing for him. Luffy was quick to hug his brother with a smile, giving a small flinch when Ace hugged him back, most likely being a bit close to the brand. "How are you, Lu?" Asked the assassin as he let go of Luffy, the kid smiling. "Fine. Just a bit… um… banged up?" Ace gave a small chuckle. "Let's say tender, okay. Sounds better." Luffy nodded. "That, tender. But it feels okay." Ace nodded. "I want Bay to look at you, okay Lu?" Luffy blinked, before he frowned. "Why? Law has checked me." Ace nodded. "I know, I know. And he's probably a good doctor, but I want Bay to look at you too." Law had nothing against that. He probably wasn't the highest on Ace's list of doctors. "Listen to Ace-ya, Luffy-ya. Let this Bay-ya check you." Luffy looked at him, before he looked back at Ace. "Okay. I like Bay." Ace smiled at Luffy. "Good. We'll leave now, okay. We're heading straight for Bay." Luffy nodded, and moved to stand up from the chair, heading over to Ace, who moved his hands around Luffy, holding him close for their travel. Before they disappeared, Ace sent a look at him. "Thank you, for watching Luffy." Law just managed a nod, not sure what to say. The two then disappeared in black smoke, making Law breathe out relieved, glad it had gone so well. He had been worried the assassin would be annoyed since Luffy was with him, but it had gone by fine. Right now, he would go back to his normal routine, but he would stay close to the island Rayleigh was on, sure Luffy would head back in some days, and Law wanted to be close, just in case. He would make sure nothing like this happened again and be faster to react. He should have been reacting when he saw the noble's ship, not shrugged it off as nothing. But Luffy was fine, save for the brand, but it would heal well.
-x-
When Ace appeared on the boat, he made sure to appear near the infirmary with the help with Dust. As they had appeared, they moved into the infirmary, Bay not looking surprised to see them, probably having heard Luffy got branded. Ace headed over to an empty bed and Luffy sat down in it, Bay grabbing a few things as she headed over. "Hi, Luffy," Started the doctor. "How are you?" The kid smiled at the doctor. "I'm fine. it doesn't hurt as Law helped. He put something on it." Bay nodded. "Okay, that's good. But I still need to look, okay. To check the swelling." Luffy nodded and moved to turn on the bed, showing his back to Bay and taking his vest off. Luffy's back was bandaged up and Bay carefully took the bandages off. When they were off, Ace let out a breath as it was a clear and large brand, on the middle of his back, maybe a bit lower than his middle. It was red and still somewhat swollen, but not bad. It could have been a lot worse, so what Trafalgar did must have helped. That, and he had a feeling Outlook didn't manage to brand Luffy for to long, making so it wasn't to bad. Bay clicked her tongue. "It looks okay. The swelling is not bad, and there is a paste here, most likely to help with the swelling." Bay then bandaged it up again, and when Luffy turned around, Bay looked at the kid. "If it starts to hurt, come back, and I will put on some more paste." Luffy nodded and took his vest back on again. When he had, Ace moved a hand to Luffy's shoulder. "You're doing okay. Are you in any pain?" Luffy shook his head. "No, I'm not. It just feels… a bit tender." Ace nodded. "Which is normal. It will pass. Shall we head to Sabo?" That had Luffy nod with a smile. "Yeah! I want that!" It had Ace smile too, glad Luffy was in a good mood.
They then headed out of the infirmary, Ace giving a thanks to Bay, they headed to the main deck, were Sabo should be. When they rounded a corner and saw the main deck and Luffy saw Sabo, he was quick to shoot into his arms, hugging his older brother. "Sabo!" Yelled Luffy, obviously glad to see Sabo again. Sabo was quick to hug back. "Lu! How are you doing?" He asked as he let go, looking his younger brother over. Luffy just chuckled. "I am fine. A bit tender, but fine." That had Sabo breathe out relieved. "I'm sorry this happened, Lu." Luffy shook his head. "It's fine. It wasn't your fault. You saved me!" Sabo gave a smile to Luffy, eyes blank, but he had a smile. Ace knew this would be hard for Sabo, but it wasn't his fault and needed to see Luffy was fine.
-x-
Sabo didn't know what to do, he felt floored. How did Luffy still like him? He had gotten him branded! It was Sabo's fault it happened; he hadn't been strong enough to save Luffy from it. He should have been stronger. Had it been Ace, none of this wouldn't have happened and everything would have been fine. Sabo wished he could go back in time and do something to prevent it, maybe fought harder. Just managed to get loose earlier. Why wasn't he stro- "Sabo." Sabo blinked, looking over to Ace, who had a worried look. "Breathe. Don't brood over it. It happened; you can't change it." Sabo swallowed. It was true, he couldn't change it. He wished he could. That he could just go and fix everything, make so Luffy didn't have his family brand on his back like this. What would the others say when they saw it? what would Sanji, Nami, Robin, Chopper, Franky, and Zoro think? Would they think he was weak? Since he had managed to get Luffy branded, he hadn't managed to stop it. "Sabo." Sabo looked over at Ace again, who had a frown. "Stop it. Don't think yourself to be in blame, don't try and think what you could have done or what others will think. No one will think any lower of you. You did the right thing and you saved Luffy; he could have been more injured." That was true. His father could have done much worse. He had seen Ace's back, and it wasn't a pretty sight. His father could have done a lot more. What if he had managed to do more? What if he's done more than just brand Luffy? It was bad enough, but what if? Could Sabo have lived with himself if anything more happened? Could he live with himself now? It was his fault it happened! How could he be there for Luffy when he got him injured like this? He got Luffy branded. And not by anyone, but by his own father. How could Sabo have allowed it to happen? He should have been stronger, been stronger for Luffy.
As the day went by, Luffy was a lot around him. There was only one moment he was away, and that was when Luffy and Ace was in the infirmary, Ace saying it was just to put on some more paste to stop the swelling and burning feeling, which made him feel even worse. They didn't speak about the brand the entire day, and no one approached him about it either, which had Sabo a bit glad. But he had a feeling Ace wanted to speak about it but he wouldn't do it around the others. And right now, he was just glad Luffy was around him. It felt so good to know Luffy still liked him. But when evening came and they were in Ace's room, Sabo blinked when Luffy moved to hug him, making him sit down on bed, making Luffy move to sit on his lap, head close to his chest. "You saved me, Sabo. You got him to let go. Thank you. I love you." Sabo moved to hold around Luffy, feeling tears come to his eyes, not sure what to do. So when Ace came through the door, he felt relieved when he spoke up. "Hey, Lu, go brush your teeth. Sabo will come in a bit." Luffy just nodded and headed out, and when the door closed and Ace opened his arms, Sabo was instantly between them, feeling his tears falling. "Hey hey, it's okay, Sabo. Shh, shh, it's okay. You did the right thing and you did save Luffy." Sabo sniffed, shaking his head. "It doesn't feel like it. It doesn't feel like I saved him. I feel like I got him branded, not saved." Ace shook his head. "No, don't think like that. You saved Luffy, you got him away from Outlook's hands. You did the right thing in killing him." Sabo shook his head, not saying anything. He didn't feel like he did the right thing. Ace sighed, Sabo feeling it more than he heard it. "I know this is hard, but you need to work on getting past it. You can't change what happened, and brooding over it won't help." Sabo nodded silently, not sure what to say or do. How did one get past this? How had Ace managed to get past it?
After a couple minutes, Luffy came back into the room, making Sabo let go of Ace, turning to look at Luffy. "How are you feeling, Lu?" Luffy smiled. "Fine! I'm ready to head to bed; I'm tired." Sabo nodded. "Yeah, I am too. Let's head to bed." Luffy nodded and got into the bed, Sabo soon following. Ace shook his head with a chuckle, before he soon joined them. It was Ace's bed after all, and 3 people was a somewhat tight squeeze, but they were used to sleeping close, and Sabo had missed sleeping with his brothers again, so this felt good. Luffy seemed fine, and that was all that mattered for the moment. Sabo would try and accept it, try to somehow accept he got Luffy branded. It would be hard, but he should listen to Ace and try and accept it somehow. But, he could take that tomorrow.
-x-
When the clock was nearing midnight, the captain headed out on deck, not being able to sleep. When he was close to the front of the ship, he saw Ace standing at the railing, looking out at the distance, and the captain headed over to the kid. "How are you holding up, son?" Asked the captain, making Ace sigh. "As well as I can. Dust is watching over Luffy and Sabo while they sleep. Making so I don't need to be there all the time." Whitebeard had a feeling about that. "Nightmares?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. I know Sabo has it, and I wouldn't be surprised if Luffy had it too." Whitebeard wouldn't be surprised over it either. "You need to remember to sleep yourself, son." Ace nodded, eyes closing when a gust of wind came. "I have slept already." Whitebeard wasn't surprised by that. He knew Ace slept little, and even though he might sleep more than he used to, it was still little. The captain would guess it was around and hour or two he had slept, which wouldn't be enough for a normal person, but it seemed to be enough for Ace. But as long as Ace slept somewhat, it would be enough and the captain wouldn't mention it. Ace had control of it, he was sure of it. "How are they doing?" Ace sighed. "Luffy's okay. Just a bit tender, which is normal. I'm more worried about Sabo, he's taking this hard." Whitebeard let out a breath. "I can only guess it would be tough for him. It's a tough situation. Maybe he just needs time." Ace sighed, a hand moving to his face. "I don't know, I don't think time is enough." Whitebeard gave a low hum. "Are you sure. It is as they say; time heal all wounds." That had Ace snort. "No, that's wrong. Time doesn't heal. It just teaches you how to live with it. Sabo need more than that." Whitebeard nodded. If anyone knew about time healing, it was Ace. And when he though the words over, he had to say Ace might be right. Time might not heal wounds, but just teach you to live with it, and sometimes that went bad and made things tough to live with.
As they stood out speaking, Ace suddenly moved his hand towards him in a soft motion, making him frown a bit. "Wha-" "Okay! I heard Pops!" Ace chuckled, turning to look at Bay. "As you can see, he's not out. You need to relax, Bay." Bay let out an angry sigh, which had the captain speak up again. "Maybe we should let her do her job?" Bay didn't seem to hear it, looking at Ace. "I swear I heard him before. But he's not here. Why are you up? You are more up that Pops." Ace chuckled again. "Done sleeping for tonight and wanted some air. Ace and Sabo are asleep still." Bay nodded. "That's good, they need to sleep." Bay then gave a goodbye and headed away. When she was gone, Whitebeard looked at Ace. "She can't hear me either?" Ace shook his head. "She couldn't. I can make people deaf to certain things." That made sense and explain a bit on how Ace was such an amazing assassin that was almost never spotted. If he could with a small motion make people invisible and deaf to certain things Ace picked out, it was no wonder he was so good. It was amazing to see. Ace's powers were amazing to see in action and he hoped to see more of it. "I still think she should be able to do her job now and then." Ace hummed. "You don't want to be out?" Whitebeard sighed. "I would like to be out, that's true. Thanks again, for making me able to be out." Ace waved his hand at him. "Don't mention it."
Whitebeard was glad Ace could help him stay out, even though he did feel a bit for Bay. He felt he was tricking the woman, which he was in a way. But he was sure Bay was fine, she was a strong woman. But as he thought it over, he had a question about Ace's power. "Your powers, can you make smells be invisible to?" Ace nodded. "I can affect all senses of a human person. This might sound weird, but I can affect the sight of blind people too. They are good at feeling presences, especially those who have Haki, but I can make that invisible too." Whitebeard nodded. It made sense. Ace had many talents and his powers were amazing. The captain sent a look at Ace. "How are you holding up with all of this?" Ace sighed. "I'm doing okay." The captain had hoped for more than just that, but accepted it. He had a feeling this was hard for Ace too. This whole situation was hard, but he got it was hardest for Sabo, that he felt to blame for this. He wasn't to blame, but he got he felt like it. And he hoped the days here would be good for him and Luffy.
The captain stood and talked with Ace for a couple hours, before Ace left, seeming to head back to his room. He did walk calmly, so he didn't think anything had happened, maybe just wanting to be around his brothers.
-x-
Ace gave a sigh as he stood out on deck, morning having just started and Luffy had just shot off to the galley for breakfast, going early. The night had gone by fine and both his brothers had slept well, at least from what he had seen. As he was standing out, Marco came over to him. "I've been thinking about a thing. How about have Thatch speak to Sabo, yoi?" Ace nodded, thinking it over. "Yeah, that might work. It might be good for Thatch too." Marco nodded. "Exactly. It might help both of them." It could. Ace was sure Thatch wasn't okay with the fact he had Thatch's family mark on his back. This might be good for both of them. So when Ace asked Thatch later if he could speak with Sabo, he seemed to like the idea himself, and said he would. And seeing how Luffy was out, wanting to get breakfast early, Sabo was alone in his room, a perfect opportunity for Thatch to speak with Luffy. So when Thatch headed on to do that, Ace moved to be in the galley with Luffy. He really hoped the talk Thatch would have would help.
-x-
Sabo blinked when Thatch came through the door, not expecting him. "What are you doing here?" Thatch let out a sigh, closing the door behind himself. "Sabo, I think I know how you feel." Sabo snorted, moving to lie down on Ace's bed. "Yeah right, how? Your family ever branded your brother?" Thatch sighed, leaning against the wall. "Well, seeing how Ace has my family mark on his back, I think I know." That had Sabo sit up, blinking. Thatch said what? "What?" Thatch sighed. "Ace. He has my family mark on his back. So yeah, I know how that feels." Sabo sat and blinked for a few seconds, before he got his head with him. "Whi- which one is it?" That had Thatch frown a bit. "His right shoulder. Why?" Sabo swallowed, knowing how Ace had acted after that, how his injuries had been. "I know what else happened too. Or most of it." Thatch blinked at that. "Do- you know how bad it was?" Sabo shrugged a bit. "From what I know, it wasn't the worst. It was bad, but not the worst." That had Thatch blink. "Well, that makes me feel a bit better, somewhat." Sabo shook his head, having trailed off. "How- how do you live with that?" Thatch took a breath. "Well, I didn't do it. I didn't hold the brand. I couldn't have stopped it either. And, Ace made it. Ace surpassed it and went on. He's a lot stronger than I am, that's for sure."
Sabo nodded. "That's one way to look at it. Luffy's much stronger than me too, I think. He doesn't seem bothered by it or me." Thatch moved a hand to Sabo's shoulder. "He isn't since you didn't do it. He, your father, did it. And he's dead, so he can't do it again. You were strong enough to get out and kill him. That's takes a lot. You shouldn't look down on yourself for it." Sabo nodded somewhat, not sure what to think. Ace was strong, he was. But he didn't seem to have any issues with Thatch, even though of all that had happened. Sabo knew that brand came with more than just a brand. He had seen Ace's back after it, and it had gotten a lot of new wounds and whip marks. That, and Ace had had that cough for a few days, as if water in his lungs. A lot had happened, and it had happened when Ace was older. "How did you feel when you found out?" Thatch sighed. "Horrible. I also found out by accident. But it wasn't my fault, even though that is hard to accept at times. You aren't to blame either, you didn't do it. Outlook did, and there's a reason you left him, because you don't hold the same views. Same I did. Every time I read what they are doing I feel awful. I feel as if I am to blame." Sabo nodded. "You're okay with it? That Ace has that?" Sabo wasn't sure he could be okay with that happened. Thatch shook his head. "No, of course I'm not. But what can I do now? Nothing. You took it further than me and actually killed the perpetrator. You did more the right thing that I've done. I never stopped my family; you stopped yours." Sabo nodded slowly. He had stopped his father from doing anything else. He had become a murderer for it. "What does it make me? The fact I killed him?" Thatch let out a low hum. "In my eyes, a strong brother. You protected Luffy from him. It's awful Outlook managed to brand him, but it happened. It had you protect Luffy. You chose Luffy. Don't look down on yourself for that, because no one will do that." Sabo let out a sigh, moving to lie down on the bed again. He didn't know what to do, or what to think.
After a minute of silence, he felt Thatch move to sit down on the bed next to him, hand on his shoulder again. "Don't beat yourself up about it. It happened and you can't change it. It won't help to brood over it, believe me, it won't." Sabo nodded, not sure what to say. "I don't know what to think, or what to do." Thatch nodded. "Which is normal. I felt the same, but there's nothing you can do to change it. I know it will be hard, but you need to accept it." Sabo nodded. He didn't know Ace had Thatch's brand on his back, and he knew well that Ace wasn't bothered by Thatch, or that Thatch felt to blame for it. Thatch did feel bad, but he seemed to handle it well. How could Sabo be able to do that? how did Thatch handle it so well? "How do you handle it so well?" Thatch le tout a snort. "I wouldn't say well. But I need to accept it, and even though that might be hard, that is how it is. I can't change it, and feeling bad helps no one." That was true, it didn't help anyone that he felt bad. But how could he accept it?
Thatch stayed with him for a bit more, speaking about how Ace was okay with the fact he had brands, and Luffy was strong and would be fine, and Sabo had to agree with it. Luffy was strong, much more so than he had believed for him to handle this so well. But still, Sabo needed to speak with the other. So when breakfast was finished and they were out on deck, Sabo moved to crouch in front of Luffy, bringing his hands to hold Luffy's. "Lu, how do you feel, really?" Luffy blinked, before he smiled. "I feel fine! I am no longer… uh… tender. It just stings a bit when touched. The thing the doctor put on really helps." Sabo nodded. "That's good, really good. How do you… how do you feel about what happened?" Luffy shrugged. "Okay. I mean, you got me, you saved me." Sabo still didn't feel like he saved Luffy, but Luffy kept saying he had, same with Ace, even Thatch. Maybe… Maybe they were right? Could they be? Sabo looked at Luffy, who had a smile. "Do you feel it was my fault it happened? That he got you?" Luffy frowned, before shaking his head. "No, I don't feel that. It isn't your fault your past dad is mean. That's his own fault, not yours. You're my brother now, my family, not his." Sabo let out a breath, closing his eyes. When he felt Luffy let go of his hands and moved them to his face, Sabo opened his eyes, seeing Luffy looking at him with a serious look. "Sabo, you got me, you saved me. Don't think of anything else than that. You are my hero, same with Ace. Don't look down on yourself, because you are my amazing brother." Sabo nodded. He should listen to Luffy. As long as Luffy didn't blame him, Sabo would try and believe he wasn't to blame.
-x-
Marco stood out on deck, just enjoying the day. Sabo and Luffy seemed to be doing better, and they had been here for a few days now, nothing special happening, but Sabo had spoken a lot with Ace at times, even speaking with Thatch. The first day was the hardest. Marco was glad that Thatch wanted to speak with Sabo, it did seem to help both of them. Thatch looked well after the talk, he had sent a couple looks at Ace, but that was it. He did have a feeling Thatch wanted to speak with Ace, but Marco wouldn't bother Thatch about it.
As he was standing out on deck, Sabo came over to him, and stood beside him, before Sabo turned to look at him. "You should check Ace's room." Marco blinked, not sure where this came from or what Sabo meant. "Check for what, yoi? Ace is out." Sabo shook his head. "No, not for Ace. When he's gone one day, check his room, go through his stuff. You'll learn about Ace." Marco blinked. Sabo wanted him to do what? "Go through his things? Why would I do that, yoi? I am sure Ace doesn't want that." Sabo sighed. "Of course he doesn't, and it's hidden, but it can bring some closure to you. It did for me. After I spoke with Ace about it. There's a lot of things he would never say, and you can read it." Marco wasn't sure about this. "I don't think I will do that, yoi. It's Ace's private things." Sabo nodded. "It is. But you can't deny you're curious." Marco couldn't deny that, but it was wrong to go through someone else's stuff. "What do you want me to find, yoi? Why not just say it." Sabo shook his head. "No, I can't say it. I shouldn't know everything I do. But it helped me understand Ace more. I was so worried a period, not sure what he was going through. Well, checking his things fixed that. You should do it; he won't be mad." Marco let out a breath. "And how do you know that?" Sabo shrugged. "He wasn't at me, and I really went through his things, even after he told me multiple times not to. I am sure he hasn't said that to you." That was true, Ace had never said to not check his things. As he was about to speak, Sabo did, cutting him off. "Don't answer it. Don't say no, just think about it." Marco let out a breath. he was curious, especially now after what Sabo said, but he couldn't of through Ace's private things, it was wrong. Marco wouldn't even think about it. Sabo let it go and started speaking about normal things, just some regular chatter. Marco wasn't sure what to think of this conversation. Should he go through Ace's things? it was wrong, but he was curious and worried, and this made him not sure he wanted to know what Ace was hiding.
-x-
Ace sighed, looking at Sabo, who had just mentioned something he didn't think would be relevant so fast. "Are you sure you're ready to head back?" Sabo nodded. "I think so. I mean, I feel better." Ace nodded. "I know you do. But are you sure you want to head on? Not stay here for a few more days?" Sabo let out a chuckle. "I think you want me here for more days than I wanna stay. It's nice here and all, but I feel like going back to training." Ace chuckled. "Maybe. But are you sure?" Sabo nodded. "Again, I am sure." Ace let out a breath. "Okay. How about this; You go back today, and I'll come and check on you tomorrow, okay?" Sabo chuckled. "If you must." Ace nodded with a small chuckle, moving his head to Sabo's. "I just want the best for you, okay? I want to make sure you're fine. I know you took this hard." Sabo sighed. "I know, but I'm doing better, I am." Ace nodded. "I know, and I see it. But I'm still worried. I will always be worried." Sabo let out a breath, having a smile. "You will, won't you?" Ace nodded. "I always will, always. Both for you and Luffy. But if you feel ready, you can leave." Sabo nodded. "I do, I feel I can. And hey, you'll coming by tomorrow anyhow I hear." Ace gave a small laugh. "I will, just to see how you are. And maybe have a chat with Dragon." Sabo lifted an eyebrow. "An actual chat, or threats?" Ace hummed. "I haven't decided yet." Sabo let out a breath. "Please just chat. I want to be there; he's teaching me a lot." Ace nodded. "I'll take that to into consideration. I think I will just chat, I've already lectured." Sabo chuckled. "Of course you have. Take me later today?" Ace nodded. "I can. Be sure to say goodbye to Luffy." Sabo nodded. "I will. I just wanted to bring it past you first." Ace nodded. "That's good. But if you feel better, you can leave. but you can also stay." Sabo chuckled. "I am ready to leave, I am." Ace nodded. "Fine. You can leave, but I will still drop by tomorrow." Sabo nodded, accepting that.
As the day went on, Sabo said goodbye to Luffy, who took that well. And when Sabo was done, Ace headed over to Luffy. "Lu, do you feel ready to head back?" Luffy gave a hum as he thought, before he nodded. "I think so. Rayli is nice." Ace nodded. "I know. Do you want to head back today, or tomorrow? If you say today, I will visit tomorrow. Or you can stay here for longer, too." Luffy gave a hum again, as he thought it over. "If you come visit, I wanna leave today. I should get back to training." Ace nodded. "You should, but there is no need to stress it. You can leave tomorrow. But Sabo is heading today." Luffy nodded. "Then I wanna head today too." Ace nodded, having a feeling about that. "Okay. I'll take you after dinner, both of you." Luffy nodded and Ace was glad both felt better, but had hoped his brothers would stay a couple more days. But both wanted to leave. He would visit both tomorrow, just to be sure they felt okay. What mattered was that they felt better. And Luffy said the brand didn't hurt nearly as much as it had, barely feeling it, mostly feeling it when someone touched it. Ace would be sure to speak to both Rayleigh and Dragon, and that of he saw any signs of either of them having issues, to call him. It was just in case, as Ace wanted to make sure his brothers were doing fine. For now, he needed to trust they felt ready to leave. So when dinner was past, Ace headed on to Rayleigh first, before he would tackle Dragon. He just hoped things would go fine from now on.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
I know it didn't have much of Ace's powers, but the next chapter will have much more of it as Ace goes back to training and somewhat working
If you also want more scenes of how Sabo got over everything and interactions with the pirates and all, just say so and I will make sure to make it and put it in the one-shot series
If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to tell me them. I love ideas from you guys, especially if you have ideas for bonding scenes
And I love feedback too; it is what keeps me going!
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