"You must be happy." Bell smiles at Ann as the two wander through the hallway.

"Why?" Ann blinks befuddled.

"I heard Vice Admiral Sakazuki's coming back today." Bell reveals.

"That so…" Ann couldn't help but frown.

"Yep." She smiles.

"…They finished faster than expected." Ann couldn't help but take note of.

"Guess that little Aokiji of yours wanted to get back to you as quickly as possible." Bell winks at the unamused Ann.

"Hmm…" Ann couldn't help but frown from Bell's words, Bell oblivious to Ann's firm frown from how soon they had returned.

Quietly, Ann stands in the shadows scowling at the ship, the silent stoic soldiers coming out, Ann's brow furrows firmly from the some scorched soldiers, some limping, some with their heads down looking grim gave as Ann couldn't help but count, tense at the clear smaller number of soldiers, what…what happened? Ann's eyes dart down to the slinking towering figure coming down, his head held low bowed alarming Ann at the sight.

Shyly, she steps out of the shadow, hand on her arm alarmed at the grim man before her, simply staring at her before brushing past taking her aback at the rather cold response. Ann couldn't help but bow her head at the pain in her chest. Concerned she turns to the towering figure of Aokiji going on ahead not even batting an eye to her, her grip tightening tensing around her arm.

"Heh…seems your little toy is unsatisfied." She turns to glare at the pleased Sakazuki smirking smugly at her making his way down.

"Seems you need to mind your own business." Briskly, she sneers glaring at Sakazuki before turning to go after Aokiji unaware of Sakazuki's smug smirk.

Quietly, Ann follows Aokiji back to their place, her brow furrowed as he doesn't answer instead plopping himself down on the sofa, head down.

"Aokiji…?" Gently, she calls out to him.

"…" He simply stares down.

Ann sighs reaching for the shared cabinet, pouring out some sherry wine, pouring it for him, setting it down for him. He needed space, time to think she could see it as clear as day. She ignores the faint pinch of disappointment, understanding his struggle she turns to leave only to stop furrowing her brow by the weak call of his name, a hand softly wrapped around her wrist. She turns to him, her heart aching at the sad sight of him, his hand trembling around her own.

Softly, she nods listening to his request, squeezing his hand in assurance as she takes a seat. He plops his head down. She removes his bandanna beginning to rub his hair, massage his scalp, no words needing to be said as he wraps his arms around her as she seemingly holds him, no words needing to be shed. But despite that Ann couldn't help but feel the bubbling anger within her, Sakazuki's smug smirk in her head making her blood boil as she holds Aokiji, trying to help him through this difficult time…

...

Ann slowly arises from her bed brow furrowed at the sun shyly peeking peering through the blinds. She couldn't help but grumble, nuzzling further into the plump pillow of her bed brow furrowed fatigued from it all as she couldn't help but frown from the lack of arms around her. Her brow further furrows from the lack of snoring.

She turns in her bed baffled to see no admiral in her bed, had he gone on ahead? Wait he woke up before her? Ann couldn't help but blink baffled by the thought, he must have had something rather pressuring to wake up early…Ann shakes her head, oh well wasn't her problem…all they were was stress relief for one another that was all…that was all it could be.

Ann couldn't help the heavy exhausted exhale shooting out of her, fatigued from the mixture of emotions washing over her. She couldn't help but rub her fatigued face from the emotions battling within her, why did she seem so disappointed? She knew what this was…had she come to want more? Her brow furrows from the thought, she couldn't help but consider it, she did like his arms around her, he was pretty good too…better than her ex-flings. He was also…a lot more attentive than her ex's…

No, the hell was she thinking!? Ann couldn't help but frown shaking her head at the foolish thoughts. He probably went to see some other girls to play around with, what with their conflicting timetable she was stunned he had even the energy to manage to come over to her place. She wasn't even surprised anymore when finding the snoring mess waiting up for her outside her place. How he could sleep standing up baffled Ann and yet there he stood time and time again, her waking him up for the two to go into her place to just well…cuddle or just chill.

The pair of them would be too tired for that she didn't even know when she surprisingly began to enjoy the cuddling or just napping, she supposed the fatigue of work was finally getting to her. Still though why he kept coming around confused Ann was it for the food? She could see that being a thing but even then he didn't really eat much unless they had food together then again it would either be him or her who would make it while the other would either set up or be in the shower…still he could easily do that at another girl's place? Maybe he wants to keep things civil make sure she doesn't find out even though she'd told him he can do what he likes time and time again…

Ann forces herself out of bed, stretching, a spare dark blue shirt draped over her form, acting almost as a dress to the smaller figure of Ann making her way to the kitchen, frowning from the chilliness of the tiled floor. She ignores it as she stretches making her way towards the kitchen unaware of the unconscious sniff to the shirt she adorns, a small smile playing upon her lips almost assured by the scent alone as she makes her way into the connected kitchen.

Ann couldn't help but ruffle her long locks of pink peering into the bathroom brow furrowed at the two toothbrushes in the cup, were there always two…? Ann couldn't help but stop scowling, now that she thought about it, she looks down at the navy-blue shirt she wears alongside some other scattered clothes and objects littered about the place, items that most certainly did not belong to her…how had it come to this? Ann couldn't help but wonder how long had the two been having this transactional affair? Ann couldn't help but ruffle her long locks, she didn't have time to be thinking about that, she needed to get ready for work.

Ann raises a brow by the soft knock of the door taking her aback. What was going on now?

"Delivery!" She hears alarming her she couldn't go out wearing this! Tense, she swiftly snatches her admiral coat.

"Just a sec!" She calls out quickly haphazardly changing before opening the door turning to smile strained at the person, well she assumed it was a person from the legs, what was above however was shrouded by the huge bouquet before her. What was…? Before she could even ask, he hands her over the bouquet and leaves, leaving the astonished Ann to it, taking the bouquet befuddled.

Who had ordered her this? She had to admit it was rather pretty…Ann hums setting the bouquet down on the table taking out a makeshift vase of sorts setting the flowers into the bouquet. Now that she could have a proper look, she raises a brow by the hibiscus in the bouquet, hibiscus…? Was it from Shanks? Buggy? Mihawk? She couldn't help but hum eyeing the ruby red hibiscus, just like the ones back home. She couldn't help the soft smile at the thought of her mother as she settles the flowers in before turning back to the task at hand, getting ready for work.

Ann makes her way back into the kitchen only then to frown from her calendar hung on the white wall, what date was it…? Sluggish, she peers over at the Calander, eyes expanding, dread hitting hard at the date, no way it couldn't be…why did she even mark that…?

She furrows her brow when noting the shopping bags littered around the counter confusing her, she didn't go shopping yesterday…intrigued, she looks into the paper bags below befuddled by what she finds inside, recognising some items but also taking note of the cook book opened to the side spotting a certain recipe open. Who…? Ann couldn't help but blink befuddled, did she plan to treat herself tonight? No, she would remember if she was, she would definitely be remembering shopping unless…

"Don't tell me…" Ann couldn't help but whisper, opening the fridge surprised to find a cake inside. Did he…did he make it? Ann couldn't help the bright blush crossing her crimson cheeks,

"Urgh…" Ann slides her hand over her fatigued face frowning at the reminder. She didn't need that, truly she didn't.

"Gold Roger, do I know him? It'd be better if that guy was never born along with any form of offspring!"

"He's scum, those of the same bloodline are scum of the earth."

"What if Gold Roger had a child? They'd get their head chopped off for sure!"

"I'd want to hear from him before they die, I'm sorry I was born I'm just a piece of trash who didn't deserve to be born!"

Ann could feel the tears begin to form. Furiously, she blinks back the tears but it's all futile in the air as her voice cracks and breaks. She curls in on herself, growing smaller and smaller bowing her head trying to fight back against her voice cracking against the tears threatening to fall, fight back against the emotions swelling within her as she buries her face into a certain dark blue shirt until…

"The pirate king…is the king of scum…"

His words ring out in Ann's ears as the final peg seemingly cracks breaks before the young girl silently crying her heart out before heading to work…

Ann couldn't help but hum eyeing the cup of joe in her hand, the steam spewing out of it as she seemingly in a world of her own. So many questions popping up in her head as she makes her way to her office oblivious to the boisterous batting sound of wood on wood as marines armed with practice swords wooden slams their wooden blades into one another as others go for swift strikes, still that wasn't her problem until…

"The hell!?" Ann jolts up at the faint flinch she feels, seeing the glimpse of a wooden sword spin its away towards her. Quickly, she dives out of the way staring stunned at the wooden sword falling into the wall turning to the training group, eyes expanding at the sight of a fight, the marines cheering.

"Hey!" Ann snaps setting her mug down approaching the fight. Immediately, the group disperse fearful of getting in the way of the vice admiral as the two fighting continue doing so.

"Doll! Derrick enough!" Ann barks at the two but it falls to deaf ears, Doll continuingly destroying the boy beneath her feet.

"Doll that's enough!" Ann snatches the woman by her arm, prying her off.

"He started it!" Incensed, Doll argues wiping her nose with the back of her hand, scarlet smearing to the side.

"Psycho!" Poisonously, the man barks back glaring glowering at Doll.

"How did he start it?" Sternly, Ann questions Doll.

"You not even going to hear my side?" The boy glares at Ann.

"One person at a time. Now Doll explains." Ann commands coldly from her.

"He tried touching me." Disgusted, Doll sneers snippily scowling, crossing her arms over her chest cross.

"What?" Ann turns to the boy.

"Oh, please you were asking for it." The boy sneers snippily making a fair few eyes expand at his words.

"…Say that again!" Angrily, Doll growls stepping forward but…

"Doll enough. Explain Derrick." Ann orders the boy before her holding Doll back.

"Mam you've seen the inappropriate clothes she wears clinging to her she's asking for at-" Derrick begins but gasps at the hand swiftly snatching him by the throat.

"A-Argh…" The boy is raised up high in the air, chocking from the hand curled coiled around his throat.

"Get out." Ann throws the boy back repulsed.

"Tch course you'd defend her, girls stick together, right? Hmph you only got that position of vice admiral because you slept around the higher ups." The man accuses arrogantly pointing at the unamused Ann.

"How dare you say that about vice admiral Portgas!" Angrily, Isuka steps up, hand darting down to her blade.

"Vice Admiral Portgas was promoted due to her skill!" Tashigi adds angrily, hand darting to her blade repulsed by such dishonourable implications to her teacher.

"Enough." Aloofly, Ann calmly raises her hand stilling the rage of both girls.

"But…" Both girls' blinks befuddled by Ann's order.

"Is that what you think made me get this position?" Ann cooly calmly turns back to Derrick.

"It's the only way that could happen or well nepotism with you being related to the marine hero." Haughtily, Derrick smirks smugly arms crossed over his chest cockily.

"And vice admiral Tsuru how do you think she got to where she was today?" Ann asks quirking her head to the side.

"W-Well…regardless y-you didn't hear my side of things she's been making passes at me since…" Stammering, Derrick begins but…

"…Passes?" Ann arches a bored brow.

"That's not true!" Doll goes to argue.

"Doll-san!" Tashigi worriedly whispers to her trying to calm the angry Doll down.

"Yeah, making snide remarks it's obvious she likes me." Derrick smirks smugly arms crossed cockily over his chest.

"That so?" Ann hums unamused.

"W-What are y-arghhh!" The boy soon screams when he is swiftly snatched and thrown into the air.

"Vice admiral?" Astonished, the group gawk gape at the boy being thrown out screaming.

"Does anyone else share the same sentiments as young Derrick did?" Ann asks unfazed clasping her hands trying to get the dirt off.

"N-No mam." Meekly, both boy and girl marine alike anxiously bow their heads.

"Good. Doll come." Ann goes back over to the step picking up her coffee that she set aside by the side of the step.

"Right…" Doll shyly follows after Ann.

"The rest of you class is dismissed." Ann dismisses leaving the class to it.

"…Not bad vice admiral throwing him like that was hilarious." Haughtily, Doll smirks smugly following Ann into her office.

"Doll…would you please tell me how this occurred?" Ann calmly sits down in her seat setting her mug down.

"Like I said the ass tried touching my ass." Doll takes a seat huffing.

"And you thought it best to beat him?" Unamused, Ann takes a sip of her coffee.

"What was I meant to do? Take it!?" Irritated, Doll fumes furious.

"Of course not." Ann sets her coffee cup down, massaging her tense tired temple.

"You get it don't you? Those guys just sicken me!" Mad, Doll huffs.

"Look Doll I get your frustration I do." Ann assures, she dealt with the same thing but doing it this way will lead to nothing but trouble for her.

"But I gotta quiet down about it?" Doll assumes angrily.

"Huh?" Ann blinks befuddled.

"I thought you were better than them Vice Admiral I mean…that's what I heard some of the other girls say, some marines even quite cause of it!" Disgusted, Doll tells Ann.

"…I'm not saying that at all." Ann assures.

"Then what?" Doll blinks befuddled.

"Look if that happens again you need to come see me about this." Ann tells Doll.

"And what just wait for some file complaint to go unauthorised?" Doll sneers.

"Course not." Ann sighs.

"Then what am I meant to do if not fight back? Let them heckle at me wolf whistle?" Doll leans back in her seat scowling.

"I'm not saying fight back is a bad thing you just have to be subtle about it. Not get caught. In this situation I couldn't turn a blind eye to it since I had clearly seen the scene this is what you got to look out for. I could have easily been another officer that sided with Derrick, and you could have been the one thrown out…" Ann explains to Doll.

"…Subtle? How?" Doll probes.

"Challenge them." Ann answers.

"Challenge them?" Doll blinks befuddled.

"Make them feel bad about their bodies if they heckle you for your looks say something bad about their looks, make them feel as self-conscious as they make you feel." Ann advises.

"And if it goes too far?" Doll frowns, arms crossed over her chest.

"Break an arm." Ann leans back in her seat unapologetically.

"…what?" Doll blinks befuddled.

"Assert dominance make them see that they can't mess with you. Breaking a not so noticeable part of an arm can do that or hand either by shaking their hand and crushing the bone or something. That way you won't get in trouble, they'll be too proud to say they got a bone broken by a girl and if they do you say it was an accident…" Ann explains.

"That what you did?" Doll asks amazed.

"Well, I used haki that seemed to shut them up." Ann admits.

"So, you should teach us that!" Doll smiles slamming her hands down on the desk.

"Not this again." Annoyed, Ann sighs.

"I'm ready for it Portgas come on there's barely any female marines who made it to the top like you and Tsuru!" Doll pleads.

"You know how hard the upper ranks would agree to it." Ann reminds Doll.

"Who says they have to know?" Doll smirks.

"Doll, I don't think you realize how fragile this position of mine is." Ann frowns at Doll.

"What do you mean?" Doll blinks befuddled.

"Sakazuki is practically at my door daily trying to sniff something out for me to demoted this is the perfect way for him to get them to demote me." Ann admits. It was a reason she befriended Aokiji or at the least thankful she had him on his side.

"So, it's a no." Doll disappointed frowns.

"Look I'll see what I can do…maybe we can teach you some observation or something…get you to look out and dodge any gropers…least you can avoid anything like that happening in case…" Ann considers calmly.

"Really?" Doll smiles hopeful.

"Don't get your hopes up though." Tense, Ann warns. The two knew how hard it was to get lessons in haki, it was a special skill, a skill the higher ups didn't like the idea of subordinates knowing.

"Thank you Vice Admiral Portgas." Doll bows her head.

"Just don't do that again alright. If that happens to you or the girls come to me, and I'll try to sort it." Ann decides.

"Thank you." Doll bows her head before leaving, leaving Ann to it.

"What was that about?" Garp comes in munching on some crackers.

"Nothing." Ann goes back to her coffee and paperwork.

"Nothing? I heard you threw a guy into the sky." Smirking, Bell comes in with a stack of paper.

"…he ticked me off." Ann dismisses firmly focusing on her work.

"And landed in the sea I hear wanting his mommy." Bell tells Garp.

"Hahaha! Cracker?" Garp laughs offering a cracker, Bell eagerly takes one Ann however…

"Hmmm…" Ann releases a strained sound, dreading Sengoku's lecture to come from the rash action.

"Oh, by the way happy Birthday!" Garp tells Ann.

"…Huh?" Ann blinks befuddled.

"Happy birthday?" Bell perks up.

"I have one of those?" Ann frowns.

"Of course you do." Garp frowns back at Ann.

"Huh guess I do…" Ann hums, not quite wanting to think about it, feeling the inching pain festering within her trying to crawl back up to resurface…

"Wait it's your birthday!" Bell says stunned.

"And now I'm remembering why I tried forgetting." Ann rubs her tense temple.

"I've known you for years and never once have we celebrated your birthday!" Bell's brow furrows at Ann.

"Cause it's pointless." Pointedly, Ann deadpans.

"How can it be pointless?" Bell disputes.

"Well, I mean if you think about it a baby is born like every minute or more what makes mine more important than some randos?" Ann argues.

"Cause it's yours!" Bell stresses scowling.

"That doesn't sound logical." Ann argues.

"Do you really think logic applies here? Come on we got to do something." Bell argues.

"We could do our work." Ann hints.

"You're boring." Bell pouts.

"I'm working." Ann retorts.

"Unless…you've already got something planned with- "A sly smirk crosses Bell's lips, a glint gleaming in her eyes.

"Finish that sentence I dare you." The air around them turns icy, Ann coldly challenging the bemused Bell.

"I'm going to put this on the bet!" Bell rushes off to do just that.

"Don't you dare Bell! BELL!" Angrily, Ann slams her hands on her desk done with her friend's antics.

"Ah…guessing I messed up…" Garp blurts out sat down munching away on his crackers.

"Ya think!?" Ann yells at her moron of a grandfather figure.

Quietly, Ann dutifully continues her paperwork brow furrowed from the still silence of her office, the only sound being the scratching of her pen. Where was Cora now? Was he safe? Ann couldn't help but frown worried for her friend when…she hears the soft knock of her door.

"You ready?" She looks towards Aokiji making her blink befuddled surprised she was seeing him.

"Ready?" Astonished, Ann asks, this was the first time today she had seen him, and ready for what?

"Sengoku gave us a few hours break." Aokiji admits.

"…Why?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Said it was your birthday." Aokiji simply shrugs.

"H-Hold on how does he know about that? W-What about my work!? I mean…does everyone know it's my birthday?" Baffled, Ann couldn't help but wonder how did anyone even know? She didn't think she told Garp…when she was younger, did she?

"I'm handling it." Speaking of the devil, Garp charges in, rice crackers still in hand.

"…You?" Unimpressed, Ann eyes a man who had pushed her out from her desk, Aokiji calmly catching her as she sceptically eyed her grandfather figure at her desk.

"You think I can't?" He spins on her cheer, a part of her worried of it giving way.

"I'm surprised you can even read." Ann deadpans.

"Oi Just be happy what we're doing for ya!" Garp barks back at the unamused Ann.

"You and Sengoku got money on this or something?" Ann sceptically scowls at Garp.

"Just get going!" Garp barks back

"I better get a cut of that beri Garp! GARP!" Angry, Ann yells as she feels the coil fingertips of Aokiji's hand hold her heated hand, the two hands melting melding together almost as Ann follows Aokiji towards a familiar bike.

"You sure we shouldn't have taken my raft?" Ann couldn't help but wonder while perched upon the back of the bike, to the side staring out at the washing waves of the sea. She smiles seeing some sealions surface with dolphins, greeting them. They happily greet them back as Aokiji cycles them to her so-called surprise.

"You wouldn't even know where we're going." Aokiji argues.

"Well, if you told me…" Ann hints eyeing the bag she had draped around her arm, eyeing the small sherry wine and other tourist treats Aokiji had bought for her as they wandered around different islands.

"That'd ruin the surprise." Aokiji admits.

"I thought the surprise was the café and trinkets." Ann argues amused, a shy smile crossing her lips touched by the day out Aokiji had treated her too.

"Aokiji, you going to tell me why you took me here? I'm not complaining, it's quite unusual." Ann admits to him eyeing the setting sun, she liked it sure, but she was also confused.

"You mentioned a while ago that you'd like a day to just roam across the sea to look around islands." he says casually as he continues pedalling across the orange-coloured ocean due to the sunset.

" Y-Your remembered?" Ash astonished asks blushing brightly, surprised that he even remembered something so small, she didn't make a big deal out of it at the time.

"But how? You hardly remember words sometimes! Heck I'm the one who has to remind you of meetings and stuff sometimes!" Ann annoyed reminds Aokiji recalling their meetings her often having to elbow his side filling him in when they ask him something.

He simply chuckles, glancing at Ann briefly, and then returning to set his eyes on the horizon.

"Don't tell me you've just been messing with me!" Ann playfully glares at Aokiji, his smirk simply growing at her warning tone as after a handful of seconds he finally speaks.

"It may not seem like it but I'm an attentive man, it hurts me a bit that you think me of that way" he says jokingly.

"Excuse me for not having the best impression then. Still this view is nice…this day has been nice as a whole…" Ann admits, smiling softly relieved after such a tense day at work she needed this.

"I'm just glad that you are enjoying it, I was a bit worried that you didn't like it." He admits astonishing Ann, Aokiji doesn't seem to care about anything the idea of him being worried…Ann couldn't help but think back to his concern when she broke her arm, her chest warming up, her heart lighting up at the murky memory of him coming to see her, helping her out with meals and such often leading him to stay the night. Ann couldn't help but shyly grasp the back of his coat crimson coating her heated cheeks looking away as he simply smiles staring ahead.

"I'm surprised you have the energy to pedal, in short, you're not very energetic." Jokingly, Ann amused almost points out, her head leaning against his back.

"Ouch" he replies with a mocking expression of hurt.

"Oh, ho have I manged to wound the oh so powerful blue pheasant?" Playfully, Ann smirks slightly bemused by the thought. Her eyes expanding when he stops before another island, the surprise she assumed as they get on the island.

"Your words wound me…my lady." He remarks getting off the bike bemused.

"My lady? Whoa ho…guess you'll have to find a way to deal with that then." Ann chuckles getting off turning to face him. A sharp shudder soon shoots down her spine, internally cursing at the winter island she finds herself on. She wraps her arms around herself rubbing at her skin ignoring the chatter of her tense teeth trying to deal with the brisk breeze of the winter breeze. Aokiji seemingly noticing takes off his black jacket draping it over her, her eyes expanding at the gesture smiling softly at him happily taking it, a shy scarlet streak hitting her cheeks at the comforting scent from the coat.

"Seems only a kiss could fix this." Teasingly, he turns to her, bowing his head towards Ann.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." She smirks leaning in, his breath brushing against her own.

"Oh? Arara, are you blushing?" he says in his neutral tone mixed with a teasing smile, sliding his arms around you.

"Hmph" Ann's eyes expand alarmed at the thought turning her face away refusing to show such a flustered face.

"Come on show me." He encourages gently turning her flushed face to turn back to him, his smile widens at the sight soon enough he bent down, his lips against Ann's cheek, brushing it lightly—and still that light touch sent shivers through her nerves, shivers that made her whole-body tremble.

"If you want me to stop, tell me now," he whispered. When she still said nothing, he brushed his mouth against the hollow of her temple.

"Or now." He traced the line of her cheekbone.

"Or now." His lips were against hers.

"Or—"

But Ann had gotten impatience, she had reached up and pulled him down to her, and the rest of his words were lost against her mouth. He kissed her gently, carefully, but it wasn't gentleness she wanted, not now, not after today's stressful day, she knew why he was doing this despite his aloof demeanour he could tell she has had a stressful day, he didn't want to seem pushy wanted her to take her own pace, something she appreciated greatly.

He knew what she could take as she knew what he could take after everything this affair of theirs had led to. She knotted her fists in his shirt, pulling him harder against her. He groaned softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circled her, gathering her against him as the two kissed in a world of their own, the snow freely falling from the high heavens of the island as Ann was finally gifted her surprise.

"So, this is the surprise…" Ann couldn't help but frown at the lake of ice brow furrowed from the sight of said lake, a shy sting of envy hitting her when watching Aokiji skate with ease, simply kicking him off, sliding it from side to side. Sure, it looked a bit good, but Ann couldn't help the shy smile at the sight watching him skate with ease, as expected of someone with his devil fruit.

Ann couldn't help but feel a faint feverish tint to her cheeks when watching Aokiji glide across the ice with ease she was almost awestruck at the sight making her blush brightly by the sight. What was wrong with her? She covers her flustered face, she wasn't some kid she was an adult, a grown ass adult going ice skating….

She spots some reindeers to the side now that she thought about it, they were at drum island, why hadn't she noticed that earlier? She couldn't help but wonder while eyeing the herd of reindeer noting one with a scar scowling at him making her eye twitch at the battle-hardened looking reindeer, antlers at the ready to protect his heart. Ann's sherry brown sharpens at the reindeer ready if the reindeer decided to get its ass whooped when…

"See it's fun." Aokiji stops before her, coming back seemingly snapping Ann out of it, turning her focus back to Aokiji.

"Smashing your head into the ice is fun?" Frowning, Ann couldn't help but eye the ice below. She didn't even want to think about the ice cracking and taking her with her, the idea of Aokiji getting trapped in the water brought a wave of worry to Ann astonished at how ease, how calm, how collected he seemed to act despite the fear of sinking just being beneath his feet, taunting fate almost at his confidence.

"That's just if you're a beginner." Aokiji states arms crossed over his chest.

"A beginner? Oh, thank goodness we don't have anyone like that here." Haughty, Ann remarks dryly, even when she was a young girl, she would watch Shanks and Buggy play on the ice but she never did, her father fretful for her not to mention the one time she did, did not end well…Ann couldn't help but grimace from the murky memory of the screaming Buggy the ice beneath him breaking as he dropped down sinking, Ann diving in after him. Buggy screaming from the sea beasts below as she grabbed him, dragging him out of there where they were then bedridden for the next few weeks, Shanks and Roger dutifully going in fussing over the two.

"You'll be fine I promise." Aokiji smiles softly at her.

"Hmm…" Ann couldn't help the strained sound of unease she makes, eyeing the hand stretched out to her.

"If it comes down to it, I'll take the hit." He offers as Ann's arms around her holding her chest loosen by his words, his eyes hidden behind his glasses softening slightly at the uneasy Ann.

"Then I'll feel shitty about you getting hurt." Honestly, Ann admits, she was already worried about hm falling in, sure she could save him from sinking but what of Pneumonia? She supposed she could trek back up to the witches to get aid if worse came to…

"Oh, concerned about little old me, are you?" Amused, Aokiji's voice seemingly snaps Ann out of her backup plan.

"I'd be a sort of dick if I didn't care for your wellbeing." Ann deadpans, he had done quite a lot for her, for her not to care about him at least a bit by his point would be frankly surprisingly.

"Look just take my hand…please just trust me on this." Aokiji offers his hand out to her.

"Fine…just a word of warning if I go down, you go down with me!" Ann threatens amusing Aokiji almost as she shyly shakily slowly slides her hand into his, her eyes expanding when watching his bigger, rougher, darker hand claps around her smaller, thinner, paler hand, feeling a strange warmth from it as his fingertips entwined with her own slowly but surely pulling her across the ice.

Anxiously, Ann held onto the large hand for dear life, knowing if she let go, she'd fall flat on her face. And she honestly just didn't need that not after today. A hand was on her lower back guiding Ann through her glide.

"There you go snowflake. Doing good." Aokiji tells her as he skates alongside Ann on the frozen lake. His long legs leading the way, propelling Ann as she followed his skilled path. Ann couldn't help her shy smile she felt like she was flying. Wind in her long locks of pink brought a giddy grin to her lips, smiling at the brisk breeze against her skin. She smiles oblivious to the glint gleaming in the bemused eyes of the smiling Aokiji until…

"Aokiji!" Alarmed, Ann gasps grabbing hold of Aokiji anxiously as she was easily lifted in the air in his strong arms. He just laughs as he spins Ann around in his arms, legs making a giant figure 8.

"Couldn't help myself, you look like a princess." He laughs, as he gently sets Ann down. Ann's legs almost giving way shaking from such a move as she seemingly clings to him, fingertips digging deep into him only making Aokiji's smile soften at the anxious Ann as her legs continue their journey on the ice. Laughing and feeling free felt great. Ann hadn't felt such freedom in so long. Skating along the ice till the sun lowered, casting a golden explosion over the frozen lake.

Aokiji couldn't help his soft smile at the giddy grin of Ann laughing having the time of her life bringing a soft smile to Aokiji's lips at the sight.

"You ready for one more?" He asks as he smiles softly down at her, smile widening when she giddily grins, nodding eager excited. He couldn't help but smile spotting the glint gleaming in her soaring sherries as this time he lifted Ann close to his body keeping her leg around him as he did a small fast spin. Slowly lowering Ann before guiding her back to the snow. Hand in hand he melted the ice skates he made with ease.

"It's good having a personal winter maker." Ann couldn't help but remark impressed that even happened.

"It definitely has its perks." He couldn't help but agree draping his arm around her, ice glued to his side but neither of them cares.

"Happy birthday Ann. Thank you for being born." He simply leans in for a peck, one Ann is more than happy to give as she couldn't help the tears from those words alone.

"Thank you Aokiji…" Ann couldn't help her smile, squeezing his chilled hand bringing a wave of warm as he happily clasped his chilled hand overs her. Ann doesn't even bat an eye to it, sherry staring into his own. His temple touches her own, a simple touch, he closes his eyes peacefully, the silent message made clear as she too closes her eyes, squeezing his hand, no words needing to be shed as the two head home…