Hello everyone, here is another one shot, this time from Amnesia

As everyone has a tattoo and Ace has rejoined the pirates, he is thinking of getting one

Hope you enjoy

Read and enjoy

Marco sat in his room, moving to stand up when there was a knock at his door, opening it to find Ace. "Ace, what brings you here, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Just, I want to talk about something." Marco nodded, moving to open the door more so Ace could come inside, who moved to sit down on his bed with a sigh, and Marco moved over to his chair, sitting down. "What do you want to talk about, yoi?" Ace took a breath. "It's just, I know everyone here has a tattoo of Whitebeard's mark, and I thought, I have joined now, and should I get one?" Marco hummed. "I see. Do you want to take Pops' mark?" Ace nodded slowly. "I think so. I mean, I like it here, and I should have something to show for it. I know I probably should call him… Pops… but Azuruko said to avoid nicknames." Ace had a sheepish smile, and Marco took a breath. "Well yeah, but Whitebeard is a nickname too, then. And you do call him that." That had Ace's smile fall, blinking, before he looked unsure, which had Marco speak up, a hand out to Ace. "Don't take it wrong. Don't stop calling him Whitebeard, that would break his heart. But Pops is a nickname he wants to be called, yoi. I think Azuruko meant nicknames that aren't wanted." Ace nodded slowly. "That… that makes sense… I'm just… unsure. And, he's not my father either. So it feels weird." Marco gave a comforting smile. "I get it. It will take time, it's only been 4 months, and you're still making improvements, yoi." Ace was, and there had been times when he forgot a lot. He had a diary he wrote in, and it seemed to help, but at times, Ace had even forgotten him, a few times searching for Azuruko, forgetting he had left. It was still a lot to handle at times, but they were better at handling it now. Having been through a lot of memory loss and just small things, like counting was still hard at times.

Ace nodded. "I know. I always feel so bad when I forget things." Marco moved a hand to Ace's leg. "It's fine, we know you don't control it. As long as you're comfortable, we're happy, yoi. But back to the matter, a tattoo. It is a lifetime thing." Ace nodded. "I know. And I think I want it." Marco nodded. "How about this. Think about it for a week, and we'll take it from there. In case you change your mind, yoi." Marco knew Ace might forget about this whole conversation and idea by tomorrow, so he didn't want Ace to rush into it. Ace nodded. "Okay, I can do that." Marco nodded. "Good. We have this as a plan for now, and you come see me in a week if you still feel up to it, yoi." Ace nodded, before they spoke a bit about everything, before Ace left. Marco hoped a bit Ace would visit him again in a week, so Ace could take their family mark. But he didn't want Ace to do something he would regret.

Things were calm for the next week. He had spoken with Pops about the tattoo thing with Ace, and the man had agreed it was good to wait a week, to be sure Ace really wanted it. So, when a week had passed, he opened his door when there was a knock, Ace coming inside and sitting down on the bed as last time, Marco sitting down on his chair. "So," started Marco. "You still want a tattoo, yoi?" Ace nodded. "I think so, I mean, I really like it here." Marco nodded. He wasn't sure if 'I think so' was good enough for him. "Have you remembered it all week, yoi?" Ace nodded a bit. "Sort of. I wrote it in my diary. And when I read it, I feel it sounds like a good idea. One time I felt unsure, but when I got out and was with you guys, I wanted it. You're all so kind and nice and I want to be included." Marco nodded. "Okay, so you've wanted it all the times you've thought about it?" Ace nodded, which had Marco hum. "If I approve, where would you take it?" Ace let out a breath. "I have been thinking, I never feel cold, and I really don't like my scars on my back, so how about there?" Marco blinked. "On your back, yoi?" Ace nodded. "I want it to be big. And it can cover the scars." Marco nodded. Ace still had huge issues with remembering he had a devil fruit. Marco wasn't sure why that was a thing he often forgot, but it was.

Marco moved a hand to Ace's leg. "Okay, if you really want it, you can take a tattoo, yoi." Ace smiled. "I would like that. Will you join me?" Marco nodded. "I can." That had Ace smile, and they headed on to their tattoo artist, Ace explaining what he wanted, and it had Chuck smile. It was exactly like last time. It took a few hours, but when it was done, it was covered to heal. Ace still couldn't use his fruit to heal, not knowing he had one. So, it would take a week before they could see it. The next week was taken in a calm manner. Ace had said a couple times he forgot about it, but the tenderness reminded him of it, even once asking if he had gotten injured somehow, since his back was plastered. Marco had said it was since he had gotten their tattoo, and Ace had been shocked for a few seconds, before he said he was glad he had, he liked it here and wanted to be a part of their crew. Ace often referred to them as a crew and not a family, but Marco guessed it would take time. When he finally could take the plaster off, Ace was excited and Marco joined him, and when the plaster was off, Ace blinked shocked, before he frowned a bit. Marco was not sure why and hoped Ace didn't regret it. But it quickly changed to a smile, Ace saying he was glad it looked good. Marco was glad Ace was happy. So when they walked out on deck, Ace being shirtless, everyone was excited to see Ace having their mark again. Everyone was glad on Ace's behalf.

After that, things were calm. There was a couple days Ace forgot about the tattoo and came out with a shirt on, but they carefully reminded him about it, and a few times, he took his shirt off, but a couple times he didn't, saying he didn't feel like going shirtless, and it was fine. They didn't need to see the mark at all times. Many had marks that were covered at times, so it was fine. Ace was happy with them and that was all that mattered.

-x-

Whitebeard sat in his room, giving a come in when there was a light knock on his door. It opened a second later to show Ace, who gave a smile. "Hey, could… could I come in?" Whitebeard chuckled. "Of course, child. I always enjoy a visit from my children." Ace nodded with a sheepish smile as he walked inside. The captain knew Ace had a bit of issues with calling them family, especially about him calling him Pops, but it was fine. Ace was here. "So," Started Whitebeard when Ace was seated in a chair. "What brings you by so late?" It was close to midnight now. Ace hummed. "I just… didn't want to be alone." Whitebeard nodded. "I see. You are always welcomed here. How are you feeling? You've just taken our mark." Ace blinked, before he nodded. "Yeah, I still sometimes forget about it, but I'm glad I did it." Whitebeard smiled. "That's good, son." Ace nodded, a hand moving to his back as he got a small frown, making him speak up. "Is there anything wrong?" Ace sighed. "It's just… It's probably all in my mind, but… I had small sections of something purple on my back, not sure where they came from, but they… line up perfectly with the tattoo. It's probably stupid and all in my head."

Whitebeard took a breath, not sure what to do now. If he should tell the truth or not. After a couple seconds, he decided to try and tell the truth. "Do you remember how you were a part of us?" Ace nodded, getting a frown, not sure why he asked it, but it had the captain continue. "You had our mark before, on your back. That's why they line up perfectly; it's the same mark." Ace blinked at him, looking shocked. "What?" Whitebeard nodded. "You had my mark on your back before." Ace blinked again, getting a frown. "What… what happened to it? Why is it gone?" Whitebeard took a breath. "Those who took you, they took it away. That's why your back is scarred. The brand is from them. They did horrendous things, taking away a mark is horrible, but they did it nonetheless." Ace had a frown, looking bothered as his eyes moved around. "I- I-" Ace shook his head, moving it down to his hands, still shaking it. "Why can't I remember these things! Why can't I remember! Why is my mind so useless!" Whitebeard shook his head, a hand moving out to Ace. "No, don't think like that. You're making huge improvements." Ace shook his head, giving a sniffle. "I can't remember simple things! I still count like a child! I can't remember simple things, not even a tattoo!" Whitebeard shook his head, his hand moving to be on Ace's shoulder. "But it is fine, son. We know you have issues, and we want to help you through it." Ace shook his head, giving another sniffle. "I want to remember!"

Whitebeard shook his head again, moving a hand to lift Ace's head, Ace having red eyes and giving a sniffle, the captain giving a comforting smile. "You have issues, not only since your mind got damaged, but it is painful for you." Ace sniffed. "What's painful?" Whitebeard took a breath. "At times, when you remember, you say it is painful. I don't want to alarm you, but," The captain let out a breath, hoping this wouldn't be a mistake. "You sometimes speak of a 'him', and how you don't want to remember him." Ace blinked, a hand moving to dry away a tear, sniffling. "Why- when have I done that?" Whitebeard wasn't surprised Ace didn't remember, it was tough for Ace. "A few times when we speak about your capture." Ace frowned. "Why don't I-!" Ace cut off as he moved his head down in his arms, giving a whimper, before he gave a small sob. "I don't want to remember." Whitebeard sighed. This was what he had been scared of, that Ace would remember something he didn't want to. Ace had gone through a lot, a lot of bad things. Whitebeard moved his hand to Ace's head. "Don't worry, Ace. Just take a deep breath, and know you are safe here." Ace shook his head. "I want to remember, but not that, not him." Whitebeard wanted to know who this 'him' was, but it was obviously distressing to Ace. And he didn't want for Ace to be distressed. He didn't want this to turn into a situation he couldn't handle. "Just relax, Ace. You're fine now." Ace gave a small nod with a whimper, hands still around his head, moving his legs up to his seat too.

Ace sat like that for a couple minutes, before he slowly moved his head up, eyes full of fear. "Why don't I want to remember… Why must he always be there…" Whitebeard did his best to give a comforting look. "I know it is hard, and no one is expecting you to remember it or him. I know it is tough as they did horrendous things. Don't remember if you don't want to." Whitebeard didn't want Ace to be distressed, and the next time they were at the island Azuruko lived on, he would be sure to speak with the man about this, about this 'man', and see if Azuruko could be any help for Ace to handle it better, take away the worst of it, the emotions and distress, as he had before. He wanted Ace to remember as much as he could, but this man was obviously in the way of that. And it must be someone who was close to Ace when he was captured, one of those who might have tortured Ace, taken away his mark and foot. And Whitebeard got that Ace didn't want to remember, it was horrid things. Whitebeard did his best to look comforting. "Don't try and remember something you don't want to. I don't want you to be distressed. I want you to be comfortable." Ace nodded, hands moving to his eyes to dry them. "I want to remember… but I don't want to at the same time… It's confusing." Whitebeard nodded, a hand moving to Ace's shoulder. "We don't care if you remember us, we want you to be happy. If you never remember everything, that is fine. We care for you, not your memories." Ace nodded, hands moving to be around himself. "That… that makes me feel a bit better." Whitebeard smiled, the worst was over and Ace was calm again. "How have you been the last few weeks?" Ace shrugged. "Fine, I think. My diary says I'm fine." Whitebeard nodded, glad Ace was fine, and his diary said so too. The diary had helped Ace greatly.

"Have you written anything about me?" It was a bold question, but he wanted to know. Ace gave a small nod with a smile. "Y-yeah. I sometimes write your size, and that you're kind. And," Ace gave a small laugh. "Marco mentioned something. He said- I have been thought to avoid nicknames, the reason I have issues with… Pops… but he mentioned 'Whitebeard' was a nickname too, and made me a bit unsure about it. But he said if I started to call you Newgate, it would be hurtful for you." Whitebeard smiled with a small chuckle. He got Ace was unsure, but he was right. He wouldn't like it if Ace called him Newgate, very few did, and Whitebeard liked… well Whitebeard. He still hoped Ace would call him Pops one day again, but he wouldn't push it. He was glad Ace had taken his mark, that was enough for him to know he was happy here. "I get why that had you unsure, but I am glad you still call me Whitebeard. It means a lot to me." Ace nodded, smiling. "I guessed as much. It is a lot to remember, but I am trying my best." Whitebeard nodded. "I know, and we are so proud of you, I am proud. Even when you forget things, that will never change. I will always be here for you." Ace smiled, which had him smile back.

They then spoke about this and that, just chatting, before Ace left for his room, feeling tired, and Whitebeard got it. He did give a goodnight, and Ace gave one back, before he left. When Ace was gone, Whitebeard took a breath. That had gone fine, save for the small breakdown, but it had still gone fine. He was glad he managed to calm down Ace. He hoped Ace wouldn't remember more of this man while he was alone, that might turn out bad as Ace would get stressed, which still wasn't good for Ace. Stress could create a relapse, and that was the last thing he wanted. Ace was doing so good. He still forgot things, but things were going fine.

And that's the one shot, hope you enjoyed

I hope this made sense and was good, I imagine Ace would want a tattoo again and then be shocked how it lined up perfectly, having forgotten he had a tattoo before

If you liked this, please tell me and I can make more

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