Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

This is how Namur finds out and how he reacts to it

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace felt nervous, he was going to try and talk to Namur, and he felt worried about it. He didn't know what Namur would say and how he would take it. They had just talked with Pops yesterday, and tomorrow they would get the answer if he could be with Marco, and he was worried about that as well. He needed something else to think about, but this was still a lot he felt, but also something he needed to do. So, with a deep breath, he went into the kitchen, as he had mentioned it to Thatch, and Namur was going to help Thatch prepare something today, and when Ace came- if he came- Thatch would give them some private time. So when Ace walked in, Thatch smiled. "Ace! Here to help?" Ace nodded and smiled, which had Thatch smile as well. Then they did some things, before Thatch said he would just head out and see how things were going in the galley, and Ace knew this was his cue.

But before Ace could speak, Namur did. "How are you, Ace? We haven't talked much." Ace made a small sound. "I am okay, you?" Namur hummed. "Okay, I like to help around." Ace nodded. "Yeah, same. …How… umm…." Ace didn't know how to start this. Namur hummed as he didn't continue. "Anything you want to talk about? You seem… unsure." Ace sighed. "I am, I just… I want to join here, but I also feel I should… tell something." Namur nodded a bit slowly. "Okay? Which is?" Ace sighed, this was it. "I… I don't mean to sound mean to others, but I had a hard childhood and… I needed a way to cope… which was in a bad way…" Ace halted for a second, but Namur didn't speak, giving him time to find his words. "And that bad way was to… harm myself." There, he said it.

Namur nodded, getting he was done. "I see. But… you have stopped this, right?" Ace quickly nodded. "I have, but I just… I have a lot of scars left." Namur nodded. "Ah, I see, the reason for the sweater. You don't get cold, so I have wondered why now and then." Ace nodded. "Yeah… I try to hide it… I feel… ashamed…" Namur nodded. "I can get that." Namur moved a hand to his shoulder. "I know it is hard, but we won't look down at you for this." Ace nodded a bit slowly. "You… don't mind it?" Namur hummed. "I don't mind the scars, and I am glad you told me. And I hope you won't do it again." Ace nodded. "Yeah, I do hope so myself."

Namur looked at him. "It is something one shouldn't do, but I sort of get it." Ace blinked. "You do?" Namur nodded. "Yes. I, years ago, I had this friend. A fishwoman. And being a fishman or fishwoman isn't… easy. I am not saying everyone else has it better, but many just hate us for no reason, just because we have gills and a different skin color. Anyhow, the words everyone calls us under their breath, it got to her a lot. She started to hate what she was, and one day, I saw it. She had wounds, and I was so worried for her, and she said I shouldn't be, and after a lot of pushing from me- I thought someone had hurt her- she told me it was she herself who did it."

Namur sighed. "I was confused, when she said some words which stuck with her. She said; 'feelings are temporary, but it is too great for me. I know I shouldn't make permanent decisions with temporary feelings, but without this pain I control, the pain inside me is too much and I will die'." Namur gave a breath. "I don't know how she is now, I hope she is well. But those words made me realise, what is just a word for me, a small wound for me, might be life and death for someone else." Namur looked at him with kind eyes. "If you ever need someone to talk with, know I am here."

Ace nodded, feeling his eyes being a bit blank. Namur seemed to get it, and so few did. "I… Thank you. I will remember it." Namur nodded. "I know sometimes that first word is like jumping off a cliff, but I would never judge you for this or think anything negative about you. In your moment of pain, it is what kept you going. I don't want anyone to do it, or feel they should do it, but it might be the only thing keeping them here.." Ace nodded. "I am doing my best to not do it. But I am also scared to promise I will never do it again… I know that sounds bad." Namur shook his head. "No, but I would like, if you can, if you ever need it, it doesn't need to be me, but someone, that you go to someone for help, to speak or not be alone." Ace nodded. "That I will try and do. I… never want to do it again, but…."

Namur shook his head and moved a hand to his shoulder. "Just keep on going, you are a lot stronger than you think, Ace. Okay?" Ace nodded and smiled. "I will. Thank you." Namur nodded and then went back to preparing what was needed, speaking about casual things, Ace doing the same. He felt the conversation went very well, and he got what Namur said, and that Namur thought he was stronger than he believed, it felt… nice to hear. Maybe Ace was stronger than he thought?

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed!

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