#ace x reader

riddle, deuce, jamil, vil version

❤︎ ACE TRAPPOLA

→ During this time on month he is always walking on eggshells, even more than usual. He knows he can be annoying (our self aware king) so he tries to tone his irritating side (is there any other one though). Although it’s hard sometimes to not say anything back to you, but his efforts are appreciated.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Ace swore that if he will bite his tongue even one more time it will finally start bleeding.

But otherwise it was hard keeping his mouth shut, especially when you were whining about your period cramps.

It’s not like he didn’t get why you were like that, while he would never know the pain that you feel he could imagine that it wasn’t the most pleasant feeling out there.

But for The Great Sevens’ sake in what way was any of it his fault?

He had to listen so much about how bad you feel and how he isn’t doing anything. Like what the hell he is supposed to do about it? Gain some god powers and change the laws of nature so you would stop having period cramps? Or just periods in general?

In moments like that he starts to kind of understand Riddle’s behavior towards him.

Although he won’t ever tell you to shut up again. He tried once and he was met with the wrath worse than the Queen of hearts’ one.

But there’s no way he would tell you that. He does value his life after all.

So he just set onto sitting quietly while you half-yell at him, all while smiling. This is what he signed up for when he entered relationship with you.

And he is totally fine with that.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Heard from somewhere that buying you sweets will help, so you can expect getting lots and lots of various candies, chocolates and all that other stuff.

→ Once while he was shopping for you, he noticed a shop that sells plushies, so his great idea was to get you one. The only problem was that he couldn’t decide on one, so he just got one of every kind (he got later yelled at by his parents for spending so much money).

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Ace…” you sighed out exhausted at the sight of your boyfriend who was grinning proudly.

You asked him to go fetch you some medicine because you have run out of yours.

But while shopping he wanted to make you happy by buying you a plushie. Which you appreciate greatly of course!

Although did he really had to buy one of each collection?

Quoting his words he couldn’t decide which one would you like the best.

“How much did you even spend on these…” you looked him with a raised eyebrow, but your look did not deter him even in the slightest.

He pressed his finger against your lips to shush you “Shhhhh… don’t think about it…”

Then he thrown his arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer.

“Look at the bright side, you have the plushie supply for a very long time! It’s called investment” he put his other hand on his chest, puffing it proudly.

You were not only touched by his gesture, but also way too tired to argue about it.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Sometimes he tries to give you a message, and from pity you pretend that he does it well. If anyone asks why your back pain gets worse and worse you just smile and try to change the topic.

→ He always argues with your period cramps, calling it evil for doing this to you. While for anyone looking at it (no one is) it may be cringe, for Ace the only thing that matters is the fact that he succeeds in making you laugh (and cringe a little too, let’s be honest).

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

You were lying on your back against your pillows on your bed, all comfortable and would be on the verge of sleep if not for the pain that decided to show up just as you were about to fall asleep.

And right next to you was Ace, lying a little lower with his face close to your uncovered stomach.

“Who do you think you are to make my partner hurting? Huh?” he said in a delinquent like voice manner to nothing else but your stomach. That didn’t even grumble back.

You have heard about some boyfriends arguing and “fighting” their partners’ period cramps, and it was cringe already when you only saw it on the screen of your phone.

But to experience it in real life? If you have told yourself from past that your boyfriend would be one of these guys, your past self would probably ask why is he even your boyfriend.

Life is full of surprises after all… right?

And while it may be really, reallyyyyy cringe. You didn’t feel bad nor embarrassed about genuinely laughing at Ace’s theatrics.

Plus his hand drawing circles on your stomach was certainly a very nice bonus.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Proudly wears a T-shirt that says “End Period Cramps (I’m 6’5 btw)”. He’s not. (does twisted wonderland use the foot length unit or centimetres??? idk but 6’5 sounds more funny than 195 cm)

→ Acts very performative when talking with others about the fact that his partner is going through period. Although you can’t deny his (basic) period knowledge. But hey some people don’t even know the difference between menstruation and ovulation (he also did not know this till getting into relationship with you).

❤︎ JACK HOWL

→ Knows all of your comfort movies, so he makes sure to always put them on when your period cramps are particularly painful as a way to distract you.

→ He always prepares you a set of fresh and comfortable clothes, so when you will come out of the bathroom you can just get into them without any worry.

→ Let’s you cuddle with his tail, and uses it as a way to help with keeping your stomach warm. It’s the only time when you can just ask for his fluffy tail without any remark or grumbles from him.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Jack sat on the bed next to your lying body, although very weirdly stiffly.

And it was due to the fact that he could feel your eyes on his back, and your groans that he knew were theatrical didn’t help his case at all.

He knew what you wanted, but instead of asking you decide to make him propose it himself.

Successfully he kept up himself for a long time but hearing your actual sounds of pain mixed with the fake ones tugged on his heart.

So with a sigh with moved his tail so it would be laying against your uncovered stomach, your hands instantly pulling it closer to yourself.

You looked very satisfied with yourself, a smirk showing up on your face.

But he couldn’t see it because he was stubborn about looking the other way, so you won’t see his blushing face.

Although you both knew that you know that he was blushing.

You were too comfortable and in pain to tease him about it though.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Encourages you to join him in walking around, of course if you are able to. He makes sure that you don’t stay and rot in bed. It may be a little annoying but you know that not only he means well, but also it’s good for you to go out.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Come on Jack… my stomach really hurts you know…” you whined while walking next to him.

Your walk started not even 10 minutes ago and you were already tired of it.

“I know it does, but you need some fresh air” he stated bluntly “And lying all day isn’t good neither for your health nor pain that you are experiencing.”

You sighed, knowing that unfortunately he was right.

In any other circumstances you would go with him on his daily walk without any words. But with period it wasn’t as neutral as any other day.

You could at least make the best of it though.

“Can you hold my hand then? I feel really bad and it would be better if you helped me by tugging me along a little bit” you smiled at him pleadingly.

Jack looked at you and after a moment of hesitation, he gently took your hand in his, occasionally squeezing it.

Either to ground you or himself. You didn’t know. Perhaps both.

You knew that he would agree to it. He may be putting up a tough guy persona, but he’s way far from actually being it.

After all that’s one of many attributes of his that made you fall for him.

So for the rest of the walk you were trying to keep your complaints to the minimum.

And Jack was infinitely grateful for it.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Makes sure you stay hydrated. As an athlete he knows how important good hydration is for maintaining your health. Especially at times like that (even though he doesn’t go through them).

→ If you plead enough (which isn’t much) he will carry you on his back, so you won’t be “hurting” any more by moving your body. The case if you were truly feeling pain or not is a different conversation.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

It was almost the end of one of the walks that Jack insisted that you accompany him to.

There was maybe 10 or less minutes until you will be seeing the Night Raven College castle.

But your period cramps didn’t wait for you to finally be in your room and decided to show up earlier.

Unfortunately for you. But maybe not fully.

You turned to glance at Jack and then your eyes went to his back that wasn’t occupied by anyone at the moment.

And a great idea came up to you.

Jack noticed you getting closer to him in a suspiciously slow manner.

“You need something?” he asked, seeing how you fidgeted, which clearly meant you have something on your mind.

“Would you be opposed to… you know… carrying me for the rest of the walk?” you said in the most polite and pleading voice that you could muster.

He raised his eyebrow at you “We are already so close, I’m sure you will be able to get there. I believe in you.”

“But I am sooo in pain… please Jack” you put a hand on your stomach to emphasise on you being hurt.

Jack was quiet for a few seconds and then he grumbled something under his nose, that you didn’t catch.

Suddenly he crouched in front of you. And you instantly knew that your plan succeeded.

“Get on” he said in a hushed tone.

You couldn’t contain your smile and excitement and quickly jumped on his back, almost tumbling you both down.

Although you didn’t feel scared even for a moment, knowing that Jack would never let you fall.

“I thought you were in pain? You don’t seem like someone who’s hurting to me” he stood up and corrected you, so he can have a better grip on you.

“I mean… ow… it hurts…” you whispered, a little embarrassed that he caught on your little scheme.

He only sighed in response, but started walking with you nonetheless.

After all what kind of boyfriend would he be if he didn’t fulfil your silly request?

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Emphasis a lot on you moving your body, so you can expect him to encourage you to do some light exercises every now and then. And it isn’t only exclusive to the time when you’re menstruating.

❤︎ EPEL FELMIER

→ Calls his grandma for advice. Prior to dating you he had known nothing about periods, because as a guy his mom never felt the need to have a talk with him, and the only other important female figure in his life was already past having her periods. But nonetheless his grandma was huge help. And just so you know Marja Felmier does not play about you, and Epel knows it very well.

→ Talking about his grandma - she sends him a lot of fresh fruit, manly apples of course, so he can give you them. He always makes sure to cut them into small pieces so it would be more comfortable for you to eat them.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Epel I’m thankful that you take care of me, but my period won’t make me have problems with eating larger food pieces you know?” you said with an awkward smile, a little overwhelmed by his insistence on cutting fruit for you.

He only shook his head and smiled at you “I know that, but if there’s a way I can make you feel even a little better then I will definitely try it. And eating smaller food pieces is easier and less demanding.”

Oh yeah cause eating food is demanding, you thought sarcastically, not wanting to share your thoughts to not make him feel bad or anything.

And you felt really pampered by him, as he really was trying his best to help you feel better.

“That’s really caring of you” you settled on simple compliment.

You wanted to call him sweet but you know how much he didn’t like being described by words like “cute” or “sweet”.

And you were too tired to deal with his complaints about it.

His cheeks turned to a pink shade at your words. And he couldn’t contain the little smile that was about to show up.

“I try my best” he said with a chuckle. He was happy that his efforts were appreciated by you.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Once heard from somewhere (Vil) that lavender scent helps with calming down nerves and dealing with pain. That’s why he always buys you some lavender scented stuff like candles or bath bombs. So good luck if you are not a fan of that smell.

→ He tries to keep your mind off of your period by coming up with random activities, that aren’t too complicated so you won’t get too mad, but aren’t too monotonous so you won’t be thinking about the pain. His favourite one to go is painting or pottery.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

When you saw Epel coming up to you with various paints and two canvases you got excited about whatever was about to come.

He proposed paintings each other just like in these videos you saw sometimes, and you eagerly agreed.

But your excitement was quickly replaced by frustration as your painting didn’t come out the way you imagined it to be.

You were so focused on making the painting better that you forgot about the pain that you were feeling just some minutes ago.

And apparently your emotions were written all over your face as Epel started sweating when he noticed.

He figured out that it was something about your artwork that bothered you, so he knew that he has to cheer you up with his painting.

Even though he wasn’t the most talented artist he did try his best to make you look the best he could on his canvas.

When it was finally the time when both of you finished he was even more nervous than before.

You counted down before revealing your paintings to each other.

“Wow… I didn’t know you can paint that well Epel. You painted me so prettily!” you exclaimed happily, truly impressed by the effort that he put into his piece.

You were so happy about how his painting came out that you forgot about how yours didn’t end up the way you wanted it to.

But he was just glad that he has successfully managed to prevent you from getting mad.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ When it comes to buying you various products he wasn’t a fan of that, due to feeling a little embarrassed about being seen with things that are associated with being a female like pads, tampons etc. especially he was already being perceived by some people as a girl. That’s why at first he was asking Rook in secret to fetch these things for him, but now after finally maturing he stopped feeling embarrassed about getting stuff for his partner. He even thinks that he should be proud that you trust him enough to ask him for things that for most are intimate.

→ Likes to play with your hair as a way of soothing your nerves. He always puts his skills that he learnt from Vil to test, as you aren’t a big fan of going anywhere while menstruating so weird looking hairstyles won’t be a big problem.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

You were comfortably sitting on the pillows pilled up under you on the floor, while Epel was sitting on the bed. This position was supposed to make it easier for him to do his work.

And his work was doing your hair.

It was a rare time where he was grateful for the time that Vil took from his time to show him how to do many different hairstyles.

Some weren’t even meant for his own hair’s length or texture.

Beforehand he had bought various clips and other stuff to be able to decorate your hair in any way he wanted.

And because you didn’t plan on going out anywhere, you were cool about him experimenting with your hair.

So as he was doing his stuff on your hair, you were busy watching a show that you finally had time to put on.

Epel was doing his best to not tug your hair in any way that would hurt you, and he was fortunately successful. Or maybe you were just too engrossed in the screen in front of you.

But because of that you couldn’t see the absolute atrocity that was now on your head. Nor Epel’s distress face.

For you all he was doing is playing with your hair to make you feel better. And who were you to deny something that feels so good.

Epel began sweating hard when he started imagining all the scenarios that would occur when you will go to look into the mirror.

After all you were fine with him messing your hair a little, not making it seem like you were just sucked into a tornado.

R.I.P. Epel Felmier.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

❤︎ SEBEK ZIGVOLT

→ Keeps track of your period, and is so serious about it too, maybe even more than you. Always reminds you if it’s getting closer to the time so you both can get ready for it. It’s marked with a bright red circle on his calendar.

→ He tries to keep his voice down when he’s with you in general, but when you are menstruating his talking may as well be called whispering. You often even have to tell him, the Sebek Zigvolt, to speak up. Insane.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

You and Sebek were sitting next to each other in the empty Diasomnia’s lounge, quite close to each other due to Sebek’s very strange behavior.

Many people when thinking about your boyfriend think about his voice volume. And you can’t really blame her, you first hear Sebek before seeing him.

But now as you were on your period, he started doing something very out of the character for you.

He was keeping quiet.

He insisted that he can’t be interrupting your peace in any way, and he turned out to be enough self-aware to realise that he does speak in higher volume on the daily basis.

So he decided to change the way he spoke for the time being.

And not like just speaking normally, as in not yelling, but he was whispering all the time!

Sometimes it was even hard to hear what he was saying.

“Sebek… can you please repeat what you just said? Just… you know… louder?” you said awkwardly, feeling weird just saying something like this to your boyfriend of all people.

He repeated his question and you had to comically get your ear closer to his mouth to hear what he was mumbling.

“Do you need me to get something?” he whispered.

You almost slapped a hand on your forehead.

“No, I don’t” it was all that you could muster in response, feeling stupid for not realising what he was saying.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ Prepares your heating pad in advance, you don’t even have to think about getting one when you are in pain cause he is already two steps ahead (always two steps ahead…). He may or may not even sometimes take your heating pad and use it himself when it’s particularly cold.

→ He always has a variety of painkillers in case your period cramps show themselves when you are not in the presence of your room. And if you are ever worried about forgetting a pad or tampon, then just remember who are you dating. Sebek always has your back. And he is always prepared for anything.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

From all the things that could have happened to you, you have forgotten to take your painkillers this morning.

And your period cramps definitely weren’t going easy on you.

The worst thing was the fact that today of all days the nurse from infirmary was absent because of which it was unviable.

So you didn’t have a place to go for the medicine to.

Sebek noticed you clenching your stomach in your hand a lot more than usual, so as a good boyfriend he knew that he should ask you what’s up.

On one break he came up to you.

“Is everything alright?” he asked in a worried tone. Well as worried as it could be when it comes to Sebek.

“I forgot to take my pills this morning… and the infirmary is closed…” you mumbled, not having much power to show more emotion.

At that without any hesitation he pulled out a little box from his blazer and opened it before your eyes.

What you were seeing surprised you greatly.

There was few painkillers to choose from, some pads and tampons, and even some chocolate candies.

Sometimes it seemed like Sebek was the one who was experiencing the period not you.

“Woah… that’s… just woah” was all you could say from your shock.

Sebek smiled proudly, clearly very pleased with himself for being prepared for the time where you are not.

And you were really grateful for that.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ While he is keen on both his and yours education, and isn’t a big fan of you staying in your room, but in this case he won’t be arguing with you if you do decide that you want to stay. It doesn’t even matter if you stay because of the pain or just because. You can be sure that you will get a set of perfectly written notes (even if you both are not in the same class he will find a way to get them) and a free tutor lessons.

→ Is very serious about your sleep, and makes sure that you will take at least one short nap while you’re menstruating. Often when he isn’t busy, he will get under covers with you to keep you warm. Especially when you’re having a period in winter. Then you both use each other as personal heaters.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The weather this morning was so nice that no one even dared to think that it will change so drastically.

Now when you look out of the window you barely see anything due to the water droplets that cover it so thickly that there’s no way to see past them.

Although for you it didn’t make that much of a difference as you were staying under your bed covers either way.

And it was a perfect time to spend some time with your boyfriend as he couldn’t really do anything when the weather is so bad.

That was your original plan at least.

But Sebek was set on you taking a nap as you have nothing to do.

You couldn’t really lie about not being a little exhausted, but nonetheless it was way too great of an opportunity to have some quality time.

“Come on Sebek… I don’t want to go to sleep… what am I a toddler or something?” you asked sarcastically, which only made him furrow his eyebrows.

“Of course you’re not a toddler, but even adults need to rest when they are tired. It’s the natural way of doing” straight forward as always.

You sighed loudly.

But then you noticed the way Sebek was trembling a little, clearly his school blazer was not enough to keep him warm in a weather like that.

Which gave you an idea to solve your problem. And your boyfriend’s too, as you knew that he wouldn’t ever admit to being cold as to not appear weak in front of you.

“Then would you come lay with me? It’s really cold and the blanket isn’t enough to keep me warm” you asked in a fake sad voice.

His cheeks turned into a light pink color but the way he perked up was clear to see.

After a moment of hesitation, to not seem too eager about your suggestion, he finally answered.

“Well, I would be a bad boyfriend if I declined your request to help you” he said in a slight wobbly manner.

Then after taking his shoes and blazer off, he quickly jumped under your blanket that you were holding open for him.

Almost instantly your bodies snuggled into each other, fitting perfectly just like puzzles.

The warm he provided made you even more tired, and you didn’t even know when you fallen asleep.

Although you did know that you were still conscious enough to feel Sebek’s lips on your cheek and his quiet “goodnight”.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

→ He makes sure you never feel embarrassed for having something natural as period. Regardless if his mom as a fae does or doesn’t experience period he will never make you feel bad or weak for menstruating. He even praises you for going through all of it despite it being so painful.

⭑ DIVIDERS: by @/tsumiinum

⭑ JUNII’S NOTES: the comparison of how my post looked back then vs now 💔 also never thought i would writing a continuation of that post but whatever my client wants my client gets

likes, comments and reblogs are appreciated !!

© juniiveey

You’d found one of his shirts by chance, solely because you didn’t think Ace owned a shirt or even knew what one was yet he had a couple. Mainly button ups but that would do. It would do the job of keeping your shoulders from getting burnt which was Marco’s concern and worry for you.  Your shoulders had been getting too burnt since you were mainly wearing tank tops and bikini tops (unknowingly driving Ace up the wall but it wasn’t your fault that you were in an area of the New World that was mainly summer islands!) and Marco had told you to start covering your shoulders so they wouldn’t get worse and blister. You’d pouted and had said fine, you were still not thrilled with it because you had been putting sunscreen on but even that hadn’t helped and now Marco was concerned. 

You had snatched the yellow shirt and put it on. You glanced down at yourself and nodded your own approval. It was oversized and you liked that it was, it made it much easier to style it the way you wanted to. (and it smelled just a bit like Ace still, smokey, with a hint of the ocean..)

You had styled it accordingly, tying up the ends of the button up and making it a crop top over your bikini top and those high waisted shorts that apparently drove Ace crazy but you didn’t know that. You didn’t think anything of it as you fixed your hair, styling it so it wouldn’t get in your way while on deck and you headed to shore. 

Who knew Ace would have the perfect solution?

Definitely not you and definitely not Ace. 

The Moby Dick had docked for a couple of days at one of the islands in Whitebeard’s Territory. It was a summer island and the beach was beautiful as was the island market. You and some of the other girls wanted to hit up the market and then do the beach but there was also a festival the next day which meant you'd be buying a new dress.

“Where did you get that shirt?” Laura asked with a tilt of her head and you glanced down at yourself. “I didn’t know you owned one like that.”

“I don’t.” You told her with a bit of a blush. “I went into Ace’s cabin to see if he had anything, apparently he does.”

The girls stared at you, exchanging looks with each other before snickering a bit. “You got that from Ace? I didn’t know Ace had shirts.” Diana snickered as you laughed and shook your head.

“I didn’t know he did either. He told me I could go into his cabin anytime and I took a wild chance.” You shrugged, not seeing anything wrong with it and they didn’t either- other than the fact that you had gone into Ace’s cabin, the man you had quite the thing for, and stolen one of his shirts. 

“Hmm. Anyway, why are you wearing a shirt?” Laura raised a brow and you sighed, scowling in the direction of Marco.

“Marco told me that I needed to protect my shoulders from the sun.” You pouted and she snorted.

”He’s not wrong, you’re going to get blisters on your shoulders if you keep it up.”

You rolled your eyes, pouting once more as the girls laughed. “Yeah, yeah, that’s what he said too.” You grumbled as the four of you headed down the gang plank and towards the village, laughing and joking as you were prone to do. It wasn’t often the four of you were able to get together on an island with no work to worry about.

You hadn’t noticed Ace talking with Marco and Thatch and you definitely didn’t notice Ace do a double take at the yellow button up shirt that you had on.

-------------------------------------------------

”Is that…. My shirt?” He asked, staring right at you as you walked past, laughing at something one of the nurses had said. 

Marco glanced over and raised a brow. “You own a shirt, yoi?”

“I guess so?” Ace rubbed the back of his neck but his cheeks were flushed a bit seeing you in his shirt. 

You. 

His crush.

The one he fumbled around?

The girl who managed to fluster him without even trying?

Wearing HIS shirt?

“Ace?” Thatch called to him, amusement clear in his tone as he waved his hand in front of the Second Division Commander’s face. Ace always seemed to forget where he was when you were involved and it was hilarious for everyone but him. “Hello? Earth to Ace.” 

Ace blinked, staring at him and swatting at his hand. “Stop it. I’m just shocked I remembered I had shirts.” 

He had stopped wearing them when he joined the crew officially and preferred to go shirtless even though he had mainly been shirtless most of the time before but that didn’t matter, what did was how the hell had you gotten ahold of it and why did he like you in it so much? 

He flushed again, much to the amusement of his brothers, and his dark brown eyes watched your form as you left. 

Those damn shorts too.

Those damn shorts were going to be the death of him along with seeing you in his clothes. 

Maybe he should get more shirts solely to give them to you to see you in them…

Woah, let's not go there. 

He thought as he tried to think of anything other than the image of you in just his shirt…. 

“Oi, Ace. You’re on fire.” Thatch snickered while Ace scowled and extinguished the flames but his cheeks were red.

”Shut up, I’m going into town.” He grumbled much to the amusement of Marco and Thatch. 

—---------------------------------------------------

He didn’t mean to but he followed you and some of the girls through the little village market, his eyes keeping track of you and that damn yellow shirt. Where did you even find it? There was no way that it wasn’t his. It had to be his, right? What if it wasn’t his and he was just…

No, it definitely was his. 

“Seriously, I still can’t believe Ace owns shirts.” Laura said with a snicker and you laughed. 

Gods, your laugh was so pretty and warm like you were. He couldn’t help but smile stupidly. He could listen to your laugh all day and he wanted to but he also liked to be the one who caused it too.

“Me neither, but it got Marco off my back so I can’t really be mad.” You said with a soft laugh, thinking about Ace and his reaction if he knew you had one of his shirts.

Would he care? 

Would he like it? 

What would he think? 

You bit your lip as you kept walking, occasionally stopping at different stalls, buying a couple of items you thought were cute or things you needed before the next island. The crew wouldn’t be here for long but it was still long enough that you got to enjoy some shore leave. Most of the crew would end up at different taverns that night you were sure. 

You were unaware of Portgas D. Ace following and keeping an eye on you and your friends just to be sure you were safe but in reality, Ace was trying to figure out the best way to approach you and ask you about the shirt and tell you to keep it. He could do that without making a fool of himself, right?

Right? 

Ace looked up when the girls pointed at a store and you waved them to go on, telling them you would catch up to them later as you looked at the handmade jewelry. 

There was a bracelet with red beads that had caught your eye and yes, you knew they looked like Ace’s necklace but you couldn’t help yourself. It was cute and you liked him but… would it be too much to get it?

You and Ace were friends, and yes, you had a crush on him, but you didn’t think he felt the same…

"You should get it.”

Your eyes widened when you recognized his voice. He was right behind you, blushing just a bit as he stood there, shirtless, with that damn orange cowboy hat. He looked unfairly good as he smiled shyly at you. 

“I mean- if you want to-" 

Damn him and being shy and awkward at this moment.

You blushed, smiling just a bit. 

“You think so? I do, it’s really pretty.” You looked at the bracelet and then at him. “I thought you were going to stay on the Moby?”

He almost told you that it wasn’t as pretty as you in his shirt but he didn’t. “Ah, well, I was going to but then I remembered I needed to get some things and the second is staying on board tonight.” He told you, which was partially true, he wasn’t going to go out to the tavern with the others but there’d be plenty of drinking aboard the Moby tonight as it was. 

You frowned a bit, lips pouting out. “You aren’t coming tonight?” 

He shook his head as he watched you pay for the bracelet and declined a bag. You slipped it on and it wasn’t lost on him that it looked like his necklace and the beads around his hat. He may have filed that in the back of his mind for later because he liked it a bit too much.  “Nah, are you?”

You had been thinking about it but now that you knew that Ace wasn’t going to go… “No, I think I’ll stay aboard. I could catch up on some reading.” You told him and his eyes brightened and seeing those brown eyes light up was all the confirmation you needed that you'd made the right choice. 

“Well… that being said.” His grin was crooked as he stepped closer to you, fingers bravely reaching out to brush the hem of his shirt that you wore, and honestly, Ace didn’t know where he had gotten the courage to do so either. “You plan on wearing this later too?” 

You felt your cheeks heat up and smiled up at him, a tiny bit shocked that he did take the step forward. The attraction was there and it had been since the two of you had properly met but you hadn’t expected him to be so brave. 

If he was going to flirt like this, then you could too, and maybe you wouldn’t fumble it.

“Maybe…Do you like it?” You asked and he leaned down and tugged on the hem just a bit. It was perfect on you and paired with those damn shorts. 

Ace wanted to take both of them off of you. 

“I do. But I seem to recall I think this is mine.” He said and you blushed even more, biting your lip. You couldn’t lie to him but with the way his voice dropped and how he was looking at you, you gathered that he didn’t mind one bit. 

“I would hope so. I found it in your cabin.” You told him honestly and he laughed huskily.

"Yeah? My cabin?”

“Mhm. Don’t you remember you told me I could have anything of yours?”

"I did, didn't I? You can keep this.” He told you with a lopsided grin. “It looks better on you anyway.” 

You felt your heart quicken at that and you couldn’t stop the smile that lit up your face. “I think I will keep it. It’s keeping my shoulders protected.” You told him and he laughed again, fingers hooking in the belt loops of your shorts this time and tugging you closer. 

“Good, can't have you getting burnt, can we?” He told you but it was far more intimate and far more dangerous than how Marco had told you. You bit your lip as you looked up at him, hands coming to rest on his chest. 

“Mmm. No, I’d rather not get burnt. Not by the sun at least.” You smiled up at him and then took a step back, the dangerous moment breaking as you did so but that still didn’t quell the fire between the two of you.

He raised a brow but couldn’t help but smirk as he watched you take a step back.

”And what would you rather be burned by?” He asked and you laughed, shaking your head. 

“That’s something you’ll just have to find out, won’t you?” You giggled before nodding towards the market. “I’m going to shop more, are you coming with me?” You asked and his face lit up as he nodded, mind still racing with the thoughts of you in his shirt and those damn shorts but he couldn’t help himself.

Your smile was worth all of his chaotic thoughts today and the feelings that he could feel growing even more. 

“Might as well.” He stretched his arms above his head, causing your eyes to trail that toned chest of his, and you felt your cheeks heat up. You were suddenly very glad that Ace didn’t wear shirts because oh gods, he was far too gorgeous for his own good. "Don’t have to be back on the ship for a few more hours.” He gave you another grin, one that made your heart flutter even more than the closeness from the moment before did. 

“Good” You smiled at him before wiggling your brows as you took his arm, looping yours through his. He blushed so prettily too. You couldn’t help but enjoy it. “You can carry my bags then.” 

Ace laughed, shaking his head. “Is that why you asked me to come along? For manual labor?” He teased and you nodded, looking up at him with bright eyes and Ace decided then and there as he met your gaze that he would do just about anything you asked when you looked at him like that. 

“I’m a lady, Ace. I need a big strong man to carry my bags.” You teased, giggling a bit but you blushed when you felt him flex his bicep underneath your hand. 

“Me? Well I can do that.” He smirked just a bit more as the two of you walked through the market. Ace wouldn’t admit it to you but there was something extremely nice about having you on his arm in his shirt and looking at him like he was the only thing that mattered to you. 

—------------------------------------

The two of you spent the afternoon, flirting, stealing glances at each other, and enjoying each other’s company. You two always did and it was something that you had come to treasure, spending time with the wildfire of a man that was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Of course, your mind kept drifting back to how he had pulled you closer by your belt loops and you wondered if he would do it again later…

Were the two of you flirting? Did he feel the same for you? Was he just flirting?

You bit your lip as you glanced up at him, he was eating meat of some sort that he had found while two of you walked back to the ship. You hadn’t bought a lot but you hadn’t let go of Ace’s arm and Ace hadn’t made any moves to tell you to move it either. 

“Ace?” Your voice brought the pirate’s attention back to you, granted it had never really left you but you didn’t know that. He smiled. 

“Yeah, babe?” You blushed a bit and smiled up at him. 

“About me wearing your shirt later…” Your eyes met his and then they dropped down to his lips. “If I hypothetically did…should it be just your shirt?”

Ace’s footsteps faltered at your words and the tips of his ears turned red as he thought about it. God, you in just his shirt in his cabin? 

YOU? 

His crush?

The woman he was very much attracted to and very much wanted in every way a man could want a woman?

“I mean… hypothetically, I’d like that, if you’d like that.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, after he had finished his meat. You were honestly surprised that he hadn’t choked on it.

You blushed a bit but you squeezed his bicep and looked up at him with a sly smile. “Well… I think I could hypothetically make that happen… Around midnight?”

Ace almost short circuited but he gathered himself and he smirked just a bit, excitement filling him at the thought of you in his cabin in just his shirt. He was sure this had to be a dream but he’d take it if he was yet he had a feeling that it wasn’t.

Ace Trappola:

Everything had been perfect y'know, he had planned everything out for weeks, he wanted it to be perfect. Needed it to be.

He was really scared too, scared that you would say no, scared to commit, but he persevered, he didn't pull back last minute, he followed his plan through to the end, he really did, even gave himself a mental pep talk before asking you.

Asking you to be his.

He didnt know it, since he could even look at you while confessing his love for you, but, your face was one of surprise, and then, it shifted into, something different.

You smiled at him, but it wasn't a happy smile, it was, like, you knew something he didn't, understood something he couldn't.

"Oh, Ace... y'know, I really like you too, I like you a lot, honestly." You looked at the ground as you spoke, you had something else to say, but Ace let himself live in his grandeur illusion for just a moment longer, Ace thought you were just shy though, he eagerly placed one of his hands on top of yours though

"Really?" Ace looked over at you, in your peripherals, you could almost see the hearts in his eyes, and his hand became clammy.

.

You had always been the kind of person to rip off the band-aid. It was one of your best qualities. But now, hearing your words, he hated it, your voice, usually so sweet to his hears, felt like it was stabbing chest.

"But, we can't be together, I... I know we can't work out."

What.

"I'm practically an alien, I don't even legally exist here either. I don't have an identity outside of being the magic less prefect of Ramshackle. And I don't want to drag you down with my situation."

No...nononono, this can't be happening, you can't be saying this, this can't be real, there's no way, right?

"Plus, when I go home, I'll... probably never get to see you again, and it wouldn't be right to either of us to start dating, just to have to seperate. I wouldn't want to do that to you."

"I'm sorry Ace."

You slip your hand from his, get up and walk away, leaving him on the bench where you two sat together just moments ago.

How could this have happened, he poured his feelings out to you, opened his heart to you, and, and it was all for nothing.

Because of... because of that damn mirror, because you just had to go home huh? What could possibly be so amazing back there that you would leave him?

He didn't care what he had to do to keep you, to hear yes from you lips.

.

.

And care, he didn't, as he shattered your only chance to return home.

How could he care when it meant you would be stuck with him? So he smiled as he broke it. As he broke you.

.

.

.

Leona Kingscholar:

"I'm sayin' that I love you, herbivore." His words came out rushed, like he wanted to get declaring his love for you over with as fast as possible.

The confession, if it weren't spontaneity of you two's situation, never would have came. But the moment the words of his love left his lips, he felt his both sink and speed up at the same time.

And then, you answered.

"Leona... I really, really like you too... but-"

"But what?" He could already feel his heart breaking, little pieces being chipped off it.

"You know we can't be together. It won't work ou-!"

"Dammit, says who?" Crack... crack that was the sound of his heart coming undone.

You lightly cupped his hands in yours, like you were bracing him for more difficult news.

"Leona, I, know, that we can't be together, I don't belong in Twisted Wonderland in the first place, at some point I'll have to go home, and when i do, I don't want to leave you heart-broken,"

You already are breaking his heart ya-know.

"Besides, if I couldn't go home, I know I'll never be able to make you happy the way you deserve. I'm sorry, Leona..."

And you let his hands go, you walked off, leaving him behind, leaving him, your second priority, second place, to your true prize, going back home.

He should've expected it, if he was being honest, why would anything change for him? He was always left in the shadow of someone something greater, and this time was no different.

But, maybe it could be. If things wouldn't wolling change for him, he would change them himself, and where better to start, than with you?

It wasn't very difficult, not even a little. You were technically right, you didn't belong in Twisted Wonderland, and due to that, you didn't even legally exist, it was easy for him for him to get him people to do the dirty work for him.

Snatching you up had been far too easy, no risk, all reward.

He knew that when he took you, he would also take the ability for you to ever go home, but what did that matter?

Life isn't fair y'know, you can't get everything you want.

Besides, Twisted Wonderland, is your new home now. He is your new home now, it'd be in your best interest get comfortable.

.

.

.

“So was your tongue which is presumably how it got there.”

Ace squinted at the petal on your finger and then shrugged. “I don’t know where it came from.”

“You’ve been coughing weirdly the whole day. Did you breathe in something you shouldn’t have?”

“No? Maybe it just blew into my mouth.”

“Without you noticing?”

“It’s possible.”

You flicked the strange little thing onto the ground with a shrug. You didn’t think that was possible but stranger things had been true before. And Ace did sleep with his mouth open on deck far more than the average person.

You rejoined your lips to his, the heat of his breath melting away any concerns you’d had.

Temporarily.

A week later, you were lounging on his bed when the problem arrived again.

The first cough was small enough that your hand found his back before you were properly awake, rubbing between his shoulders on instinct. The second came harder and rougher, coupled with a short, gasping breath like he was choking on something.

Ace rarely woke up quickly but his eyes flew open as he struggled to get his breath through the spluttering coughs.

It would be stupid to ask if he was okay and yet in your panic it was the only question that came to mind. You sat up in the bed, rubbing his shoulders as he coughed and gasped. Should you run to Marco? You didn’t know if he’d be awake yet but -

Ace coughed hard and wet petals landed across your legs and the bed. He finally managed a normal breath and rubbed at his chest.

“The hell?”

You picked up one of the petals. Some were burnt but they were all the same colour. White with a brush of yellow toward the centre.

“You’re coughing up more of these?”

Ace pulled a face. “Yeah. Been having it for a few days. I can burn them away though.”

“Clearly not.”

He ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his eyes. “I was asleep. Anyway, it’s probably allergies or something.”

“I don’t think allergies cause you to throw up flower petals,” you pointed out.

He shrugged and stretched. “What time is it anyway?”

“Probably close to sunrise,” you said. “Have you spoken to Marco about it?”

“Why?”

“Because healthy people aren’t bringing up flowers and almost choking to death on them,” you pointed out.

You swung your legs from the bed, mourning the loss of comfort for only a second before you held out a hand. Ace stared at you as though you were asking him to jump overboard. You waited.

He sighed and took your hand, allowing you to drag him out of the bed. You didn’t bother changing, just grabbed one of your coats and marched out of the room. Luckily, Marco’s door was only a few steps away and he opened it immediately.

“Yes?”

“Ace thinks allergies are making him cough up flower petals.”

“Hey! I was just saying maybe it was that.”

Marco looked past you toward Ace and sighed. “Let’s go to my office. I can examine him much better there.”

Ace made a complaining sound. “Come on, it’s not that bad. We can talk about it in the morning.”

“It is morning, yoi.”

Marco had already stepped out of his room. His expression was unmoving but you doubted he would insist on an immediate evaluation if it wasn’t serious enough. You wrapped the coat better around yourself and gave Ace a slightly smug look.

He rolled his eyes but his palm stayed warm against your own.

Marco’s office was always chaotic, and for once you were grateful for it. Bottles crowded the shelves, papers had taken over most of the desk and there were enough half-open drawers to keep your eyes occupied while you stood to the side, waiting for an answer as Marco listened to Ace’s lungs.

“Is this why you’ve been coughing so much over the past few days?” he asked.

Ace answered with a small hum. “It hasn’t been that bad. I burn them away when they start getting annoying. I thought maybe somebody had started growing a plant somewhere.”

Marco looked unimpressed. “And all the petals wound up in your lungs?”

“Where else would they come from?”

“Maybe a devil fruit?” you suggested.

“That would make things easier. No, they’re growing in there, yoi,” Marco said. He stepped away from Ace’s back and draped the stethoscope around his neck. “It’s a disease. A rare one but they’re coming from inside of him.”

You raised an eyebrow at Ace. “Didn’t know you’d taken up a hobby in gardening.”

“What? Are they fire-resistant or something?” he complained.

“Probably not but they’re growing consistently enough that not all of them are burning. That’s not a good thing. You incinerating them means it’s progressed more than it should have without anybody noticing.”

“What if I just burn it all away?”

“Burn as many as you like,” Marco said. “They’ll come back.”

You crossed your arms. “So, what’s the cure?”

“Something I should talk to Ace about alone.”

You pressed your lips together, concerned enough to want to stay. You glanced toward Ace who plucked a petal from his mouth and immediately burned it between his fingers.

“Alright,” you relented. “I’ll see you later, Ace.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Sorry about spitting petals all over you.”

“Could have been worse. At least they’re not deadly or anything.”

You didn’t like the expression on Marco’s face when you said that but you didn’t ask for clarification.

You presumed Ace would talk to you about it later in the morning. He didn’t. He was actually surprisingly quiet which did nothing for your anxiety even if he still took the seat next to you and inhaled his breakfast at a somewhat normal rate.

Normal for him. Not for the average person.

“So, about the flowers -”

“Not now.”

You sighed. “Why not?”

“Cause I don’t want everybody to know about it.”

“Is there something wrong with having a weird disease?”

“Kind of.”

You stared at him before deciding not to push it. You shuffled your food around your plate, appetite fading. Could it be deadly? You supposed in a normal person, choking on a petal was not the best way to go but Ace really could just burn away the problem. Even if it kept coming back.

“Stop worrying so much,” he said. “You don’t have it.”

“Could I catch it?”

“Probably not.”

“Probably is not really reassuring.”

He shrugged and tried a half smile that didn’t quite land. “Marco said in a normal person, it’s pretty noticeable even from the start. So, you’d know if you did.”

“What does it look like at the start?”

“Like one petal every few days.”

“How many are you getting a day?”

“Don’t know. Gotta measure today without burning them.”

You glanced toward his mouth on instinct. “How many have you had so far?”

He shifted in his seat and reached for your untouched plate. “A few.”

That… wasn’t reassuring. Contagious or not.

“Are you going to take the day off?”

“No point. It’s going to keep happening,” he said with a shrug. “Might as well get used to it.”

“Didn’t Marco say there was a cure?” you asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then…”

“Not worth the risk,” he muttered around a mouthful.

You weren’t sure you trusted Ace, of all people, saying something wasn’t worth the risk. The man regularly threw himself into danger without a second’s hesitation but now he wanted to act conservative? Were the flowers starting to get into his brain or something?

You shoved the rest of your plate over to him. Maybe you should ask Marco. He probably wouldn’t tell you the details but if anybody was able to convince Ace…

“What happens if you don’t treat it?”

“The flowers will get bigger. But I can burn a few flowers. Stop worrying.”

You lowered your voice. “Ace, this is clearly more serious than you’re telling me. You look like somebody’s sentenced you to an execution.”

“I’m just tired. We woke up stupidly early this morning.”

“I’ve seen you tired. You look worse.”

“Yeah. I have stuff to do today, okay? I can worry about whatever this is later.”

He pushed himself away from the table and walked out of the hall. You weren’t the only one who watched him leave. Half the hall tracked him with their eyes in confusion. Breakfast wasn’t nearly done yet.

You glanced back at your not-empty plate and frowned.

No. You weren’t going to leave it.

Marco shook his head before you even caught up with him on his way across the deck. “Ace’s condition is not for me to talk to you about, yoi.”

“He won’t tell me anything.”

“His choice.”

You hurried to keep pace, sighing. “Come on Marco, you know he’s not talking to me and I’m worried.”

“Naturally. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you about it without his consent.”

“Is it contagious?”

“No.”

“Is it fatal?”

“It can be if it’s not treated. I think Ace benefits from his natural state enough that he should have better odds than most but I don’t know how far it’s progressed.”

“He said the cure is risky.”

“That’s his opinion.”

“You don’t think so?”

Marco stopped and you trotted to a halt next to him, only just realising how fast you’d been walking to try and keep up. He looked at you, incredibly unimpressed though you weren’t sure if it was with you or with the situation in general.

“I’m not going behind his back yet,” he said. “I won’t tell you about it without Ace even present. If you want to know what’s going on, I recommend you speak to him about it.”

“About a potentially deadly disease that he thinks has a risky cure.”

“If he thinks it’s risky, that’s his choice, yoi. But yes, it can be fatal if he ignores it indefinitely.”

“Which he is going to do.”

Marco’s expression told you exactly what you needed to know even if he didn’t say it. Dread curled awfully in your stomach. The sunrays felt suddenly cold against your skin.  

“Maybe Pops can help convince him,” you suggested.

“He asked me not to speak to Pops. I’ll only do so if the condition proves to be bad after a few days’ observation.”

“What should I look out for? I’m around him the most.”

“I’ve told him the symptoms. He will let me know.”

“Marco…”

“The best advice I can give you is to try and talk to him. Beyond that, you’re not getting anything from me.”

You crossed your arms over your chest. “Until he drops dead from stubbornness?”

“I will intervene before that happens.”

You knew Marco was right. That didn’t make it any better when you also knew Ace was coughing up enough flower petals to choke a normal person. And if you pushed too hard, he was more likely to burst into flame than admit anything.

“Is it causing him pain?”

“Most likely. Flowers aren’t supposed to be inside your body. His flames cannot remove the discomfort.”

Great. That made it so much worse. Who else did you have that could talk to him that he wouldn’t have banned Marco from speaking to…

“You know, for two people who claim their relationship is purely casual, you’re very insistent on this.”

You rolled your eyes. “Ace’s thing.”

“Is it?”

“He wanted a casual situation where we stay friends and just… it doesn’t matter. We’re still friends, okay? It’s normal to worry when you’re telling me he might end up dying because he won’t accept a cure.”

Marco stared at you for a fraction too long before he sighed. “Talk to him.”

“He won’t tell me anything.”

“Keep trying, yoi. There’s a reason the two of you get along so well.”

He continued walking and you briefly considered following him before you turned on your heel. Fine. If that’s what you were working with, that’s what you’d work with. You could get Ace to explain it.

Probably.

With enough persistence.

And you had an idea Marco would give you a break if your work wasn’t quite completed for the rest of the day. There were more important things.

Namely that Ace was sulking in his room.

“I thought you had stuff to do.”

He startled which was also suspicious. Because any other day, Ace would have smiled at you randomly appearing. Now, he jumped as though he’d seen a ghost. You didn’t enter yet, unsure if he wanted you to.

“I do,” he said. “Counting petals, apparently.”

“And how many are you on?”

“Not that many.”

“Ace…”

“It doesn’t matter, okay?” he said, trying to smile. “I’m not that sick. See. Stop worrying yourself so much.”

“Marco said it was fatal.”

His expression fell immediately, torn between anger and panic. “What?! Why would he tell you that? He wasn’t meant to - what else did he say?”

“Because I chased him around the deck and nagged. You’re clearly ill. I wanted to know how bad it was. What was the treatment he told you about? It can’t be risky enough that you would prefer to die.”

“I’m not going to die.”

“What if you do?”

“I’m fine. It’s just a plant.”

You walked a step inside and he immediately took a step away. You froze. The pain of rejection hurt more than you cared to admit. Ace never moved away from you. Not once in all the time you’d spent with him.

“How can I help? I can check for petals or…?”

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m fine, okay. Don’t worry about it.”

You looked around the room and then sat down right where you had been standing, crossing your legs. He stared at your spot on the floor.

“Come on,” he complained

“I’m waiting.”

He opened his mouth as though to protest but before he could fully get the sentence out, he coughed slightly. He covered his mouth. You stared, tapping your nails against the floor. He coughed again, muffled.

“Marco said you had to count them,” you said. “So don’t burn them.”

He narrowed his eyes over his hand. The next cough caused him to wince but then another began deep in his chest. The sounds made you wince. They rasped as he heaved in a breath before a proper fit started. Two petals fell from his hand, splattering onto the floor.

When he caught his breath again, he flicked his wrist and they all landed in front of you.

You counted them with your eyes.

“Nine,” you said.

“Twelve,” he muttered, his throat raw.

Three more were stuck to his palm still. He peeled them off and tossed them to the ground.

“This can’t be comfortable,” you protested. “Come on, Ace. The cure can’t be more dangerous than what you did literally a week ago against that Marine group.”

He ran a hand through his hair to push it out of his eyes. “I don’t need to do anything to fix it if it isn’t a problem.”

“Not a problem?” you asked, looking over the evidence on the ground.

“It’s only dangerous if they’re full flowers,” he said. “But the petals are small so… the flowers probably are too.”

You looked at them and shrugged. “Great. So you’ll choke on ten rather than five.”

He stared and then sat down across from you, his legs crossed. “If I do what Marco wants then there’s a cost, okay? And I don’t think it’s worth it. Not because of a little coughing.”

“It’ll get worse.”

“I can burn them. It’ll be fine.”

“Does it hurt?”

Ace winced and shrugged a shoulder. “Kind of. It’s more uncomfortable than anything.”

You noticed it. He was an awful liar. He looked antsy when the topic was brought up but you didn’t press on it. You supposed it was a stupid question. There were literal petals splattered across the ground that proved his answer.

“I’m staying here tonight,” you said.

“I don’t know if I - “

“Not for that,” you said. “To make sure you don’t choke to death in your sleep.”

His expression softened and he sighed. “If it makes you feel better.”

“It doesn’t,” you said. “There’s no cost worth your life, you know that right? Literally nothing.”

“There’s plenty.”

“No.”

Ace adjusted himself. “I’m not going to die so it’s not worth risking it for a maybe. It’ll be uncomfortable for a while and then it’ll probably go away. What if I go for the cure and it doesn’t work? Then I lose something and it doesn’t even fix the disease.”

“Did Marco say it could go away?”

“He said maybe?”

“Maybe.”

“He said it was possible but he’s never heard of it.”

You wanted to flick his shoulder for that. If he didn’t already look like one wrong movement would make him scramble, you would have. What kind of stupid…

“That’s not…”

“Can you please drop it.”

The sharp edge of his tone made you breathe out through your nose.

Ace looked genuinely stressed. You hated how you could see the irritation brimming under his skin. He was barely suppressing his usual technique of hiding nervousness behind anger because snapping would be snapping at you.

You appreciated it enough to leave it. “Alright,” you said. “I’ll drop it for now.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you need anything?”

“Some water,” he said. “My throat feels raw.”

You stood up and nodded, stepping back into the hall. You tried to ignore how much your hands shook. The panic settled uncomfortably in your chest, no matter how hard you tried to ignore it. Tears pricked at your eyes and you wiped them away before they could fall.

He would be alright. He had to be alright.

Marco said he would intervene if it got too bad and Ace wouldn’t just die for no reason. You had to repeat it to yourself an ungodly amount even on the short walk to the galley.

But it didn’t take long for other consequences to start arising.

You were uncertain about going out when Ace was feeling like this but the fifth division needed more firepower. Literally. You didn’t even need to know what Marco’s opinion on it was. He had no reason to tag along.

Ace was exhausted before the fight broke out.

The coughing had been ruining his already poor sleep cycle. He could fall asleep anywhere but it was never for long enough. You watched his head dip twice on the ship ride there, eyes staying closed for far too long. Both times you looked immediately toward Marco who returned your expression with a tight-mouthed response.

He couldn’t tell Ace not to lead his division into battle. But you knew he was waiting for something inevitable.

And that made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

The clearing was already churned up by the time the fighting spread around you. Smoke hung low between the trees and steel rang from every direction beneath the roar of Ace’s fire.

It shouldn’t have been a tough fight for him. Vista had already dismantled the main danger and it was easy to move from there.

Ace’s flames surged but you could see the effort in it. His shoulders rose with every breath. When somebody shouted something to him, it took Ace long enough to turn that the man called his name again.

With three commanders on the battlefield and two divisions, this was the Whitebeards’ conflict to win. And sure enough, the other side was easily pushed back but Ace was too lethargic. He moved too slowly.

And right as he brought up a fire fist attack, the flames spluttered out in place of a sharp cough.

The fires around him flickered. Vista’s head turned immediately. You almost lost your arm twisting toward Ace, dodging your opponent’s blade through luck alone.

Ace’s coughing was loud and rough. He slammed a hand into his chest but it did nothing to help.

“Cover Ace, yoi!”

Marco’s call changed half the battlefield. Ace tried to bring up more flames on his chest but they wouldn’t catch. They flicked and sparked out no matter how much he tried.

You drove an elbow into the enemy swordsman’s nose before he could swing again and forgot about the rest entirely.

It took you no time to reach Ace but there was nothing you could do. You stood helplessly for a second before you rested a hand on his back and tried to rub it as he choked.

At your feet, three full flowers lay against the churned ground of the battlefield. They looked so wrong there, yellow petals brushed out to white, delicate and beautiful yet marred with dirt and blood.

The red stains made your limbs stiffen.

You couldn’t call for Marco. He was busy. Ace’s falter had left a gap and the fight had to continue even if he was coughing.

Your hand stayed fixed against his back. For one awful second, you couldn’t think past the wet choke of his breathing.

Fire caught. It ignited over his chest and he gasped in air, breathing out smoke that smelled sickly sweet beneath the burn. He spluttered hard, coughing over the fumes rather than the flowers but he was breathing again.

Relief arrived and you barely stopped yourself from hugging him. He was alive. There was a battle to deal with before you killed him.

Marco almost got to it first.

No sooner had the threat disappeared than he was at Ace’s side, looking murderous.

“I warned you,” he said.

“What’s going on with him?” Vista asked.

“Nothing,” Ace bit out through his teeth. “It’s fine. I can handle it.”

“That didn’t look like handling it,” Marco said. “That looked like you almost suffocating in the middle of a fight.”

“He’s sick,” you answered Vista and Ace threw a glare in your direction.

Vista sheathed his blades. “Then why are you out here? The third division could have come through.”

Ace waved a hand through the air but before he could even defend himself, he began to cough again. Marco’s flames flickered into existence almost on instinct but you knew there was little he could do to heal this.

Flowers in the throat weren’t exactly an injury to be melted away.

“You need to deal with this,” Marco said. “Or I’m going to. You’re not going to die because of it.”

Ace stared at him through watering eyes and you looked away as the coughing intensified. You were starting to really despise that sound. You were never going to have a normal response to somebody getting ill again.

“What’s the cure, Marco?” you asked. “Because this is getting ridiculous.”

“Ace will –”

“You told me you would intervene before it got too bad. Is this not too bad?”

Marco met your gaze, contemplating. He glanced around at the men still surrounding their commanders and shot a look to Vista. Who thankfully understood enough to order everybody back to the boats.

“Don’t,” Ace said around a mouthful of black smoke. “Don’t you dare say anything.”

Marco regarded him coolly. “I don’t know if you’re in any position to make demands, yoi. This has become far worse than you should have let it.”

“It’s –”

“Fine?” you interrupted. “Fine? How long was it between this one and the last? Like five minutes?”

Ace spat out a flower, smoke curling from the petals. “I can still burn them.”

Marco didn’t even bother looking at it. “The disease is caused from believing your feelings aren’t returned. Unrequited love. It doesn’t matter whether he’s right about it or not.”

You frowned. “What?”

Of everything you’d expected to be said in that moment, that was the last thing that had entered your mind. Experimental surgery. Mysterious cure on some unnamed island. Literally anything but…

“Marco!” Ace snapped.

“Yes?”

“Who the hell are you in love with who doesn’t return it?” you asked, brain catching up before Marco could respond.

Ace had travelled before he reached the Whitebeard crew. He’d been around the Grand Line far more than even you had. You could imagine he might have had someone before you’d become friends or even after, while out with one of the others.

And if you had to –

“Don’t join him in being stupid, yoi. He’s managing that enough on his own.”

“What the fuck? You said you wouldn’t say anything!”

You looked toward Ace, confusion creeping in.

“I promised to give you time to do it on your own,” Marco said. “That time has passed. You will not risk your life over something this ridiculous, yoi.”

“That’s not possible,” you said, mind moving fast enough to hurt. “You said it was caused by unrequited love. I’ve been in love with Ace for years. If it was me, he wouldn’t have been sick in the first place.”

Ace’s flames crackling against his skin were the only sound you heard for a few, horrible moments.

“What?” he said, voice almost lost in the din of his own fire.

“I know, I know,” you said, embarrassment crawling up the sides of your neck but fear coming through much stronger. “You wanted something casual. I screwed up by falling for you. That’s whatever. The point is, it can’t be me so we have to figure out who it is.”

Marco looked toward Ace when he answered you, his voice sharp. “Perceived unrequited love,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be true, as long as he thinks it is.”

He walked away from both of you.

 Your eyes slid to Ace who was staring at you as though you’d stabbed somebody in front of him. Perceived…

“It’s me?”

Ace wasn’t answering. He gave one small, tiny cough in the back of his throat.

You… all of the coughing and the spluttering and the nearly dying and it had been for you?

“For years?” he repeated.

You blinked at him. All the nights spent rubbing his back while he brought up burnt petals. The panic keeping you up… the fear that if you fell asleep, you might miss the moment you needed to call for help.

And he hadn’t said a thing?

You didn’t know if relief, anger, or excitement was sitting in your throat right now. Or if it was some heinous combination of all three.

“I was in love with you even before that night,” you confirmed with a small nod. “But wait, you’ve known about this the whole time? And you didn’t tell me it was killing you? Seriously?”

A flame darted over his collarbone. “I didn’t want to ruin… you know.”

“So you would rather die?”

“I – That’s not what I meant. I thought you would be upset about it! Why didn’t you tell me before we agreed to everything? If you were in love with me then you could have just said so!”

“Ace, that night you looked like you were going to combust from a kiss alone. I wasn’t going to start telling you how long I’d been pining for you.”

“Because I liked you!”

“Well how was I supposed to know that? I thought it was an impulsive thing!”

“You could have asked?”

“That’s not really the time to ask somebody what they feel about you. You could have asked too, by the way. Or you know, told me when you started choking to death over it!”

He stared at you for a very long, dragged out minute before he looked away. “I never wanted it to be casual. I just wasn’t gonna push my luck.”

“I kissed you back.”

“Yeah but you could have done that anyway.”

“What more did you want me to do? Did I have to issue a public notice to half the crew declaring my love? Ask for Pops’ blessing? Like I thought kissing somebody was a pretty damn clear sign!”

Ace snorted slightly. “I got a love disease for you so clearly that was an option.”

You stared at him blankly, wondering if Marco would believe it was the flowers that had killed him. But he had a small smile on his face and that softened your heart just a little.

“For the record,” you said. “I don’t do platonic sex.”

He flushed red immediately. “That’s not what I meant!”

“Well clearly –”

Your complaints were cut off by a sudden bout of coughing. He doubled over and you crossed the distance to his side in record speed. Marco had said… what else was there? Were you meant to do something more?

A flower petal landed on the ground by your boot, wrinkled and dying. Another followed it shortly after. You watched it curl into ash, blown away by the wind.

Ace took two deep breaths and rubbed at his chest. “Ow.”

He straightened slowly and pulled his hat back onto his head, wiping at his mouth. The few petals that remained lay on the ground around you, slowly disappearing. Relief hit hard enough to make your knees weak and you let out a small, disbelieving laugh.

Then you threw both your arms around his neck and kissed him.

Ace made a startled sound against your mouth, stumbling half a step before his hands caught at your waist. He kissed you back, hot and breathless, with a slight smile curving against your lips.

You pulled away just enough to look at him. “I can’t believe you almost died because you wouldn’t just ask if I loved you.”

“You still could have told me.”

“Next time you start coughing up flowers, it’ll be the first thing I think of.”

He laughed softly. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem again.”

“It had better not be.”

You kissed him again, harder this time until your own lungs were burning. Only that was something you wouldn’t mind feeling many, many more times.

Tags: @miwn8 ; @aceincase ; @chaeisrichnow ; @aceidentallyinlove ; @ilovedreming ; @moon-shampoo ; @charukii ; @loverrin

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