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Chapter Text

Law could hear his own screams again, and that made him slam his fists against the wood around him with every scrap of strength he had left. 

Because if the silence was gone, so was Cora. 

Law’s hands were bloody, his throat raw, but he couldn’t stop. Every second he stayed trapped was a second he couldn't reach Cora, couldn’t help him, couldn’t save him. 

The chest tumbled forward and broke open, propelled by Law’s assault on the wood between him and the only person left who made him feel safe. Law tumbled out of the chest and into the snow, but he didn’t pay attention to the cold, or to the stench of blood.

Only Cora mattered. 

He lay in the snow, blood staining his stupid pink shirt.

Law stumbled towards him. He had to stop the bleeding, had to get help…

But the last time he went for help, this had happened. 

So Law had to help him, alone. Law was alone, and so was Cora.

Except Cora wasn’t alone.

Someone was crouched over him, touching him. Blue light flickered around the person’s hands, dancing over the blood on Cora’s shirt.

“Leave Cora alone!” Law shouted, charging forward.

“If I do that, he’ll die,” the person touching Cora replied. Law froze in his tracks, holding perfectly still. 

“What?”

“Sorry I couldn’t let you out of that treasure chest earlier, little guy. But if I waited, this guy would’ve died. If I stop now, he still might.” 

Law stared at the stranger, who looked up from Cora just long enough to give Law a lopsided grin.

“I’m Marco. What’s your name?” 

Two years before Marineford

Law blinked away the remains of sleep and memories, grimacing as the emotions of the dream clung to him like his overdramatic crewmates. 

“Cap? You up yet?” Clione stuck his head into Law’s room. “Damn, you had the dream again, huh?”

“What?” Law grumbled as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. 

“Your eyes are all red, and that only happens when-”

“When I’m about to dice you up and let the others use you as poker chips?” Law interrupted. Clione clearly didn’t get the hint, though, because he kept talking. 

“No, when you’re feeling all mopey and stuff. Or when you have nightmares about-”

“Clione, the poker chips thing isn’t just an idea. It’s a threat,” Law informed him with a scowl. Clione blinked at him for a second, then gulped and retreated outside the room.

“Bepo says we’re almost there!” Clione called as Law heard his hasty footsteps retreating down the Tang’s halls. Law groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face, knowing he needed to go after Clione quickly and shut him up before he said something to the rest of the crew. He took a second to splash cold water on his face to hopefully clear up whatever redness or irritation Clione had picked up on, then made his way to the bridge. 

“Clione, I swear, if you-”

“Captain!” Bepo cried, immediately distracting him. “Captain, Hakugan isn’t listening to me!” Law turned to frown at the helmsman, who managed to make the unchanging mask he wore look smug. 

“He wants to surface before we get there,” Hakugan explained. “I think it’s more fun if we anchor underneath instead, and then you can just zap us all on board.” 

“That’s dangerous!” Bepo objected. “What if they don’t realize it’s us and think we’re attacking them?” 

“If they don’t know us well enough to recognize us when we appear on deck by now, then they deserve the heart attack they’d get,” Hakugan scoffed. “They’ve known you and Cap for like a decade.”

“I’ve only known most of them for eight years,” Law corrected. “But they should also be expecting us, so using a Room to get on board should be fine. Everyone knows who’s staying on board as the skeleton crew and who’s coming up as the boarding party, right?”

“Yes, Captain,” everyone on the bridge chorused. 

“Approaching the Moby Dick now, Cap,” Hakugan called. 

“Bepo, have the boarding party assemble,” Law ordered. Bepo beamed and grabbed the transponder snail. Law could hear his cheerful announcement as he left the bridge and shambled his sword and research notebook into his hands. 

“So we’re docking with the Moby without surfacing? You’ll give poor Vista a heart attack.” Law couldn’t fully suppress his smile as he came to a stop beside Cora, who had definitely been waiting for him since before Law woke up. 

“If Vista can’t sense us coming or recognize us in time, he deserves to have a heart attack,” Law replied easily. Cora chuckled and shook his head in amusement. 

“Are you going straight to meet with Whitebeard?” he asked. 

“You make it sound like I’m worried about the old man,” Law scoffed. Cora glanced pointedly at the research notebook in Law’s hand. Law scowled and didn’t say anything else. 

The ship eased to a stop, and Law heard the distinctive sounds of his crew attaching the Tang to the trailing chains beneath the Moby Dick for exactly that purpose. The rest of the crew members going aboard - Shachi, Penguin, Bepo, Ikkaku, and a few others - gathered around. Law did a quick headcount to make sure everyone he planned to bring aboard was present, then expanded his Room and shambled them all into the lower decks of the Moby, switching their places with a pile of stones that were left there for the purpose. 

“Have fun, but make sure you show up for dinner or Thatch will send the cooks to hunt you down,” Law ordered. His crew chorused their agreements, then mostly dispersed to find their friends among the Whitebeards. 

Law headed for the main deck, while Cora slipped away in what he thought was a stealthy focus on seeing his husband. Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo stuck with Law as he stepped out onto the Moby Dick’s deck. 

“Well, well, if it isn’t Marco’s wayward stepchildren,” a familiar voice teased. Law rolled his eyes as Shachi and Penguin grinned, and Bepo bounded over to greet Thatch with a hug. 

“The prodigal students return, then.” Shachi and Penguin bowed to the next Whitebeard Pirate who noticed them. 

“Commander Izou!” the two of them chorused.

“I hope you two haven’t been slacking since I saw you last,” Izou said, crossing his arms sternly. 

“Of course not!” Penguin replied hastily. 

“Prove it.” Izou’s words were sharp, but his eyes were bright and welcoming. Law shook his head at them, knowing that the three of them would be thoroughly distracted for the next hour at least. Law didn’t see his own combat mentor, Vista, so he was free to continue to Whitebeard’s quarters. 

Law nodded to various crew members he recognized and made note of several that he didn’t. It wasn’t like he knew every member of the extended Whitebeard family, especially those that had joined in the last few years since Law and his crew set off on their own. 

Still, walking across the Moby’s deck felt almost as familiar as being on the Tang. Law finally reached Whitebeard’s quarters and knocked on the door frame. 

“Enter!” Whitebeard’s voice boomed. Law stepped inside, bracing himself. “Law! You’re back!” Law found himself on the receiving end of a clap on the shoulder so strong that it almost made him lose his balance. 

“You can’t get rid of me that easily, old man,” Law grumbled, tugging his hat lower over his eyes to hide how pleased he was that Whitebeard still greeted him the same way he had for years. 

“As if we’d ever want to get rid of you!” Whitebeard laughed. “How’s your crew?”

“As troublesome as ever,” Law answered. “Cora’s already disappeared to go find Marco.” 

“Ah, that’s good. If I had known you all would be back today, I would have arranged a welcome party,” Whitebeard sighed. 

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you,” Law retorted. “Now, how are you feeling?”

“Doesn’t Marco keep you up to date?” Whitebeard chuckled. “I swear he’s gotten more and more like a mother hen since you went off on your own.” 

“Marco’s reports aren’t the same as seeing and hearing for myself,” Law replied. “Are you going to answer my question, or do I need to run a Scan?” 

“You’ll use Scan anyway,” Whitebeard pointed out. “Might as well save us both the time.” Law didn’t have a retort for that, so he just held out his hand instead. 

“Room. Scan.” Blue light circled them, and Law took inventory of Whitebeard’s physical health. There were the usual issues, from his poor overworked liver to his overburdened immune system, always trying to fight a disease that even Law’s expertise and Marco’s flames couldn’t cure. Law did his usual brisk cleanup, purging the beginnings of any potential infections before they could cause any new problems, and checked for Whitebeard’s chronic issue. It had gotten a lot worse since the last time Law visited, and he grimly set about doing what he could to mitigate it. The disease never seemed to have a single source, and always reappeared no matter how often Law wiped it from Whitebeard’s system. Law scowled, frustrated that he still couldn’t make any permanent progress. 

“You worry too much, Law,” Whitebeard said softly as Law refocused on the world outside Whitebeard’s cells. “I’m just fine.” 

“Don’t lie to me,” Law replied just as quietly. “You know I can see exactly how bad it is.”

“It’s not your problem,” Whitebeard insisted. “You have your own crew, now, and-“

“And you’re still family , Pops,” Law interrupted, his tone low and sharp. “I’m going to give what I’ve found to Marco and the other doctors later. I still think there are answers out there.” 

“Law,” Whitebeard sighed. “Even your stubborn brain has realized how unlikely that is. You just said answers, not a cure.” 

“That’s not-“ Law broke off as a strange man he’d never seen before came barreling into Whitebeard’s quarters. Law had just enough time to process the flames around one of his fists and the knife in his other hand before the stranger lunged straight for Whitebeard. 

Law reacted instantly, unsheathing Kikoku and coating her blade in haki as he slashed the intruder in half. The intruder fell to the floor with a strangled yelp, and Law separated his hands from his wrists and his feet from his ankles in another instant. 

“What the fuck?” the stranger cried. 

“How stupid are you?” Law muttered to himself as he separated the stranger’s head from his shoulders next. “Takt.” With a crook of his fingers, he brought the stranger’s head floating over to rest in his hand. “I’ll be right back, old man; I’m just going to drop this guy’s head overboard real quick.” 

“What?” the stranger yelped. “Hey, wait, that’s not-“

“That is unnecessary, Law. That is Portgas D. Ace, and he is our guest,” Whitebeard said solemnly, though his mustache twitched like he was concealing amusement. 

“Your guest just tried to stab and charbroil you,” Law said flatly, thoroughly unamused. 

“He does that a few times a day,” Whitebeard replied. “So far he’s been unsuccessful, and we’re actually hoping he’ll stick around.” 

“You’re recruiting this moron who tries to kill you several times a day and isn’t even smart enough to know that I can kill him with a thought?” Law scoffed. “Your standards are slipping.”

“We kept you, didn’t we?” Whitebeard laughed, not bothering to hide his amusement anymore. “Didn’t you stab Marco when he came back to collect you and Rosinante?” 

“That doesn’t count. He’s a phoenix and I was fourteen,” Law replied. “This is a half naked arsonist with a knife and a cowboy hat.” 

“It’s been too long since we had a real gremlin on board,” Whitebeard sighed wistfully. “It’s been wonderful.” 

“You make no sense,” Law grumbled. 

“Hey, real quick, what the fuck are you? You cut me in half! I’m a Logia user; you can’t do that!” the disconnected head of Portgas D. Ace snapped. Law tossed his head up into the air just as it spontaneously caught fire, and let the head float a few inches above his palm, where the flames couldn’t reach him. 

“Clearly I can, and clearly you’re even more stupid than I thought,” Law sniffed. “There are plenty of Devil fruit abilities that can affect Logia types, not to mention basic armament haki.” 

“Huh?” The flames vanished, and Ace frowned at Law, who twirled a finger and spun Ace’s head upside down just for fun. “You bastard! Stop that!”

“He doesn’t even know what haki is?” Law demanded incredulously, ignoring Ace’s protests completely. “How is this a good choice for a recruit?”

“I’m not being recruited!” Ace protested. “I’m just staying until I kill Whitebeard, and then- hey!” Law spun his head like a gruesome roulette wheel. 

“Hush. The grown-ups are talking.” 

“Says my gremlin grandson,” Whitebeard chuckled. “Ace is harmless enough; put him back together and send him back to Thatch, since Marco will be occupied until dinner.” 

“Marco‘s in charge of this thing?” Law said in disbelief. “Why?”

“Same reason he kept you around after you stole his kidneys,” Whitebeard replied cheerfully. “Now put him back together, and I’ll introduce you two properly.” Law hesitated, then sighed. Whitebeard was nothing if not a good judge of people. If he said it was fine to put this fire ant back together, then it was. Besides, if the kid didn’t even know haki, he couldn’t be that big of a threat. Law reassembled Ace’s body and let his Room dissipate with a sigh. 

“There. Happy?” he grumbled. 

“Thrilled. Like I said earlier, Law, our guest here is Portgas D. Ace. He’s the captain of the Spade Pirates out of the East Blue,” Whitebeard announced. “Ace, this is Trafalgar Law, my grandson, captain of the Heart Pirates and the Surgeon of Death.” 

“Wow, you really gave him my whole résumé.” Law shook his head. “You must be feeling sentimental in your old age.” 

“You’re the one who said I was still family right before he came in,” Whitebeard pointed out smugly. “Now, Ace, I’m going to talk with Law a little more, so you can sit quietly and listen, or you can go back to Thatch.”

“Thatch is hanging out with a talking polar bear,” Ace replied. “Since the day was already so weird, I figured I might have a shot at taking you out.” He rubbed his wrists, then his throat as he glared at Law. “Didn’t realize you had a homicidal maniac in here.”

“Says the failure of an assassin,” Law smirked. “You sure you want him in here while I tell you what I’ve been up to, old man? I can dump his half naked ass in the ocean instead if you want.” 

“No, Law, I actually like keeping him alive. But it’s sweet of you to offer,” Whitebeard assured him. “And I trust Ace.”

“You trust the living firework that wants to gut you,” Law repeated, unimpressed. 

“Like I said, we’re recruiting him. He’s family,” Whitebeard insisted. Law eyed Ace for another few seconds, then shrugged. 

“I tracked down a few leads, but so far we haven't found anything concrete. So I might have raided a Marine medical facility in the meantime.” Law smirked as Ace’s eyes widened, but he otherwise ignored the so-called “guest”. “Anyway, we’re only staying for a day or two, and then we’re heading into Paradise. There’s an island there I want to investigate next.” 

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer? I’m sure Rosinante would appreciate a longer visit,” Whitebeard insisted. Law sighed, but he wasn’t really as exasperated as he tried to seem. The old man was right, after all. Cora probably would like a longer visit. Marco, too. Hell, even Vista would probably be thrilled. 

“Maybe. But the next time the walking campfire there tries anything while I’m on board, you’ll have a much harder time convincing me not to drown his dumb ass,” Law warned. Whitebeard chuckled and addressed Ace when he spoke again. 

“Hear that, Ace? Law isn’t as easily charmed as the rest of my family. You may want to take it easy for a while.”

“I could take him,” Ace grumbled. “He just caught me off guard, that’s all.”

“That overconfidence might be cute if you weren’t trying to kill the old man,” Law smirked. “If you ever want to test that theory, try me any time.” Law let his expression fall into an unforgivingly stern frown as he continued. “But if you try to kill Pops while I’m around, I meant what I said. I’ll dice you into toasty little bits and feed you to the sea kings.” Ace seemed to actually take that seriously, or at least as seriously as a walking barbecue could. 

“Fine. I’ll wait until you’re gone. Or at least asleep or something,” Ace sighed. 

“Great! Now let’s all go see what Thatch is making for dinner,” Whitebeard decided. Law rolled his eyes, but didn’t bother reminding the old man that Law had other plans, specifically sharing his leads with the other doctors in Whitebeard’s family to strategize their next steps. He knew a losing battle when he saw one, and the way things were going, he’d end up with plenty of time to consult with the others.

Chapter Text

One and a half years before Marineford

“You know, at least Marco pretends to wear a shirt.” Ace looked up from dozing over - okay, in - his breakfast and found the grumpy murder guy with the tattoos standing over him. 

“Oh, you’re back.” After six months, Trafalgar Law had faded to a weird memory. Now, he was back, and talking to Ace for some reason. 

“And you’re still here.” To Ace’s surprise, Law sat on the bench next to him. “Seems like you settled in okay.” Ace shrugged, not sure what to do with the Heart Pirate captain when he wasn’t threatening to chop him up. 

“Yeah. It’s…kinda nice to be part of a family again,” Ace admitted. Trafalgar considered this for a minute, then nodded to himself. 

“It’s not always easy being part of a family. But it’s usually worth the hassle.” 

“Yeah? That why you keep coming back?” Ace asked, curious in spite of himself. Most of the other crews led by former Whitebeard pirates didn’t come back often. Or at all. 

“Part of it. My parents deserve to spend time together, and my friends like visiting.”

“And you’re a softie about Pops,” Ace added, remembering how fiercely Trafalgar had defended Whitebeard the first time they met. 

“Nobody asked you.” Trafalgar paused like he was debating something, then sighed and said, “Listen, I’m going to do a favor for Marco. He wants me to take one of the Whitebeard Commanders with me.”

“Can’t handle it on your own?” Ace snickered. 

“I can handle you just fine, and you’re a Commander; I’m not bringing someone as backup. It’s so the island I’m visiting knows for sure I’m still allied with Whitebeard. No need to have to fight any of the people I’m supposed to be helping just because they want to chase off pirates they don’t know.” Trafalgar actually sounded reasonable when he said it like that. 

“Okay, why do I care?” Ace scoffed. Trafalgar smirked, and Ace suddenly had a sinking feeling he knew the answer. 

“You’re the Second Division Commander, aren’t you? Who better to drag across the sea to this random island than you?” Trafalgar said smugly. “Marco already approved it.”

“Why me?! You don’t even like me!” Ace protested. He didn’t want to leave the Moby Dick right now! Whitebeard had been having a lot of bad days; Ace wanted to be nearby. 

“Does it matter?” Trafalgar asked, his tone dismissive, but his eyes were sharp. Ace studied him for a minute, then shrugged. There was something important about him going, even if Trafalgar wasn’t telling him. His curiosity was piqued. And if this was a favor to Marco, it would probably help Pops out, too. 

“Guess not. If Marco says so, I’ll go.” 

“Great. Then we’ll leave right away.” Trafalgar stood up. “Come along.” 

“Fine. I’m curious about this so-called submarine you’ve got,” Ace said as he got up and followed Trafalgar to the door. 

“Oh, I’m not letting you on my ship. We’re taking a couple of my crew members and a sloop.  Abies isn’t that far.”

“Wait, Abies? Isn’t that where everyone’s been getting sick?” Ace demanded. “Why would you go there? Aren’t you risking getting sick, too?” Trafalgar paused and turned to face him. There was a spark in his eyes that spoke to the flames that lived in Ace’s body. 

“I’m a doctor. I don’t turn my back on sick people.” Trafalgar strode off towards the deck, and Ace found himself following without a word. 

Abies was an island of fir trees and frost, and Trafalgar’s polar bear clearly loved it, even if Trafalgar himself didn’t. Ace snickered at the way Trafalgar bundled up in a coat and gloves, his usual hat pulled lower over his ears. 

“Damn, Law, what kind of North Blue pirate are you?” From what Ace could gather, Shachi was one of the few Heart Pirates that openly teased his captain. Ikkaku, the last member of their group, just rolled her eyes at him. 

“The kind that doesn’t want to get hypothermia, idiot,” Trafalgar grumbled. “If you roll around in the snow and get frostbite I’m not reattaching your extremities.” 

“You mean again?” Ikkaku muttered. Bepo chuckled, then broke off and muttered an apology when Shachi frowned at him. 

“Come on. We have work to do,” Trafalgar reminded them. They disembarked from their borrowed sloop and headed into the village. Ace trailed after the Heart Pirates, unbothered by the cold. 

“That’s far enough!” A middle-aged woman moved to stand in the middle of the road into the village, the shotgun in her hands leveled at the pirates’ chests. “This is Whitebeard Pirate territory. Leave us in peace or you’ll regret it.” 

“We’re not here to attack you,” Trafalgar sighed. “You have sick people, right? I’m a doctor, and-“ The woman made a show of checking that her shotgun had bullets before bringing it back to bear on Trafalgar’s chest. Ace decided it was time to show off a little. 

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he began, stepping up beside Trafalgar and taking his cowboy hat off. He held it respectfully to his chest as he bowed low enough that she would be able to see his tattoo on his back. “I’m Portgas D. Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.” 

“Are you, now?” she muttered, eyeing him suspiciously. 

“Yes, ma’am. My captain has heard that your island is in need of a doctor, so he sent the five of us. Doctor Trafalgar here is very capable, and so are his assistants. Please, let them help your people.” Ace put on his most charming smile as he straightened up, keeping his hat politely over his chest. The woman sighed and lowered her shotgun. 

“Fine. I’m Alba, and I’m in charge around here. The Phoenix has outbreak guidelines, which we’re following. No one with symptoms is allowed to interact with outsiders. Those who are sick are in what counts as a hospital here. It’s technically the town hall, but it’s got the most space.” She pointed to the largest building visible from the harbor. “That’s where your patients are.” 

“Thank you, ma’am.” Ace glanced at Trafalgar, whose expression was carefully neutral, like he was hiding surprise. “Doctor Trafalgar?” Ace prompted, absolutely ready to hand over the situation to someone who actually knew about medicine. Trafalgar blinked, then turned his attention to the woman. 

“Can you list the symptoms while we walk?” Trafalgar asked. Alba nodded and started to lead the way, Trafalgar falling in step with her. Ace let the other Hearts pass him and resumed his place at the back of the group. He’d done his part. Now he could relax. 

He could not relax. Ace had basically no medical training, so while the others donned masks and went into the town hall with Alba, he was left outside. Unfortunately, he was immediately put to work helping the locals load a merchant ship with logs and planks of wood they had harvested from the island’s vast evergreen forest. 

Then he was asked to help unload a supply ship, which he did. 

Then he was asked to keep an eye on a handful of children whose parents were either sick or working, and Ace ended up leading the group of seven children between the ages of five and twelve in a magnificent game of tag through the whole town. 

By the time the Heart Pirates emerged from the town hall and Ace was released from doing chores for the locals, he was worn out. 

“You look terrible,” Trafalgar informed him. Ace, who was pretty sure he had pine cone pieces in his hair and stuck to his hat from the brutal ambush several of the children had staged when Ace was ‘it’ for their game, couldn’t even disagree. 

“Let’s get all of you something to eat,” Alba decided. Ace happily followed her to where a handful of the locals were making some kind of stew and handing out bowls of it complete with giant crusty rolls. 

Trafalgar and the others sat away from the locals, which Ace thought was strange even as he followed their lead. 

“Tell me your observations so far,” Trafalgar said once everyone settled down. 

“Lots of kids are sick, and sicker than the adults,” Bepo answered quietly. “But that’s not unusual.”

“Plenty of healthy adults are sick, too. Equal numbers of men and women,” Ikkaku added. 

“Most of the symptoms are pretty generic: stomach pain, vomiting, cough, sore throat…” Shachi sighed. “It was kinda weird though. Did anybody ask what they ate for lunch? The whole place kind of smelled like garlic.” 

“Good. Anything else?” Trafalgar asked. 

“The older patients have weird symptoms that stand out,” Bepo offered. “It could be unrelated, though.”

“You’re talking about the dark spots some of them have? Aren’t those just old people spots?” Shachi grumbled. 

“A lot of the same people with the darkened patches had white lines on their nails,” Ikkaku replied. “Even if it’s not the same thing as the outbreak we came for, that’s bad, right, Captain?” 

“Yes. I was able to use my Scan on most of them without Alba noticing,” Trafalgar added. 

“So you know what it is and you’re quizzing us anyway,” Shachi summarized. Trafalgar smirked a little. 

“Are you really surprised?”

“So what’s your diagnosis, Doc?” Ace asked. He had already practically inhaled his whole bowl of stew while the Hearts conferred with each other. 

“They have high levels of arsenic in their system,” Trafalgar answered. “Identifying it wasn’t hard with my Scan, and I can probably cure most of them tomorrow. Identifying the illness and curing it isn’t the biggest problem here.”

“It’s the source,” Bepo murmured. “Arsenic…that’s poison, right?” Ace piped up. 

“Yes. It can be naturally occurring, or it could have been accidentally or maliciously added to the island’s environment. So while I cure them tomorrow, I need one of you to stay with me and the others to look into potential sources.”

“Like what?” Ace couldn’t help but ask. 

“See where the symptomatic patients get their water and food. Where do they live? Where do they work? Any patterns we find could lead us to the source.” 

“Bepo can stay with the Captain tomorrow,” Shachi suggested. “Ikkaku and I can investigate with Ace.”

“Huh?” Ace hadn’t expected to be included. 

“You spent the day getting familiar with the locals. They’ll recognize you as a Whitebeard pirate and as someone who’s been visibly helpful. We can use that,” Ikkaku explained. Ace stared at all four of them, wondering if this had been the plan all along. Was this why they left him outside to be the island’s workhorse for the whole day? 

“There you all are. The line is open for seconds if you’re interested.” Alba had found them, and she didn’t even have her shotgun with her. Ace grinned. 

“Absolutely. Thank you, ma’am.” Ace followed her cheerfully back to where the food was being distributed for his second helping. Luckily for him, he was offered two more full bowls, which he gladly accepted. When he returned to the Hearts, he noticed that they’d started actually eating, but Trafalgar’s bread rolls sat untouched. “What’s up with that?” Ace asked, pointing at the uneaten rolls. 

“Captain doesn’t like bread,” Bepo answered. Trafalgar frowned at him, and Bepo winced. “Sorry.”

“So are you just letting them go to waste, or…?” Ace trailed off meaningfully, and Trafalgar rolled his eyes. 

“You can have them.” Ace snatched the rolls and scarfed them down along with his second bowl of stew. “How are you so polite to Alba and then you just turn around and have terrible table manners?” Trafalgar complained. 

“Cause table manners aren’t the same as manners for meeting people or thanking them for saving your little brother’s life,” Ace replied with a shrug. 

“You have a brother?” Shachi asked. Ace grinned broadly, always ready to talk about Luffy. 

“Yeah! He’s not on the seas yet, but in a little over a year he’ll leave home. Everyone’s gonna hear about him one day!” 

“I don’t get it,” Shachi complained as he, Ace, and Ikkaku walked through the village. “It’s not their water, because plenty of people are drinking the water without symptoms, and the sickest people aren’t the ones who spend the most time working with or near the fresh water reservoir.”

“And it’s not airborne, as far as we can tell,” Ikkaku agreed. 

“If it was in the ground, the wood would have it, and the woodworkers would be sicker than anyone else,” Shachi continued. “There’s no pattern to it!”

“I’ve also been asking about food. Most of it is imported, but there isn’t even a pattern there. Not everyone who eats the same things is sick.” Ikkaku sighed, her frustration matching Shachi’s. “If we can’t figure out the source, then it doesn’t matter how many of them Captain cures. They’ll keep getting sick.” 

“That’s not so bad,” a local man who’d apparently been eavesdropping piped up. He grinned at Ikkaku. “You can just keep playing nurse for us; though you could wear a cuter outfit to-“ The man didn’t get to finish his sentence. Something furious and on fire came out of nowhere and slammed into him. Shachi stared at the man, sprawled on the ground clutching his nose and screeching as his shirt smoldered, then slowly turned to look at Ace, who stood between the guy and Ikkaku. 

“Have some fucking manners,” Ace snarled. “Or I’ll beat them into you.” 

“That’s sweet of you, but I can handle idiots,” Ikkaku said primly. 

“Of course you can. But you shouldn’t have to,” Ace replied. Shachi couldn’t have put it better himself. 

“I’m just disappointed you beat me to it,” Shachi admitted. Ace shrugged. 

“Be faster, then.” 

“You’re a menace. You pretend you’re polite, but Law’s right, you’re an arsonist,” Ikkaku informed him. Ace just grinned. 

The three of them wandered through a market, where Ace smiled charmingly at each person selling food and was offered samples each time. Apparently, being the village’s pack mule the day before had endeared him to the locals. He did offer to share, but Shachi declined. Ikkaku tried one or two things, but she was wary of unknown food. 

Ace, however, had no such compunctions and devoured everything he was offered. Some stalls he even went back to and bought more. 

“If you’re not careful, you won’t have room for your actual meals,” Shachi warned as Ace happily accepted a new snack from yet another stall. This one looked like some kind of deep fried sweets. 

“Bold of you to assume I need room in my stomach to eat,” Ace replied, grinning broadly. “Plus, if you think I eat a lot, you should meet my little brother. He’ll eat an entire giant alligator and still be hungry.” 

“That’s…oddly specific,” Ikkaku observed. 

“Well, we used to hunt for them when we were kids,” Ace explained. “I think he’d eat an elephant if he ever…met one.” Ace trailed off, making an odd face as his breathing became labored. “Huh. I feel like shit.” Then he crumbled without any further warning. Shachi and Ikkaku scrambled to catch him before he face planted on the ground and only partially succeeded. 

“Well, fuck,” Shachi sighed. “Guess now we have a theory on what the source is.”

Ace came around slowly, and decided that he felt better than he had before passing out, but not much. His throat and chest still hurt, and his fingers and toes felt tingly. At least he wasn’t having a hard time breathing anymore, and he didn’t feel like he was going to puke up all the snacks he’d eaten. He was also strangely hungry, and his mouth was so dry it felt like his tongue might crack. 

He could hear voices, people talking - arguing? - nearby, so he tried to listen in. 

“You have to rest, Captain.” That was Shachi, and he sounded frustrated. “You’ve done enough for now.” 

“No. There are still patients who need help, and then we’re storming that island.” That was Trafalgar’s voice, and he sounded at least half as terrible as Ace felt. 

“Cap, come on.” Ikkaku was next. “The ones who aren’t symptomatic can wait. Considering how long this has been going on, the whole island could be affected.”

“That’s exactly why I’m not stopping until I’ve checked every single person and de-contaminated everyone. We also have to test every bit of food, and-“

“We’ll handle it,” Ikkaku insisted. 

“If you keep this up, you won’t be able to help anyone,” Shachi added. 

“I’m sorry, Captain, but they’re right. You have to stop,” Bepo piped up. “Please?”

“Nope. Sorry, guys, but I have to do this.”

“This is why you didn’t let Cora and Marco come with, isn’t it?” Shachi accused. “Because you know they’d be able to make you rest.”

“Rest doesn’t matter. Only the people who were poisoned,” Trafalgar insisted. “There’s enough arsenic in the latest shipments to take down a logia user, for fuck’s sake. That’s dangerous.”

“So you’re okay with breaking Cora’s poor heart when he finds out you’re not taking care of yourself?” Shachi demanded. 

“You don’t understand! Innocent people are hurting, and one of our own almost fucking died. I’d rather keep working until I drop dead then let this keep going. Now stop wasting my time and bring me the next patient.” 

“Who almost died?” Ace croaked, forcing the words out of his painfully dry throat. He winced at the sting from talking and at the way his voice sounded. He squinted in the direction the arguing had come from, just in time to catch Trafalgar’s sour expression and Bepo’s relieved grin.  

“Ace!” Ikkaku blurted out. She was beside him in an instant, the scowl on her face trying and failing to hide her relief. “You’re awake!”

“You’re the one who almost died, moron,” Trafalgar snapped. He was sitting nearby, and he looked like absolute shit. He was a little paler than usual, and he had huge dark circles under his eyes. The man usually looked tired, but this was a whole new level. He could have been the poster child for insomnia and overwork. Ace was about to make a comment about how Trafalgar must’ve been in worse shape than his patients when the doctor’s words caught up with him. 

“I almost died?” he repeated. 

“Yeah. You gorged yourself on arsenic all day like an idiot and got poisoned. Being made of fire doesn’t stop heavy metals from damaging your organs, firecracker,” Trafalgar informed him grimly. 

“Who else is sick?” Ace demanded. If he felt like this as a logia user, and one of Trafalgar’s people had almost died, too… He glanced over Shachi, Bepo, and Ikkaku, but they all seemed fine. Were they more resistant to the effects since they worked with Trafalgar?

“Just you,” Ikkaku replied, confused. 

“But…” Ace frowned at Trafalgar. “You said one of your own almost died.” There was a pause, and all three Heart Pirates slowly turned to smirk at their captain. 

“He’s right,” Ikkaku smirked. 

“You said one of our own almost died,” Shachi added gleefully. “I thought you didn’t like the arsonist.” 

“I don’t!” Trafalgar snapped. “He’s reckless and stupid and-” Trafalgar broke off, pinching the bridge of his nose before glaring right at Ace. “Listen up, firecracker. I don’t have to like you to consider you one of my people. You’re a Whitebeard Pirate, and Whitebeards are family. That’s it. Now hold still.” He held his hand out and muttered, “Room. Scan.” Blue light spread out from his hand, enveloping the three Hearts and Ace. Ace didn’t know what to think, except that maybe Trafalgar was going to kill him - hadn’t he done this same blue light room thing right before he chopped Ace into little bits the first time they met? - but then the light faded, and Trafalgar slumped in his chair, his hand dropping to his lap. 

“Remember how we were just telling you to rest?” Ikkaku demanded. 

“You can’t even hold Room for thirty seconds! You have to sleep!” Bepo insisted, clearly fretting as he hovered near his captain. 

“Shut up. There’s still damage to his system from the poison,” Trafalgar sighed. He extended his hand once more, and Bepo grabbed for it. 

“No! The others are right! No more, Captain!” the polar bear insisted, his voice trembling. 

“Don’t worry your crew like that, asshole,” Ace grumbled. Yeah, he still felt like absolute shit, but Trafalgar passing out wasn’t going to do them any good. “Just rest.” Trafalgar looked like he was going to argue, but Ace saw the hopeful look in Shachi’s eyes and kept talking before the Heart captain could say anything. “You’re a fucking doctor; shouldn’t you know better than to keel over when your patients still need you?” It was the Whitebeard crew’s go-to argument for when Marco worked himself up and was in danger of overdoing it, and it seemed to work on Trafalgar, too, because he grimaced and leaned back in his chair. Ace wasn’t done, though. “What kind of captain worries his crew and ignores their concerns, anyway?” That did it. Trafalgar was scowling, but there was a guilty flash in his eyes when he looked at his crew members. 

“Fine. I’ll take a nap. But then I’m finishing with the villagers and we’re going after the assholes on the next island that did this to them.” The expression on Trafalgar’s face at that point could only be described as sulky. It definitely wasn’t cute, just like his tattoos were stupid and edgy, not cool. 

Ace decided that he was just glad the matter was settled; he didn’t have to think about how Trafalgar was so dedicated to his patients that he would risk his own health, or the weird way it felt for the grumpy asshole to have shifted from wanting to kill Ace when they first met to accepting him as part of Whitebeard’s crew and family the next time they saw each other. 

Chapter Text

Law hated to admit it, but his crew had been right about his stamina. He’d needed that nap. He probably needed to sleep for a few days instead of just a few hours, actually, since treating a Logia for something like heavy metal toxicity was infinitely more difficult than treating a group of regular humans whose organs didn’t try to turn into pure flames every time he started to strip away the toxic metal that was destroying them. 

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time to fully recover. 

So one nap, one boat ride, and two hours of letting his crew quietly investigate while Law sat on their sloop with Ace and picked the last traces of arsenic out of his liver and kidneys later, Law had a list of people in charge of the poisoning and their cronies. 

He was also exhausted again, but he was pretty sure he would be able to hide it. 

“You’re sure this is everyone?” Law asked, eyeing the list of ringleaders Shachi had handed over. 

“As sure as we can be, Captain,” Shachi answered easily. “We added their last known locations for easy reference, too.”

“Good work,” Law said absently as he eyed the locations, each with a description and a marker on a hand-drawn map Bepo had provided. 

“Thank you, Captain,” all three of his Heart Pirates chorused. 

“So which one of us are you taking with you?” Ikkaku asked. 

“None of you. You’re in charge of sweeping up the lackeys,” Law replied. 

“But Captain-“

“That’s an order.” All three glared at him mutinously, then turned in unison to stare at Ace, who looked confused.

“What do you think about that?” Shachi asked. 

“About…what?” Ace tilted his head, his forehead wrinkling a little as he frowned. 

“About our Captain going off on his own! Pushing himself past his limits again!” Ikkaku snapped. “You had plenty to say back on Abies.” 

“Oh, that.” Ace eyed Law for a second, then shrugged. “I think he’s not my Captain.” Law scowled at the flippant tone, but then he noticed that Ace’s eyes were dark and serious. “You need someone to watch your back. If you don’t want them to go because you’re worried, just take me. You already saved my life, so I owe you. That means it’s fine if you put me in danger, right?” Law’s glare sharpened. That wasn’t a normal response to Law having helped a patient. It also wasn’t what he’d been raised to believe about what it meant to save someone’s life in Flevance, either. As far as Law was concerned, now that he’d gone to the trouble of saving Ace, the arsonist’s life was now Law’s responsibility, just like all of his patients, except even more so because Ace was a member of Whitebeard’s crew. 

“You can come with me.”

“I wasn’t actually asking, but thanks.” 

“Shut up. While we head for the first location, we can talk about how you better not waste my hard work by pushing yourself,” Law snapped. 

“You mean like you?” Ace asked impishly. Law debated chopping him into pieces, but he knew he needed to save his strength. He hadn’t recovered that much from how much it had taken out of him to decontaminate a Logia when he was already tired. So he settled for a renewed glare and stalking off, leaving Ace to trail after him. 

He just had to make sure he didn’t pass out before he wrecked the absolute shit of all the ringleaders of this stupid fucking poisoning scheme. 

Law did, in fact, pass out before he finished destroying the masterminds, and he was furious about it. He glared at the wall, ignoring the person who was sitting beside his bed. That asshole was still snoring away, and hadn’t even noticed that Law was awake. He was lucky that Law wasn’t his captain, because if he was, he’d have given him extra chores as punishment for falling asleep when he was supposed to be watching a patient. 

Not that Law was a patient. 

This was a misunderstanding. Or a rebellion by his concerned crew. 

Law was fine. 

He was not so tired that his bones hurt. He was not in pain, and his skin didn’t feel overly tight. Especially not the patches that had once gone white with disease. 

He didn’t have a pounding headache, either, and he was staying in this bed by choice and not because he was pretty sure he’d fall on his face if he tried to walk. 

Now he just had to convince Bepo and Shachi and Ikkaku of that, except he couldn’t, because they’d left Ace to watch over him. 

Law glared at Ace, who was still snoring like a goddamn sea king. How had Law slept through that? He grimaced and lifted his hand. If he was stuck in bed, maybe he could at least check on Ace’s stupid arsenic-ravaged organs. 

“Room,” he whispered as he reached for his devil fruit powers. The second blue light started to swirl at his fingertips, a pair of hands clamped over Law’s own hand, squishing his fingers and his Room alike. Law stared at the hands for a minute, then slowly looked up at their owner. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Law demanded, offended by the sheer audacity of what had just happened. 

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Ace snapped right back. When had he even woken up? How had he moved that quickly? He had been asleep, he shouldn’t be able to do that. He also didn’t let go of Law’s hand, which was very annoying.  

“Let go of me,” Law ordered. 

“No. You’ll try to use your powers again, and then your crew will be mad at both of us,” Ace huffed.

“Where are they?” Not being able to see all three of them when he wasn’t actually sure how he’d gotten to this room was unsettling. 

“Bepo is taking a break while Ikkaku and Shachi tend to the islanders,” Ace answered, still not letting go of Law’s hand. Ace’s hands were very warm. It was kind of distracting. “With as much as those three complain about you not taking care of yourself, you’d think they would manage their own health better. But no, they’re just like their captain.” 

“What do you mean?” Law demanded, suddenly concerned. 

“They didn’t want to sleep last night since you hadn’t woken up yet. Then today they all wanted to sit in here and stare at you, and they were arguing that at least one of them needed to be with the other patients. Eventually I kicked them all out and told them they could come back when they’d eaten, slept, and taken care of the patients so you wouldn’t try to do it when you woke up.” Ace made a face. “I hate being the responsible one. Plus everything still kinda hurts. You Heart Pirates are a pain.” 

“You said last night. I was out for a whole day?”

“Of course that’s what you latch onto,” Ace groaned. “Yeah, almost twenty-four hours now. And don’t even think about trying to get out of bed. The only way I managed to get those three to agree to rest and shit was by promising I wouldn’t let you move.”

“You can’t stop me,” Law tried to threaten him, ignoring that Ace had in fact stopped him pretty effectively. There was something else he wanted to know, though, so he figured he’d lull Ace into a false sense of security by asking. “So how long did it take after I passed out for my crew to come find us? Did they finish off that last ringleader?”

“You seriously think there was anything left of that guy after you keeled over?” Ace scoffed. “I’m offended.” Law frowned, a little confused, and Ace’s tone went dark and serious as he said, “I burned that little fucker to a crisp. I wasn’t about to take the others from you, since you seemed to take this whole poisoning thing really personally. But once you passed your limit and collapsed, that last guy was fair game.”

“Oh.” Law had to admit that he hadn’t expected Ace to be quite so serious about it. After all, Law was the one who had personal history with elites who were willing to poison and kill off entire populations for their own benefit, not Ace. Though, looking at Ace’s expression, maybe Law wasn’t actually the only one. Or maybe it was just because they’d almost killed Ace, too, and he was pissed about that. “I didn’t realize you were taking it personally, too.”

“Those fuckers poisoned the food people rely on, and they were going to kill off everyone just for their own profit. They deserved to die screaming.” Ace sounded furious, but it was a half-displaced fury. He definitely had history with something like this, too. 

“My whole nation, including my birth family, were poisoned for profit and exterminated out of fear,” Law said quietly. Ace froze, then patted Law’s hand solemnly. 

“The poor people in the kingdom I grew up in were burned out so the rich assholes didn’t have to look at them. And some friends of mine are trapped in a country where ordinary people don’t have enough to eat.” 

They sat for a moment, each processing what the other had shared. 

“You should raise Whitebeard’s flag over on Togen,” Law said.

“Togen?” Ace repeated. 

“The island whose leadership we just wiped out,” Law clarified. “These two islands depend on each other. If Whitebeard laid claim to both of them, they might be more likely to get along after this.”

“Uh…I’m just a division commander. I can’t just claim islands like that,” Ace objected. Law couldn’t hide a smirk at that. The arsonist knew his own place, but hadn’t learned what liberties he could take that Whitebeard would back up yet. Also, his freckles shifted when he scrunched up his face in protest, and that was unfair of him, so Law felt like teasing him. 

“Why not? I do it all the time,” he said with a shrug. Ace blinked at him several times, processing. 

“You what.” 

“Any time I decide I don’t like an island’s government, I just…make them disappear and drop off a Whitebeard flag. Then I call Marco and get him to add the island to Whitebeard’s territory. It’s happened maybe five or six times since I started my own crew.” Law felt his smirk grow as Ace just stared at him in mounting horror. 

“You’re the reason Marco got all grumpy and weird a few months ago,” he realized. “He kept complaining about kids who do the fun part and then drop islands on their elders to manage.” 

“Oh, yeah, that was us. There was this fall island that was blockaded, so they couldn’t get medical supplies in. So we might have destroyed the blockade and given them a flag.”

“But not your flag.”

“Of course not. I don’t want to be in charge of anyone but my own crew,” Law admitted, his tone slipping towards conspiratorial. “It’s way more fun to do the raiding and the destroying of corrupt assholes who act like the ones that destroyed my country, then leave Marco and the others to do the administrative work of managing the island as part of a territory.” 

“I think you might be evil,” Ace informed him. “Or at least a weird kind of asshole.”

“You mispronounced fucking brilliant,” Law replied easily. Ace’s dismay was clear, but Law thought he saw amusement in his expression, too. “But hey, if you ever get tired of being part of such a huge crew and want something smaller, there’s a spot for you on my ship.”

“I thought you didn’t want me on your ship,” Ace objected. 

“I didn’t.” Law didn't bother to hide that part. He also didn’t hide the genuine smile that tugged at the corners of his lips as he added, “But between you schlepping for the locals when they needed it, defending Ikkaku, and roasting a poisoner alive, I’ve decided you’re not the worst. With a little training, you’d make a halfway decent Heart Pirate.” 

“Such a compliment,” Ace drawled. 

“See, now you’re getting it.” Law shifted a little, trying to ignore the aches that were not building up the longer he was awake. “Guess the old man was right about you being worth keeping in the family.” 

“Wait, you were serious?” 

“I don’t joke about my crew or my family,” Law said seriously. 

“You don’t really want me on your crew,” Ace protested. He looked…guilty? Why would Ace be guilty? 

“Is this because I called you a half naked arsonist and chopped you into pieces that one time? Because being chopped into pieces for being annoying is not disqualifying for my crew,” Law tried to joke. Maybe lightening the mood would prompt Ace to stop being weird and take the compliment the way it was met.

“No, it’s…people don’t just decide I’m worth…anything, I guess.” Ace swallowed hard. “My brothers and Pops are the only ones who ever…” Oh. This wasn’t about the invitation, not really. It was about Ace’s apparently non-existent self esteem. 

“Marco would be insulted to not be included in that list.” Law said it quietly, as close to gently as he could manage while he was so uncomfortable. 

“But Marco doesn’t know-“ Ace broke off, hesitating. 

“Doesn’t matter. Marco doesn’t have to know everything about you or your past. No one does.” That was one thing Law was sure of. He had never needed to know anyone’s history to decide if they were family or not. He didn’t ask Hakugan why he felt like he had to hide his face, or why Clione refused to set foot on certain types of islands. He didn’t ask for Ikkaku’s resume or life story when she said she was a mechanic who needed a place to reinvent herself. He didn’t even press Cora for information on his past. Who they were now, that’s what Law cared about. “Whoever you are now is enough, you know.”

“That might work for other people. But you don’t understand. If people know, they see me differently, except for Pops and my brothers. I’m someone who never should have been born, and-“

“Enough. I don’t care where you came from,” Law snapped. “You earned my respect the last few days, and that’s final. You’d have to try to kill the old man again or some bullshit like that to change my mind.” 

“Even if I was the son of someone everybody hates?” Ace replied skeptically. 

“You could be a goddamn celestial dragon and it wouldn’t change anything,” Law scoffed. Ace still looked skeptical, but there was a conflicted look in his eyes that might have been hope. 

“Portgas is my mother’s name. I started using it when I went off on my own. The name I was given when I was born…was Gol D. Ace.” 

Well. That wasn’t what Law had expected. He’d kind of expected that Ace was a famous Marine’s kid or something. 

“That’s your big, dark secret?” Law demanded. Ace frowned, something like confusion bordering on hurt flickering across his face. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure plenty of regular assholes would hate that. But…you’re a pirate. We’re all pirates. Roger wasn’t a boogeyman to us the same way he was to normal people. It’s probably smart to keep that hidden, though. The government doesn’t like people with the D. initial enough as it is, so you being a Gol on top of that would make you a huge target.” Law eyed Ace’s reaction, watching as tension trickled out of his body. “So it’s a good thing Roger’s not your father. Whitebeard is, right?” Ace’s eyes widened, and then he grinned brightly. That smile was just as blinding as if he’d caught fire using his Logia. Law wondered for a second if a smile could burn him just from him looking at it for too long. 

“Yeah, he is. Pops is my father. No one else.”

“Good.” It occurred to Law just how much Ace had put himself out there by admitting his identity, and Law felt a strange urge to make sure Ace knew he wasn’t completely alone. “I’m from Flevance; if the government knew I had survived, they’d probably be after me. Then there’s my devil fruit which is apparently one that people would kill for. Plus I have the D. initial, too, so that’s three strikes against me.”

“Wait, you have it, too? But I thought your name was-“

“Unlike some people, I don’t parade around the things that make me a target that easily. I don’t tell people where I’m from, or the name of my devil fruit, or that I was born Trafalgar D. Water Law. Not unless they’re family.” 

“Oh.” Ace was quiet for a minute, taking it in. He looked a little overwhelmed, and Law wondered briefly if he’d said too much. Then Ace smiled a little. “So that’s why we didn’t get along at first. I’m made of fire, and your name is Water.”

“That was a terrible joke. Let go of my hand and give me my sword so I can kill you,” Law snapped. Ace laughed and squeezed his hand tighter, and Law let him. It helped keep his mind off how exhausted he was, and let them both pretend that Ace wasn’t affected by Law’s returned show of trust.  

Marco had expected a few possible outcomes when he blatantly bullied Law into taking Ace with him to Abies. He’d expected Ace to end up at least half drowned, for example. He’d expected them to eventually come to some sort of understanding since, at the end of the day, Ace was one of Whitebeard’s sons, and that made him family. 

He had even kind of expected them to maybe become real friends. 

He had not expected whatever the fuck this was. 

Marco was at a loss as he watched Ace throw an arm around Law’s shoulder, audibly teasing him about still having bags under his eyes, and Law let him. 

Law, who had once stolen Rakuyo’s liver for trying to ruffle his hair, who had taken years to warm up to anyone but Rosi and Bepo enough to let them near him for more than a few seconds, was just…letting Ace hang on him. 

Marco couldn’t believe his eyes. 

Had Ace broken Law? Had Marco miscalculated? Was Law just waiting for the right moment to kill Ace? But if that was the case, why hadn’t Law just killed him and dumped his body in the ocean already?

Then Marco caught sight of a tiny smile tugging at the corner of Law’s mouth, and realized that it was the opposite. 

“Oh my god, I think Law actually likes him,” Marco whispered. Beside him, Rosinante hid a grin behind his hand. 

“I had my doubts, but you did a good job, mi cielo,” Rosinante chuckled. “You should check in with our son since you’re the one who set this up. I’ll go get to know the new Second Division Commander.”

“Don’t kill him,” Marco said immediately. 

“Oh, I’m sure Second Division would be fine without a Commander,” Rosinante mused. “They managed just fine before.” 

“Rosi,” Marco insisted, tilting his head back to frown up at his husband. Rosinante bent down to kiss Marco’s furrowed brow. 

“Don’t worry, I’m just going to make sure he’s not going to hurt our kid. I’ll return him in one piece,” he promised. Marco sighed and let him go, watching as Rosinante traipsed off to snag Ace from where he was still halfway hanging on Law. He saw Rosinante point in his direction and waved lazily as Law looked over. A moment later, Rosinante was ushering Ace off to who knows where, while Law made his way to Marco. 

“You didn’t have to send Cora to kidnap Ace, you know,” Law grumbled. “I was fine on my own.”

“Oh, I know. That’s why Rosi wanted to chat with your new…friend.”

“We’re not friends,” Law snapped immediately. Marco raised one eyebrow pointedly. “Don’t start. He’s part of the family, that’s all.”

“That’s all? So when I ask Shachi and Ikkaku…?”

“They’ll tell you he did his job. Oh, and the Whitebeard Pirates have a new island. Abies’ neighbor, Togen, was in need of…supervision. It’s undergoing a change in management, so to speak.”

“You killed their leaders, didn’t you?” Marco sighed, successfully but only temporarily distracted. “Fine. I’ll add them.”

“Great. Maybe now they won’t poison their neighbors’ food with heavy metals,” Law muttered. 

“Abies is back on track, then?” Law shot him a scathing look, and Marco grinned. “I’m not doubting you, I just had to ask. So about Ace…”

“The stupid fireball almost got himself killed,” Law complained. “He ate a bunch of poisoned food and collapsed from acute arsenic poisoning. You’ll have to take a look at his internal organs; he hasn’t let me Scan him since I woke up.” Marco narrowed his eyes, and Law realized he’d said too much. “I mean…well…”

“How badly did you overwork yourself this time?” Marco frowned, crossing his arms as he stared down at his step son. 

“That’s not important.”

“I disagree.” Marco and Law glared at each other for a few seconds before Law grimaced and gave in. 

“Look, it wasn’t that bad. We had a lot of patients, so I wasn’t at full strength when Ace went down. And you know treating Logias is hard for me, especially trying to get poison out of them. And I meant it when I said Ace almost died. So I pushed. That bastard even made me rest before we went after the source of the contamination, it just turned out that there was one more ringleader than I had the energy for. So I might have passed out. But don’t worry, Ace took care of the last guy. I’ve been basically benched by all four of them the rest of the trip, except for getting the last of the arsenic out of the Abies locals.” That was a more thorough of a report than Marco had honestly expected from Law. His step son was always reluctant to talk about himself, and usually stuck to patient reports. Marco almost let the most interesting part go out of respect for Law having actually given a decent report this time. 

Almost. 

“So when you said Ace wouldn’t let you scan him, and then he made you rest…” 

“Don’t read anything into it, you turkey,” Law grumbled. “I’m pretty sure he recycled arguments I’ve heard the other Division Commanders use on you a few times.”

“Really? Is that why you let him hang on you without dumping him in the ocean?” Marco asked before he could stop himself. Law froze, his scowl reappearing as he hunched his shoulders. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No? Are you sure?” Marco couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. 

“Shut up. He just does shit like that. I think he’s copying Bepo or something.” 

“Oh really? Does that mean he’s going to get cute privileges?” Marco smirked. Law very obviously hesitated before answering, which was kind of the best answer in and of itself. “Oh my god, Law, how serious is this?”

“It’s not! There’s nothing- I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Law spat like an embarrassed cat. 

“Of course, I must be mistaken,” Marco replied solemnly. Law glared harder, not believing him for even a second. “So…Ace doesn’t get cute privileges, but he’s allowed to hang on you and stuff anyway? You know what that sounds like.”

“You’re not going to sound like anything if I remove your larynx,” Law muttered. Marco chuckled a little. Threats like that always meant Law wasn’t ready to agree yet, might not even realize Marco was right, but he wasn’t actually disagreeing with what Marco said. 

Whether he knew it or not, Law definitely had a crush, and Marco thought that was hilarious. 

He was going to have to start a bet with Rosinante over how they thought this would go, once Rosi got back from questioning Ace. Marco was personally betting on nothing or on it taking a year or two for Law to admit he had a thing for Ace, let alone realize that Ace definitely liked him, too. 

Chapter Text

One Year and Three Months Before Marineford

“Captain! Captain, you have to come! It’s Cora!”

Ikkaku’s words rang in Law’s ears as he sprinted through the port town they’d stopped in. 

The call had come in over the transponder snail, and Law had taken off immediately. 

Something happened to Cora. 

He reached the beach, and the sand beneath his feet felt like snow drifts trying to swallow up everything he loved. 

He spotted Ikkaku crouched over Cora’s limp body, putting pressure on two separate wounds, one with each hand. 

“Captain!” Ikkaku cried as she saw him. “I can’t reach them all!” 

Law ran faster. 

He tumbled to his knees beside Cora, whose chest was barely moving. 

“Room! Scan!”

Cora had four bullet wounds, tightly grouped in the center of his chest. Because Cora was so large, Ikkaku could only reach two of the four wounds. The other two had been bleeding freely. 

“Fuck!” Law took a fraction of a second to shove his panic and absolute terror down so he could focus. “Keep an eye out. Kill anyone who’s not ours who comes close.” He didn’t wait to see if Ikkaku acknowledged the order or not. 

He had more important things to worry about. 

Ace didn’t understand why he was in this mess. Like, he remembered how he got into this; Bepo and Thatch had cornered him about an hour after the Heart Pirates docked with the Moby Dick and convinced him to help them out. He just didn’t get why they’d picked him instead of literally anyone else. 

He hadn’t even seen Trafalgar since a couple of days after they’d returned from Abies, when he’d taken his crew and set sail again. And yet Bepo seemed convinced that Ace could do something that Trafalgar’s crew either couldn’t or wouldn’t do: force their captain to stop and actually process things. 

So here he was, standing at the end of the hall where Bepo had left him, staring at Trafalgar. The Heart captain’s back was to him, so Ace couldn’t see his expression and he didn’t think Trafalgar had noticed him. Ace decided that if he was going to do this, he’d do it right. 

He spotted the door marked Recovery and sat cross-legged on the floor beside it before Trafalgar completed his trip down the hallway and turned on his heel to pace back towards Ace, who got his first good look at Trafalgar’s face. 

His forehead was creased with worry, and his mouth turned down in a forbidding frown. He wore a black and yellow hoodie stained with streaks of blood, along with a huge fluffy black coat that absolutely engulfed him. Parts of the coat were dull and caked into spikes like it had blood on it, too. 

Trafalgar stalked down the hallway, the corners of his eyes pinched as he glared ahead of him without glancing sideways. 

Ace waited until Trafalgar was passing him, seemingly without even registering his presence, before he spoke. 

“Are you injured?” Trafalgar spun, his oversized sword seemingly appearing in his hand. He must’ve had it under the coat, Ace decided as he found the blade’s tip resting just inches from his throat. 

“Portgas D. Ace. Still making bad decisions, I see.” Trafalgar’s voice was sharp and angry, but as far as Ace could tell, it wasn’t quite directed at him. Plus Trafalgar probably wouldn’t kill one of Pops’ sons, so…this was probably fine. 

“Trafalgar…Law.” Ace deliberately paused, reminding Trafalgar that he knew more about him than the average Whitebeard. Hopefully it would also remind him that he’d trusted Ace enough to tell him his full name. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“What?” Trafalgar’s frown went slightly less stern as he clearly tried to remember what Ace had actually said. 

“Are you injured?” Ace repeated. Trafalgar stared at him like he’d started babbling in his childhood language from Goa. “Maybe a head wound with all that staring?” 

“Fuck you,” Trafalgar grumbled. “No, I’m not injured. What the fuck are you doing here?”

“You’re covered in blood,” Ace observed. Trafalgar hesitated, then put his sword away and clutched the enormous coat around his shoulders. 

“It’s not mine,” he said grimly. Ace understood the problem, then. Trafalgar was freaking out because of whoever had been injured. 

“Whose is it?” he asked gently. Trafalgar stared at him for another second, and Ace just met Trafalgar’s confused gaze with his own steadily. 

“Why do you care?”

“You said we’re family. Family cares.” Ace waited while Trafalgar processed that. He watched as the Heart captain sighed and finally sat with his back against the wall across the hall from Ace. 

“It’s Cora. My adopted dad. He’s stable, and Marco’s with him now. So I’m stuck out here.”

“You didn’t want to be in there with them?” Trafalgar’s expression went all hurt and vulnerable for a second before he forced himself to frown sternly again. “Shit, I’m stupid. Of course you want to be in there.” Trafalgar looked away, and Ace frowned. “Wait. Why aren’t you in there? You and Marco get along just fine, don’t you? He’s always talking about you and Cora, so why-“ 

“Marco’s pissed at me.” Trafalgar glared down at the floor instead of looking at Ace. “I let Cora get shot again.” Ace stared at him for a long moment, turning those words over in his head. Trafalgar had let Cora get shot? That couldn’t be the truth. Trafalgar was too overprotective of his crew; there’s no way he let any of them so much as stub a toe if he had anything to say about it. So Trafalgar hadn’t been able to stop it for whatever reason, but he was still blaming himself. Worse, it sounded like he thought Marco blamed him, and that didn’t sound like Marco. Panic could make people do weird shit, though, so maybe Marco had said something stupid? 

There were a couple potential solutions that Ace could think of. He decided to start with the first one and go from there based on Trafalgar’s reaction.

“Do you want me to punch Marco for you? Cause I’ll punch him out of that stupid shirt he pretends he’s actually wearing.” Trafalgar snorted, shocked out of his own thoughts for a second, and gaped at Ace, who was pleased that he’d remembered Trafalgar’s comment about Marco’s shirt from last time. 

“Like you have any room to talk,” Trafalgar scoffed. 

“Never said I did,” Ace replied with a tentative half-smile. “So…did you want me to drag Marco out here and fight him, or…?”

“You’d drag him out here?” Trafalgar asked, one eyebrow lifting. 

“I know better than to fight a doctor in the same room as a patient!” Ace said defensively. 

“I’m sure you do. But no, Marco’s right to be pissed. I should have been with him. I should have done a better job evaluating potential threats. There were so many things I could have done…”

“So, what, you’ll just never let him out of your sight again? That’ll be awkward when those two want to get it on.”

“Ace!” Trafalgar scolded, making a face at him. “Those are my parents!”

“Yeah? Parents fuck.” 

“You’re awful.”

“Yeah, I know. Seriously though…you’re still human, aren’t you?” Trafalgar nodded reluctantly. “Then you can’t be everywhere and know everything. No one can.” Ace shrugged. “Sometimes shit happens, and people you love get hurt. Or killed. And you hate yourself even though you know you couldn’t actually have stopped it, but you have to hate yourself on the inside so the people who are still there don’t know and don’t feel bad.” Trafalgar stared at him, and Ace realized he’d ended up losing the point. “Uh. I mean…”

“Who did you lose, Ace?” Trafalgar asked quietly. Ace hesitated, the old familiar pang of grief making itself known in his chest. Keeping Trafalgar talking seemed to be helping him, though, so Ace pushed forward. 

“My brother, Sabo.”

“Portgas D. Rouge had another child?”

“No, no…we weren’t born brothers. But there were three of us that grew up together. Sabo stole sake from the bandits that sort of raised us, and we shared it and swore we’d be brothers no matter what.” Ace let his bittersweet smile show, and blinked a few times to keep his eyes from watering. “Sabo died a little while after that, but Luffy and I never forgot him.” 

“Luffy is the brother you talked about on Abies,” Trafalgar remembered. 

“Yeah. Little gremlin is wilder than me,” Ace chuckled, surprised and kind of impressed that Trafalgar had remembered. “In about a year he’ll set sail and have his own adventures. He’ll have a bounty like a proper pirate in no time.”

“Don’t let my crew hear you say that,” Trafalgar warned. “Most of them have managed to stay below the radar enough to not have a bounty.”

“Why is that? Don’t you guys want the reputation? The fame? For enemies to know you’re strong so they don’t mess with you?” That was something that had puzzled him about Trafalgar’s Heart crew from the beginning. 

“Notoriety only works if your enemies can be intimidated,” Trafalgar pointed out grimly. Ace mulled that over for a second, and decided he had a point. 

“You seem like you can handle pretty much anything, intimidation or no,” Ace said quietly. “Someone you’re this serious about must be pretty strong.”

“Very.” Trafalgar studied Ace like he was making a decision. “The biggest threat to my family is one of the Seven Warlords. He’s the one who shot Cora the first time and almost killed him. If it wasn’t for Marco, he’d be dead.”

“Wait, aren’t you from the North Blue?” Ace blurted out. Trafalgar looked surprised, but Ace just shrugged sheepishly. “You and Shachi kinda have the accent. Bepo, too, a little. And…I might’ve asked around.” Trafalgar smirked like he’d won something, though Ace didn’t know what. 

“Yes, I’m from the North Blue. Why does that matter?” he asked, blatantly amused. 

“Does that mean Marco was in the North Blue for some reason?” Ace demanded. Trafalgar’s smirk returned in full force.

“He came to the North because of us. I was pretty sick as a kid, and Cora kept taking me to hospitals. Well, the disease I had was pretty notorious, and people believed it was contagious even when it wasn’t. So they kept freaking out and refusing to treat me, which really upset Cora. So he might have burned down a few hospitals. Some by accident, some very much on purpose. One of them happened to be one of Marco’s, so he came looking for the crazy guy with the weird makeup, giant fluffy coat, and sick child.”

“Cora burned down one of Marco’s hospitals?” Ace whistled, impressed. “And Marco wasn’t mad?”

“Once he found out they’d responded to a sick kid by screaming about contamination and saying I should be put down instead of using his protocols for infectious diseases, he wasn’t that mad at us. He was plenty pissed at the doctors, though.”

“So he just brought you back to the Moby Dick?” 

“Not right away. Cora and I stayed in the North Blue for a year after that, and ended up picking up Bepo.” 

“Not Shachi?”

“He and Penguin came later, when we went back to visit the people who helped us during that year while Cora was recovering and I was curing my terminal illness.”

“You cured yourself?” Ace gaped at him. How the fuck did that work? How old had Trafalgar been? 

“I did, thanks to Cora, who gave me my devil fruit. He saved my life, in more ways than one. I owe him everything.” Trafalgar’s tone dropped again at that point. “I should have protected him better.”

“If he’d been shot while he was on a date with Marco, would you blame Marco for letting him get shot?” Ace asked. Trafalgar frowned like he was considering the question. 

“It would depend on the circumstances,” Trafalgar replied slowly. 

“Say they’re the same as what happened this time.” Trafalgar was quiet for several seconds. 

“Probably not,” he said at last. “I see your point.”

“Good. Then that’s settled; you can’t blame yourself for not doing something you don’t think Marco could do,” Ace informed him. “Unless you’re going to tell me you’re better than Marco.” Trafalgar’s mouth twitched, something almost like a smile creeping onto his face. 

“Not when Marco’s just on the other side of that wall,” Trafalgar said. Ace grinned. 

“Good. Now are you going to tell me how you managed to make friends with a baby polar bear mink when there are hardly any minks in the North Blue, or do you want to hear about the time that Luffy got eaten by an alligator?” 

“Did he actually get eaten?” Trafalgar asked, curiosity clearly getting the better of him. 

“I guess it depends on how you define being eaten? He didn’t get, like, chewed or digested. But he did get swallowed whole.” Ace shrugged.

“Sounds pretty eaten to me. What happened then?” 

Marco emerged from the recovery room, expecting Law to still be pacing. Instead, he found him sitting with Ace, talking quietly. They both fell silent when they noticed Marco. 

“How is he?” Law asked, his expression closing off. Marco winced inwardly; he shouldn’t have snapped at Law. The kid barely trusted anyone, and Marco had shouted at him and demanded to know how he let this happen to Rosinante earlier. That definitely hadn’t been good for any of them. 

“He’s okay. Or he will be. I think he’ll wake up soon,” Marco said. Law looked a little relieved, but didn’t move. “You should come in; he’ll want you there when he wakes up.” Law got to his feet, and so did Ace. 

“Thank you,” Law said, his voice low as he looked at Ace. “That helped.”

“Anything for family, right, Law?” Ace replied, grinning broadly. He clapped Law on the shoulder as he added, “We should talk more. You know, when neither of us is dying or worried about someone we love dying.”

“That’s not the worst idea you’ve ever had,” Law admitted. 

“Good. If you thought talking to me was a worse idea than eating a shitload of arsenic, I might get my feelings hurt,” Ace joked. Law actually cracked a smile. 

“Go tell Thatch and Bepo to quit worrying,” Law grumbled. 

“Still not my captain, Law.”

“Not for lack of trying. See you later, Wildfire.” Ace headed off down the hallway, and Marco eyed Law, taking in his reaction. This was even more serious than it had been three months ago, Marco realized. At least he was pretty sure it was. 

“Wildfire?” Marco asked. Law grumbled and went into the recovery room. Marco followed him, the beginnings of a smirk stretching the corners of his mouth. “That’s a new one. Usually it’s arsonist or firecracker or fireball.” Something about the way he had said it seemed different, too. 

“Yeah, well.” Law shrugged, not quite ready to talk to Marco yet. 

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about before,” Marco said seriously. “I shouldn’t have said it like that. I know it’s not your fault. Not this time or last time.” Law shrugged again, and Marco worried for a second that he wasn’t going to let it go. 

“Ace is a wildfire because he’s brighter and wilder than a tame fire. And…if I’m not careful, he’s going to burn me.” 

Chapter Text

Eight Months Before Marineford

Law stepped out of Cora’s way as he charged forward the second his feet touched the Moby Dick’s deck. 

“Mi cielo!” Cora shouted as he closed in on Marco, who looked up just in time for his husband to reach him. Cora seized Marco by the waist and lifted him into the air, spinning around in a circle before he brought Marco fully into his arms and kissed him. Law made a face and shook his head. His parents were embarrassing. 

“Are they always like that?” A now-familiar voice scoffed. Law glanced sideways to find Ace perched on the Moby Dick’s railing. 

“You see them together every few months. You should know the answer to that,” Law retorted. Ace rolled his eyes. 

“I was hoping they’d grown up a little.”

“If Cora grows up anymore, we’re going to have to get a bigger ship,” Law replied. “Stop crouching like a gargoyle; it’s bad for your back.”

“You slouch all the time, hypocrite.” Ace did shift, though, sitting on the railing instead of crouching on it like some kind of bizarre vulture. 

“I can fix my own musculoskeletal issues in a second. You’ll have to live with your declining posture and its effects on your long term health,” Law retorted. 

“You always have an answer for everything, don’t you?” Ace shook his head. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

“If I wasn’t, I probably wouldn’t be a very good doctor.” Law glanced back towards his parents and observed, “Oh, look, Cora the Constrictor finally let go.” Marco stumbled a little as Cora finally set him down, but he was grinning widely. Law noted with a smirk that Marco had smudges of Cora’s makeup on his face. 

“Should we tell Marco…?” Ace trailed off as Law snickered. 

“Nope. It’s a running joke for no one to tell him. We just wait and see how long it takes before he notices. Sometimes Cora uses better stuff that won’t smudge as easily, so it doesn’t happen every time. This time I think he used cheaper stuff on purpose, since it’s their anniversary.”  

“Speaking of their anniversary…” Ace grimaced. “I heard the Commanders are all going to play some game that Marco and Cora love.” Law perked up immediately. 

“The old man’s letting them play Assassin again? That’s been banned for five years, ever since their wedding.” Law whistled softly. “I can’t believe Whitebeard allowed it again after Jozu almost drowned trying to get Namule.” 

“So you know how it works,” Ace said thoughtfully. “Do you play?” Law considered the question for a moment. 

“I’ve never been a player before, but I wouldn’t say I’m inactive,” he said at last. Ace eyed him like he had caught on to the vagueness of that phrasing, so Law shrugged and explained. “Since I don’t play, I don’t win. But if Whitebeard plays, I usually help him out. Not because he needs it, but because it’s funny.” Ace paled at that. 

“Wait, Pops plays?”

“Sometimes. He might play this time since it’s been so long.”

“So if Pops is a player, you’ll be on his side?” Ace asked. 

“If he recruits me. Non-players have to be announced as accomplices if they’re going to interfere,” Law explained. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be fair.”

“Right. Fair.” Ace shook his head. “So you’re a free agent right now?” Law smirked a little as he realized where this was going. 

“Is the great Portgas D. Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, asking for my help?” Law teased. Ace made a face as he answered. 

“You don’t have to be a dick about it. I’ve never played before, so everyone thinks I’ll be the first one out.”

“Well, we can’t let that happen,” Law chuckled. “Sure, you can announce me as an accomplice. Just know that it will affect how often you’re targeted and who bets on you.” 

“Good. Because right now I think everyone is hoping to get me because I don’t know what I’m doing,” Ace admitted. Law couldn’t have that; it wouldn’t be good for any of the Commanders to have an easy first round. 

“First, let’s go over the rules. Then once everyone gets their targets, we’ll talk strategy,” Law suggested. “I’ll just go tell the old man that I won’t be available as his accomplice this time.” 

Ace ran through the rules over and over in his head while he waited for the targets to be assigned. Everyone - the sixteen Division Commanders plus Cora and Pops - would receive a wooden training knife with the name of another player carved into it. If he managed to touch his target with his training knife, they would be eliminated and he would claim their training knife and go after their target. The game would continue until there was only one survivor, or until the remaining players declared a stalemate. Apparently Cora and Marco had won at their wedding because they’d been the last two standing, neither wanted to lose, and neither wanted to be on their guard against the other during their wedding night, so they’d called a truce before their first dance. 

No maiming or killing was allowed, and no “assassination” attempts were allowed in the bathrooms, infirmary, or kitchen. Apparently Thatch had once almost chopped someone’s finger off when they tried to eliminate him from the game while he was chopping vegetables. Normally there was a rule against attacks when people were sleeping, but this game was officially limited to a twenty-four-hour period, so it was fair game this time. 

The other Commanders had looked apprehensive when they realized Pops was playing, and then confused when Ace had preemptively announced Law as his accomplice. Pops just laughed. Bepo was the one who started handing out the wooden knives with the targets’ names a minute later. 

“Here you go,” Bepo said solemnly as he handed Ace his wooden knife and then went to stand beside Law. Ace waited while Pops reminded everyone that they had to wait a full five minutes before making their first attempt, then checked his knife. 

“Who’d you get?” Law asked, peering over Ace’s shoulder. 

“Blenheim,” Ace answered, showing him while trying not to get distracted by Law being that close to his back. 

“Hm. Not the worst first target,” Law mused. “Honestly not even the top five worst options.”

“Who’s the worst?” Ace couldn’t help asking. 

“Cora, Marco, Whitebeard, Thatch, and Izou,” Law answered immediately. He didn’t even have to think about it. Ace decided he’d made a good move by asking Law to help him out. 

“So I should go for him?” Ace suggested. 

“You can. Or you can wait and see who he goes after. Blenheim plays his cards close to his chest, but we both know he’s a pretty straightforward guy. He’ll make a move right away.”

“Do you think whoever got my name will have the same idea and try to get me while I eliminate Blenheim?” Ace asked. Law tilted his head thoughtfully. 

“It depends on who got you as their target. I think if it’s someone impulsive, it’s possible. But right now I think most people will keep their distance. Between the two of us, whoever got your name is probably going to wait until you’re more vulnerable than when you’re just eliminating a target.”

“How many of the Commanders don’t like messing with you?” Ace asked, curious despite having to keep an eye on Blenheim as he clearly focused on Kingdew. 

“Eh…a decent number. Izou, Thatch, Vista, and Marco love to mess with me, though, so it evens out,” Law replied. “If any of them got your name, you’re as good as dead.” 

“Awesome. Thanks for that. I think Blenheim’s making his move,” Ace said as he watched the tallest Commander lunge for Kingdew. 

“Go get him, then. I’ll keep an eye out in case anyone is stupid enough to try something,” Law promised. Ace grinned and headed for his target, wooden knife in hand. 

The first ten minutes or so was a metaphorical bloodbath. No actual blood was spilled, and Namule retreated to the ocean before Fossa could eliminate him. But Blenheim took out Kingdew, and then Ace got Blenheim, picking up the knife with Kingdew’s name as well as Kingdew’s assigned target, Curiel. Rakuyo eliminated Blamenco, and Izou took out Atmos. Marco eliminated Speed Jiru, while Cora took out Haruta. Thatch retreated to the kitchen, while Jozu and Curiel squared off. Whitebeard didn’t make any obvious moves, choosing instead to watch the chaos unfold. 

Law watched it all with a smirk, noting the positions of each remaining Commander as well as the members of his own crew. Bepo dutifully followed Thatch to the kitchen, while Shachi and Penguin just grinned at Izou and then started taking bets from whoever cared to place a wager on the outcome. 

“So you finally picked a team besides Pops’,” Vista observed as he leaned against the railing beside Law. “I’m surprised.”

“You are?” Law wasn’t worried; he knew Vista didn’t have Ace’s name. Vista was scanning the area, but not the way he did when he was searching for a target. He was on the lookout for incoming attacks. He must be reasonably sure Ace didn’t have his name, then, because he didn’t tense at all as Ace rejoined Law with a victorious grin. 

“I didn’t think you’d team up with Freckles here,” Vista replied. 

“Aw, Vista, do you think I’m not good enough for Law? I’m hurt,” Ace joked. Law rolled his eyes, but Vista didn’t immediately deny it, and Law turned to frown at him.

“Vista, seriously?”

“Nothing personal, Ace,” Vista said, completely ignoring Law. “I just thought if I was going to get passed over for someone besides Pops, it’d at least be his father.” 

“Cora doesn’t need my help,” Law scoffed. “You usually don’t, either.” 

“He might this time, though,” Ace said thoughtfully. There was a commotion, and they watched as Jozu simply turned to diamond, letting Curiel attack him repeatedly without technically getting touched by the knife. “Does that not count?”

“Nah, it has to touch skin or clothing. Whitebeard ruled that Jozu’s diamond doesn’t count years ago,” Law replied. 

“It’s cheating is what it is,” Vista scoffed. 

“Aren’t you the reason we have the no maiming rule?” Law asked. “I seem to recall you skewering Fossa to pin him in place so you could touch him with your assassin knife one time.” 

“You’re imagining things. I would never-“

Vista swore and dodged an instant before several bullets tore through the railing he’d just been leaning on. “Fuck!”

“Told you he might need help,” Ace muttered. 

“Izou?” Law asked. 

“Izou,” Ace confirmed as Vista took off, heading for the cover of the lower decks. “Should I get Curiel now, or…?”

“If you take him out in front of Jozu, he’ll know you’re the next to come after him, and you’ll have the same problem Curiel’s got right now. You should wait until they’re separated,” Law advised. Ace nodded seriously. 

“Food, then?”

“Food is a good plan,” Law agreed. “It’s also a good way to potentially lure out whoever has your name, since you’re known for passing out into your dinner.” 

“I thought attacking someone while they’re sleeping was against the rules,” Ace protested. 

“It is. But standing over someone and waiting until they wake up to poke them with the assassin blade isn’t,” Law replied. 

“That seems…specific,” Ace said after a second. 

“Yeah, well, Cora’s really careful about rules,” Law sighed. “Come on; let’s get something to eat.” They headed for the mess hall, where Thatch was still in the galley and Bepo was fetching things for him so he wouldn’t have to leave the safe haven. Law was used to this, so he got his food and went to sit down right away, while Ace lingered near the galley to chat with Thatch. Law knew Thatch didn’t have Ace’s name, either, so he didn’t worry about leaving Ace on his own for a few minutes. 

Luckily, since it was Cora and Marco’s anniversary, there were plenty of snacks and absolutely no bread. Law kept an eye on Ace and Thatch as they talked, but he kept most of his attention on the entrances. Curiel usually got pretty hungry around this time of the evening, and Law wasn’t about to let an opportunity for Ace to get his next target slip away. 

It took a little longer than Law had originally estimated, but Curiel came in after about twenty minutes. He glanced around, clocked Ace still up near the kitchen, and apparently decided not to risk the chance of Ace having his name, because he went to sit beside Law instead. 

That was a mistake. 

Law kept his smirk off his face as Curiel sank onto the wooden bench next to him with a heavy sigh. 

“Tough first round?” Law asked.  

“Why are you asking that like you didn’t see it?” Curiel grumbled. 

“Cora keeps telling me to be nicer to the Division Commanders. Since it’s his anniversary I decided to try it.” Law didn’t look in Curiel’s direction as the Tenth Division Commander grimaced and scrubbed the heels of his palms over his face. Law took the chance to flick his wrist and summon a Room big enough for its borders to be outside the mess hall. 

“Don’t. It’s weird.”

“Fine. Fuck you, then,” Law replied easily. Ace glanced over, having noticed Law’s power, and Law shook his head minutely. Not yet.  

“That’s better. If you’re too polite, I’ll start thinking I’m dying,” Curiel snorted. 

“Well, you are in a game called Assassin…” Law pointed out. 

“Not that I’ll be able to advance. Even if I make it to the last couple of people standing, I won’t win. Jozu’s a terrible match-up for me.”

“You should’ve been smarter about it, that’s all. What kind of sniper goes for the close stab without even taking advantage of any of the terrain?” 

“Huh?”

“You could have retreated, let everyone wonder who you got, and then taken out Jozu when he didn’t expect it. Instead, he knows it’s you. Rookie mistake, Curiel.” Law shook his head in disappointment. 

“Not all of us can be all strategic like you,” Curiel grumbled. “That’s why you should’ve stayed on instead of running off on your own. We need more brainy types like you.”

“You know me better than that,” Law scoffed. “I wasn’t about to work for people whose organs I used to borrow for studying.”

“You could’ve been a Division Commander.” Law hesitated, staring at Curiel. He stared back. “What? Don’t try to deny it. It’s true. We all know it.”

“You know that’s not really my style,” Law replied as dismissively as he could manage. “Besides; the roster’s full.” 

“It wasn’t when you were nineteen.” Curiel sighed. “Can't complain, I guess. Ace’s doing a great job.”

“Glad you think so. You should tell him that,” Law replied. He made eye contact with Ace across the mess hall.  

“Not until the game’s over; what if he has a knife with my name on it right now?” Curiel retorted, rolling his eyes. Law took the chance, flicked his wrist, and switched himself and Ace, who smirked and tapped Curiel on the shoulder with his wooden Assassin blade. “Fuck you, Law!” Curiel shouted. Law, now standing near the kitchen, grinned as he let his Room dissipate. 

“That was mean,” Thatch informed him.

“He told me like two minutes ago that it was creepy when I was nice to him,” Law replied with a shrug. He picked up the tray of food Ace had assembled while he was chatting with Thatch and carried it back to where he’d been sitting. 

“Guess I’ll go get some food now, then. Here. Serves you both right that you’ve got to deal with Jozu now,” Curiel grimaced as he handed over his Assassin blade and headed for the kitchen. Law put Ace’s food down, and Ace scooted over so Law could have his original seat back. 

“I was starting to think you weren’t going to do it,” Ace admitted, turning the blade with Jozu’s name on it over in his hands. “What were you two talking about, anyway?”

“Oh, just the fact that I was offered your job about five years ago.” 

“You what?” Ace stared at him. “You turned down being the Second Division Commander? Why? You love the Whitebeard Pirates; why wouldn’t you want to be a commander?”

“It’s because I love them.” Law said it quietly; it wouldn’t do to have the others in the mess hall hear him being sappy with Ace of all people. “They offered it to Cora, first, you know.” 

“Hey, Law? Can we talk?” Cora hesitated outside the bunk room that Law shared with Bepo and now Shachi and Penguin, who they’d picked up from Swallow Island on their last visit as well. 

“Sure.” Law glanced at his roommates, hesitating. 

“Let’s go see if we can sneak up on Izou,” Shachi suggested. 

“He did promise that if we managed it, he’d let us run a poker game again,” Penguin agreed. 

“Later, Law!” The two of them traipsed off to cause mischief, and Law turned to Bepo. 

“It’s almost time to start making lunch,” Bepo said. “I should go help Thatch. Unless you want me to wait for a few minutes?”

“It’s nothing bad,” Cora assured them. Law nodded to Bepo, who pushed his cheek against Law’s in a quick nuzzle before leaving as well. 

“Well?” Law asked, crossing his arms. 

“The Whitebeard Pirates…Pops made me an offer,” Cora said softly. “He asked me to be the Second Division Commander.” A landslide of emotions tumbled through Law’s brain; excitement, because he loved Cora and he knew Cora wanted to belong. This would show him just how much he belonged here, with this family. His relationship with Marco had become pretty serious; they were talking about getting married in a few more years. But Law also knew what that would mean; if Cora was a Commander, he wouldn’t be sailing with Law when he set out on his own in a few months like they had planned. The idea of sailing away from Cora was terrifying; what if the idiot fell into the ocean when Law wasn’t there? Marco and most of the others had Devil Fruits; what if no one could get him out? What if Cora died because Law wasn’t there?

What if Doflamingo heard about the new Whitebeard Division Commander who looked like his supposedly dead brother? 

What if the Navy recognized him?

There were a thousand things that could go wrong, and Law wouldn’t be able to stop them. Wouldn’t be able to repay the debt he owed Cora for saving his life. 

But…he owed Cora more than just safety. He owed him happiness, too. So if this would make Cora happy…Law would have to support him. 

“He did?” Law asked, keeping his voice neutral. Cora gave him a knowing look anyway, and Law sighed. “Are you going to do it?”

“No.” Law froze; he hadn’t expected such a firm answer. 

“You’re not?”

“No. It would be irresponsible of me to accept a command position here when I’m going to be sailing off with you when you turn sixteen,” Cora explained. 

“But…Marco…the family…”

“Marco and I always agreed that our duties come first. I would never ask him to leave Pops for my sake, and he would never ask me to leave you for his sake.” Cora ruffled his hair the way he had since Law was much smaller. “He’s going to come with us on our annual trip back to Swallow Island to visit Wolf this year. We’ll leave after the Whitebeard Pirates throw you a birthday party.”

“Not again! I told them last year I’m too old for that,” Law scoffed. 

“Yeah, well, they disagree.” Cora laughed, and Law smiled, too. 

“So…if you’re not taking it, why tell me?”

“Because the others might mention it, and I wanted you to hear from me that the offer was made and rejected,” Cora replied. Before he could say anything else, they heard a commotion above them, coming from the main deck. “I think Shachi and Penguin got caught.”

“We should go make sure Izou doesn’t shoot them,” Law sighed. 

“I don’t think Izou would shoot his prize pupils,” Cora objected. Then he remembered, “Though with you and Marco on board, they’ve all gotten complacent with the roughhousing.” 

“They’ll have to get used to only having Marco again in a few months,” Law grinned. “And once we set sail, Shachi and Penguin will be your headache just as much as mine, since you’ll be first mate.”

“Me? Since when?” Cora asked, visibly shocked. 

“Since Bepo said he wouldn’t do it,” Law replied. The commotion overhead intensified. “Come on. That doesn’t sound like just our idiots anymore.”

Law was relieved when the ceremony was over and Cora and Marco were officially married. Pops had officiated, and Law had stood in as Cora’s family to approve, while Thatch had stood for Marco’s. Since he was standing up in front of the whole Whitebeard crew, Law hadn’t let himself show just how affected he was. 

Now that he was off to the side, holding a drink just to have something in his hands, he could let himself process it. 

Marco and Cora were married. Marco was officially his step father. Law looked at the two of them, dancing and laughing like they were in their own world, and thought to himself that he had rarely seen Cora so carefree, so genuinely happy. Not that Cora had been miserable for the last six years, but…Law knew that part of Cora had always wondered if he was good enough, if he had done enough to atone for his own perceived flaws and sins, if he deserved to be happy. To be loved.

Law wondered similar things about himself sometimes. 

Seeing Cora like this…it was good. 

“There’s my favorite grandson,” Whitebeard chuckled, settling onto the deck beside Law. 

“Hey, old man.” They sat quietly for a few minutes, watching Cora and Marco together. 

“Marco said you were staying longer this time,” Whitebeard rumbled at last, breaking the comfortable silence between them. 

“Cora deserves a honeymoon,” Law replied. “They both do. I wouldn’t have the heart to ask them to separate right after they finally got married.”

“Took them long enough,” Whitebeard chuckled. “I thought they’d do it years ago.”

“Me, too.” Law sighed and turned to stare up at Whitebeard. “Something’s on your mind.” 

“There’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a while,” Whitebeard agreed. “There was never a good time to bring it up. Now isn’t a good time, either, really.” 

“We’re pirates. There’s rarely a good time to have a serious conversation,” Law replied. “Just spit it out.”

“Fair enough. You’re a good captain, Law.” That…wasn’t what he expected. Law blinked at him, stunned and flattered. 

“I am?”

“You are. You take care of your crew like family. You protect them and watch out for their happiness as well as their safety. We’re all proud of who you grew up to be, and I hope you’re proud of yourself, too.” That was…so much. Not that Whitebeard spared the praise, but…still. It was a lot. 

“Pops…”

“We’ve had an informal alliance for the last three years. More of an understanding than a true alliance,” Whitebeard continued. “I want to change that.”

“What?” Whitebeard shifted, facing him and staring down at him solemnly. 

“I have two propositions for you, Law. I think I know which you’ll choose, but I want to offer you both anyway.” His mustache hid most of the curve of his lips, but it couldn’t hide the sparkle in his eyes. “Will you hear my propositions for you and your crew?”

“Of course,” Law answered. There wasn’t really a choice to be made there; he’d always listen to what Whitebeard had to say. 

“Thank you. Like I said, you’re a good captain. A great one, even. I want to formalize your position with relation to the Whitebeard Pirates, if you’re interested.” 

“Go on.” Law leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of him. 

“You know that the Second Division has been without a Commander. You also know I previously offered the position to Rosinante, though he turned it down because he never wanted to lead and because he wanted to sail with you.” Law nodded; no point denying what they both knew was true. “You, however, do want to lead. You take responsibility for your people, and you make sound tactical, medical, and practical decisions. I want to offer Second Division to you.” 

Law struggled to put his thoughts in order. The idea of leaving a division had technically crossed his mind before, but only as something he might have been offered if he hadn’t formed his own crew. Law hadn’t considered it even once since he decided to go off on his own. He’d built his own crew, with their own goals, their own dreams. 

He had his own dream, too. 

He didn’t regret his choices, and he wasn’t the kind of person to go back on them. 

“Pops, you know I love you and your crew. You know I love our family. But I have a duty to my own crew now, and they have dreams that I want to protect. And…I have my own dream, too. I want to find a cure for you, and I won’t find it by staying on the Moby Dick. I won’t find it if I’m the Second Division Commander. Besides, even if I could achieve my goal as a commander, I’m too used to being my own captain. I can’t go back to following orders, and you need commanders who will obey you when it comes down to it. So thank you, but no.” Law met Whitebeard’s eyes, expecting disappointment, but all he found in the old man’s face was pride. 

“I really am very proud of you,” Whitebeard said softly. “I didn’t really expect you to take it, but I had to offer.”

“I understand.” Law smiled, and Whitebeard beamed right back. “Do you have another candidate for Second Division’s Commander?”

“Not at the moment. But when I do, you’ll be the first to know.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to tell Marco first, since he’s your second in command.”

“Bah. Marco already thinks he knows everything, it’ll do him good to be the second to know something for once.” Law rolled his eyes and didn’t point out that Whitebeard was clearly joking and would definitely tell Marco first. That was okay; Law was just happy to be on the list of people to be told at all. 

“So what’s your second proposition, old man?”

“A formal alliance. I would never ask you to serve as a subordinate captain within my fleet, not when I already know the answer to that. But I would like to formalize our alliance and make our ties and responsibilities clear.”

“That way it’s harder for anyone to claim you’re going soft, letting me in and out of your territory without flying your flag,” Law acknowledged. 

“True. We also do have a sort of marriage alliance now, so we should write down the terms,” Whitebeard added, his tone teasing. Law was glad he wasn’t eating or drinking at that moment, because he would have choked. 

“That’s…not wrong. But let’s not call it that, okay?” 

“I’ll stop calling it that when you think of something more entertaining to call it. In the meantime, let’s talk terms.” 

“So…did Pops tell you? When he decided to offer Second Division to me, I mean?” Ace asked. 

“What do you think?” Law smirked. “He called me on the transponder snail. Sent us pictures and videos of you horsing around with the crew. Then he asked if I was interested one last time. I told him to give it to you.”

“But you didn’t like me then,” Ace protested. “I’m not even totally convinced you like me now.” Law shook his head, inwardly amused, and feigned disappointment. 

“I told you back on Abies. I don’t have to like you for you to be family. The old man was so invested in showing us how well you were doing that I knew he trusted you. Marco kept us updated about your progression from feral gremlin to reliable but impulsive crewmate. I saw that for myself on Abies. That’s probably why Marco made me take you.” Law hesitated, realizing what he’d just said. 

“Wait, Marco made you take me? I thought it was your idea,” Ace protested. 

“Not exactly.” Law sighed and decided that he might as well come clean. “I knew I needed a Commander, and I didn’t want Vista, Izou, Thatch, or Marco. Most of the others can’t boss me around when I’m supposedly being reckless, which is what Marco was hoping for, so Marco decided on you. He was probably hoping that you’d wear me out with so much bickering that I would actually rest a little.”

“He wasn’t wrong, I guess.” Ace looked thoughtful. “What about now?” Law frowned, confused. “When we first met, you thought I was a half naked arsonist who-“

“You are a half naked arsonist,” Law interrupted, his smirk returning. 

“Whatever. You didn’t like me, and you damn sure didn’t trust me. Then you approved of me because Marco and Pops trusted me. But now we’ve saved each other’s lives, shared childhood memories, now we’re even spending your parents’ anniversary working together. That means we’re friends, doesn’t it? So what do you think of me now?”

Law considered his answer carefully; there were so many things he could say. He could tell Ace that he liked his company. That Ace was good in a fight. That he was reliable and clearly prioritized his crew, which Law appreciated. He could even say that he thought Ace had gotten stronger and more confident in the last year, and Law had to admit that it suited him. 

But saying any of that might reveal more than Law felt like sharing, so it was a relief when he caught sight of someone entering the mess hall. 

“Wildfire, I think you’re the luckiest person on this crew,” he said, his smirk growing to stretch across his face. “Look.”

Jozu had just walked in, and he had spotted Curiel sitting near the front. 

“You’re about to get your chance,” Law whispered. 

“On it.” 

Curiel spotted Jozu and started to stand up, clearly only remembering that he had already been eliminated once he was halfway to his feet. He froze, half-standing, staring at Jozu, who immediately triggered his devil fruit power, coating his arm in diamond and keeping it between himself and Curiel. 

“Curiel. Truce while we eat?” Jozu suggested. Curiel looked confused, then seemed to realize that there was no way Jozu could possibly know he’d been eliminated. 

“No, I’m not-“

Curiel didn’t get a chance to finish. Ace had already vaulted over the tables and launched himself at Jozu’s unprotected back. 

“Damn it, Ace!” Curiel groaned. 

“What are you-“ Jozu froze. He slowly looked over his shoulder and saw Ace pressing the wooden blade with Jozu’s name on it to his back. “Fuck.” Jozu sighed and turned to face Ace. “You know what? This’ll be funnier actually. Serves you assholes right.” He handed over his own Assassin blade, looking oddly smug for someone who’d just been eliminated. Ace took it, read the name, and…grinned. Jozu looked confused, and Law himself was a little bewildered. Whose name would actually have Jozu so confident that Ace would be horrified and then…not actually be horrifying for Ace? 

“Hey, Thatch!” Ace called. Law felt his puzzled frown deepen. Was Ace going to propose an alliance with Thatch? Maybe the name was Marco’s,  then? 

“Yeah?” Thatch called back from the safety of the galley. 

“If you come out here and hold still while I poke you with this wooden knife, I’ll do the dishes for a week,” Ace offered. 

“You can’t do that!” Jozu sputtered. “Law! Tell him he can’t do that!”

“You guys said making deals and alliances was allowed,” Ace pointed out. “Right, Law?”

“He’s not wrong,” Law mused. He crossed the mess hall and checked Ace’s new knife. Sure enough, Thatch’s name was there. “But it only works if Thatch accepts.”

“I don’t know if a week of dishes is worth my pride,” Thatch said thoughtfully. 

“Even if I start after the party tonight and do the anniversary party dishes?” Ace asked. 

“Deal,” Thatch replied immediately. 

“Hey, wait, can’t we offer you something to not do this?” Jozu asked. 

“Yeah! Give us a chance to counter his offer!” Curiel piped up. 

“You’re dead, though,” Law replied, a little smugly. Bribing Thatch hadn’t been his idea, but instead of being disappointed, Law realized that he was actually proud that Ace had picked up on the game and made this move on his own. 

“He has a point,” Thatch agreed solemnly. “Ace, you’ll start at midnight?”

“That’s fine with me,” Ace shrugged. Thatch grinned and stepped out of the galley, holding his hand out to Ace, who shook it with his right while he tapped the Assassin blade against Thatch’s arm with his left. “You look even happier than I expected you to after offloading all these dishes.”

“That’s because of whose name I got,” Thatch replied as he handed over his own blade. “You might as well start on the dishes now, because I think this is as far as you go, Ace.”

Ace took the wooden knife and checked the name on it. 

“Ah, shit.” Jozu, Curiel, and even Law crowded around to see who he’d gotten. 

“Is that…” Curiel trailed off. “Damn, that’s bad luck.”

“I didn’t even know he was playing,” Jozu sighed. “Guess we know who’ll win this time.” Law just hummed thoughtfully, not revealing any opinions he might have on the matter. 

“Well, I gotta try. I think we can take him. Right, Law?” Ace asked, glancing at his accomplice. 

“Don’t expect him to go easy on you just because it’s your first game,” Law warned. 

“I’d be pissed if he did,” Ace replied. “See you at midnight, Thatch. Come on, Law. I’ve got an idea.”

Chapter Text

Edward Newgate was secretly very pleased with the way the anniversary game of Assassin was going. After the initial scuffles, the competitors had whittled down the competition. Now, Rosinante and Marco had eliminated enough of the Division Commanders to have gotten each other’s name, and Newgate had a feeling that Ace was waiting for an opportunity to get Thatch outside of the kitchen. It would be entertaining when he managed it, only to realize he had to face Newgate himself. 

Newgate watched as the family gathered around for the presentation of Thatch’s dessert assortment. Marco and Rosinante made a show of setting their Assassin blades to the side so they could stand beside each other and cut the cake Thatch presented him with. He’d made some kind of fluffy white meringue concoction that was definitely cake-shaped, with a mixed berry topping. Rosinante looked delighted; it was the least-bready “cake”  that Thatch had in his arsenal. The two of them cut the first two pieces together, then moved aside so Thatch could serve up desserts to the rest of the family. 

“So does Law get his hatred of bread from Cora?” Ace asked as he came to stand beside Newgate, who could still see everyone even though he was sitting on the deck. 

“Possibly,” Newgate chuckled. “Though I seem to recall both of them having a sensitivity to gluten, so it’s also possible that they independently came to the conclusion that bread was the enemy.” 

“Either way, it’s nice that Thatch remembers that even though Cora and Law are only here for a couple of weeks at a time, a few times a year,” Ace mused. 

“I think he has everyone’s dietary needs and preferences memorized,” Newgate said fondly. “With a family this big, it’s a wonder he manages to keep us all fed. Especially with your appetite.” 

“Anyone would have a huge appetite when Thatch’s cooking,” Ace laughed, unbothered by the teasing. Newgate found that he was a little proud of himself; Ace was easygoing and cheerful on the outside, but Newgate knew just how tightly wound he could be internally. Seeing him relax into cheerful, fond banter reassured Newgate that his youngest son felt safe with their family. Which reminded him…

“I’m happy that you and Law are getting along now,” Newgate said. Ace blinked at him, surprised by the change of topic. His cheeks went pink and he looked away. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ace grumbled, avoiding eye contact. 

“I just meant that the two of you formed an alliance for this game, and I know you two talk over snails sometimes now, so I thought it was nice that you two were friends. But now I’m thinking there’s more to it.” Newgate did his best to hide his grin behind his mustache, but from the way Ace’s blush took over more of his face and spread down his neck, Newgate was pretty sure he was failing. As fun as it was to tease his sons, a party on deck wasn’t the right time, so he decided to let Ace off easy. “You know, one of the perks of being on good terms with Law is that once he decides you’re part of his family, there’s pretty much only one way to change his mind, and that’s by trying to hurt or kill someone else in the family. Since you’d never do that, you’ve got a friend and ally for life.” 

“Yeah, about that…” Ace tapped a wooden blade against Newgate’s arm. “I did just assassinate you, so…think he’ll still want to be friends?” Newgate laughed, a sound so loud it was almost a roar, and the whole family paused to stare. They took in Newgate’s laughter, Ace’s sheepish look growing into a grin, and the wooden blade in Ace’s hand, its dull blade still tapping against Newgate’s arm as his body shook with amusement. Several family members swore or exchanged money. Several more shot resigned looks in the direction of Shachi and Penguin, who were visibly delighted. Marco and Rosinante exchanged thoughtful looks, and Law made his way over to Ace’s side with a proud smirk stretching across his face. 

“Well played, son!” Newgate chuckled as he handed over the Assassin blade he’d been carrying. He knew what was coming next. He’d hoped for it, actually. 

“Yeah, Wildfire. Nice job,” Law agreed. “Top four is really great for your first time.” Newgate saw Rosinante’s expression light up with absolute glee, while Marco narrowed his eyes in suspicion and Ace just grinned, apparently not realizing what Law had said. 

“I was worried somebody totally out of my league was gonna get my name in the first round,” Ace admitted. 

“Someone did,” Law replied, his smirk growing as he crossed his arms over his chest.  

“Well, yeah, Pops outclasses all of us, but-“

“Not him.” Law leaned toward Ace, that smirk of his turning downright feral, not that most of the family could see it because of how close his nose was to brushing Ace’s. 

“Huh?”

“Pops isn’t the one who’s way out of your league who pulled your name in the first round,” Law explained as he half-uncrossed his arms and tapped Ace’s freckled cheekbone with the flat side of a wooden knife he’d been concealing in his sleeve. “I am.” Ace stared at him, a strangled noise almost escaping his throat before he clamped his mouth shut and managed to keep it muffled. He looked down at the wooden blade in his hand, reading the name on it for the first time. It wasn’t his own, like he must have assumed. It clearly read Trafalgar Law. The blade with Ace’s name on it was the one Law was tapping smugly against Ace’s freckled cheek. 

“Suddenly I feel way better about Law not deciding to team up with me,” Vista blurted out. The other commanders nodded their agreement. 

“I believe that puts Law in the lead,” Newgate observed. “Since he’s taken six blades plus his own. Is that accurate, Marco and Rosinante?” 

“Yep. We’ve each got five,” Marco replied. “So if one of us manages to take the other out, we’d win and Law would be second place.”

“But if we remain in our current stalemate, Law is in first place,” Rosinante agreed. He sounded as smug and proud as Law looked.

“I think we can leave this game open until midnight, or until Rosinante and Marco give up,” Newgate said. 

“Works for me. I think Ace is going to be busy starting at midnight, though,” Law replied with a smirk. Ace groaned, remembering his deal with Thatch. 

“In the meantime, you can place updated bets, but make sure to pay Shachi and Penguin if you’ve already lost,” Newgate reminded everyone. It wouldn’t do to have any sore losers refuse to pay his other grandkids. “And don’t forget to congratulate the anniversary couple and wish them well as they finish the game.” There was a wave of chuckles and good-natured groans as various family members set about giving their congratulations, or paying off or collecting on bets, or returning their attention to the desserts Thatch and Bepo had made. 

He noticed Ace muttering something about getting a head start on the dishes before disappearing below deck, and watched Law follow Ace a moment later. 

Newgate debated trying to find a way to eavesdrop, but decided against it. He didn’t want to risk overhearing anything he might regret. 

Ace grimaced as he took in the mountain of dishes in front of him. This was going to take him hours to finish. At least he could keep the water warm while he worked so he wouldn’t have to worry about draining and refilling the sink except when he needed clean water. He sighed and got to work, starting with the dishes that looked most recent, so hopefully the remaining food hadn’t had time to stick yet. 

There was a sound behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see Law at the stove, setting a kettle of water on to heat. Ace almost accused him of being in the kitchen just to gloat and cause more work, but he stopped because he didn’t want to give Law any ideas. Plus, Law’s expression was thoughtful as he waited for the water to boil, and Ace decided he didn’t want to wipe that expression away just yet. 

Law was cute when he was focused, which Ace hadn’t expected even though he probably should have. Law was completely unfairly attractive when he was destroying corrupt local leaders or smirking over a victory or tapping a blade against Ace’s cheek with the same kind of casual, delicate control he always demonstrated when treating patients. Of course he’d be effortlessly cute when he was frowning in contemplation between the kettle and Thatch’s assortment of teas that he kept on hand. 

“Which one of these is Marco’s favorite?” Law asked, his tone idle but his eyes sharp as he studied the various blends. Ace wondered if Law ever looked at people as intently as he evaluated the tea options. “Is it still the lavender blend that he thinks looks like his feathers?” Ace blinked, pulled out of his thoughts by the realization that Law was actually talking to him. 

“Oh. Uh. He does drink some kind of weird bluish drink a lot,” Ace replied hastily. “Why?”

“Because I promised Cora I wouldn’t drink coffee after dinner tonight, and I want to use up some of Marco’s favorite just in case he manages to eliminate Cora and wins the game,” Law answered easily. He plucked the tea he wanted from amongst the options and started measuring the blend into a teapot. Ace watched, thoroughly distracted, as Law took the kettle from the stove right before it would have started whistling and held it aloft for a moment before slowly pouring it into the teapot. “Thatch hasn’t moved the honey, has he?” Ace shook his head, and forced himself to wash more dishes as Law waited for his tea to steep, then took the tea pot and a cup to the counter where Thatch set out dishes that were ready to be claimed. He pulled up a stool and sat there, nursing his tea in silence, inside the kitchen but able to survey the mess hall over his improvised eat-in bar, as Ace worked on the dishes. Law seemed content to just exist in the same vicinity, so Ace resolved to do the same. The questions he had about the day’s events - why had Law helped him instead of taking him out the second he pulled Ace’s name? Why was he here now? Had the way they’d gotten along so well all day been an act so he could win? -  could wait until later. Just sharing space and knowing Law was nearby was strangely peaceful, and Ace didn’t want to ruin it. 

“There you are!” a familiar voice called. Ace paused, looking up to find Deuce waving at him. He smiled and nodded back, but didn’t wave because his hands were covered in soapy water, and Law was sitting just close enough that Ace was worried about the risk of splattering him with the dish water. 

“Hey, Deuce,” Ace called. “I thought you’d be up there partying.”

“Normally I would, but that anniversary party is enough to make a guy feel lonely, you know?” Deuce replied, resting his elbows on the counter and grinning at Ace and then at Law. “Hey, there, Doc. You gonna give Ace’s wounded ego a checkup?”

“Hey, who says my ego’s wounded?” Ace protested. “Law said I did great.” Law sipped his tea and hummed noncommittally. Ace shot him an exaggeratedly betrayed look, and got a quick flash of a smile in return, so brief that Ace almost doubted he’d seen it. “What brought you down here, Deuce?” 

“Figured I’d check on you and see what your friend here was up to.” Deuce grinned crookedly at Law. “There’s still a party going on up there; why waste your time down here with Thatch’s new dish boy?”

“You’re suggesting I would have a more enjoyable time if I left the poor firecracker to his misery?” Law mused. Ace felt a pang in his chest; what if Deuce was right? What if Law was bored? Or miserable? Had Law left his family just to keep Ace company out of some kind of feeling of responsibility? 

“I’m suggesting I could show you a much better time than Ace can,” Deuce replied. Ace froze. Had his former first mate seriously just tried to hit on Law? Right in front of Ace? Even though Deuce knew damn well that Ace had been into him since Abies?  

“Is that so.” Law’s voice was the same kind of flat he used when his Heart Pirates were doing something stupid. Ace had heard it a dozen times over the snail in the last few months, following through on their agreement to talk more after Cora was shot. His shoulders relaxed, knowing that Law’s tone meant he wasn’t impressed, and Ace focused on setting down the plate he’d been washing so Deuce wouldn’t see his expression. 

“Absolutely.” Deuce’s grin widened, thinking he’d won. “You shouldn’t be trapped down here with the dirty dishes; you deserve a prize for your win.” Oh, that was terrible. Ace was going to kill him. Or…maybe Law was. Ace could see the Heart captain’s eyebrow twitch, and his fingers flex around his tea mug. Yeah, Law would kill him. Ace didn’t need to bother. He picked up another plate and started scrubbing. 

“And you believe that you have a prize that could tempt me?” Law tilted his head, his expression unreadable except for the tension in his forehead and fingers. 

“If you’re interested. We could go farther below deck and play doctor,” Deuce added with a smirk and a waggle of his eyebrows. “You know, get acquainted with each others’ anatomy.” Ace waited for Law’s response with bated breath. Would Law shamble Deuce into the ocean? Would he dice him into pieces? Would he tell him to fuck off? Insult him somehow? Straight up murder him?

“That’s not a bad idea, actually.” Ace gaped at Law, his fingers going slack around the plate he was holding. It splashed into the soapy water in the sink with an ominous clink. Ace had a split second to worry that it might have broken before his brain was caught in a tsunami of thoughts. 

Was Law actually into Deuce’s style of flirting? Was he actually into Deuce? Had Ace missed his chance to- “Hey, Sparks, when was your last checkup? You deserve a prize for how well you did today, too.” Ace short-circuited. His face went bright red, and he was pretty sure he blushed all the way to his chest. His heart decided not to work, and he choked on his own breath. When he finally managed to focus on Law, he was smirking at Ace, with a brighter than usual spark of mischief in his eyes. Then he turned to Deuce, and his expression dropped into a cool, stern frown. “Did you ever consider that since I chose to be here, with my tea and some pleasant, relaxing company, that this might be my own little prize for myself, since my plan went so well?” 

“Uh…”

“Of course you didn’t. You were too focused on what you thought that you didn’t consider what I might enjoy, which is one of several reasons I’m not interested in your… prize, and I’m going to ask you to leave now.” For a second, all three of them held still. Finally, Deuce groaned and covered his face with his hand. 

“Shit. I should’ve known.” He dropped his hand and gave both Law and Ace an apologetic look. “Sorry about that. You two have fun.” He retreated out of the mess hall after that, leaving a tension that hung between Law and Ace for a moment as Ace scrambled internally for something to say. 

After all, Law had just said that to get Deuce to leave. He wasn’t actually saying that shit to Ace because he was interested. 

“You know, a real prize for my performance would be helping me with these dishes,” Ace joked, trying to break the heavy atmosphere. Law chuckled under his breath, and Ace felt the weight of the moment lift.

“Absolutely not. That was your idea, not mine. Though if you did want to get out of it…you could always join my crew instead. You definitely showed you’re an asset to my plans, in addition to being good company.”

“In your dreams.” 

The next morning, Law woke at dawn to spar with Vista - Law won more matches when Vista had a hangover - and then made his way to the mess hall to keep Bepo and Thatch company while they cooked. Law was not allowed to help them cook anymore. Apparently when Thatch banned someone from cooking for life, he meant it. 

Law still didn’t see why dosing the food with experimental drugs that Marco had left unattended where Law’s fourteen-year-old self could help himself to them was such a big deal. It’s not like he wouldn’t have used his devil fruit to clean out everybody’s systems after he took notes on the side effects. 

Bepo waved when he spotted Law, and Thatch pointed to a steaming pot of coffee sitting on the counter. Law’s stool from the night before was still at the counter, so he reclaimed it and poured himself a mug of coffee. 

He was on his third cup when someone pulled another stool up a little ways down the counter. He glanced over and raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t exactly surprised to see Teach this early - the man slept even less than Law did - but he had expected him to be one of the more hungover crew members. 

“That was some debut, kid,” Teach chuckled. Law shrugged and slid the coffee pot towards him. 

“Would’ve happened sooner if the game wasn’t banned,” Law replied. Teach grinned and poured himself some coffee. 

“I believe it. I’d also believe it if someone told me you planned the whole thing to test our poor Second Division Commander.”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.” 

“You telling me you didn’t set it up as a test?” Teach scoffed. Bepo’s ears flicked in interest, while Thatch blatantly paused his work to eavesdrop. 

“I didn’t say that,” Law replied easily. “If I did do such a thing, it would only be with Whitebeard’s blessing. I would never disrespect Pops by scheming on his ship without permission.” Teach laughed, a full-body laugh that shook the coffee in their mugs. 

“You sure wouldn’t. You’re a good kid, Law.” Teach drank half of his coffee in one gulp. “So? Did he pass?” 

“He made it to the top four, didn’t he?” Law said like that answered Teach’s question, even though he knew it didn’t. 

“There’s no way that was the test.” Teach thought for a minute, then said, “Sounds like he stuck to your plan, and improvised on his own when he needed to. I could see you testing that.” Law just smiled cryptically and let Teach believe it. 

It was better if Teach thought the game had been a test; that way no one would figure out Law had just done it for the thrill of working alongside Ace, or seeing the look in his eyes when Law brought that wooden knife to his cheek. 

The time they’d spent just being near each other in the kitchen afterwards had been satisfying, too. It really was a shame that Ace was so set on staying a Whitebeard Pirate, Law mused. Though if Ace wasn’t so incredibly stubborn and loyal, he wouldn’t be the person Law wanted around so much.

Chapter Text

Ten weeks before Marineford

Law was with Bepo and Cora in the Polar Tang’s surgical suite when the call came in. The three of them were discussing plans for their impending visit with the Whitebeard crew, including Cora’s anniversary with Marco and Thatch’s birthday, both of which were coming up. 

“Captain?” An ashen Penguin hovered in the doorway, holding their transponder snail in shaking hands. 

“Pen? What’s wrong?” Cora went to him immediately. Law hung back, if only because Penguin didn’t like to be crowded when he was upset, and Cora was so tall that he was practically a crowd by himself. 

“Vista needs to talk to Law.” Penguin swallowed hard before continuing. “I think something bad happened; he sounds really upset.” 

Law could think of a dozen things that would upset his swordsmanship mentor, from someone cutting off the ends of his mustache while he was sleeping as a prank to Whitebeard’s health taking a turn for the worse. 

“I’ll talk to him. Don’t worry about it for now, okay?” Law said as he approached Penguin and held a hand out for the snail. Penguin handed it over, but stayed where he was. Law considered ordering him to go rest, but knew that he’d find out whatever was going on soon enough anyway. Law picked up the snail in one hand and the receiver in the other and spoke. “Vista? I’m here.”  

“Law, thank goodness. Are you alone?” Vista’s voice demanded. The snail seemed to have sprouted a mustache to match Vista’s, and its tiny snail face trembled, making the mustache bounce. 

“I’ve got Bepo, Cora, and Pen with me,” Law answered. “Do I need to step out?”

“They’ll find out soon enough,” Vista replied grimly. 

“Find out what?” Law asked, apprehension growing. Vista was the quiet, shaky kind of upset that meant something was very wrong. This definitely wasn’t about a prank. 

“Thatch. He’s…” Vista‘a voice shook worse than the snail’s imitation mustache. “Law…Bepo, too, I’m sorry. Thatch is dead.” 

They had been on the Moby Dick for three days, and Bepo hadn’t left Law’s side even once. Law didn’t mind having the bear around; they were best friends, and Bepo only felt safe when he was within arm’s reach of Law. It made Law feel stronger to have someone depend on him after he’d been so helpless when Cora was nearly killed a year before. 

Law was in the middle of his first swordsmanship lesson with Vista, but he still saw when one of the Whitebeard pirates sat beside Bepo, who immediately looked towards Law. 

The older pirate said something to Bepo, and it snagged his attention. Law frowned, and got a thump on the shoulder with Vista’s practice sword for the distraction. 

“You don’t have to protect your bear cub from Thatch, you little Dalmatian,” Vista chuckled. “Thatch wouldn’t hurt a fly unless he needed to cook it.” 

“He cooks?” Law wrinkled his nose. He hadn’t been eating much the last couple of days; there was too much bread, and too much that was unfamiliar. And now he had someone to blame for that. 

“Yep. Don’t think he’s ever cooked for a polar bear before, though. He’s probably just asking what kind of food your cub there likes.” Vista tapped his practice sword against Law’s. “Come on. Let’s try that last move again.” 

Later, when Law flopped down onto the deck, using Bepo’s soft fur as a pillow, Bepo seemed calmer and happier than he had since they boarded the Moby. 

“What did that guy want, earlier?” Law asked.

“That’s Thatch. He runs the galley,” Bepo answered. “He was worried about you.”

“Me?” Law scoffed. “Then why was he talking to you?”

“Because you were busy. Sorry, was I not supposed to talk to him?” Bepo trembled, and Law hastily reached out to scratch Bepo’s ears in reassurance. 

“You didn’t do anything wrong, I was just worried he might have bothered you,” Law explained. Bepo blinked, then grinned, his sharp teeth flashing in the sunlight. 

“He didn’t bother me! He just wanted to know what kind of food you usually eat. He said he was worried because you haven’t eaten much since you got here, and wanted to know if you usually eat more, and what kind of thing you like eating.”

“So that’s what you two talked about? My eating habits?” Law knew he sounded a little doubtful, but luckily Bepo didn’t seem hurt by it. 

“Kind of. He also said I could help him out, maybe learn how to cook.”

“You want to learn to cook,” Law said flatly. Bepo had never shown any interest in the kitchen before. 

“Maybe? Someone has to take care of you. I know you have Rosinante, but I want to help you, too. I don’t want to be a burden.” Bepo’s eyes were wide and serious, and Law threw his arms around the mink’s neck. 

“You’re not a burden, Bepo. You’re my best friend. But if you want to learn from Thatch…then you should do it. I heard he’s a good fighter. Maybe you should ask him to teach you to fight, too.” 

“Penguin,” Law said quietly. 

“Captain?” Penguin’s voice shook. His whole demeanor was shaken. 

“Tell Hakugan to pick up the pace. We need to get to the Moby Dick.” Penguin headed for the helm without protest, and Law turned his attention to his oldest friend. “Bepo?” The polar bear mink stood frozen in place, staring in horrified disbelief at the transponder snail. Law handed the snail off to Cora and reached up to gently put his hands on either side of Bepo’s face. “Bepo, tell me what you need.”

“Sorry, Captain,” Bepo whispered, his voice heavy and thick with grief despite his low volume. “I just need a minute. I’ll be-“

“Don’t you dare lie and say you’ll be fine,” Law snapped. “I’m not asking as your captain, I’m asking as your friend. What do you need?”

Bepo’s whole body trembled, and then he curled forward, tucking his muzzle against Law’s chest. Law wrapped his arms around Bepo’s huge fluffy head as best he could. Cora put his free arm around Bepo’s shoulders, and they were quiet as fat tears started rolling down Bepo’s snout. 

Thatch made Bepo feel safe and needed on the Moby Dick. He helped Bepo learn to fight, and gave him the confidence to start insisting on taking care of Law in return, even when Law tried to insist he didn’t need or want to be taken care of. 

Thatch was the closest thing to family Bepo had on the Whitebeard crew, after Law and Cora. All of the Heart Pirates who knew Thatch would miss him, but Law knew that Bepo would be the one scarred the most by his loss. 

“Law, I’m sorry to interrupt, but Bepo isn’t the only one who needs you right now,” Vista interrupted, his tone heavy with guilt. 

“My crew is my first priority,” Law snapped. “I’m not-“

“What about the Whitebeard pirate you keep trying to poach as a crew member?” Vista asked. Law froze. 

Bepo wasn’t the only one who was closer than the rest of Law’s crew with Thatch. 

“What did Ace do?” Law demanded, squeezing Bepo tighter to make up for his attention being divided. 

“He wants to go after Thatch’s killer,” Vista answered. “Pops says it’s too dangerous.”

“Let Ace burn them to ash,” Bepo whispered fiercely. “Or better yet, we can catch up to him. I want to kill them, too.” Law grimaced; Bepo was usually the most gentle person he’d ever met, but there were a few things that got him downright murderous. The loss of someone close to him pretty much topped that list. 

“Ace is an adult, and a Division Commander. He can make his own choices,” Law said grimly. 

“It was Teach. Teach killed Thatch over a devil fruit and took off. There’s something weird about it; none of our attacks worked. Law, if someone doesn’t talk Ace down, Thatch might not be the only family member we lose.” 

“Fuck.” Law had to force himself not to clench his fist around the snail. He hugged Bepo tighter instead. “Fine. Put him on.” 

“Thank you.” Law kept holding Bepo as he listened to Vista approach what sounded like an argument. 

“I’m not letting him get away with this!” That was definitely Ace, and Law felt a hint of relief that he was still on the Moby Dick. 

“It’s not letting him get away with it. You might be a Division Commander, but Pops is still your captain.” Marco was the one trying to calm Ace down, which was a decent choice, from what Law could tell. “Are you going to abandon your crew - your family - when we need you the most?” That was a low blow, for sure, but one that would probably work on Ace. Law didn’t know why Vista thought Law’s input was necessary; Marco had this handled just fine. 

“What will my family think of me if I let one of our brothers go after he murdered Thatch?” Ace snapped. Ah. Well. Maybe Marco didn’t have this handled, after all. Ace sounded furious, like he was ready to storm off on his little skiff at any moment.

“If you go alone, you’ll join Thatch instead of avenging him,” Law replied as calmly as he could manage.  “Wait for us to get there.” 

“No promises,” Ace muttered. That usually meant an agreement, so Law decided to take it as such. 

“If you’re there when we arrive, I’ll take you to hunt Teach for sport myself,” Law offered grimly. He could almost see the indignant protests forming in Vista’s and Marco’s minds, but he didn’t care. They might be right, and Ace couldn’t take Teach alone if Teach had managed to kill Thatch. But Ace was right, too. The bastard needed to be put down. “We’ll get him, Ace. I promise.” 

“Fine. Just get here fast,” Ace snapped. 

“Don’t tell me what to do, Wildfire,” Law retorted, mostly for the semblance of normalcy he hoped it would bring Ace. “I’m hanging up now. Don’t do anything more stupid than usual.”

“Yeah, sure. See you soon.” Ace sounded subdued and unhappy with the end of the conversation, but Law was optimistic that his response confirmed that he would still be on the Moby Dick when Law arrived. 

Ace was not still on the Moby Dick when Law got there two days later. 

He had taken off on the Striker and no one had seen him since then. Law knew he was alive, because he had a piece of Ace’s Vivre Card that insisted he was. 

But Ace hadn’t taken a transponder snail, so there was no way to call him. 

“I’m going to get the dumbass firecracker back,” Law announced to no one in particular. The Whitebeard pirates all started in on the reasons he shouldn’t; it was too dangerous, Whitebeard had forbidden it, it was bad enough that Ace was being reckless, and they didn’t need to be worried about Law, too. 

“Law, we need to let it go for now,” Whitebeard himself insisted. “We need to let Ace burn out his anger and grief and return in his own time; that’s why I allowed him to go in the end. I’m sure he’ll see reason and come back to us.”

“Really? Ace? You think Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace is going to burn out and see reason.” Law didn’t bother trying not to sound scornful. “By the time he even considers another course of action, he’ll be dead.” Law looked to his crew members, clustered near the starboard railing. The Polar Tang was moored on that side, and everyone had come on board for once to check on the Whitebeard crew. “Anyone who wants to stay back and support the Whitebeard Pirates is welcome to do so. I’m sure they could use some extra bodies to help cope with the loss of Thatch and absence of Ace. But I’m going after him, and anyone who wants to come with me will be welcome.” The crew members exchanged determined looks, then turned to Law’s inner circle to speak for all of them. 

“I think we all know the answer to this, but I’m going to ask anyway,” Cora said ruefully. “Are you sure this is the path you want to take?” 

“It’s the only path I can take,” Law answered, pitching his voice so everyone could hear. “I won’t let Ace get himself killed over this, not when he’s right about Teach needing to pay for what he’s done.” 

“Then we’re with you, Captain.” It was Penguin who spoke up, with Shachi and Bepo at his sides. 

“I want to kill Teach myself. But as long as he dies, especially if it’s one of us, I’ll be satisfied,” Bepo added grimly. 

“Good. Everyone back on the Tang,” Law ordered. His crew obeyed, returning to their ship. Within minutes, only Law and Cora were left on the Moby Dick. “If you want to stay with Marco, I’ll understand,” Law said softly, for Cora’s ears only. He glanced at Marco, who stood silently beside Whitebeard with an unreadable expression, as he added, “I’m sure he needs you right now.”

“Maybe he does. But my place is with you, and he understands that,” Cora replied solemnly. “Let’s go.” Law held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded.

“Law!” Whitebeard called as Law and Cora headed for the Tang. “I forbid you from following Ace!” Law turned around and stared across the deck, up into Whitebeard’s eyes. 

“I know you do, Pops. But you’re not my captain anymore.” He said it with a touch too much affection leaking through, so to make up for it, he quickly flipped the whole Whitebeard crew off before using his devil fruit to shamble himself and Cora back onto the Tang. 

Three days before Marineford

Law let the transponder snail ring for almost a full minute before he picked up the receiver. 

“Trafalgar’s Outpatient Surgery and Spy Network,” Law drawled when he finally answered the snail. “Will you be paying in berri or stolen treasure for your healthcare today?” 

“Oh, you’re okay.” Marco sounded relieved. “You had us all worried, you little shit.” 

“Why were you worried? Our little firecracker is the one who’s due to be executed in a couple of days,” Law replied. A few crew members looked up from what they were doing, clearly wanting to listen in, but Law flapped a hand at them, silently urging them to focus on their work. 

“We heard about Sabaody,” Marco admitted. “And then nothing. We thought you’d join up with everyone else after that, but it’s been a few days, and we haven’t heard from you.”

“Ah. Well, unlike the Whitebeard fleet, my ship doesn’t need a bubble coating to sit at the bottom of Marineford’s harbor while my crew infiltrates the city and spies on the preparations.” Law smirked to himself at the stunned silence that emanated from the snail for several seconds. 

“How did you…”

“We’ve been scouting for days, Marco. It’s the only viable location to launch a surprise attack from. And it’s the only reason it would take this long for you all to be ready.” 

“Guess we should have known we wouldn’t have to tell you.” Marco sounded a little proud, but also a little sad. “Since you know so much…you already know what I want to say next, don’t you?”

“We won’t stay out of this, Marco. I’m part of this just as much as Doma, McGuy, Squard, and Whitey Bay.”

“We know. I know. But…” 

“But there’s something more strategic that my crew can do, which most others can’t. My entire crew is trained in emergency first aid, and you know what I’m capable of. We’ll hang back, out of sight, and launch small, targeted attacks in order to retrieve anyone who’s too injured to continue. And if you can get Ace within my Room’s radius, I’ll snatch him.”

“Because he’d never leave anyone behind unless we make him,” Marco sighed. “He’s going to hate us for this. Especially you.”

“Wildfire can hate me all he wants, as long as he’s alive to do it,” Law insisted grimly. “We’ll keep you posted as Warlords and particularly strong Marines arrive. And if everything goes according to plan, we’ll have Ace out and everything will be back to normal in a few days.” 

Chapter Text

Marineford

Ace hated being helpless. He hated being the reason for all of the pain and death of the battle below the execution scaffold. 

Every single person he spotted in the waves of attacking pirates was someone he knew. There was Marco, who hadn’t given up on him until he joined. There was Vista, who taught swordsmanship to the Whitebeard Pirates who were skilled enough to learn from him. There was Little Oars Jr., who Ace had always looked out for. There were even half a dozen or more crews that weren’t technically part of Whitebeard’s fleet, but were staunch allies of Pops. 

Family. 

His family had come for him. 

Every important person in his life was here, fighting and risking their lives to bring him back to them, even though he’d disobeyed Pops and gone off on his own. 

Well.

Almost every important person. 

Luffy thankfully wasn’t there, and neither was Law. 

Luffy might not even know about this yet, Ace realized. It was comforting to think that his brother was off somewhere else, with his friends, and that he wasn’t going to die today. 

Law’s absence was…a surprise. He was glad that Law had stayed away, hadn’t showed up to risk his life and crew just for someone like Ace, that Law wouldn’t be in danger. 

But…Ace had thought that with every other Whitebeard ally present, that Law would be there. Law had wanted to go after Teach, too, and Law had offered him a place on his crew so many times. He let Ace help him, and…Ace had thought there might be something besides friendship growing there on Law’s end.

Maybe that was just his own feelings talking. 

Had Law turned his back because Ace hadn’t listened? He wouldn’t blame him; they were in this mess because Ace hadn’t waited for Law to hunt down Teach with him. And now their whole family could be killed because of Ace’s recklessness. 

Or maybe Law was just smart enough to realize that this attack was probably doomed. That Ace would have to watch his crew, his family, sacrifice themselves for his sake, and Law hadn’t wanted to risk his own crew like that. 

Ace couldn’t be angry either way, though. With Law and Luffy safely away from the fight, Ace could at least die knowing those two were safe. That at least two of his loved ones would survive this bloodbath. 

And then Luffy came bellowing out of the sky, and Ace’s heart sank. 

His baby brother was going to die because of him. The brother he’d sworn to protect, the kid who had been one of the first people to love Ace for himself, the one who had been with him through so much, even Sabo’s death. 

Ace scanned the crowd of pirates who had come for him, desperately hoping that one of them would get Luffy away, and then felt like his heart had just…stopped. 

There was a flicker of blue light that arched over a section of the battlefield, then disappeared. 

It appeared again a few seconds later, in a slightly different spot. 

That was Law’s Room. 

There was no mistaking it. 

For a second, Ace was actually relieved. If Law was there, then he believed in the plan. If Law was there, then more of the people Ace loved would survive. If Law was there, they had a chance. 

Then it hit him. 

Every single person he loved who could possibly be there was at Marineford. 

He could lose every. Single. One of them. 

All because he’d been so goddamn stupid and tried to take on Teach alone. 

They were going to die, and it was all Ace’s fault. 

This was not going according to plan. 

Law had Heart Pirates stationed throughout Marineford, some amongst the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies, others hidden among the Marines, calling shots and directing Law’s rescue efforts as he Shambled injured and incapacitated but still living Whitebeard Pirates to the evacuation ships deep below the surface of the harbor waters. 

Unfortunately, there were many more injured than Law could reach, and he had to focus on who was actually in a condition to be saved. 

Leaving Oars to his fate hurt. 

Hearing that Luffy, Ace’s baby brother who Law had only briefly met but had liked, was in play sent a pang of anxiety through him. 

And then came the worst attack yet. Law’s crew members relayed a warning even as Law’s own observation haki flared in alarm. Law knew how much Luffy meant to Ace, and how reckless Ace was with his own life. 

He knew what Ace would do, and knew what would happen because of it. 

Ace would take Akainu’s hit to protect his little brother. He wouldn’t survive. With the secret of his parentage out, and so many Whitebeard pirates injured or killed trying to rescue him, he was going to trade his life for Luffy’s. 

One last act of defiance, of desperate protectiveness.

It was so very Ace to want to go out protecting his family. 

But Law wouldn’t let that happen. 

Of course, he also couldn’t just let Ace’s little brother die, not when he knew how much Luffy meant to Ace, and not after Law had met the guy on Sabaody and liked him. 

So Law didn’t use his devil fruit to move Ace out of the way. 

Instead, he pushed his Room as far as it would go and retrieved his crew members, all at once and without warning, then put all the strength he could manage into snatching Ace’s organs and spine from his body in the instant before Akainu’s molten fist punched completely through him. 

It was a gruesome sight for sure, but at least Ace’s heart and lungs and various other organs hadn’t been vaporized. 

Law gathered the organs in the neat little cubes his power always fit them into and stacked them beside one of his operating tables. 

The Admirals have to think he’s dead, Law thought to himself as he held the cube with Ace’s heart in his palm, watching it. The second the heartbeat stalled, Law Shambled the body to the operating table, set the heart beside Ace, and seized his lungs next. CPR was so much more effective when he could just…manually make the lungs breathe and the heart beat. 

Ace was dead enough that any scraps of Vivre card the Marines might have been aware of would burn, but not dead enough for CPR not to work, since Law had so thoughtfully spared his organs from being annihilated. 

“Captain!” Shachi was at the door. “Ace is- oh.” 

“Get me Marco, now. Rebuilding bones and shit out of the ashes is his whole thing. And tell Hakugan to start pulling out of the harbor. Everything is going to shit up there.”  

“Yes, Captain!” Shachi disappeared. A minute later, Law felt the Tang start to move in the water. Law didn’t know how much time passed as he did his best to make sure Ace’s body didn’t bleed out or go into shock while also forcing his lungs and heart to keep working. He had to start operating as best he could with half his attention on making Ace’s organs work, and it was a lot. It was brutally exhausting to have so much damage to handle after having managed his crew’s combat medic efforts during the battle. Time blurred around him. He couldn’t be sure if he’d been acting as Ace’s life support for seconds or hours when something caught his attention. 

Law was barely able to make himself keep his focus up as something, some horrible surge of a threat caught his attention. 

Something was wrong. 

Someone was gone. 

Law couldn’t afford to focus on anything besides Ace, not even to use his haki to check who had been lost.  

“Law! Marco is in range, but something is wrong with Luffy and Jinbei.” It was Cora this time. Law swore and extended his Room, Shambling Marco to his side with barely a thought, sacrificing a swab in exchange. 

“Law! Rosi!” Marco sounded wrecked. Law almost lost track of all the things he was doing to keep Ace alive, distracted by Marco’s distress. 

“What happened?” Law demanded. Marco stared at him, stricken, then zeroed in on Ace’s body on Law’s table, all of his miraculously intact organs arrayed neatly beside him. 

“He’s alive?” Marco whispered. “We thought…we thought you retrieved his body.”

“If you don’t get over here and make him some new ribs, that assumption won’t be wrong,” Law snapped. “Now help me and tell me what’s happening.” 

“Luffy and Jinbei are in bad shape. Teach did…something. Pops is…no. I’ll explain later.” Marco visibly forced himself to refocus, and reached out to lay his palms on what was left of Ace’s ribcage. 

“Marco, what happened to Pops?” Law demanded, pushing away a terrible thought about what that feeling earlier might have been. It wasn’t true until Marco said it. 

“No. If I tell you, we’ll both lose focus. Ace needs me, and Luffy and Jinbei need you.” Marco poured healing blue flames into the cavity in Ace’s body. “I’ll handle this. You get them.” Law hesitated, then scowled and turned to Cora. 

“I need you to manually maintain the CPR on Ace’s heart and lungs. Mostly the lungs, like we practiced.” Law had indeed trained his crew, including Cora, on how to work with the cubed organs. “I’ll send more to help, too.” 

Penguin and Shachi were good with organs, but they were also his best surgical assistants. If Luffy and Jinbei needed more than Law’s full attention, he’d need Penguin and Shachi. Ikkaku and Clione would be the best options to help Ace, then. Law called orders to his crew as he made his way to the deck, Bepo falling into step behind him. 

Moments later, he was standing on the Tang’s deck, shouting out to a stupid floating clown in a prison jumpsuit. 

“Leave him to me! I’m a doctor!” 

Luffy was in terrible shape, almost as bad as Ace, and Jinbei wasn’t much better. It would take days of surgery to save them, if they even could be saved, and Marco would have to handle Ace without Law’s help. 

Fuck. 

This was so not the plan. 

Three days after Marineford

Finally, anchored just off the shore of Amazon Lily, with Luffy moved to the recovery room and as stable as Law could get him, Law gathered Cora, Bepo, and Jinbei in the surgical suite where Marco was still working on Ace. 

Law scrubbed in and started carefully placing some of Ace’s organs back where they were supposed to go, keeping careful watch of the monitors and mechanical life support that Ace was finally technically stable enough for after three days of surviving on Marco’s constant stream of phoenix fire.

“It’s time to tell us,” Law announced. “Jinbei or Marco, I don’t care which. But tell us what happened after we grabbed Ace.” Marco’s flames flickered, and Jinbei hung his head. 

“Edward Newgate is dead.” It was Jinbei who managed to say it. Cora covered his mouth with his hand. Bepo sobbed. 

Law used one of the remaining scraps of his stamina after operating for so long without rest to force his body not to react. 

He wanted to scream. To lash out. To deny it. To make Jinbei admit it was all a cruel joke. 

But he knew the truth. 

He had known since that surge of awareness that something was wrong, that someone was gone, had hit him. 

The gruff, kind old man who had taken them in, who had helped raise Law, who had been a doting father to Cora and Marco, and an indulgent grandfather to Law, Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin, was gone. 

Once again, Law had lost a part of his family. 

It hurt. His lungs wouldn’t work. His hands trembled, and his mind wouldn’t focus. He had to do something, had to fix it, had to make it not true. 

He forced his body to breathe, and doing so helped him stay grounded enough not to completely dissociate. 

“Teach got his devil fruit. Don’t know how it worked,” Marco added grimly. The flames around his hands flared and spread over more of Ace’s body than usual, like stating the facts and healing Ace were the only things holding Marco together. Law felt the same, honestly. “Not sure what happened after that, except that Red Hair Shanks showed up at the end, right before you grabbed me, Luffy, and Jinbei. Sounded like he was going to make them give up Pops’ body for burial.”

“We should go. For the funeral. It’ll be on Sphinx, won’t it?” Cora’s voice was quiet. Law glanced over at him and saw the same grim determination on his face that had been there when they’d been told about Whitebeard’s chronic illness. 

“No. To all of that. It won’t be on Sphinx; the others won’t endanger Pops’ home like that. And no, we aren’t going.” Marco sounded like he hated himself for it. Law for sure hated himself a little bit for agreeing. 

“Marco’s right. If we go, someone might realize Ace is alive and with us. Plus, we very publicly took Luffy. If we ended up in another battle or on the run…we could lose them both, and then Pops died for nothing.” Law almost took it back when Bepo started crying even harder. Cora put one arm around Bepo and the other around Marco, knowing that Law wouldn’t want to be touched at the moment. 

“When Luffy wakes up, what do we tell him?” Jinbei asked. Law sighed. 

“The truth. I know some of what he did through observation haki, and I’ve heard some from my crew and from you since you woke up. We owe him the truth, however hard it will be for him to hear. Even if he hates us. Same for Ace, when he wakes up.” 

No one pointed out that while Law said when, it was still more of an if for both of their patients. 

Two weeks after Marineford

Silvers Rayleigh had not been on Law’s radar at all. But here he was, a legend of Whitebeard’s generation, staring at Law as they waited for Luffy and Jinbei to return from the forest. Law should probably be intimidated, or awed, but he had met better, stronger, more famous pirates than Rayleigh. And…Law was still grieving. He didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to worry about what Rayleigh thought of him. Instead, Law was more focused on how he really hoped Luffy wouldn’t tear open his wound. Jinbei had promised to take care of him, and Law trusted Jinbei, so he had to believe it would be okay, right?

Law wasn’t good with words or grief, anyway. He’d probably just make things worse if he tried to intervene. 

“Is Ace alive?” Rayleigh asked, pulling Law’s attention back to his immediate surroundings. That wasn’t what Law had expected him to say, but…it probably should have been. This was the man who served as Gol D. Roger’s first mate, after all. 

“Barely.” Law was reluctant to admit it, but he and Marco had done everything they could. While Luffy had finally woken up, Ace hadn’t. Luffy hadn’t crashed since Law closed him up over a week ago, but Ace’s vitals still metronomed wildly between stable and oh fuck we’re loosing him every time Law thought he had made it through the worst of it. “It’s up to Ace, now. He has to decide to live.”

“Very philosophical for a doctor,” Rayleigh mused, a shadow crossing his expression. 

“His body is recovering. But he was already emotionally wrecked before he took that hit. If he’s been aware at all of what else happened after that…” Law sighed. “He’s a fighter, but everyone has their limits, and Ace has never valued his own life that much.” Rayleigh definitely looked upset by that, but he chose not to comment. 

“Will you be leaving soon, then?” he asked instead. 

“As soon as I know Luffy isn’t going to pop his stitches and bleed out, we’ll have to leave. We’re pushing the kujas’ hospitality as it is.” Law grimaced and scrubbed a hand over his face. “We also can’t risk anyone tracking us here and finding out where Luffy is.” 

“I agree. I also don’t think it would be good for Luffy to be stuck worrying about Ace,” Rayleigh added carefully. “I think they might both heal faster separately.” Law didn’t necessarily agree, but…Ace’s vitals were so shaky. If Luffy accidentally witnessed a crash, or overheard Law’s crew discussing it…

Law had already seen the damage an emotionally distraught Luffy could do. 

Fuck. 

“We’ll leave as soon as I’m sure Straw Hat will survive without us,” Law insisted. He didn’t want to admit that it was an agreement now. Rayleigh seemed to understand, and together, he and Law looked back towards the forest, using observation haki to track Luffy’s status. 

Once it was confirmed that he was stable and calm, Law gathered his crew. 

“I’m entrusting him to you,” Law said to Rayleigh before he left. 

“And I am entrusting my captain’s son to you,” Rayleigh replied. 

“Not your captain’s son. Whitebeard’s,” Law objected, partly out of respect for Ace and partly out of pettiness, because Rayleigh didn’t even know Ace, so in Law’s very correct opinion, he had no right to entrust Ace to anyone. 

“Of course.” Rayleigh smiled an odd little smile, and Law did his best not to overanalyze it as he returned to his ship. 

Chapter Text

Three and a half weeks after Marineford

Law stood beside the infirmary bed, watching Ace’s bandaged chest rise and fall. Ace’s heart rested in the palm of his hand, beating steadily in the translucent cube of the Op-Op Fruit. 

The Polar Tang was quiet around him, its engines a comforting hum but not operating at full speed. 

There was no rush to get to their destination. It wasn’t like they were going anywhere important, and they weren’t low on food. Though they would need to raid a Marine base or sail to one of Marco’s hospitals to restock their medical supplies. Between the minor injuries some of the crew had sustained at Marineford and the major surgeries that Jinbe, Luffy, and Ace had required, they were low on things that Law’s powers couldn’t replace. 

Things like bandages to hold Ace’s body together long enough for Marco and Law to repair enough damage that he wouldn’t just go into shock and die the second he woke up. 

Things like IV nutrition to keep Ace from starving to death in his post-near-death coma. 

If only Law was stronger, if only he could do more, if only he hadn’t let Ace get hurt in the first place…

If Law had pulled him from the battle sooner, maybe Ace wouldn’t be hurt. 

Maybe Luffy wouldn’t have almost died, maybe Jinbei wouldn’t have been hurt. 

Maybe Pops wouldn’t have died. 

Law knew that Marco blamed himself for not taking out more Marines, for not being strong enough or fast enough to get Ace off the scaffold. He knew that wherever they were, the other Division Commanders probably had similar regrets. 

But Law knew he would never blame any of them. 

Not when it was his fault. 

He had kept his crew back, except for the scouts embedded in outlook posts around the harbor. He had kept himself and Cora hidden. He didn’t regret keeping Cora back, not when Doflamingo had been there, but maybe if Law had been with the Division Commanders…

If he had been with Vista, maybe they could have gotten Mihawk out of the way. 

If he had been with Marco, maybe Law could have gotten Ace off the scaffold before Luffy made his entrance. 

If he had been with Pops, maybe he could have stopped Squard from stabbing Pops. Maybe he could have put down Teach when he showed his face. Maybe he could have shambled Akainu into the sea before he landed that hit. 

If only Law hadn’t stayed hidden, pulling strings from the shadows, maybe his family wouldn’t be hurting so badly right now. 

But he had. He’d focused on the injured, on the strategy he’d planned, and it had backfired. 

Luffy and Jinbe were hurt, Pops and Oars and dozens of others were dead, and Ace was in a coma. 

Law hadn’t been able to protect them.

The disaster at Marineford was his fault. 

Law stared down at Ace, who hadn’t woken up, who didn’t know that Pops was dead and Law had failed, and Law couldn’t help but feel like he didn’t have the right to watch over him like this, when he hadn’t watched over Ace well enough during the war. 

“You shouldn’t be here right now.” Law flinched, Cora’s voice unknowingly echoing Law’s own thoughts. 

“I know.” Law couldn’t even deny it; what right did he have to stand vigil over Ace when he’d let him down so badly? 

“I was kind of expecting an argument,” Cora admitted as he stepped up to Law’s side. For a second, he towered over Law, hunched a little to avoid hitting the ceiling. Then Cora sat on the floor, putting his head slightly below Law’s. “Why do you think you shouldn’t be here?” 

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s my fault. I wasn’t strong enough or fast enough or smart enough, and Pops died, and Oars died, and so many others. I don’t even know if Vista and Izou are okay, but Teach got away. Luffy’s scars may never heal, and Ace…” Law felt his body trembling, his eyes stinging, his breath catching. He forced his body to settle down, to not react to the way his mind and heart were in crisis. An odd sensation, like tension bordering on pain, ran through him, but he made himself ignore it. His voice came out flat and defeated as a result. “Ace may never wake up.” 

“Law…you know that’s not true.” Cora’s voice shook as he reached out and took Law’s hand. 

“It is. Even with my surgeries and Marco’s flames, he hasn’t woken up. It’s been weeks. The longer he stays comatose, the less likely it is for him to wake up. And even though we’ve repaired the worst of the damage, he still suffered catastrophic injuries. It’s a miracle he even made it this long, and-“

“That’s not what I meant. I know Ace is stable but still in bad shape. I meant that it wasn’t your fault. None of it.” Law could feel Cora’s earnest, worried stare, but he couldn’t look at him. 

“You’re wrong. If I had been with Marco, or Pops…or if I had infiltrated Impel Down, maybe they’d be alive. Maybe Ace would be okay. Maybe our family wouldn’t be broken and scattered to the Blues.”

“By that logic, it’s all my fault,” Cora replied. “Since you made the choices you did in order to protect me and our crew.”

“That’s not-“ 

“Or my fault,” Marco interrupted from the doorway, his expression bleak. Law winced, regretting having voiced his thoughts. “I could have been faster, or stronger. Maybe I could have gotten Ace off the scaffold if I had dodged or not been knocked back by Garp. Maybe if I’d stayed by Pops, I could have healed him or fended off Teach.”

“But we’ll never know,” Cora insisted. “We can’t know how it might have gone. We only know how it went, and what we did.”

“I know how one thing would have gone,” Marco contradicted. He crossed the room and leaned against Ace’s bed near his shoulder. He rested a hand over the bandages on Ace’s chest and met Law’s eyes as he continued, “If you hadn’t pulled Ace’s organs out, my flames wouldn’t have saved him. If you hadn’t pulled his body out when you did, I wouldn’t have been able to get close enough to even try. We don’t know if or when Ace will wake up, but he wouldn’t even have a chance if it wasn’t for you.” 

Law stared from Marco to Cora and back, his heart twisting painfully. The idea that he had done something meaningful, that he had made a difference, that he’d saved at least one person he loved…it was too good to be true. He wanted so desperately to believe it, but…he couldn’t let himself.

He shouldn’t have let himself indulge in thinking about it at all; he’d made it about him, and now Cora and Marco were focused on comforting him instead of more important things like staying safe and taking care of Ace. 

Law forced his lungs to expand and contract steadily. He forced his tear ducts not to leak. He would not let his breath catch. He would not let himself cry. The twinge of pain that echoed through his body was concerning, but he could deal with it. 

“Stop that,” Cora chided gently. Law froze, and realized that Cora was staring up at him with a frown. 

“Stop what?” 

“You’re controlling your body’s reaction, and you’re not letting yourself feel anything. That’s not healthy.” Law almost protested, but this was Cora. He had always been able to see through Law. 

“I can’t afford to feel things right now,” he said instead. He glanced at Marco, hoping that he’d understand. Marco was a doctor, too; he understood putting his own welfare aside for the sake of his patients. “If something happens to Ace…”

“I’ll handle it,” Marco replied. His frown told Law that he wasn’t going to get the sympathy he’d hoped for from his other parent. “How long have you been using your devil fruit to suppress your body?” Law didn’t answer, even though he knew that would tell them both exactly how long it had been. “Law, that’s not okay. You know it’s not. You know what happens to patients who let stress build up in their bodies instead of coping in a healthy way,” Marco scolded. 

“Ace is more important. I can fix whatever damage I’m doing to my nervous system once he’s awake,” Law retorted. Cora and Marco just stared at him in horror, and Law realized what he’d just admitted. “Shit.” 

“I’ll stay with Ace. You need to have a breakdown and then rest.” Marco looked at Cora, who nodded. 

“No, I’m staying. He could crash, or wake up, and either way, I should be here,” Law insisted. Marco and Cora exchanged one of their looks, the one that made Law feel small and young compared to them. 

“Do you trust Marco?” Cora asked.

“What? Of course, but that’s not-“

“Do you trust him as a doctor?” Cora pressed on. Law saw where this was going, and he didn’t like it. 

“That’s not the point!”

“Do you trust him with Ace’s wellbeing? Physically and emotionally?” Cora didn’t let up. Law refused to answer, feeling like a stubborn child but unwilling to admit that Cora might have a point. 

“It’s not about trust,” Law insisted. 

“Then what is it about?” Cora demanded, his voice thickening with emotion. “You admitted that you’re hurting yourself by not giving yourself the time to process everything. I know you know better, so why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Because this is all I can do!” Law snapped. His eyes were stinging again, and he tried to force the tears back, but every nerve in his body flinched, and he hissed at the pain. “I can’t save Pops. I can’t make Teach pay for killing him or Thatch. I can’t make it better for Bepo or you or anyone. I can’t even do anything else to help Ace recover. But I can watch over him and make sure nothing else happens to him. I can make sure that when he wakes up, he’s not alone. I don’t care if it hurts me, or if my nervous system is fried, or if I haven’t slept or eaten. All I can do is be here for him, whether he wakes up or not. That’s the only thing I can do, so just…let me do this. Please.” 

“Law…” Cora sounded heartbroken, and Law felt a stab of guilt. He should have been better at keeping it all locked down; he was hurting Cora, and he never wanted to do that. “If you haven’t processed what happened, how can you help Ace when he wakes up?” 

“And if you’re exhausting yourself and damaging your body, how can you operate to save him if he crashes?” Marco added. 

Law stared from one of his fathers to the other, stubborn refusal warring with the panic and deep pain that settled into his chest at their words. 

He couldn’t leave. He couldn’t focus on his own problems, his own loss and feelings.

But…he also couldn’t afford to not be functional when Ace needed him. 

“How do you think Ace, Thatch, and Pops would feel if they knew you were doing this because of them?” Cora asked, his voice gentle even though his words cut Law to the core. 

Law hung his head. He knew how heartbroken Pops would be; he always lectured Law on not risking himself for a lead on a treatment for Pops’ illness. He knew how disappointed Thatch would be; he always insisted on proper rest and food for the whole crew. And he knew that Ace would be horrified and probably blame himself if he knew Law was refusing to take care of himself to put Ace first. Ace always insisted that Law needed and deserved rest, too. 

Something dripped to the floor at Law’s feet, and it took him too many seconds to realize it was his own tears. 

“I’m sorry,” Law whispered. “I just…I can’t…”

Cora was on his feet and sweeping Law into a crushing hug in an instant. 

“It’s okay, Law. It’s okay. We’ve got you.” Cora held him as all of the things Law had been forcing aside flooded to the forefront. 

Thatch was dead. Bepo’s mentor, the cheerful and understanding cook who always had a kind word and a snack for four traumatized teenagers from the North Blue, was never coming back. Law would never taste his cooking or hear him gently teaching Bepo a new recipe or fighting move again. He’d never know how his loss devastated the Whitebeard Pirates. 

Thatch didn’t know, would never know, what had happened at Marineford. 

Pops was dead. 

The kind old man who had taken in Law and Cora as his own family, just because Marco liked them and they needed a home and protection, would never loom protectively over his family again. He’d never be there with a bone-rattling pat on the back or a hearty laugh at Law’s or the Commanders’ antics. He’d never preside over another anniversary or birthday celebration. He’d never be there to scold Law for working too hard. 

Law was never going to hear Pops brag about him or tell him he was proud of him again. 

He was gone. 

They were gone. 

So many Whitebeard Pirates had died, and Ace might be next. 

Ace, who loved his family so fiercely that he would burn out and destroy himself to save them. Ace, who was so kind and so carefree, but who had been there when Law needed someone who understood grief and worry. 

Ace, who had looked at him like he was special and strong and good. 

He might die, or he might wake up and hate Law for saving him. 

Things would never be the same. Law’s family would never be whole again. 

He couldn’t fix it. 

There was no surgery that would make it better. 

He couldn’t even protect the people he had left in the future if they faced a war like that again.  

All he could do was cling to Cora, to the family that was still in front of him, and sob. 

Ace had the weirdest feeling when he opened his eyes. He recognized the ceiling above him, but the angle was weird. He usually saw Law’s surgical suite when he was helping the Heart Pirates bully their captain about overworking. Seeing it from the angle of a patient lying prone was…unsettling. 

“Ace?” Now that was really weird. Ace turned his head and frowned at Marco, who leaned over him, eyes sharp and intent. “Are you awake?”

“Marco?” Ace rasped. Shit, his voice sounded awful. Had he gotten drunk and Law dumped him on his table in revenge? “What happened?”

“What do you remember?” Marco asked, his tone grim. That was super fucking weird. Marco was never grim. Ace tried to think back, and-

There was chaos. Injured and dying Whitebeard pirates everywhere. 

Little Oars Junior-

Luffy!

Akainu’s fist closed in on Luffy, and Ace didn’t have time to get there and get Luffy away. 

So he just put himself between them and-

Ace clutched at his chest, gasping as the memories flooded him. 

Pain, and then nothing. 

He remembered Law lecturing him on deep tissue burns, how once the nerves were destroyed the burn didn’t hurt the same way. 

He collapsed against Luffy, knowing he was dying, and breathed his last words into his brother’s ear. 

“Luffy!” Ace gasped. His heart was racing. Ace laid a hand over it and found smooth bandages encircling his torso. “Marco, what-“

“Marco!” Law barreled into the room, a translucent cube with a wildly beating heart inside clutched against his own chest. Law locked eyes with Ace and immediately bolted across the space between them, almost dropping the heart before managing to stuff it in his pocket. “Ace, you’re awake. Tell me what you feel. Are you in pain?” Law demanded. Ace just stared at him, bewildered by the thick, emotional way Law’s words tumbled out of him. And…were his eyes red? Had he been crying?

Law wasn’t a panicker or a crier. 

Maybe this was some kind of trick? Or a prank. Ace was suspiciously missing his heart, and had that awful jumbled flashback, so maybe Law had found a nightmare devil fruit user or something? But Law wasn’t big on pranks, and he definitely wasn’t cruel. Maybe they’d been in a fight against a nightmare devil fruit user? Now that he thought about it, Ace felt like he’d been in a fight. A bad one. Everything hurt

“Room. Scan.” Ace groaned, realizing he’d taken too long to respond, and now Law was doing his own exam. 

“I’m fine. I feel like a volcano erupted on me but…” Ace trailed off as Law and Marco both went completely still. 

“How much do you remember?” Law asked. There was a level of hesitance in his voice that Ace didn’t like at all. 

“Marco asked that before, but why-“

Thatch’s death. The fight with Teach. Impel Down. Jinbei in chains across from him. 

Garp’s visit to his cell in Impel Down. 

The scaffold. 

Sengoku announcing that Ace was Roger’s son. 

The fight. 

Warlords and admirals. 

Oars going down. 

Luffy. 

Akainu, bearing down on Luffy, and the briefest flicker of familiar blue haze right before Akainu’s punch went straight through Ace’s back and chest. 

Luffy’s horror. 

Luffy’s tears.

Luffy. 

“Luffy,” Ace hissed. He tried to force himself to sit up even as Law and Marco scrambled to stop him. He seized Law’s shirt - where was his Heart Pirate hoodie, the one with his Jolly Roger on it, and why was he wearing that gigantic oversized fluffy coat? - and stared Law down as he demanded, “Is Luffy okay? Is he safe? Law, tell me he’s okay.” 

“He’s alive. He was injured, but he’s healing. I don’t know for sure where he is, but Jinbei and Rayleigh were with him.”

“You left him alone?” Ace couldn’t believe it. Law should know better. If Luffy was hurt, he had to be watched. “Take me to him.”

“No.” Law’s answer was stern and unyielding. “I left him with people we all trust, so that Marco and I could focus on you. Luffy was injured, and yes it was bad, but he woke up. I operated on him myself, and we stayed until we knew he wouldn’t reopen his wounds. But you weren’t healing. Ace…” That made him let go of a little of his anger, if not Law’s shirt. Law called him stupid nicknames a lot. Wildfire was a favorite, or Firecracker. There were plenty of fire-related taunts or endearments Law could pull out easily. If Ace was being dumb, Law might call him a half naked arsonist again. But using his name, especially in that sad, exhausted tone…

That just didn’t happen. 

“Shit, you were really worried.” Ace couldn’t look away as an array of emotions washed over Law’s face. 

“Lay down and we’ll tell you what happened,” Law said quietly. Ace let himself be guided back to lay flat without taking his eyes off Law. “You have to promise me one thing first, though.”

“Sure. Whatever you want.” Law could be a bit of a tyrant when it came to his patients, but he wasn’t cruel or unreasonable. 

“Promise that you’ll stay on the Tang until Marco and I are sure you’re actually recovered.” 

“Wow, you make it sound like I died,” Ace chuckled. The sound fell flat as Law just frowned at him. 

“You did.” 

“Huh?”

“You were dead. Your Vivre card burned in front of everyone. As far as the government knows, you’re dead. Now promise me.” 

It took a second for Law’s words to sink in. 

Ace had died? He obviously hadn’t been dead dead, or he wouldn’t be alive now. But…

Akainu’s fist through his chest. 

Damn. 

Okay, Ace kind of saw where Law was coming from. 

“I promise I’ll stay on the Tang with you until you’re satisfied with my recovery,” Ace said, the last of his anger leaving him. “Pops might get cranky about it if that takes too long, though.” 

Marco made a strained noise. Law just sat by Ace’s knees and picked up one of his hands. 

That…wasn’t good. Had Whitebeard been hurt, too? But if he had, wouldn’t Marco be with him, not Ace? It couldn’t be that bad if Marco had left his captain’s side to be at Ace’s. 

“Ace, I don’t know how to tell you this in any way except to just say it.” Law’s hands trembled on Ace’s, and his eyes went overly bright with tears. Ace glanced at Marco in confusion and concern, only to find that Marco was moving to sit closer, too, and his expression was one of complete devastation. 

“You guys are scaring me,” Ace said slowly, not sure what else to say. 

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just…” Law swallowed hard and looked him right in the eye. “Ace, Whitebeard is… Pops died at Marineford.” 

No. 

That couldn’t be. 

Pops was strong. He was the greatest pirate - the greatest man - that Ace had ever met. He was going to be the Pirate King, Ace would make sure of it. 

He couldn’t be…

How could mere Marines kill him? 

“It wasn’t the Marines.” Marco spoke, his voice rough with grief. Ace must’ve said that last part out loud. “It was Teach. Blackbeard. He and his new crew killed Pops and took his devil fruit somehow.” 

That didn’t make any sense. 

Yeah, Teach had turned out to be a sick son of a bitch, but…having a crew? Killing their captain, their father? 

Whitebeard was dead. The one man who had made Ace feel like a part of something, the one man who had been a father to him, was gone forever. 

How was that possible? Why was it…

“Pops died at Marineford.” 

But he had only been there, only been facing such huge odds, because…

“It’s my fault,” Ace realized. 

“What?” Marco looked stunned. 

“No. You are not allowed to start that,” Law snapped. Ace started to sit up to scowl at him, but Law leaned over him so they could argue without Ace moving, which meant either Law thought Ace might reopen something if he moved, or Law was determined to win this argument. Maybe both. 

“But I’m the reason he was there. If I was stronger, if I had beaten Teach, if I had escaped on my own…fuck, Law, if I hadn’t disobeyed Pops and gone after Teach, or if I’d listened to you and waited, then he…” Ace struggled to breathe. His eyes burned. His throat felt clogged. His whole body shook. 

It took several seconds for Ace to realize he was crying. 

“If I had noticed what was happening sooner, I could have pulled you and Luffy out of there before Akainu got to you. Pops might not have believed you were dead and basically sacrificed himself to get as many of his people out as he could,” Law said. “Marco thinks he should have been able to take down Teach and his crew and heal Whitebeard before he died. We’ve had over three weeks to replay everything, to second guess ourselves and even each other.” Marco shot Law a strange look, one Ace couldn’t interpret, but Marco didn’t interrupt as Law kept talking. “But Ace…none of us blames you. You chose to put your life at risk to avenge Thatch, and only your life. Every single person who showed up to save you chose to put their own lives on the line for the chance to get you back.”

“You shouldn’t have. You should have saved yourselves, saved Oars and Luffy and Pops…” Ace hated how many people had been hurt or killed for his sake. “Why couldn’t you just let them kill me?”

“Ace, we would never leave any one of our family to be executed if we had a chance to stop it,” Marco said, squeezing his shoulder in a way that was probably supposed to be reassuring. It just reminded Ace that he had done this, and now Marco was comforting him. 

“But I’m not worth-“

“Portgas D. Ace, don’t you dare finish that sentence,” Marco snapped. Law squeezed Ace’s hand, drawing his attention to the fact that Law was still kind of looming over him. 

“We are your family. We love you. We will never abandon you. No matter how much you hate yourself or blame yourself. No matter how much you might hate us for prioritizing your safety, or separating you from Luffy, or failing to save Whitebeard.” Law’s words rang in Ace’s ears, and the tears renewed. 

“What? I don’t hate you. I can’t…” Ace choked on his own words and tears. “I’m the one who deserved to die. Not Pops. Why couldn’t you have just saved him instead of me?” 

“We couldn’t have saved him. You had a chance, because Law had just enough time to pull and preserve your organs before you took that hit. But Pops…I don’t know if we could have kept him alive this long even if Blackbeard hadn’t finished him off,” Marco said grimly. Ace shuddered, denial and self-deprecation surging in his chest, but Law cut him off. 

“We saved you, and Luffy, and Jinbei. That’s three fucking miracles right there. Plenty of others got away, too, thanks to Red Hair Shanks. I know you won’t stop blaming yourself or hating yourself for how things turned out. I haven’t been able to stop torturing myself over it - Cora’s words - and I bet Marco hasn’t, either. But Ace…” Law sighed heavily, looking older and more worn than he should. He was only four years older than Ace, after all. “We have to hold on to what family we have left. That’s all we can do.” Ace was suddenly reminded of how many loved ones Law had lost in his lifetime. He managed to squeeze Law’s hand, and he hoped his expression showed that he appreciated Law’s words, even if he couldn’t actually believe that Whitebeard’s death wasn’t his fault. 

“I don’t know what to do without him.” Marco gave voice to what Ace was sure his own brain would spiral into next. 

“Yes, you do.” Law’s tone was still stern, but not unkind. “Marco, you’re staying with us until it’s safe to consider what you want. It’s not safe for anyone to be on their own right now. Besides, Cora wants you here, and so do I.” 

“Me being here puts you in danger,” Marco insisted. Law openly scoffed at that. 

“We’re known affiliates of Whitebeard. We’re in danger no matter what. Don’t worry about that; I’ve got an idea, even if it’ll have to wait a few more weeks. Maybe months.” The way Law said that made it sound like he’d had a similar discussion at least once between Marineford and Ace waking up. 

“I don’t know what to do, either,” Ace admitted. 

“Lay right the fuck there, to start with,” Law replied. “You’re still healing. I don’t want you to move for another twelve hours at least. And after that, you’ll be on a slow physical therapy regimen for a while. Marco can regrow muscles, bones, nerves, and skin, but that kind of damage lingers. It’ll take time to build up your strength again. Especially since…” Law hesitated, like he had realized he’d left out something important. 

“Since what, Law?” Ace demanded. It didn’t carry much weight, coming from someone who was stuck flat on his back after having the center of his torso punched out and regrown in flames. “Tell me, or I’ll-“ Ace broke off, frowning. He had tried to ignite his fingertips, just enough to make his point, but they hadn’t caught fire. There was only one reason for that. “Hey, wait, do I feel like shit because you have seastone on me or some bullshit?” Law and Marco exchanged resigned looks and didn’t meet Ace’s eyes. 

“You didn’t exactly give us a choice,” Law sighed. He lifted Ace’s other hand so he could see his own wrist, where he wore a dark red-brown bracelet made of braided leather, with a blue-gray stone wrapped in it. The stone’s smooth, cool surface pressed against the inside of Ace’s wrist. 

“As soon as you were stabilized and started regaining energy, you started combusting randomly. You could’ve blown up the whole submarine like that. So we had to keep that to a minimum, even if it slowed the rest of your healing a little,” Marco explained. “Luckily, Hakugan had plenty of supplies for a little arts and crafts.”  

“Damn.” Ace didn’t really know what else to say. Everything hurt, especially Whitebeard’s loss. Remembering the way Law had been so panicked earlier made it feel more real, but it also made him realize something else. “I caused so much trouble for everyone. Especially you guys. I’m so-“

“Shut up.” Law cut him off, dropping Ace’s wrist in favor of pinching the bridge of his own nose. “Just…don’t start blaming yourself again, and don’t apologize for causing problems. If you have to apologize to someone for something, apologize to Marco for scaring him or something. Stupid bird was worried sick.” Law’s voice was gruff, and he still wasn’t looking at Ace. “I have to let everyone know you’re awake. They’ll want to see you, but I’ll make them wait until you’re ready.” Law stood, and Ace caught his sleeve before he had realized what he was doing. Law froze, still not looking at him. 

“I’m sorry for worrying you. And for not waiting like you told me to. And…I want to thank you. You saved me, and you saved Luffy. I owe you.”

“No, you don’t, you idiot.” Law had always hated being thanked for things, and seeing him act a little more like himself was almost enough to make Ace smile. 

“I mean it, Law. I said this to Luffy, before I collapsed, when I thought I was dying, but I want to say it to you and your crew, too. Thank you for loving me, even when I don’t feel like I’m worthy of it.” 

“Marco, check him for a concussion again,” Law grumbled. “He’s being weird.” 

“Yeah, yeah. Go update the others,” Marco chuckled. It wasn’t quite the carefree sound Ace was used to, but it was better than nothing. 

Law left, then, and Ace sighed and frowned at his new sea stone bracelet again. It was weird. Hakugan’s crafts were usually almost suspiciously well-made by the time he shared them, but this looked like a less skilled version of something Ace had seen the Heart helmsman making on their last visit to the Moby Dick. Had Hakugan been in a rush? 

“I’m glad you woke up,” Marco said, drawing Ace’s attention away from the bracelet. 

“You are?”

“Of course. If you died, everything we did to rescue you would’ve been for nothing. So whenever you start feeling guilty, remind yourself that you have to keep living. For yourself, and for Pops and Oars and the others. It’s what they wanted.” There was an edge to Marco’s voice, one that told Ace he knew just how much Ace had wanted to die when he was on that scaffold. “Besides, if Law frets over you any more, he’s going to get an ulcer or something.”

“He can just purge those with his devil fruit,” Ace pointed out. “And I mean, that panic earlier was weird, but I’m sure it’ll wear off.” 

“That panic has been there since you went down,” Marco told him with the beginnings of a smirk dancing on his lips. “That guy has been hovering over you like a fretful husband for weeks.”

“Now you’re just making shit up,” Ace accused. Law did not fret, except maybe over Cora or Bepo. And comparing his actions to those of a worried spouse was just mean, considering Marco knew exactly how Ace felt about their tattooed gremlin of a doctor. 

“I don’t have to make anything up.” Marco tapped the bandages on Ace’s chest, right over his heart, and Ace frowned as the bandages dipped strangely beneath the light pressure. It was almost like there was a small section of his chest that was empty. “He’s been carrying your heart around in his pocket this whole time.” 

Ace remembered the heart Law had clutched to his own chest as he bolted into the room earlier and felt his face flush brilliant crimson in realization. 

His heartbeat must’ve changed when he started remembering. 

Law had been monitoring it and came running. 

“He’d do that for any of his crew,” Ace tried to argue, but it came out a little squeaky. Marco patted his shoulder gently. 

“Sure, buddy. Whatever you say.” Marco waited a whole thirty seconds before he continued. “So, are you gonna ask him to give it back, or…?” 

Chapter Text

Four Weeks After Marineford  

Ace hated being confined to the infirmary. He was finally allowed to get out of bed, but walking on his own for more than a few steps exhausted him. It was like the scars and the new muscle and skin on his chest and back didn’t want to stretch as he moved, and it hurt if he twisted too far. Plus three weeks in a coma had left him with less strength than he was used to. And the cherry on top was how much of his body’s energy was still going towards recovering from all that damage he’d taken.

All together, even basic strengthening exercises were an effort, and walking was a workout. It had taken him hours to be able to sit up without shooting pains, and now he was left with a deep, lingering ache punctuated by occasional sharp pains as his nerves remembered that they used to connect differently, and freaked the fuck out at the new connections. 

In short, it sucked. 

But the quiet sucked more. 

Marco, Law, and a few of the Hearts took turns sitting with him, but after the first day, they hadn’t been able to keep someone with him every second of the day. And Ace had insisted they didn’t have to try. He was an adult; he didn’t need a babysitter. 

But when he was alone, like he was at the moment, his thoughts spiraled. 

Because how could he complain about being in pain, or being frustrated with his own recovery, when he was alive to do so in the first place?

Pops was dead. 

His father was dead. The man who took him in and showed him that he could have family beyond his brothers and the bandits, that he could be loved by people besides his brothers and the bandits, was never coming back. He would never be able to-

No, Ace could not fall back into that. Because if he started thinking about all the things Pops would never be able to do, then he’d start thinking about all the things Little Oars Jr. wouldn’t be able to do anymore, and then he’d start thinking about how it was his fault. 

How he should have been stronger.

How he should have listened to Law. 

How he should have waited, or been smarter, or taken down Blackbeard, or at least managed to die instead of getting captured and used as bait, or-

Ace’s heart was racing. He was distantly aware of it, but couldn’t actually feel it because it wasn’t in his chest. His breath came in short, harsh gasps, and he scrambled for the coping skills Thatch had taught him, and oh, fuck, Thatch-

Damn it, Ace couldn’t control his own mind, let alone his body’s reaction to his thoughts, and this was usually the point where Law burst in, fretting and fussing over him as he held Ace’s hands and prompted him through soothing exercises to pull him out of it. 

But Law wasn’t there. He didn’t come barreling in, ready to drag Ace out of his doom spiral. 

Where was Law?

Why wasn’t he coming?

Had something happened to him? 

No, no, that was impossible. Law had made it out of Marineford without a scratch, and without losing any Heart pirates. He’d taken Ace and Luffy and Jinbei and even Marco with him, to safety. 

Law was strong. 

He was just busy. 

Ace just had to cope on his own. 

What was the thing Law started with? Right, five things he could see. There was the blanket covering him, that was one. Two was the empty infirmary bed next to his own. Three, the first aid supply cabinet. The ceiling tiles overhead made four. And the door was-

The door slammed open, and Ace’s breath caught. Law must have noticed, must have come to check on him. He would be so proud that Ace had remembered, had started to calm down on his own.

He stared at the doorway, ready to count Law as the fifth thing he could see. 

And he did see Law, but not the way he had hoped. 

Law was in Cora’s arms, limp, unconscious, with blood trailing from his temple, mouth, and shoulder. 

Law was hurt. 

Law wasn’t moving. 

Cora laid Law on the bed next to Ace’s, and then Marco swept into the room, blue flames wrapped around him, Shachi and Penguin at his heels. 

Ace couldn’t do anything except watch as Penguin cut Law’s hoodie off of him, revealing a nasty shoulder wound that extended down to the top of his chest, while Shachi quickly but carefully cleaned and disinfected a head injury. The second they were done, the two stepped back, and Marco’s flames danced over Law’s body. Ace caught a glimpse of the beginnings of deep bruising on Law’s chest below the wound before Marco’s flames covered it.

For a second, he was paralyzed. 

Then it hit him. 

Someone had hurt Law. Law had been hurt. If Marco was healing him with his Phoenix fire, then it was bad. Ace remembered how much it took to make Law pass out and need to be carried, but even his extreme exhaustion on Abies hadn’t left him needing devil fruit intervention. 

This was worse. 

This was so much worse. 

A head wound, a shoulder and chest wound, bleeding from the mouth and looking horrifically bruised around his torso…Ace had seen pirates die from that. 

That could be Law. 

Law could die. 

Law could die, and Ace couldn’t save him. Couldn’t help him at all. 

He could lose Law, just like he’d lost Oars and Pops and the others. 

Ace couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t feel his own body. All he could do was stare at Law as all the terror and grief and broken feelings he’d been trying to get past for the last three days surged through his mind. 

After everything, after Pops’ death and Oars’ sacrifice and nearly losing Luffy and not even being able to see him, after the Commanders scattered without even knowing for sure that Ace had survived, after having only Marco and Law and the Heart Pirates left…he thought he couldn’t lose anything else. 

But he could. 

He could still lose Law. 

Strong, brilliant, smug, completely selfless Law. 

Law, who created plans within plans.

Law, who always put his patients and family first, even if it risked his own well-being. Even if it risked his life. 

Law, who blamed himself when he wasn’t able to protect the people he loved, even if it was because he didn’t know they needed him. 

Law, who found so much comfort and peace in Ace’s presence that he sought him out as a reward for himself. 

Law, who seemed invincible after coming out of Marineford without a scratch, and without losing any Hearts. 

The Heart Pirate Captain could still die. Ace could still lose him. 

The one thing he got to keep after Marineford, after waking up with his family in tatters and scattered to the winds. 

Something touched Ace’s shoulder, and he barely felt it. He was still staring at Law as Marco’s flames started to recede. 

Was it too late?

Was Law dead?

“Don’t stop!” Ace blurted out. “Marco, you have to-“

“It’s okay,” Cora said, squeezing Ace’s shoulder. “Breathe. Law is going to be okay, so just breathe, Ace.” 

Ace’s attention flickered to Cora, who looked like he was barely holding on to that calm tone he was using. Then he looked to Marco, who had stepped back. 

“He’s stable now,” Marco said. On either side of Marco, Shachi and Penguin relaxed. In the doorway, Bepo let out a relieved little whimper. Ace hadn’t even noticed him before that moment. 

“Are you sure?” Ace demanded. His words came in gasps. He still couldn’t breathe. “He’s not waking up.”

“Captain always takes a while to wake up. Especially after shit like what he’s been pulling the last few weeks,” Shachi said sympathetically. 

“Yeah. He’ll be okay once he heals a little more and makes up some of his sleep deficit,” Penguin added. They both still looked pale and shaky, but they also looked like they believed Marco. Ace felt like he could breathe again, at least a little bit, but his lungs still ached and refused to expand completely, leaving him with short, rapid gasps of air. 

“Breathe slower,” Cora advised. “Shachi, get him a bag just in case.” Cora’s hand shifted from his shoulder to the top of his back, resting just above the new burn scars. “Tell me five things you can see.” 

Ace’s attention snapped to Cora. 

“You taught him that,” Ace realized, his gasps slowing a little. 

“I did.” Cora smiled a little and looked over at Law. “Does it help?” Ace nodded, clinging to the fact that Cora no longer looked panicked, just concerned. If Cora wasn’t freaking out, then Law probably wasn’t dying. 

“What happened?” Ace managed to ask. Cora considered him for a second, blatantly weighing the pros and cons of telling him. 

“There were some Marines. Law took the mast off their ship, but one of them got a lucky shot and knocked him out. The mast fell, and that’s what caused all the bruising and the shoulder wound.” 

That was somehow both better and worse than Ace expected. Better, because Law hadn’t been shot or stabbed. Worse, because the idea that a random Marine had gotten the drop on Law and made him drop a whole mast on himself was terrifying. 

“But he always sees attacks coming,” Ace protested. 

“Not when he’s too tired to use haki,” Cora replied grimly. “And he hasn’t slept more than a couple of hours a night in at least the last month, maybe longer.”

“What? Why isn’t he sleeping?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Ace knew. “Wait. No.”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself,” Cora sighed. “Law says you’re prone to that. But-“

“But he hasn’t been sleeping since Marineford, or even longer.” Ace stared at Cora, his chest tightening again. 

“Law doesn’t sleep more than four to six hours a night anyway,” Cora said. “That’s why he naps.”

“Has he been napping since I took off on my own like an idiot and put everyone in danger?” Ace demanded. Cora started to answer, then closed his mouth and looked to the other Heart Pirates for help. Penguin looked away. Shachi looked right at Ace, but didn’t say anything. He just shook his head. It was Bepo who answered out loud. 

“Captain hasn’t napped since we started tracking you. He hasn’t slept more than an hour or two in a twenty-four-hour period since Marineford. He uses caffeine and his devil fruit to function instead.” Bepo studied Ace seriously. “I thought once you woke up he might sleep a little more, but he hasn’t.”

“At all?” 

“Not more than an hour at a time, and only about eight hours total over the last three days,” the polar bear mink confirmed. 

“Fuck.” Ace stared at Law’s unconscious form. “That’s not okay.”

“No, it’s not. But he usually snaps out of it after something like this,” Bepo sighed. 

“Yeah. He’ll sleep for a couple days straight, and when he wakes up, he’ll have come to his senses, mostly,” Cora agreed. 

“So he’ll be okay? You’re sure?” Ace couldn’t help but ask. 

“Yeah. We’re sure.” It was Marco who said it. He sounded like he believed what he was saying, at least. “After a few days of sleep, he’ll be good as new. He always is.” 

Ace took in how resigned and concerned they all were, and resolved to stop worrying Law. If Law lost or sacrificed sleep again, Ace didn’t want to be the cause any more. If Law got hurt again because he wasn’t sleeping, because he was worrying about Ace…Ace would never forgive himself. Ace resolved to focus on recovering; he wouldn’t be a burden to Law anymore.

Law woke up to a dull ache in his head and upper body. Strange; he’d expected a splitting headache and the distinct chest pains of broken ribs. 

“You’re awake!” Cora loomed over him, dominating Law’s field of vision, and Law felt a pang of guilt as he took in how tired Cora looked. 

“I’m okay, Cora,” Law said automatically as he tried to look reassuringly healthy and alert. 

“You weren’t when I brought you back to the Tang,” Cora replied sadly. “You gave us all a scare, Law. Even Ace was upset.” 

“It was just an injury. No big deal,” Law insisted. 

“You’re wrong, Law. A regular rank and file Marine got the drop on you and knocked you out. A battleship mast fell on you. Marco had to use his flames because your ribs were broken, your lung collapsed, and you had a severe concussion on top of the deep bruising and the open wounds. Law, you could have died.”

“But I didn’t. I’m okay now, I promise,” Law insisted. Cora’s mournful look didn’t waver. “I feel fine, I swear.”

“That’s because Marco has used his flames on you a few times. And you finally caught up on some sleep.” There was an edge to Cora’s voice that Law recognized. 

“You noticed I haven’t been sleeping, then?” Law sighed. “I promise it’s okay, Cora, I just-“

“It’s not okay.” Cora rarely interrupted Law, but he was clearly still upset. “It’s not healthy. What would you do if I slept as little as you do?”

“That’s different,” Law insisted stubbornly. 

“How?”

“I’m a doctor, and I can monitor my own body. I can also use my devil fruit to make up for a lot of the symptoms of sleep deprivation,” Law reminded him. 

“But you know that doesn’t work long term, and you’re not supposed to operate on anyone when you’re sleep deprived, not even yourself. What if you made yourself sick, or purged your immune system or destroyed your kidneys or something, because you were sleepy when you tried to use your powers on yourself?” Cora sounded and looked even more distressed than when Law had woken up. Law hesitated, considering what argument might set Cora’s mind at ease. 

“I’ll go to Marco next time instead of using my own devil fruit if that would make you feel better,” Law offered after a moment. 

“You know that Marco’s powers aren’t as effective on others; that’s why Ace still needs physical therapy. What would make me feel better is you getting enough sleep,” Cora insisted, looming over him like casting a shadow would make him rest more. When Law set his jaw and prepared to argue again, Cora added, “You worried everyone, not just me. Marco was upset, too. Shachi and Penguin were so pale that they looked like snowmen. Bepo has been stress baking for two days.” Guilt shot through him again. He hated worrying his crew, especially the crew members who were like brothers to him. Law wavered, and Cora pressed the advantage. “Ace thought you were dying. Which you kind of were.” 

“What?” Law’s eyes darted to the bed beside his own, only to find it empty. “Where is he?”

“He’s started some strengthening exercises with Hakugan. His recovery has been coming along well while you were unconscious, but…” Cora trailed off pointedly. Law knew exactly what Cora was getting at. 

“But me sending him into a panic didn’t help. And if he realized I haven’t been sleeping because I’m focused on him…” Cora’s expression shifted, and Law scowled. “Cora.”

“He figured it out, and I wasn’t going to lie to him,” Cora said, his voice firm. “Besides, he deserves to know how much you care about him, even if you insist on not letting him find out exactly how you care.” Law instinctively glanced at Ace’s infirmary bed again, then returned his attention to Cora. 

“You said Hakugan is handling his physical therapy?” Law asked. Cora nodded. “That’s okay, then. Hakugan knows what he’s doing.” Shachi and Penguin were the best surgical assistants among his crew, but Hakugan loved studying different stretches and exercises to strengthen or release tension in different parts of the body, probably because of his own long hours at the Polar Tang’s helm. Law caught sight of Cora’s worried expression and smiled a little. “Since Ace is doing well enough for Hakugan to take on some of the responsibility, I shouldn’t need to stay up in case he relapses. I’ll get more sleep, Cora, I promise.” Cora frowned dubiously. “I swear. I’ll get at least four hours a night.” It wasn’t nearly enough sleep, and they both knew it. But they also both knew that Law wasn’t likely to get more than that on most nights anyway. 

“Fine. But if you don’t follow through on that, I’m telling Ace.”

“What? Why Ace?” Cora had always threatened him with Bepo’s disappointment in the past. 

“You know exactly why,” Cora said with a flat look, and Law looked away a little sheepishly. “You know, if you took half as good of care of yourself as you do the rest of us, we wouldn’t have to have this conversation every six months.”

“I know. I don’t mean to, I just…”

“I know.” Cora softened, and leaned over to hug him tightly. “Just remember that you’re part of the family, too, okay?” When he let go, his expression had shifted to something mischievous. “Personally, I’m hoping Ace sticks around. Maybe having him keep an eye on you will work better than the rest of us taking turns trying to bully you.” 

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Law grumbled. Cora blinked, clearly surprised. Law shrugged uncomfortably. “Don’t look at me like that. Obviously I want him to stay. But that’s not my choice. He’s a Whitebeard Pirate at heart, and there are plenty of people who would take him in once he’s recovered. I’m - I mean, we’re not his only option.”

“If you say so.” Cora sighed and shook his head. “One day you’re going to have to admit that Ace adores you just as much as you do him.” 

“Just because being with one of Whitebeard’s Division Commanders worked out for you, that doesn’t mean I’m willing to risk ruining what I already have,” Law insisted. He would have said more, but he heard movement in the hallway and fell silent.

“We’ll see. Maybe Bepo will have an easier time convincing you,” Cora mused. He looked at the door and grinned. “Or better yet, Ace himself can do it.”

“Do what?” Ace asked as he stepped into the infirmary, Hakugan on his heels. 

“Make sure Law doesn’t try to use his devil fruit on himself today,” Cora answered easily. Ace frowned and pointedly held up his arm, where the sea stone bracelet still wrapped around his wrist. It had been turned inside-out so that he wasn’t actively being drained by it, but it was on hand just in case. Law wondered if Ace had said anything about the bracelet to Hakugan, or if Hakugan had commented on it yet. He’d certainly had a lot to say when Law was braiding the leather for it. 

“No devil fruit powers while recovering, remember?” Ace scolded as he sat on the edge of the infirmary bed he’d been occupying. 

“I’m basically recovered,” Law objected. 

“When I tried to use that argument, you told me very clearly that basically isn’t the same as actually recovered,” Cora muttered. 

“And the doctor is always right,” Ace agreed, smiling a little. “You should listen to your own advice, Law.” Law grumbled, but he was relieved enough that Cora seemed satisfied and Ace was in good enough spirits that he didn’t argue. 

Chapter Text

Five weeks after Marineford

Law watched Ace doing one of his strength building exercises with Hakugan and Uni. He kept his hands in his hoodie pocket, so no one would realize he was literally holding Ace’s heart in his palms, monitoring his heart rate as he observed the exercise. 

Ace was recovering well, and he’d regained enough control over his Logia abilities that he wasn’t a danger to the Tang or her crew anymore, so Law had told him he could take the sea stone off. He wondered briefly if Ace had thrown it away, or if he had handed it over to Hakugan for spare parts for another project. 

It was good to see Ace in better spirits, channeling his energy towards regaining his strength. It soothed a part of Law’s heart that he didn’t acknowledge very often to have Ace not only in sight, but clearly doing as well as could be expected considering everything. 

“Captain, we’re coming up on an island,” Bepo said softly, not wanting to startle Law. He finally looked away from Ace and his crew members to give Bepo his attention. 

“What kind of island?”

“It’s got plenty of forests that look good for foraging, a small fishing village, and some good open beaches,” Bepo replied. “You know, the kind perfect for long walks at sunset.” Law glared at him, but didn’t have to say anything. “Sorry, sorry. Anyway, it looks like a good place to stop. We haven’t detected any Marines, so we can restock on some supplies and stretch our legs a little.” 

“Good. How long?”

“About twenty minutes.” Bepo hesitated, glancing down at Law’s hands, which were still in his hoodie’s front pocket. “Are you going to give it back to him?” There was no point trying to pretend he didn’t know what Bepo was talking about. 

“Of course. It’s not mine to keep,” Law said softly. He rubbed his thumb lightly over one side of the cube that held Ace’s heart, careful not to put enough pressure on it to cause any discomfort. Across the room, Ace twitched in the middle of his exercise and squeaked a little. Law hoped he wasn’t wearing himself out too much. “You’ll stay with the ship?”

“Yes, Captain. Clione and Jean Bart want to explore the forest, and Shachi and Penguin said they’d take care of going into town. Cora and Marco want to go for a walk, too.” 

“Thank you, Bepo.” A few seconds of silence passed between them before Bepo spoke again. 

“You’re not really just going to let him leave, are you?” 

“Bepo…” They’d been over this. 

“I’m sorry, Captain, but…actually I’m not sorry. Law, you can’t just-“

“That’s enough, Bepo.” The three across the room looked like they were finishing up. “It’s his decision, and I’ll respect whatever he chooses. I expect the same from every single member of my crew.” 

“…Yes, Captain,” Bepo sighed. Law leaned over just enough to nudge Bepo’s arm with his shoulder, then returned his attention to Ace and the others, raising his voice as he called out to them. 

“We’re landing in about twenty minutes. You three should shower unless you want to stink up the whole island.” Hakugan and Uni called back acknowledgements, and Ace grinned and waved to show he’d heard. Law debated waiting until later to say something, but decided he could always threaten his crew into silence. “Ace, you’ll be with me once we drop anchor.” 

“Damn, Law, you just can’t let him out of your sight, can you?” Uni teased. 

“Sounds like you want to stay on the ship this time instead of exploring,” Law observed. Uni winced and scrambled to apologize, but Law ignored him in favor of heading to the bridge to oversee their arrival, even though there really wasn’t a reason to. 

Thirty minutes later, Law stepped off the Tang’s gangplank and onto the island’s soft sand. The weather was perfectly temperate, warm but too hot. He took a second to enjoy the breeze - as much as he loved her, the Tang could get stuffy when they spent too long under water - then led the way down the coastline. Ace trailed after him, taking in the new island with a grin. For a while, Law let the peaceful ambient sounds of the island fill the silence. 

“So did you get me out here alone to kill me, or is there some kind of even worse news that you’ve been hiding from me?” Ace drawled after almost ten minutes. Law rolled his eyes. 

“You think I would undo all my hard work keeping you alive?” he scoffed. 

“I knew it! You’ve been keeping some kind of terrible secret, and the guilt has finally caught up with you!” Ace teased. He picked up his pace for a few steps, just enough to get in front of Law before stretching his arms wide. “Come on, tell me! I can handle anything!” Law studied him, from the way his skin had paled from injury and from weeks in the Tang, almost entirely below the ocean’s surface, to the way his torso was leaner than it had been, his muscles less defined and definitely less visible beneath the tank top he’d taken to wearing. Law could still see the edges of the scar left by Akainu’s fist peeking up over his collarbones. He hadn’t even been sure Logias could scar, until he’d seen the burn marks on Ace’s skin. He knew the scar was a thick outline only, rather than a filled-in version of the ragged starburst shape. Marco’s flames had been able to regenerate a lot of tissue, but the burn scars lingered at the border between the regrown flesh and what was there all along. “Law?” He’d been staring too long. Ace dropped his arms and stepped closer, frowning. “What is it?” 

“I have been keeping something from you,” Law acknowledged, hoping to reclaim a scrap of the lighthearted mood from a moment ago. He pulled the translucent cube from his pocket and held it out to Ace. “This is yours.” 

“Damn, you went and stole my heart,” Ace laughed as he took it, the sunlight reddening his cheeks slightly. Law smirked. 

“I am the captain of the Heart Pirates,” he pointed out. “But your recovery is coming along well. You don’t need to be monitored constantly anymore. I probably should have given this back a few days ago, especially because I know it’s generally considered creepy and invasive to just keep your actual vital organs for surveillance purposes, but…” Law didn’t remember what excuse he’d planned out. 

“But you were fretting, according to Marco,” Ace finished for him. 

“I do not fret,” Law snapped. 

“That’s what I said!” They both chuckled a little, and then Ace’s expression turned a little more serious. “You could’ve done this on the ship. Why are we actually out here, Law?” Shit, already? Oh, well. 

“I wanted to talk about something, and I didn’t want eavesdroppers,” Law admitted. “I also wanted you to have space in case you don’t like what I have to say.” 

“Okay, now I’m actually kind of worried,” Ace warned him. 

“It’s nothing bad, I don’t think,” Law hurried to assure him. “I just wanted to ask what your plans are for when you’re fully recovered.” 

“Plans?” Ace repeated. 

“The Whitebeard Pirates are officially disbanded, but I know any of the survivors would take you in with open arms. You could also hide out until your brother resurfaces and then you could join up with him. I also know you have friends on several islands who would love to see you, including Wano. You have plenty of places you could go and things you could do.” Law was careful to lay out the options that he’d thought of, so Ace wouldn’t feel cornered or unwanted. 

“Shit, Law, I thought I’d have to claw my way out of your clutches, but this feels like you’re ready to toss me the second I’ve recovered.” There was something odd in Ace’s tone, but Law couldn’t place it because his attention snagged on that first part. Ace had been thinking about how to distance himself, then. Law couldn’t blame him, not really. He knew he was overbearing when he got paranoid or protective, and he’d been both since Marineford. 

“I just want to make sure you know your options, and how many people care about you and want you around,” Law explained. Ace tilted his head, then reached into his pocket with the hand that wasn’t holding the cube of his own heart. He pulled out something long, thin, and reddish brown, with a blue spot in the middle. It took a second for Law to recognize it as the sea prism bracelet that he’d never admit to being the one to make. Or at least, that’s what it looked like, but Ace spoke before he had a chance to confirm his suspicion. 

“You know, it’s kind of funny. You’re listing all the people who would want me despite everything-“

“Or because of everything,” Law had to point out. Ace rolled his eyes and kept talking like he hadn’t been interrupted. 

“-but I didn’t hear anything about you.” 

“Me? This isn’t about me, it’s about you,” Law replied, bewildered and distracted from the things Ace was still holding. 

“I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t expect you to have options laid out for me like that. Actually, I didn’t really think you would let me leave right away. Or ever.” Ace hefted the cube with his own heart in it thoughtfully. “I wasn’t really expecting to get this back, either.” Law had no idea where Ace was going with this. Or maybe he did, but he was pretty sure his idea was stupid and delusional. “Law…do you not want me on your crew anymore?” 

Oh. Fuck. Maybe Law wasn’t delusional. But maybe Ace was, if he actually thought that. 

“I never said that.” 

“But you didn’t list yourself with everyone else who might want me around,” Ace pointed out. 

“Maybe I was saving the best for last. Or maybe I just didn’t want to be overbearing. I know I’ve been…”

“Overprotective? Paranoid? On the verge of panicking every time I break a sweat or stub my toe? Fretting?” Ace was teasing him again, but his eyes were still serious. 

“All of that. I don’t want you to think I would try to force you to stay if you wanted to leave. You belonged to Whitebeard’s crew, not mine. I can’t control your choices. I won’t even try to control your choices.” 

“Maybe I want you to. I haven’t been making very good ones lately,” Ace sighed. 

“That is not a good enough reason for you to stay,” Law snapped. “Marineford wasn’t your fault.” 

“I believe that you believe that,” Ace said quietly. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Which question?” Law had lost track of their conversation. 

“Every time you came back to the Moby Dick after that first time we met, you told me I could go with you when you left, if I wanted to. But now, you’re listing options for my future, and you didn’t list yourself. Isn’t that controlling my choices, too? Or do you not want me anymore?” 

Law’s heart ached. He felt stupid. He should know better. If Ace didn’t want to stay, he would say so. Ace’s greatest fear was not being loved, not being wanted. 

“I do want you on my crew. I want you to stay. But I don’t want it to be just because you don’t trust yourself, or because you feel like you owe me something. I trust you, and you don’t owe me anything. I might have saved your life, but it’s still your life.” Law held his breath as he watched Ace process that. Finally, Ace asked another question. 

“Are you sure you want me to stay? You might change your mind if-“

“Shut up,” Law snapped. 

There was no room for Ace to doubt himself or Law in this. There couldn’t be. Doubts ate at Ace’s heart, Law knew they did. If Ace had gone through all this trouble and actually managed to talk this much about it, then he had already made his choice. He was just waiting on Law to accept it. 

And he had told Bepo that he was going to respect Ace’s decision. Now he had to follow through. 

Law stepped closer to Ace, making use of the scant two inches of height Law had over him. He held out his hand to Ace as he spoke again, but this time, he wasn’t leaving any room for doubt or argument. 

“Join my crew,” Law demanded - ordered. Ace grinned and deposited his still-cubed heart back into Law’s palm, which was not the intention and almost made Law combust on the spot as Ace grinned and answered like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Yes, Captain.” 

Chapter Text

Ace felt the wood of the scaffold digging into his knees. 

Not again. 

Please, not again. 

“Ace!” a familiar voice roared. Ace threw himself towards the voice, trying to reach out for the friend who was calling to him. 

“Oars!” Ace couldn’t see him, not at first. There was a strange haze around the scaffold, separating him from the rising sounds of battle all around him. “Oars, go back!” 

Something terrible would happen if Little Oars Junior reached him. 

“Ace!” Oars’ hands stretched out of the fog, his familiar face beaming as he went to pick Ace up. “I’ll save you!” The giant’s body jerked as shadows sprouted through his body, impaling him. A moment later, vicious strings were tearing into his flesh. Oars roared in agony and collapsed, his hands going limp on either side of Ace. 

“Oars?” Ace called, trying to reach for his friend, but his arms were trapped behind him. Oars’ body dissipated into the mist, and Ace was alone. 

The wood of the scaffold dug into his knees.

Marco flew out of the fog, reaching for him, only to be swatted away by Garp. 

“Marco!” All he could do was call out to him, all he could do was watch. Why couldn’t Garp let him past? Why couldn’t the man who had been as much a grandfather to Ace as he had to his actual grandson just let Ace live?

Why couldn’t Garp just let Ace be saved?

The wood of the scaffold dug into his knees. 

Whitebeard stood facing the admirals and the traitor, Teach. 

He shouted that no one would be allowed to harm Ace. 

That Ace was safe. 

Ace was loved. 

But then Teach’s shadow fell over Whitebeard, and Ace screamed for the only father who had ever loved him, the only father Ace had ever known, who he’d loved with his whole heart.  

Ace screamed and screamed, curling forward until his forehead pressed against the rough wood. 

The wood of the scaffold dug into his knees. 

“Don’t be such a crybaby, Ace. That’s Luffy’s job.” Ace lifted his head. Sabo, just ten years old, with his top hat and his missing tooth and his trusty pipe, stood in front of him. 

“Sabo?” Befriending Sabo and eventually becoming brothers with him and Luffy was the first time Ace felt needed, wanted, loved. But Sabo was gone, and Luffy was out there somewhere in the fog, fighting to save Ace. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Neither should you, dummy. Come on. Don’t you want to come sailing with me?” Sabo held out his free hand, and Ace wanted to take it, but his hands were still bound. The sounds of battle we’re getting louder. Ace could hear canons, and Marines, it wasn’t safe, Sabo had to run while he still could. 

“Of course I do, but-“

“Fine, be boring and wait until you’re older, then. But I’m going to go have adventures now.” Sabo turned away just as something crashed into the scaffold, and Ace screamed as an explosion ripped his brother away from him and replaced him with a swirl of fog. 

The wood of the scaffold dug into his knees. 

“Always knew you were an arsonist,” another voice drawled. Ace looked up, and found Law standing at his shoulder, Kikoku in hand. “Everyone around you just gets burned. Even me.”

“Law?” Ace didn’t understand. Or maybe he just didn’t want to. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I just…” 

“You just let it happen. That’s why you’re a liability.” Law sighed and shook his head. “You didn’t really think I wanted someone like you on my crew, did you? I thought you were strong, and loyal, but you won’t fight to protect them, and you won’t even die to keep your family from being slaughtered.” 

“No, I can’t move, I want to help, but-“

“If you really wanted to help them, you would have died fighting Teach, or at least waited for someone strong enough to take him on to catch up to you.” Law’s tone turned smug and borderline cruel. “They’re all dead because of you. You couldn’t protect any of them. You should just die so you can apologize to them in the afterlife.”

There was a flicker of blue, and Law was gone. 

The mist closed in, and Ace was cold and alone. 

Everyone was gone. 

Nobody wanted him. 

The wood of the scaffold dug into his knees. 

Six weeks after Marineford

Ace surged forward, his arms caught in something behind him - restrained, chained, trapped on the scaffold and forced to watch everyone die - and fell off his bunk with a yelp. There was a fluttering sensation in his chest, in the area where his heart should have been. He’d felt it before, ever since Marineford, especially when he was anxious or scared, but had no idea what it was. Before he had a chance to really question that sensation, footsteps in the hall caught his attention. They approached the infirmary door, pausing in front of it. Probably the night shift patrolling. He held perfectly still until they continued on down the hall. 

Ace pulled on his new boiler suit and boots, not bothering with a shirt, and slipped out of the infirmary. He was just glad he hadn’t been assigned to a bunk in one of the regular rooms even though he’d officially been a Heart Pirate for a week. They had given him a uniform, welcomed him without question when Law announced that he was one of them. Ace would feel guilty if he interrupted their sleep with his stupid nightmares. 

But he needed air. 

The Tang often surfaced at night to cycle her air, so Ace headed for the deck access. He did his best to move quietly, freezing every time he thought he heard one of the Hearts moving around. It took a lot longer to get there with all of his very stealthy pauses to look for sternly concerned crew members who might usher him back to bed. 

When he finally made it out onto the Polar Tang’s deck, he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t dislike the submarine’s interior, but he worried a lot about accidentally disturbing someone’s sleep. Those halls echoed.  

Up here, Ace felt like he could breathe or cry or maybe even yell at the stars without upsetting someone or being judged. Especially at night, when the only crew members awake were on the bridge, monitoring the Tang’s instruments. 

Except that tonight he wasn’t alone. 

There was a lantern on the upper deck that shone soft golden light, silhouetting whoever was up there. Ace debated just going back inside, or maybe just ignoring whoever it was, but he was also a little curious. Law was pretty strict about the crew’s sleep schedules; who would be up here, defying their captain?

Ace decided to climb up and find out. 

Maybe it would help him shake off the lingering pain and loneliness from his nightmare. 

He made it to the upper deck easily enough and paused at the edge of the ring of lantern light, surprised. The person sitting there, leaning back against the Tang’s outer shell, staring up at the sky, with a shadowed but familiar cube in his hands, was none other than Law. 

Suddenly, it registered to Ace that while he had been on the Tang plenty, it was Law’s ship. And while Ace had known Law for over two years, he had technically joined the Heart crew barely a week ago. And he knew how much Law valued quiet and time to himself. 

The nightmare version of Law’s voice echoed in his head. 

“You didn’t really think I wanted someone like you on my crew, did you?” 

Ace stepped back, determined to leave his…his what? His friend? His captain? What was he allowed to call Law at this point? Regardless, he  was determined to leave Law alone. If Law was already awake in the middle of the night, he didn’t need to worry about Ace. Ace had already kept him awake and worried for too long. He wouldn’t risk making his stupid bad dreams Law’s problem, not after everything Law had already done for him. 

“You’re either up very late or very early.” Law’s voice washed over him and riveted him in place. Ace didn’t know what to say, especially when Law’s attention left the sky and settled on Ace, staring straight into his soul. 

“Sorry, Captain?” Ace tried. It still felt strange to call Law Captain, but that’s what he was, now. Ace had a new captain, and he had to prove himself. 

“Stop that,” Law sighed. “It sounds weird when you call me that.” Ace didn’t bother to hide his surprise. He hadn’t considered that him joining the crew might be an adjustment for Law, too. He sounded tired. Wait, was he not sleeping again? Should Ace tell someone? “Why are you awake, Wildfire?” It felt nice to hear the nickname again. Nicknames were familiar, they were safe. A little of the lingering tension from his nightmare drained out of Ace’s body, and he stepped into the ring of lantern light. 

“Why are you?” Ace countered as he sat beside Law. If he was sleeping less than usual again, that was more important than Ace’s nightmare. “And is that my heart?” 

“I asked you first,” Law grumbled. He started to put the heart in his pocket, then paused. “Did you want this back? Because all you have to do is say so.”

“You’re just giving up on my heart that easily? I’m wounded,” Ace teased. 

“Not anymore you’re not,” Law muttered. “Now did you want this back in your chest or not?”

“Nah.” Ace gave him a lopsided grin. “You can keep my heart as long as you want.” Law stared at him for a second, his cheeks darkening. 

“Shut up.” Law turned the heart over in his hands idly, almost like he wasn’t really thinking about it. As his fingers brushed over the part of the cube closest to part of Ace’s heart, Ace felt that strange fluttering sensation in his chest again. So that’s what it was. “You’re still dodging my question, you know.” 

“What was the question, again?” 

“Why are you awake?” When Ace didn’t answer right away, Law’s hands stilled, and Ace wasn’t sure if it was his imagination or not, but he thought he could feel the gentle pressure on his heart. “Is everything okay?” 

“I’m fine,” Ace assured him, making sure he didn’t hesitate this time. It was even mostly true. Now that he was sitting next to Law, it was easier to remind himself that Law did want him around. It was also easier to worry about Law’s possible lack of sleep than think about his own nightmare. 

“You sure? Wandering around at night and deflecting questions isn’t normally Ace is fine behavior.” Law’s gaze was sharp even though his tone was still casual. Ace debated lying, insisting he was okay, maybe turning the tables on Law and demanding to know why he was awake now that Ace had answered. Bepo and Cora and the others would probably be super worried if they knew Law was out here alone instead of sleeping. Ace was already starting to worry enough for all of them. He was about to confront Law about it, but Law spoke first. “Your feelings aren’t a burden, Wildfire.” 

“Damn, Law, you went right for the kill on that one, didn’t you?” Ace muttered. “How’d you even know?”

“You came up here trying to be alone instead of going to Marco to talk. Then you came to see who was up here and almost walked away. I know the signs.” Law leaned over a little and nudged Ace’s shoulder with his own. “Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?” 

Ace didn’t want to. He hadn’t wanted to make his stupid nightmare Law’s problem. But he also didn’t want to refuse to tell his friend what was bothering him. Finally, Ace sighed and pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his knees and resting his chin on his forearm. 

“So many people died to rescue me. People I loved. People I wanted to protect. In my dreams, I keep seeing all the people I lost. This time it was Oars and Pops and even my brother, Sabo. Sometimes it’s Thatch, or some of the others. There are people who are still alive, too, either trying to save me or…” Ace bit his cheek for a second to stop himself from tearing up as he finished. “…or blaming me for what happened, for not helping more. Which shouldn’t hurt because I blame myself, too. But it does, it hurts like hell, especially when they say they don’t want me around because of it.” 

Ace expected Law to have some kind of dry retort, some witty observation that would make Ace laugh and break through this awful feeling. 

“Is one of them me?” Law asked instead. Ace tensed, fingernails digging into his own skin. Had he really been so easy to read?

“What?”

“Am I one of the people in your nightmares, blaming you and telling you that you don’t belong?” Law wasn’t looking at him directly; he was staring down at the cube in his hand, tracing the outline of Ace’s heart. For a second, Ace wanted to lie. To say that Law wasn’t in his nightmares, that Ace had never doubted how much Law cared, because he knew that so many other people misunderstood Law, or assumed things about him because of his appearance or reputation. 

But it took too long for him to figure out how to deny it. After a few seconds of silence, Law seemed to understand the answer. His fingers flexed around the cube, but didn’t put any pressure on it as he seemed to be lost in thought. After a moment, Law seemed to come to a decision. He let out a rough sigh, and Ace lifted his head to watch him, a mixture of curiosity and wariness swirling around in his heart. Maybe he was going to get up, to finally give up on Ace. Maybe Law was so upset that Ace’s subconscious doubted him even after everything that he couldn’t sit next to him anymore. Maybe Law was going to chew him out for being stupid. 

“What did I say in the dream?” Law asked at last. 

“Huh?”

“Your nightmare. The one where everyone was blaming you. What did I say?” Ace held perfectly still, trying to figure out a way to answer that wouldn’t upset Law. He couldn’t hurt Law’s feelings. Not over this. Not when Law was still sitting with him, still putting up with him. “If I said it, if you think it sounded enough like me to believe it even for a second, I think I should know.” Ace disagreed completely. Law should never know what Ace was so afraid of hearing from him. Law’s hand entered his field of vision, holding his heart so gently even as it pounded away in its cube that Ace wanted to tear up. “You’re upset by something you imagined my voice saying. Tell me what it was, Wildfire.” 

“I don’t want to,” Ace whispered, his heartbeat racing so fast he worried that his heart might escape Law’s careful hold. “I can’t.” He had promised himself he wouldn’t worry Law anymore. 

“You can. I’m not ordering you as your captain, Ace, but I’m asking you as your friend. Tell me what you dreamed about me saying that hurt you so much.” Ace couldn’t deny him any longer, couldn’t hold it in when Law insisted with that voice that was so low and gentle, but left no room for argument. 

“You said it was my fault. That I let them die, and I’m a liability. That I don’t belong on your crew, and if I really wanted to help everyone, I would have died instead of being captured. You said I should die so I can go apologize to Pops and the others. And I’m afraid the dream you was right. That it’s my fault, and I shouldn’t have survived, and-“ Ace broke off as Law’s hand came up to hold his chin. Law must have shifted to sit facing him, and Ace was so busy blurting out borderline blasphemy against Law that he hadn’t noticed. “Uh.” 

“I am glad that you survived.” Law’s voice and eyes were unrelenting steel, his grip on Ace’s chin and heart firm but gentle, without any room for him to escape. “We are all glad that you survived. Losing Pops hurts like hell. Losing each and every one of them does. But every one of us chose to be there. We chose to risk our lives and our crews for you.” Law’s thumb rubbed lightly against the corner of Ace’s mouth, and Ace felt his disembodied heart skip a beat. “I chose to risk my family for you, because without you, my family would never have been whole again. And now you are part of my crew, as well as my family, and that means that you belong here more than ever, and I will not let you go. I am keeping your heart, and I am keeping you, Portgas D. Ace.  I don’t care what you or your nightmares think you did, or didn’t do, or should have done. You’re mine, now. You belong on this ship, on this crew. You belong with me, and you belong to me. Understand?”

Ace just stared at him, stunned and overwhelmed. His cheeks felt like they were on fire, but not from his devil fruit, because he couldn’t really feel those flames. A sound vaguely resembling a distressed cat escaped him, and Ace was mortified, but Law didn’t flinch. 

“Do you understand, Ace?” Law repeated steadily. Ace swallowed hard and tried to process what he’d been told. 

He knew Law liked him, knew they had been friends and that Ace had even been considered part of the family. But something about Law holding his face and his literal heart while insisting that he was going to keep Ace, that Ace belonged at his side, felt different. It felt important, like it meant something, even if Ace didn’t know what. 

It felt…safe. 

It felt like home. 

“I understand what you said,” Ace said softly, his voice trembling slightly. “But I don’t understand why.” 

“You’re family. You’re my friend. You’re part of my crew. Isn’t that reason enough?” Law asked. 

“But…why me?” Ace insisted. “I’m just-“

“You’re not just anything, Wildfire. You’re strong, and you’re kind, and you would fight to the death for the people you love. Hell, you almost did.”

“But-“

“But that’s not enough to convince you, is it? Well, then, maybe a more selfish reason will do it,” Law mused. His serious expression regained a hint of his usual smug look as he continued. “I’m a pirate captain. When I decide I want something valuable, I take it. And whether you think you deserve it or not, you are something valuable, and I decided I wanted you, Second Division Commander Portgas D. Ace. Deal with it.” 

Ace struggled for any kind of response, and none came to mind for several long seconds as he tried to process the frankly overwhelming tirade Law had just given him. Finally, in an attempt to relieve the crushing weight of the moment, of Law’s conviction, Ace blurted out “Are you calling me a treasure?” 

“I suppose I am,” Law smirked, his cheeks darkening a little. “If that’s too much for you, I can go back to listing all the qualities you have that make you a worthy crew member.”

“Please don’t. My heart can’t take any more of that tonight,” Ace admitted. Law leaned forward, his forehead resting on Ace’s for a moment, his expression relieved. 

“I’ll stop if you tell me about your desert reunion with Luffy. I heard you two ran into each other in Alabasta.” 

“Deal.” 

Law moved back, and settled beside Ace again, holding his heart in one hand and slid his other arm around Ace’s shoulders. Ace started his story to avoid thinking about how nice that was.

They were still talking, leaning against one another, when Cora came looking for them at dawn.

Chapter Text

Law wasn’t surprised when Ace sought him out the next night, or the next. By the fourth time, Ace had started falling asleep, leaving Law to carefully carry or shamble him to bed. By the tenth night, Ace was passing out almost as soon as he sat beside Law. 

So on the eleventh night, Law waited for Ace outside the infirmary instead of on deck. When the door opened and Ace stepped out, he froze like he’d been caught doing something wrong. 

“Uh…hi?” Ace said carefully. 

“You can’t keep falling asleep sitting up on the deck. One of these days I’m going to drop you or shamble you to the wrong place because I’m tired,” Law replied sternly. 

“Oh.” Ace’s expression fell. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think. You must be exhausted. You should sleep; I can deal with my own stupid nightmares. I really shouldn’t be bothering you with this, Captain.”

“That’s not what I was trying to say,” Law frowned. “And you know you don’t have to call me Captain.” Ace seemed confused, tilting his head as his brow furrowed. “Staying up to talk to you isn’t the issue. I can function on basically no sleep. I’m worried about your sleep. Your body might feel like it’s starting to get back to the way it was, but if you don’t take care of it, it’ll start to have problems. So instead of sitting on the deck, let’s sit somewhere comfortable. There’s a couch in the rec room, or spare bunks, or I could sit in the infirmary with you.”

“That last one feels too much like when I was still on bed rest, don’t you think?” Ace pointed out. Law had to concede the point, so he shrugged. Ace’s comfort was the point, not his own. 

“And the rec room and spare bunks?”

“I don’t want to share a room with anyone. Not when I might wake them up or something. And the rec room gets used at all hours. I don’t want to take that from the crew.” Ace sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Plus I don’t think you’d really want to have our little talks or have me fall asleep on you where the crew can see. There’s got to be somewhere on this ship that’s comfortable and soundproof.” 

Well, there was one place. But Law wasn’t sure it was a good idea to take Ace there. Just the thought of it made Law’s stupid heart trip over itself. 

“You’re sure you don’t want to just go back to the infirmary bed?” Law asked hopefully.  

“Not if there’s another option. I hate feeling weak and alone.” Ace made a face like he hadn’t meant to say quite that much, but it tugged at Law’s heart. Reluctantly, he sighed and gave in to the terrible idea that was definitely going to hurt him just as much as it might help Ace. 

“You’re not alone. Come with me; I know where you can sleep without worrying about the noise if you have another nightmare.”

“I never have nightmares when you’re there,” Ace said as he followed Law down the hall. 

“What?”

“Yeah. You didn’t notice? I haven’t woken up screaming after falling asleep on you. It’s probably not foolproof, but…”

“In that case, if you like what I have in mind, you could just start sleeping there at night,” Law blurted out before he could stop himself. He was so stupid. He knew this was a bad idea, and his stupid mouth said it anyway. 

“Really? Where’s this magical place that’s good for sleeping but also soundproof just in case I do have a nightmare?” Ace asked. Law hesitated, bracing himself for Ace’s probable indignance, maybe even anger, and then led the way around the last corner. 

“Here.” Law didn’t look at Ace’s reaction as he went to the door and opened it. Silently, Ace went to the doorway and looked inside. 

“Law, this is the captain’s quarters.” 

“It is.” 

“It’s your room.” His tone was impossible to interpret. Or maybe Law just didn’t want to let himself hear how Ace felt about the suggestion that he sleep in Law’s room. “I’m not kicking you out of your room.”

“Well, you wouldn’t get much sleep if you did.” Law forced his voice to be light and teasing. “You said me being there helps you keep the nightmares away, and you want a soundproof room. I want you to be comfortable so you can finish healing. If you sleep with me, that checks all the boxes.” He realized what that phrasing sounded like even as Ace smirked and opened his mouth to tease him - definitely not the worst possible reaction, but not good for Law’s crumbling self-control - and Law scrambled to clarify, “I’m not trying to get anything out of you-“

“Sounds more like you’re trying to get something into me,” Ace joked. Law couldn’t tell if the joke, if Ace not taking the idea seriously, was better or worse than him being mad about it. 

“Shut up.” Law glared at Ace until he held up his hands in surrender. Indignation was the best cover for his true feelings, so that’s what he went with. “I would never proposition someone on my crew. I’m the captain; that would be inappropriate.” Something flickered in Ace’s expression, but Law didn’t have time to analyze it. He had to make sure Ace didn’t get the wrong idea. “I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. It’s fine if you don’t want to; I don’t sleep much anyway, so if you can’t put up with it being my room, I’m sure I could arrange-“

“Law.” He paused, blinking at Ace, who looked unusually solemn. “Thank you. I think it’s worth trying. Can I go inside?” 

“Oh. Yeah. Yes, of course.” Law told himself he was not nervous about Ace being in his quarters. That would be stupid and childish. Ace stepped into the room and looked around, immediately zeroing in on the coin display boxes on the wall. 

“You weren’t kidding about the coin collection,” Ace whistled. “Have you been to all of these places?” Law followed him into the room and closed the door. 

“Some of them.” He watched for a moment as Ace studied the coins almost like he was searching for something. When Ace reached out for one in particular, Law felt his cheeks warm. He hadn’t realized Ace would spot that one so quickly. 

“You have one for Goa Kingdom,” Ace said softly, tracing the outline of the coin on the protective glass that covered the collection. “Have you ever been?”

“No. I haven’t been to the East Blue yet. Whitebeard always said that was Shanks’ turf,” Law replied, his voice lowered to match Ace’s without Law himself quite knowing why. Or at least he wasn’t willing to admit why, not even to himself. Not with Ace in the room, anyway. 

“I’ll show you sometime. If you want. I think Dadan and the bandits and Makino would like you.” Ace’s voice sounded strange as he said it. Law reached for his hand, just barely managing to stop himself and rest his fingertips against the glass display case instead. 

“I’d like that.” Something hung in the air between them for a moment, something Law had been trying to avoid acknowledging in Ace’s presence. He shook it away and stepped back. Ace watched him, his expression soft despite the awkwardness. Knowing that wasn’t about to get any better, Law forced himself to say, “Come see if the bed is comfortable for you.” 

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Ace hesitated, glancing over the coins once more. 

“You can stare at my belongings in the morning, after you get a full night’s sleep.” Law went to the bed and raised one eyebrow in challenge. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?” Something flickered in Ace’s eyes again, and he left the display cases and joined Law at the bed. 

“No, I haven’t.” Ace glanced at the bed, then at Law. “So…”

“It’s a bed. Just lay down,” Law snapped, covering his own awkwardness by grouching. Ace half-smiled, like Law’s response was funny, but he climbed into the bed. Law took a second to steel himself - the sight of Ace in Law’s bed was almost too much for him to handle - and then joined him. “Do you want to tell me about your nightmare?” 

“Not tonight. But…I could tell you about the time I met Red Hair Shanks.” Law nodded his approval, and Ace relaxed as he started to tell the story. 

Each night after that, they shared Law’s captain’s quarters, and Ace slept through the night. 

And if Law got more than his usual four hours of sleep, too, well, that was Law’s business. 

Eight and a Half Weeks After Marineford

Bepo watched as Law helped himself to a second cup of coffee. The action itself wasn’t unusual; in fact, Law always had at least two cups of coffee in the morning. 

The timing of it was odd, though. Law usually drained two cups and then savored his third as he read the newspaper, all within half an hour of him entering the mess for breakfast. Today, though, Law had savored his first cup, and was only pouring his second at the forty-five minute mark. He had already finished reading the paper and had moved on to a medical textbook. 

Sitting in the seat beside Law’s, Ace munched away happily at his breakfast. As Bepo watched, Ace slid his plate a little closer to Law and prodded Law’s hand with the back of a fork. Law absently let go of his coffee mug and took the fork. Bepo hadn’t realized that Ace knew about Law’s tendency to automatically use things that were put into his hands while he was focused on reading, but clearly Ace not only knew, but he had actually gotten bold enough to try taking advantage of it. 

Law didn’t seem to realize what he was doing until he had already taken a bite of the eggs from Ace’s plate. Law frowned, confused, and put down his book. 

“Something wrong?” Ace asked innocently. He didn’t fold under Law’s scowl, and Bepo had to admit that Ace was settling in well as a Heart Pirate. 

“I see what you’re doing,” Law grumbled. 

“I wasn’t trying to hide it,” Ace replied impishly. Bepo expected Law to push the plate away, like he always had before when one of the Heart Pirates exploited this particular quirk of their captain’s to try to get him to eat. Instead, Law just scowled harder and took another bite off of Ace’s plate. 

“Happy now?” Law demanded. Ace crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow. Law took another bite. Ace just kept staring. Law sighed and pushed his book aside before pulling the plate closer. 

Bepo stared in disbelief as Law actually started eating with intention. 

Something had definitely changed, and Bepo hadn’t realized it until that moment. When had it happened? What was it? Had a miracle happened, and the idiots had actually sorted out their feelings? No, that much progress was too much to hope for. 

“Much better,” Ace announced, pulling Bepo out of his thoughts. Law had actually eaten enough to constitute a small breakfast, which was more than Bepo or any of his crewmates had managed in the last ten years. Maybe Cora was right about weaponizing Law’s soft spot for Ace to get their captain to take better care of himself. 

Actually, now that Bepo was focused on his captain’s condition…it wasn’t just the coffee, or the reading, or even eating real food for breakfast. The dark circles under Law’s eyes had faded. They were definitely still there, but they were the least prominent they’d been in years. 

Law’s complexion had a better color to it, too; he didn’t look quite as pale as he had since Marineford. His fingers hadn’t done their telltale twitch to signal he was surreptitiously using his devil fruit to control his body’s reaction to hunger, exhaustion, or stress this morning.  

Bepo hadn’t caught him abusing his devil fruit in days, now that he thought about it. Something was going on with his best friend, and Bepo was determined to get to the bottom of it, even if he had to interrogate Law for days. Maybe he could employ Cora, or Marco. Shachi and Penguin weren’t subtle enough to be useful for this, but maybe Ikkaku could…Bepo glanced thoughtfully at Ace, and noticed a deeply satisfied grin on his face. He didn’t exactly seem smug, not in an overbearing way, at least. More like…he was pleased that his plan had worked. 

Maybe Bepo didn’t have to interrogate Law into admitting whatever was going on. 

Maybe Ace knew. Maybe Ace was the source. Maybe Ace was doing it on purpose, and the only mystery was how and why he was doing it. 

Maybe if Bepo could get him alone…

“Captain! Uni fucked up his wrist trying to show off again!” Ikkaku called from the doorway. 

“Maybe I should just take his arm off at the elbow,” Law mused. “Then he can’t injure his wrist anymore.” 

“But then he wouldn’t be able to spot for the rest of us anymore, either,” Ace pointed out. 

“That’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make,” Law said with a grimace. “Want to come with and learn how to tell whether a wrist is broken or sprained?”

“Maybe next time,” Ace replied. “I’m meeting Hakugan as soon as I finish breakfast.” Law’s mouth twitched, and Bepo realized he was smiling. Before lunch time. Before his third cup of coffee. 

“I’ll see you at lunch, then.” Law headed for the door, and Bepo and Ace both watched him go. They couldn’t hear what Ikkaku said to make Law scowl and stomp past her, but Bepo was willing to bet it was either more details about Uni’s injury or a jab about Ace. 

Bepo turned to his newest crewmate, trying to think of an excuse to get Ace to stay so Bepo could grill him, but Ace hasn’t budged from his seat. In fact, he was watching Bepo expectantly. 

“What’s on your mind?” Ace asked. Bepo jumped. 

“What? Nothing! Why would you say that?” Bepo blurted out. Then he wanted to kick himself; that was his opening to ask Ace what he was doing!

“I might not know you as well as Law does, but you were definitely thinking really hard about something the whole time Law was here. So what’s up?” Bepo glanced around, making sure they were alone, then steeled his nerves and stared Ace down. 

“What are you doing to my captain?” he demanded, curling his lip to reveal his fangs. Ace blinked at him, clearly shocked by the sudden display of aggression from Bepo. Good. Let him be shocked. When Ace didn’t answer right away, Bepo gave his best growl to encourage him. 

“I’m not doing anything to him!” Ace protested hastily. “I would never hurt Law.” Bepo narrowed his eyes. 

“I never said you were hurting him, just that you’re doing something to him. But now I’m suspicious.” Bepo straightened his back, reminding himself as much as Ace that he was twice Ace’s size. Ace held up his hands in a placating gesture. 

“Whoa, whoa, hold on. What’s gotten into you? Why do you think I’m doing something to Law?” 

“He ate breakfast,” Bepo snapped. “And he only had two cups of coffee. And his eye bags are practically gone.”

“Those all sound like good things,” Ace pointed out, now sounding absolutely bewildered. “But I’m not doing anything. He’s just sleeping more, that’s all.” 

Bepo’s ears flicked back and forth as he considered this. He decided Ace was still hiding something from him, so he watched the fire logia closely as he voiced his next thought. 

“Law hasn’t slept more than four to six hours a night in a decade. His eye bags have been the same default size for ten years as well. He just came off a sleep deprivation cycle a couple weeks ago, and he hasn’t started napping again yet. How could he possibly be sleeping enough to show results this fast?”

“Ah. Well. I can’t be sure about that,” Ace said, looking away. 

“But you have an idea.” It wasn’t even a question. No one avoided telling Bepo things unless they knew something would upset him. 

“I’m pretty sure it’s not exactly something I’m supposed to be talking about. If Law didn’t tell you, he must have a reason,” Ace insisted. For a second, Bepo’s feelings were hurt. Why would Law not tell him what was going on? Why did Ace know? Bepo was supposed to be Law’s best friend; he was supposed to know everything about his captain. 

Wait. 

Bepo did know something important about Law. Lots of important things, actually. 

Such as the fact that Law had been pining after Ace for almost two years at this point. 

And the fact that Law slept best next to someone he felt safe with. Bepo was his favorite napping companion, and Law had slept curled up beside Cora or in Cora’s fluffy old coat on really bad nights when they were little. He’d even dozed off on Shachi and Penguin in the past. 

Bepo also knew that Law had been concerned about Ace’s sleeping habits recently. 

All together, this could only mean one thing. 

“Oh my god, are you sleeping with my best friend?” Bepo screeched. Ace flinched and scrambled to deny it. 

“What? No! I mean yes, but - no! It’s not like that!” Ace sputtered. Bepo narrowed his eyes even further. 

“It’s not like what, Fire Fist?” Bepo demanded, looming over him. 

“We’re not dating or anything! We’re just sleeping together!” Ace blurted out. Bepo flexed his claws, incensed. Ace was just sleeping with Law? Not even dating him? Were they both even more stupid than Bepo thought?

“So you’re just using him? Taking advantage of-“

“What? No! Wait! I didn’t mean - we’re not having sex! We’re literally sleeping! Like, in the same bed!” Ace interrupted, panic rising in his eyes. Bepo blinked, processing. Then he tilted his head, incredulous. 

“You’re…sleeping. In Law’s bed. While Law also sleeps in Law’s bed. And that’s all?”

“Yes! And I think he’s sleeping really well. He seemed less grouchy the last couple of days. But I’m not…I wouldn’t…I mean, Law doesn’t…you know.” Bepo did not know, and Ace seemed to realize that, because his shoulders slumped as he continued. “Law’s not interested in me. He made that very clear when he offered to let me sleep in his quarters.” 

Bepo stared at him. At least one of them was even more stupid than Bepo had realized. Because either Ace couldn’t tell that their captain had wanted him for literal years, or Law had lied because he was sure Ace wasn’t interested in him. 

It was probably both, now that Bepo thought about it. Law would never admit his feelings, not now that Ace was a member of the crew, not unless Ace said something first. And Ace probably couldn’t tell when Law was lying. Though technically Bepo didn’t know if Ace actually felt the same way. He could tell that Ace was attracted to Law, and Ace’s disappointed slumping only confirmed that. But Bepo didn’t know Ace well enough to know if his feelings went beyond simple attraction. Whether Ace had romantic feelings for Law or not, though, he clearly respected whatever stupid lie or half-truth Law had told him. 

That meant he was doing something good, and Bepo could appreciate the increased sleep Law was getting without worrying. 

Bepo patted Ace’s back sympathetically.

“I’m sorry I was so suspicious of you,” he said solemnly. “You’re a good friend and crew member.” Ace stared at him, then slowly smiled. 

“You think so?”

“You’re taking good care of our captain,” Bepo replied easily. “I’ll make sure to cook more breakfast stuff he likes from now on.” And that was all Bepo had to say on the matter, since he wasn’t about to tell Ace how Law actually felt about him. 

If there was one more very important thing Bepo knew about his best friend, it was that Law had to do things in his own way and his own time, especially feelings things. That couldn’t be forced. 

So Bepo just smiled, patted Ace’s back again, and then headed for the bridge to check that the crew was sticking to Bepo’s pre-planned course, leaving Ace to wonder what had just happened. 

Chapter Text

Four and a Half Months After Marineford

The Heart Pirates might not be a normal pirate crew in plenty of ways - they were all technically qualified field medics, their second in command was their captain’s adopted father, they lived in bright yellow submarine - but Ace had to hand it to them. They threw a great party. It was New Year’s Eve, and Ace was amazed by the Hearts’ enthusiasm.  

The Polar Tang’s decks had been decorated during the afternoon shift. Bepo and a few other crew members had worked in shifts all day to prepare tons of food and drinks, including Ace’s favorite ghost pepper spaghetti. Shachi and Penguin had organized games with prizes that varied from tickets to get out of chores to cool things they’d apparently collected over the last year. Clione and Hakugan had made braided leather bracelets for each member of the crew, dyed with their favorite colors or etched with a pattern that seemed to mean something to each of them. 

Ace wasn’t sure why his was mostly white with a single black strip woven in, but he liked the way the leather faded into a deep red where Clione had tied it around his wrist. He’d asked about the colors, but Clione had just grinned and refused to answer. 

Ace did his best not to let on how much it affected him to be included, and given something, even if it was small. He had only just started to like the new year holiday after a couple years with the Whitebeard Pirates. After all, the next day was his birthday, which Ace did not like. Pops and the others had always done something for him, whether it was Thatch making Ace’s favorite foods and a cake like he did for every crew member’s birthday or the other Commanders giving him small gifts they thought he would like enough to not try to reject them. 

He had wondered if Marco would say something, but so far he hadn’t, at least as far as Ace could tell. It seemed like the Hearts always celebrated a new year this way.

“Ace! Here! Tell me what you think!” Jean Bart thrust a mug of dark alcohol into his hand. He blinked, surprised. The newest Heart Pirate had seemingly come out of his shell at last, and found a place assisting Bepo with cooking, including a surprise passion for experimenting with different types of mead. 

“What is it?” Ace asked, eyeing it curiously. “More of the winterberry stuff?”

“Nah, this is special. Marco had to fetch me some ingredients just for this.” Jean Bart grinned and waited for Ace to take a sip. Deciding that he wasn’t going to give up whatever recipe this was until after Ace tried it, he lifted the mug to his lips. 

This mead had a tart, citrusy flavor and an underlying heat that caught him by surprise. 

“Bart, did you make spicy booze?” Ace demanded. 

“Do you like it?” 

“Of course I do! This is great,” Ace assured him, taking another drink. The alcohol and its spicy citrus flavor might be weird for other people, but Ace loved it. 

“Good. It’s too spicy for a lot of the crew, so I’ll put aside whatever people don’t drink tonight for you, yeah?” Jean Bart offered. Ace was caught off guard by that. Reserving specific food or drinks for particular crew members wasn’t exactly common unless it was a special occasion or a particular favorite. No one dared to take the shaved ice from the freezer without asking Bepo, for example. But Ace didn’t remember telling anyone he preferred spicy foods. 

Was the ghost pepper spaghetti more than a coincidence, or had Bepo just paid attention to what he ate? Had he told Jean Bart? He hadn’t realized the Hearts were paying that much attention to him. 

“Thanks, Bart,” Ace said. He had to take another gulp of the mead to wash down the lump trying to form in his throat. Jean Bart just gave him a friendly clap on the shoulder and wandered off to play a game Penguin was running. It looked like some kind of dice game, while Shachi stood nearby and took bets. 

“So. Are you going to fake a hangover so you don’t have to talk to anyone in the morning like you did on your first New Year with us?” Marco’s voice was knowing, but also amused as he sidled up to Ace. 

“How do you know my hangover was fake?” Ace demanded. Marco scoffed like he was offended. 

“You really think the lead doctor for the Whitebeard Pirates can’t tell when someone’s faking their hangover to get out of something?” His tone softened as he added, “Law will be able to tell, too. He’ll just Scan you.” 

“I’m not stupid enough to lie to my captain,” Ace retorted. “But…I don’t know. Maybe I’ll drink a bunch and get a real hangover. Then it won’t be a lie.”

“I know you don’t love your birthday, but do me a favor?” Marco asked. Ace frowned, confused, but nodded to show he was willing. “If you start to get caught up in your head about your birthday, talk to somebody about it, okay? Don’t shut down on us.” Ace hesitated; he hated feeling like he was dragging others down, or ruining a good time. But…he knew he could talk to Marco, and he knew Law would get that sad, lonely look if he found out Ace was hiding something that bothered him. 

“I'll talk if I need to,” Ace promised. “Don’t worry about me.”

“That’s not really how family works,” Marco chuckled. “But I haven’t gotten to spend New Year’s with Rosi in a few years, so I’m definitely getting my midnight kiss this year.” Marco wandered off, and Ace remembered that several of the other Whitebeard Commanders had mentioned traditions from their home islands that involved kissing someone at midnight. He’d always thought it was a stupid tradition. Why would anyone do that just because it was the end of the old year and the start of the new? 

Ace’s eyes landed on Law, who was on the upper deck, leaning on the railing and watching his crew with that soft, proud smile that he only showed when he was sure his crewmates weren’t looking. 

The fleeting thought that a midnight kiss would be a good excuse to kiss Law and have an out afterwards if Law didn’t like it crossed his mind. 

But no. No matter how much he might want the Heart Pirate captain, Law was his captain, now, too, and they were closer than ever. Ace wouldn’t risk what he had with Law already just for a kiss. 

He shook thoughts of kissing Law away, finished off his mug of mead, and went to get another. 

He distracted himself with some of the games Shachi and Penguin had organized, and even won a few times, earning himself a few of the tickets and trinkets they had, including one ticket that supposedly would get him a tattoo from the crew’s tattoo artist. Ace had always admired the Hearts’ tattoos, especially Law’s, and he had been thinking about getting another, so he tucked that prize away in his pocket where it would be safe. The pleased look Shachi and Penguin exchanged when he mentioned he was excited about the possibility of a new tattoo didn’t quite make sense, but Ace decided not to overthink it. 

Ikkaku waved him over when he was halfway through his third mug of spicy mead, and made him promise to come see what she and some of their crewmates had been working on lately. Once he’d promised to do so, Ikkaku glanced up towards the upper deck and then got a sly look on her face. 

“So, Ace, are you gonna kiss someone at midnight?” she asked. Ace grimaced and threw back the rest of his mead. He was not going to think about cornering Law as midnight approached. 

“I’m not planning to,” Ace grumbled. “Doubt anyone’s looking to get kissed by me, anyway.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised,” Ikkaku muttered. Ace frowned, curious, but Ikkaku just waved it off and continued. “Is there someone you’d want to kiss?” she asked. Ace’s thoughts snagged once more on Law. 

“Not really,” Ace lied, trying to ignore the blush that wanted to rise in his cheeks. Time to deflect, hard. “Why? You looking to kiss me?” he joked. 

“Not unless you’re looking to switch up your pronouns,” Ikkaku replied with a grin. Ace raised his empty mug in acknowledgement. 

“Why do you care, then?” Ace asked. 

“I just get this feeling that you joined the crew for a reason,” she explained. Ace studied her for a second, then sighed. If anyone on the Heart crew could be trusted with this…it was probably Ikkaku. 

“If I tell you, I’m gonna need another drink, and you can’t tell anyone. Especially him,” Ace insisted. 

“Of course. I won’t tell a soul. Let’s get you that drink and we’ll talk,” Ikkaku said. 

Ace woke up with a pounding headache and muddled memories of the night before. He remembered drinking with Ikkaku, something soft against his lips, and a flash of Law’s golden eyes. 

Had he actually…fuck, he hoped not. If he’d ruined everything because he got drunk and couldn’t control himself…

He pushed himself upright, and realized he was in Law’s bed. So he probably hadn’t ruined everything, then. Except Law wasn’t there, so…maybe he had? Fuck, had he really managed to fuck up like that? Had he actually…

“Oh, good, you’re awake.” Law stepped into his quarters, carrying a tray with what smelled like food on it, though the plates were covered. “Give me a second to fix you up, and then you can eat something.” 

“Fix me?” Ace grumbled, wincing as his head throbbed. 

“I bet you have a hell of a hangover,” Law replied, smirking a little. Ace grimaced, and Law’s smirk grew as he set the tray on the bedside table. Then he drew Kikoku and summoned a Room. Ace held still and didn’t protest as the blade passed painlessly through his body. Ace closed his eyes and focused on not letting his body catch fire, since he knew by now that being on fire made things a lot harder for Law. Barely a minute later, Law’s hands were guiding the pieces of Ace’s body back together, and the Room faded away, leaving Ace hangover-less but still with muddled memories. “How much do you remember from last night?” Law asked. Ace hesitated, which just made Law frown. Ace didn’t want Law to be frustrated with him, not today.

“I remember drinking too much with Ikkaku, and not a lot after that. I know around midnight I remember you being there, but…” Ace decided to try an approach that definitely wouldn’t give Law the wrong idea about how Ace may or may not feel about him. “We didn’t do something cheesy like kiss at midnight, did we?”

“No. You weren’t that drunk,” Law replied with a chuckle that didn’t sound quite right. “And don’t worry, I wouldn’t let you do something you’d regret; I just dragged you back here and put you to bed.” 

“Oh, good.” Ace relaxed, though he did wonder why Law’s voice sounded off. Before he could figure out how to ask, Law retrieved the tray he’d been carrying earlier and set it in front of Ace. 

“I brought breakfast, and Marco sent something for you.” Ace knew what it would be even before Law moved the covered dishes on the tray to reveal the vibrant petals of a hibiscus flower. 

“I don’t know where he finds these,” Ace murmured as he picked the flower up. 

“They mean something special, then.” Law sounded like he’d already known that, but he’d been waiting on confirmation. 

“My mother supposedly loved them. Marco managed to get me one last year for…” Ace trailed off, uncertain. Did he want Law to know? He hated his birthday, the anniversary of his mother’s death, the day that his birth cursed the world, but he couldn’t help wondering what Law would say if he knew. Would Law wish him a happy birthday? Would he say he was glad that Ace had survived another year? Would he try to find a present for him?

“Ace?” Shit, he’d trailed off, and now he’d been quiet for too long. Law was studying him like he was a patient, with that stupid cute crease in the middle of his forehead. 

“Sorry. Guess I’m still feeling the hangover a little,” he lied. Law raised one eyebrow and Ace braced himself to be called out - Law had just cured his hangover, that was a stupid lie, and why was Ace even lying to his captain, his friend, when he could just tell the truth? What if he pissed Law off - or worse, hurt him - by lying?

“Food will help,” Law said instead of calling Ace on his bullshit. “Go ahead and eat.” Ace hesitated, knowing this was probably his last chance to come clean about it being his birthday. But Law wasn’t paying attention to him, at least not directly. He started uncovering various dishes, and Ace decided it could wait. 

He didn’t want to ruin the morning by bringing up how much he usually hated the first day of a new year. 

After breakfast, Law handed Ace off to Ikkaku and a handful of the crew, who had built a new and improved version of his old Striker skiff. When he asked what made them do that, Ikkaku just told him a new year should have new things in it. 

Other crew members handed him things throughout the day. He got a new cowboy hat from Penguin, and a new knife from Shachi. There was a woven bracelet from Hakugan, and snacks or trinkets from half a dozen others. 

Bepo made Ace’s favorite Goa-style ramen for lunch, and Ace didn’t even know how Bepo had known the options for ramen the way Goa made it, let alone what ingredients were Ace’s favorite. 

Even their dinner was more of Ace’s favorite foods, but when Ace asked him about it, Bepo just told him that the Polar Tang’s crew always had this kind of food for the new year. 

Ace didn’t know what to think. 

That evening, when he returned to Law’s quarters, Ace was feeling overwhelmed and a little - maybe a lot - suspicious that they all knew somehow. But he was unwilling to ruin an actually good birthday by saying anything, so he had kept quiet all day. If they didn’t know it was his birthday, he wasn’t going to tell them. 

He paused in front of Law’s coin collection, studying the pieces on display. Law had told him about most of them, how old they were, where they were from, even the stories of how he’d gotten them. 

Ace reached up and touched the glass over the coin from the Goa Kingdom. Law knew that was Ace’s home. Ace had told him enough stories about his childhood since they had become friends, just like Ace knew about Law’s birth family, about his first parents and his little sister, and about how he and Cora had become family. 

Ace’s attention strayed to the coins displayed around the one from Goa. Some of them looked oddly familiar, but he was sure he didn’t know their stories, despite having slept in Law’s quarters for a little over two months. He knew the details of over half of Law’s collection, but not the half dozen coins in the same case as the one from his own home island. Ace leaned closer, squinting at the engravings on the coins. 

One of them was from Abies, where Law and Ace had worked together for the first time. It had the island’s name and an engraved pine tree on it. 

Another was from Togen, the neighboring island where they’d wiped out the corrupt leadership. That one had a cross embedded in it that had rounded ends almost like bones. It looked like the Whitebeard Jolly Roger without the skull and mustache. 

Ace didn’t remember Abies having their own berri mint, and Togen hadn’t been under Whitebeard’s control when Ace and Law had been there. 

Had Law gone back to those islands? But why? Surely not just for the coins. 

There were a few others that Ace didn’t recognize, including one that had a Marine logo stamped on it, and another with a sun and eight curved marks around it. 

“If you’re looking for a story, you already know that one.” Ace jumped and whirled to face the door, where Law was leaning against the doorframe, watching him. His eyes were soft, and his usual smirk had no bite to it. 

“No, I don’t.” Ace was sure he’d remember if Law had told him about those coins. He remembered all of the stories Law had told him about the origins and acquisition of each coin. 

“Sure, you do.” Law pushed off the door frame and crossed the space between them. He pointed to the Abies and Togen coins. “These are from the islands you and I visited during our first joint operation.” He pointed to another coin. “This one is from Drum Island, which has been on my list to visit for a while, but I haven’t been able to go since my log pose keeps locking on to different routes and I don’t have an eternal pose for it. But you were there while you were on your own, hunting Blackbeard.” He pointed to the sun coin next. “This one is from Alabasta, where you and Luffy reunited. The one with the Marine insignia is from Marineford. The snake coin next to it is from Amazon Lily. The Pirate Empress let us have one since we saved Luffy’s life. And this one…” Law rested a finger on the glass over the last coin. It was old, its details lost under years of corrosion. “I found this one on the beach after you agreed to join my crew.”  

Ace finally understood what Law meant when he said Ace already knew the story; because those coins told pieces of Ace’s own history. No, wait. Law had been trying to track him down before Marineford. These were places Ace had been with Law or while Law was looking for him. 

It was their story. 

Law had a separate display dedicated to the moments and places that helped shape their relationship, and Ace wouldn’t even tell him that it was his birthday. 

“Law…” Ace turned to look at him, and found Law watching him closely, like he was worried about what Ace might say. As if Ace could be anything but overwhelmed at realizing that he quite literally had a special place in Law’s most prized collection. 

Suddenly, the passing thought Ace had ignored that morning returned. 

What would Law say if he knew it was Ace’s birthday? In that moment, Ace needed to know. 

“Today is-“

“Before you say anything,” Law interrupted. “I have something for you.” Ace blinked as Law reached into his pocket and pulled out two folded pieces of paper. 

“You got me something?” Ace realized. “But why…” Then it hit him. “You already know, don’t you?”

“Know what?” Law asked, even though his expression completely gave him away. 

“You know that it was my birthday today.” 

“Correction: it is your birthday today. We still have a few hours,” Law pointed out. His tone was a little smug as he added, “Did you really think I didn’t know? I know the birthday of every member of my crew, and how they like to celebrate. So I also know that you hate making a big deal about your birthday.” 

“Did Marco tell you?” Ace demanded. It was the only thing he could think of. 

“Yes, but not this year. He told us last year, when he was looking for places to find that flower for you. We helped him scout islands that might have it. So we knew when it was, and that you don’t like to make a big deal about it.”

“So he made sure everyone kept it low key?” Ace guessed. 

“He didn’t have to. We all respect you enough to not make a big deal out of something you don’t enjoy. There are a few other crew members who don’t like their birthdays, too, so don’t go thinking you’re an inconvenience or anything,” Law added knowingly.  

“That’s not…” The protest died on his tongue. He was absolutely about to start thinking about all the trouble everyone had gone to in order to not only do nice, thoughtful things for him on his birthday but to be nonchalant about it and not mention the fact that it even was his birthday, and he was definitely going to end up kicking himself for being a burden. “Okay, fine. I’ll try not to worry about it.” 

“Good. Then I can give you my gift now.” 

“You don’t have to-“

“I wanted to get you something,” Law interrupted. “To remind you just how much you mean to all of us, but especially to me.” Ace’s stupid heart was doing flips in its cube, he could feel it. Law held out the two pieces of paper, and as he took them, Ace realized that one was a full sheet, while the other was much smaller and had clearly been torn from a larger piece. He unfolded them, and found that both the large sheet and the smaller torn piece were blank. 

It took a second, but then Ace realized what they were. 

“Vivre cards?” he said, tilting his head. 

“Yes. This one-“ Law tapped the full sheet. “-is yours. I would appreciate it if you agreed to let me have a piece, so I can keep track of you if you go running off on your own again, but you don’t have to-“ He broke off as Ace immediately ripped almost a quarter of the paper off and held it out to him. 

“Of course I want you to have a piece,” Ace said. “How did you manage to get this made without me noticing? Did you have it done on one of the islands Bepo restocked on?”

“As if I would allow a stranger to handle material that could help them keep tabs on my crew,” Law scoffed. “I made it.”

“You made it,” Ace repeated, amazed. “That’s incredible, Law! Does that mean you make a Vivre card for every crew member?” 

“Yes.” Law tucked the scrap of paper away. Ace folded his Vivre card once more and shoved it into his pocket. It made him feel warm and included to have a Vivre card, like the other Hearts. Though a tiny part of him wanted to be disappointed that Law had given him something he gave to every crew member. Ace reminded himself that that’s what he was; a crew member. He was being greedy, wishing for something special. 

“Thank you,” he said out loud. Law smirked a little, and Ace hoped that his thoughts hadn’t shown in his expression. 

“That’s not your birthday present. The other one is.” Ace blinked, then looked at the smaller piece of Vivre Card, which he still had in his hand. Law had handed him a full sheet, and Ace had torn off the piece to give Law. This other piece that Law had given him couldn’t have been from Ace’s new Vivre card. 

“Whose…” Ace trailed off, staring at the little piece in his hand as it tugged gently against his hold, leaning in the direction of Law himself. He looked up at Law, wide-eyed. “Is this yours?” He didn’t wait for Law to answer; he didn’t need to. He could see the answer in Law’s eyes, even if the paper straining towards him wasn’t already its own answer. 

“You have a home here, with me. You should always be able to find your way back to it. Back to me. Where you belong.” Law’s words were soft and sure. Ace held the fragment of Law’s Vivre Card in both hands, feeling a little overwhelmed. Even if Law gave pieces of his own Vivre Card to everyone on the crew like he made Vivre cards of each crew member, Ace couldn’t help feeling special and guilty at the same time. 

This was a display of trust, of how much Ace belonged. And Ace couldn’t help feeling unworthy of it. 

He was the reason Pops was gone. 

He was the reason Law was laying low. He was the reason they were separated from the rest of their family. 

“Are you sure?” Ace said before he could stop himself. 

“About what? Wanting you back if you were ever separated from me?” Law asked, studying Ace in a quiet, knowing sort of way that made Ace wonder wildly for a second if Law could use his Scan ability to read his mind. “Of course I’m sure, Wildfire. If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have invited you to sleep in my bed every night.” Ace blushed at the phrasing, but shoved the images Law’s words conjured aside. 

“How are you so convinced that I’m…worth all of this?” 

“I know what I want, Wildfire.” Law’s fingers gently gripped Ace’s chin, tilting his head up slightly. They were so close to each other that Ace could feel Law’s words on his cheek as he continued, “I know what you’re worth, and it’s everything. Giving you a way to keep track of me, to find your way home no matter how far you might wander or what path you might take in the future, is just a token of that.” Ace shivered and had to focus on making sure his knees didn’t give out. To distract himself, he blurted out the thing he’d been wondering but hadn’t quite been willing to ask before that very moment. 

“So if you make a Vivre Card for everyone, does everyone get a piece of yours, too?” He’d been afraid of the answer before, a part of him wanting to believe that the answer was no. But now he was kind of hoping the answer was yes, so that he could convince himself that he was just another crew member, that there was no special meaning in the way Law’s eyes darkened as he said that Ace was worth everything. 

“No, Wildfire. Very few people have part of my Vivre Card.” Law’s words washed over him, a wave of warmth and comfort that Ace had both craved and dreaded. “Only Cora, Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin have pieces. The old man used to have one, but I don’t know what happened to it.” For a moment, the mention of Pops reminded Ace of all that they had lost, all that had happened because of him. 

Then he realized that he was the only one to have a piece of Law’s Vivre Card that had known him for less than ten years. 

Law had put Ace at the same level as the people closest to him, even compared to the rest of the Heart crew or the Whitebeard Pirates who had known him longer. 

“Law…you’re really sure? That I’m the one you want to give this to? That I’m…” worthy, wanted, important-

“You’re everything, Ace.” Law smiled, a warm, tender smile that Ace wasn’t sure he’d ever seen before. “Yes, I’m sure. I’m not going to change my mind about that, either. And I hope you’ll forgive me for making a slightly bigger deal out of your birthday than I had originally planned, but I need to say something.” Ace stared, realizing that Law’s eyes were so close that Ace could see flecks of deeper gold in them. “Thank you for being born.” Law gently tugged Ace’s chin down a little as he leaned in, closing the last bit of distance between them to press a gentle kiss to Ace’s forehead. 

Something in Ace settled into place, something that he hadn’t quite realized he’d been missing. It filled the space left by his heart as it sat safely in Law’s pocket, and it felt like warmth and safety and belonging. 

It felt like home, the way that the tree house he’d shared with Sabo and Luffy was home, the way the Piece of Spadille and the Moby Dick were home. 

Ace clutched the piece of Law’s Vivre Card he’d been given in one hand and brought the other up to hold onto Law’s forearm, steadying himself as he blinked against the way his eyes stung. 

“Ace?” Law prompted quietly, his eyes searching Ace’s expression for something. Ace wasn’t sure what Law would find if he let him look for too long, so he leaned forward and dropped his head to rest on Law’s shoulder. He didn’t think this was the best moment for Law to accidentally see too much and realize how Ace felt about him. “Are you okay?” Ace lifted his head and gave Law a smile that he hoped didn’t look quite as wobbly as it felt. 

“Yeah, Law. I actually am. It’s just really good to be home.” 

Chapter Text

Six months after Marineford

Law held his book up with one hand, lips pursed in concentration. The light from the Tang’s windows was just bright enough to read by, and the warm night air was comforting. Bepo must have thought so, too, because he was snoring away, curled around Law’s back so Law could lean against his fluffy fur while he read. 

“I’m surprised you’re still up. You usually get dragged off to sleep before now,” Cora observed as he walked up the gangplank. Law didn’t flinch; he was used to Cora appearing out of nowhere, especially since he’d learned to use his devil fruit to silence observation haki on top of more mundane things like voices. 

“It’s game night; when they’re finished I’ll go to bed. Besides, I thought you and Marco were spending some quality alone time on the other side of the island,” Law replied, turning the page. 

“Someone else had other ideas, apparently.” Marco’s words made Law finally look up. He saw Cora in his usual boiler suit, though his hair was ruffled like he had definitely been sleeping. Or something. Law shuddered internally and glanced at Marco, who always looked a little rumpled and sleepy. Neither of them looked injured or even particularly upset, which was good news for the third person they’d brought with them. If Law’s parents had been upset or injured by the stranger, Law would’ve had to kill him on principle. 

Said third person was about Law’s height, blond, with a burn scar on the left side of his face. He was dressed well, though the pipe that Cora carried was a distinct contrast to his outfit if it did belong to the stranger, like Law thought. There was a haggard look to him, like he had barely slept in the last few weeks or months, that Law sympathized with. 

“Does someone else have a name?” Law asked. 

“I’m Sabo,” the stranger answered easily. Law recognized the name immediately. Six months ago, he’d have said it was impossible for this to be the same person whose name Law knew. But six months ago, Law had successfully convinced the world that Ace was dead, despite him being very much alive in Law’s ship at that very moment. It would explain the exhausted and bereaved look in his eyes, too. 

“And what do you want, Sabo?” 

“I want to find someone, and as far as I can tell, you were the last person to see him alive.” Sabo’s eyes were steady, and there was a determined intensity to him that matched the person Law thought he might be. 

“Who are you looking for? Though I have to warn you, I am a pirate. I don’t do anything without payment,” Law warned. Cora and Marco gave him matching frowns behind and above Sabo’s head. 

“Of course. I’ll make sure you’re compensated for any information you can give me,” Sabo promised. Law raised one eyebrow; this guy was more serious than he’d expected, if he was in fact the person Law had heard about. 

“Tell me who you’re looking for, then. I don’t like repeating myself,” Law said flatly. Sabo stood firm as he answered. 

“I’m looking for Straw Hat Luffy. You took him into your ship after Marineford, so you must know where he is. Or at least where he was.” 

“I do know what island I left him on,” Law acknowledged. “But I don’t know where he went since then.”

“Where? Anything helps,” Sabo insisted. 

“You’ll have to pay my price first,” Law said. Sabo bristled, his fingers clenching like he wanted to bash Law over the head with the pipe Cora had confiscated from him. It took a second for Sabo to regain control of himself, but when he did, his voice was firm and steady. 

“What price?”

“I know of someone named Sabo that Luffy would be happy to be reunited with,” Law told him, watching intently for Sabo’s reaction. “Are you the person I’m thinking of?” He read surprise in the slight widening of Sabo’s eyes, and sadness or possibly regret in the twist of his mouth. 

“I wish I could have been there for him,” Sabo said grimly. “Maybe if I was there, things would be different. Maybe Luffy and I wouldn’t be the only ones left.” 

“The only ones?” Law pressed. Sabo drew himself up, like he was deciding something he’d been arguing with himself about for a while. 

“Luffy is my little brother. Ace was our brother, too. I should have been there, but I didn’t remember anything about my childhood, not until I saw in the paper that Ace was…” 

“You don’t look like you’re related to either of them,” Law said, a little meanly. He couldn’t afford to reveal anything yet. Not until he was sure. 

“We weren’t born brothers. But we drank sake together and swore that no matter what, we’d always be brothers. Luffy is the only family I have left, and I can’t let him go through this alone anymore.” Sabo straightened up for a second, then bent forward at the waist in a perfectly polite bow. “Please, Captain Trafalgar. I have to see my brother.” 

“Fine.” Law glanced at Cora and Marco. “I’ll take this from here; you two can go back to the cabin.” Cora hesitated, looking concerned, but Marco took his hand and gave him a meaningful glance. 

“Law can handle this part,” Marco murmured. “Let’s go.” 

“Be safe. Call if you need us,” Cora said as he handed Law the pipe. Law took it, spun it in his hand, and then eyed Sabo thoughtfully. 

“Does that mean you believe me?” Sabo asked. 

“Almost.” Law turned toward his ship. “Follow me.”

“You have a map to where Luffy is?” Sabo sounded confused and more than a little suspicious. 

“Not exactly.” Law paused in the doorway to the Tang’s lower decks. “You can walk away right now, or you can follow me and get the information you paid for.” 

Sabo followed. 

Law led him to the rec room, where a few crew members were playing cards. They quickly dispersed with a glare and a meaningful gesture from Law, leaving one crew member dozing on the couch. His orange boiler suit, which he wore unzipped and tied around his waist, set him apart from the others, and the black tank top he wore covered most of the scars that might give away his identity. The shoulder that was visible was even the one that bore his birthday tattoo from Shachi and Penguin - a Heart Pirate Jolly Roger - instead of the one with his trademark misspelled tattoo. He was snoring, with his new cowboy hat pulled down over his face, hiding it from view. 

“I don’t understand,” Sabo said, frowning as he looked around. “Why did I have to come down here to hear where Luffy is?”

“You didn’t,” Law admitted. “But I’m not telling you where Luffy is or even where he was.” 

“But-“ Sabo’s protest broke off at Law’s glare. 

“I don’t know where Luffy is, and I won’t tell anyone where he was. But I will show you something. Just know that if you so much as think about telling anyone about this, I will kill you, and nothing he says will save you. Understand?”

“Nothing who says?” Sabo demanded, bewildered and clearly upset. Law smirked and reached down to gently caress a freckled cheek, visible under the brim of the cowboy hat. 

“Wake up, Wildfire. I’ve got a surprise for you,” Law murmured. Ace stirred, grumbled, and sat up, his hat falling to his lap. Sabo let out a sound that was absolutely broken. 

“You ready for bed already?” Ace mumbled. He yawned and blinked at Law. “Wait, did you say surprise?” Law stepped back and gestured to their guest. Ace stared at the stranger for a second, processing. 

“You’re alive?” Sabo outright sobbed as he took two quick steps toward Ace, only stopped from throwing himself at him by Law’s outstretched hand. 

“I’m alive? You’re alive!” Ace blurted out, scrambling to his feet. “I mean, I think you’re…”

“It’s me,” Sabo sniffled. “Ace…how are you alive? I saw the papers, your body…”

“Are you kidding? Everyone saw you explode!” Ace countered. Law stepped back as the two stumbled over the last bit of distance between them, clinging to each other. He set Sabo’s pipe aside and grabbed a chair, sitting backwards on it so he could rest his arms and chin across the back. He was starting to wish he’d brought his book with him when Ace and Sabo finally separated. 

“How did you survive?” Sabo whispered. “I heard all about it. They put pictures in the paper. They saw your Vivre card burn, Ace.”

“Law saved me. He saved Luffy, too. If it wasn’t for him, Luffy and I would be haunting you right now,” Ace answered. Sabo turned his attention to Law, something complicated crossing his expression.

“You saved both of my brothers. You’ve been laying low for six months. You won’t even tell me where Luffy is, and I got the impression that you didn’t even tell the surviving Whitebeard Pirates that Ace was alive and with you.”

“The world’s a crazy place right now,” Law pointed out, his tone purposefully mild. 

“You’ve done so much to protect my family. How can we ever repay you?” Sabo asked. Law rolled his eyes, exasperated. 

“I didn’t do it for your family. I did it for mine.” He gave Sabo his best intimidating glare as he added, “I didn’t bring you down here and show you Ace was alive for you, either. I did it for Ace. To be clear, I don’t know you. I don’t trust you. But Ace needed to know you’re alive, so I took a risk. And if you make me regret that risk, I will still kill you and anyone else - everyone else - you tell.” It was probably revealing too much of his own hand to threaten Sabo that way, but that was just another risk he’d just have to take for Ace. 

“Law! You can’t just threaten my brother like that!” Ace complained. Law just shrugged. 

“Ace really means a lot to you, huh?” Sabo said quietly, like he had realized something important. He bowed, deeper than he had before when he’d asked for Law’s help. “Thank you for taking care of my brothers. I know you didn’t do it for my sake, but I’m still grateful. If there’s anything you want from me, please just say so.”

“Well, since you’re offering…”

“Law!” Ace scolded. Law ignored him and kept talking. 

“I want to know how you found us.” Ace hesitated a little when he heard that, a curious look coming over him as he glanced at Sabo.

“That’s actually a good point,” he admitted. Sabo looked a little sheepish. 

“Well…to start with, the reason I didn’t show myself sooner was because I didn’t remember anything from  before Dragon and the Revolutionary Army pulled me out of the ocean after the explosion that everyone thought killed me. So I wasn’t avoiding you and Luffy on purpose, I genuinely didn’t know I had any family to go back to. And then when I saw the paper, with the picture of your dead body…it all came rushing back.”

“If I’d known all it took to resurrect my dead brother was getting myself killed, I would’ve gotten arrested way sooner,” Ace muttered. Law glared at him, and Ace chuckled nervously and stepped behind Sabo. 

“Please don’t say things like that,” Sabo sighed. 

“Unfortunately, I agree with Sabo,” Law put in grouchily. “Unless you need another pep talk about your self worth.” 

“Anyway, Sabo, you were saying…?” Ace prompted hastily. Sabo gave him a dubious look but continued. 

“I knew that the Polar Tang took Luffy after the battle, but no one knew where he was, even after the ringing of the ox bell at Marineford. So I tried to find you through people who might know you better than the RA’s usual contacts. I tracked down three different former high-ranking Whitebeard Pirates before I was able to convince one to help me. He gave me a weird look when he heard my name, but then it turned out he had a Vivre card for Marco the Phoenix. He said he didn’t know how to find you, or whether he trusted me or not, but that Marco could make the call. So he gave me a scrap of Marco’s Vivre card, which led me to this island. Marco and that guy he was with didn’t believe me at first, and the guy with him wanted to dispose of me, but I think Marco believed in who I was. Then they took my pipe and brought me to your ship.” Sabo shrugged helplessly. “And now I’m here. I don’t know what else you want me to say.” 

“That’s what I wanted to know,” Law replied. At least they hadn’t left any clues behind. It took a Vivre card to find them, which meant they were as successful at staying under the radar as he could have hoped. That was a relief. “I’ll let you two catch up, then.”

“You’re going to bed?” Ace asked, sounding torn. 

“I’m going to my quarters, yes. I can wait up for you if you want.” Law hesitated, then added softly, “Unless you’ve changed your mind.” Ace froze, clearly understanding what Law meant. 

“I’m not changing my mind, Law. I’ll see you in a little bit.” Law couldn’t help but smile as he reached up and tugged a stray lock of Ace’s hair before tucking it behind his ear.

“Good. Because I’m not changing mine, either.” He left the brothers to their reunion, then, slightly reassured that Ace wouldn’t leave when his brother did. 

There was still time, though. Law knew he could never change his mind or heart about Ace, but Ace deserved the chance to do whatever made him happy. And if it turned out that six months was all Ace was willing to give him, then so be it. 

Chapter Text

Ace watched Law go with a frown. He knew that look Law had in his eye when he turned away; he wasn’t completely convinced that Ace wouldn’t follow Sabo away from the Polar Tang and her captain. 

“So…are you sleeping with your new captain?” Sabo asked casually. 

“What?” Ace sputtered, completely caught off guard. “Of course not! He’s not- we’ve never- why the fuck would you say that?” Sabo just stared at him, completely unimpressed. 

“Did you or did you not just promise you’d go to his quarters later?” Sabo demanded. 

“I mean, yeah, but it’s not like that!” Ace protested. 

“It’s the middle of the night, Ace, what else could it possibly be like?” Sabo insisted. Ace just gaped at his brother, trying to figure out a response. When Sabo put it like that, it sounded like…well, exactly like Sabo thought it sounded. But it wasn’t, no matter how much Ace wished it was. 

“Look, we sleep together, but-“

“So you are having sex!”

“No! I mean literally sleeping!” Ace groaned and dropped his face into his hands. This was embarrassing. “Look, it’s just that…ever since Marineford, I get these nightmares. Where everyone is blaming me for what happened and nobody wants me. And if I sleep next to Law, I don’t get them as often, but when I do, I wake up and he’s there to remind me that the nightmare is wrong. That someone does want me.”

“So he wants to fuck you and you don’t like him?” Sabo asked, sounding more than a little confused. 

“What? No, that’s not what I said!” Ace grimaced and flopped onto the couch. “Of course I like him. I mean, you’ve met him. Who wouldn’t like him?”

“Pretty sure anyone who’s heard of the Surgeon of Death and doesn’t want to die wouldn’t like him,” Sabo muttered. Ace glared at him, and Sabo rolled his eyes. “Okay, sure, the guy is hot. But he’s also objectively completely terrifying. I was pretty sure he was going to kill me until he woke you up.” 

“He’s not that bad. I guess he has a bit of a scary gremlin side, but…he’s a good guy. He’s a good captain who takes care of his crew.” Ace couldn’t stop his cheeks from heating in embarrassment as he admitted, “He takes good care of me. He doesn’t let me doubt my place here, you know?” He absently rubbed at the edge of the empty space beneath his shirt where his heart would be if it wasn’t in Law’s pocket. He hadn’t felt Law fidgeting with his heart since he left. Was he okay? Maybe Ace should have gone with him…

“Oh my god, you do like him!” Sabo blurted out, interrupting Ace’s worry. Ace turned bright red and glared at Sabo. 

“I can’t believe I’ve had my brother back for ten minutes and you’re already acting like this,” he grumbled. 

“I might be a little out of practice, but I’m still your brother. This is my solemn duty,” Sabo replied, sitting next to him on the couch. “Spill.”

“Is this seriously what you want to talk about?” Ace demanded. “Me and my stupid feelings?”

“Oh my god, you have feelings for him?” Sabo gasped. 

“I can’t believe my brother has been resurrected for ten minutes and now I’m going to have to kill him myself,” Ace said forlornly. Sabo ignored that and leaned closer. 

“So if you have feelings for him, why aren’t you sleeping with him? Are you more ace than I remember, Ace? Or maybe Trafalgar is?”

“That was terrible. You’re terrible.” Ace sighed, bracing himself to confess something he’d never said out loud before. “Look, I’m not going to lie. I love him, and I’d do anything to make him happy. But he just sees me as part of his crew, his family. I’m not even on his romantic radar. And I get it; I’m just me. I wouldn’t expect him to be interested. I don’t need him to return my feelings; it’s enough just to be close to him so I can try to take care of him in return for everything he’s done for me.”

“You think that man isn’t interested in you romantically?” Sabo repeated. For some reason, he looked and sounded incredulous and borderline horrified. “That man, who was ready to kill me if I wasn’t actually who I said I was? That man, who still might kill me if he thinks it’ll protect you? That man, who woke you up with a fucking caress and then said goodbye by tucking your hair behind your ear and staring longingly into your eyes? You think that man doesn’t have you on his romantic radar?” 

“You’re making it sound weird,” Ace objected. “That’s just what he’s like with his crew.”

“Really? The Surgeon of Death just goes around waking anyone and everyone up by petting their cheeks and lets any crew member climb into his bed?” 

“Well, not just anyone. But he naps with Bepo all the time,” Ace insisted. “You’re overthinking things. We’re friends. Family, even. But that’s it.”

“You're an idiot,” Sabo replied. “I saw the way he looks at you, Ace. That’s not a platonic or familial look.”

“What look?” Ace frowned, confused. Law hadn’t looked any different than he usually did, except for that forlorn face at the end. 

“The one where he looks at you like you’re the stars, or the sea.” 

“He ate a devil fruit, he looks at the sea like it’s annoying at best,” Ace objected. 

“You’re missing the point. Ace, that man is absolutely smitten with you.” 

“You’re wrong,” Ace insisted. Sabo opened his mouth to keep pressing, but Ace cut him off. “Law doesn’t hide his feelings, at least not from me. If he was interested in me, he’d have said something. But he hasn’t. And I’m okay with that. I lost almost everything at Marineford. As long as I can stay with Law, whatever he wants that to look like, I’m happy. I promise. But that’s old news; tell me about you. You said Dragon and the Revolutionaries saved you, right?” Sabo frowned, but Ace wanted to know what his presumed-dead brother had been up to. “Does that mean you’re a Revolutionary, now, too?” Sabo sighed and seemingly gave in. 

“Yeah, I’m a Revolutionary. I’m actually the Chief of Staff, so second in command after Dragon.”

That was more like it! Ace grinned. He couldn’t wait to hear everything. 

They were still swapping stories back and forth when Ikkaku stuck her head into the rec room some time later.

“Ace? Who’s this? And where’s Law?” she asked, frowning sharply at him and Sabo. 

“Ikkaku! This is my brother, Sabo! Sabo, Ikkaku is our best mechanic.” Ace beamed as he introduced them. “And Law’s in his quarters. I was just going to…” Ace froze. “What time is it? You sleep during the night shift.”

“It’s after sunrise. Bepo’s already made breakfast, that’s why I came to find you.” Ikkaku studied him for a second, then gently said, “You two go ahead and get some food. I’ll grab our Captain.” Ace hesitated, guilt tugging at him. He’d told Law he’d be right there, and then he’d left him waiting all night. How long had Law waited up for him? 

“No, wait. I’ll go wake him up,” Ace said. “Sabo…”

“I’ll go get food,” Sabo announced. “Unless something drastic has changed, I’d better start before you get there if I want to eat at all.” Ace made a face at him, but he was grateful that Sabo’s manners and situational awareness had apparently stuck with him and grown over their years apart. He waved Ikkaku and Sabo off toward the mess hall, then headed for Law’s quarters. 

When he got there, he knocked, but didn’t get an answer. He eased the heavy door open and peered inside, only for his heart to drop as he realized the room was empty. His attention snagged on the cube sitting on Law’s beside table, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably. Where had Law gone? Why hadn’t he taken Ace’s heart with him?

Ace did a quick circuit of the most common places for Law to be - the surgical suite, the neighboring infirmary, the bridge, even the upper decks. 

Nothing. Ace frowned, worry mounting as he reluctantly headed for the mess hall, hoping that maybe Law had already gone for breakfast. 

When Ace stepped into the mess hall, he spotted Sabo right away, with Ikkaku and a few others, but he didn’t see Law at first. Then he realized Bepo was in the galley, and headed to that end of the room. He peered past Bepo, who actually scowled at him for some reason, but spotted Law sitting on one of the counters Bepo wasn’t using. 

“There you are!” Ace stepped sideways, to the doorway into the galley, and started to walk in. Bepo shifted, blocking his path with a frown. “Bepo?” 

“It’s fine.” Law sounded exhausted. Fuck, had he gotten any sleep? Had he been waiting for Ace the whole night? Bepo stepped back to focus on his cooking, but he muttered something under his breath. “Be nice, Bepo.” The polar bear mink huffed and did not apologize for once. It was a little unsettling. 

“You okay?” Ace asked, moving into the galley to get a better look at Law. He did look more tired than usual. 

“I’m fine.” His voice was more clipped than Ace was used to, too. “You should sit with Sabo.” Ace was a little taken aback; he’d kind of expected Law’s version of clinginess, where he refused to let Ace out of his sight and kept fidgeting with Ace’s heart. This was different, and Ace didn’t think he liked it. 

“If you’re sure.” Ace waited for Law to nod before he collected a heaping portion of food from Bepo and went to join Sabo. Ikkaku and the others had left plenty of room for him, so Ace sat beside his brother and dug in. 

“Hey, Ace, how come you didn’t tell us you had such a pretty, well-mannered brother?” Shachi teased. 

“To be fair, Ace wasn’t aware I was alive until last night,” Sabo pointed out. Ace winced a little at that but did his best to smile. 

“Hey, Ace!” Penguin called from Shachi’s other side. “What happened to the captain?” Ace frowned.

“Huh?”

“The captain? Law? You know, our grumpy edgelord that can’t let you out of his sight for more than five minutes?” Penguin prompted. Ace narrowed his eyes, while Sabo raised an eyebrow and mouthed I told you so at Ace. 

“I know who he is, asshole,” Ace grumbled. 

“Do you? He’s been moping with Bepo all morning.” Hakugan was the one that said it, his voice softer than usual. Ace glanced toward the galley, then sighed. 

“I don’t know what that’s about. But he said he’s fine, so it’s better to leave him alone right now.” Ace hoped he was right about that. But from the way Bepo was acting, he didn’t want Ace near Law right now for some reason. Ace just had to hope that didn’t mean he’d fucked up too badly the night before by leaving Law waiting for him. 

“If you say so.” The other Hearts exchanged uncertain glances, then shrugged and returned to their earlier chatter. Ace joined in when he could, though - as usual - he did doze off a few times into his breakfast. 

“Hey, Ace, are you on ship duty with Law today?” Ikkaku asked as everyone was finishing up their meals. 

“Nope. It’s our day to explore the island. Jean Bart and Clione are on the ship today,” Ace replied easily. “Oh, that reminds me! Sabo, there’s this ramen place I haven’t gotten a chance to try yet. We should go for lunch!” Ikkaku gave him a strange look, which Ace didn’t understand. “And before that, we can explore, just like the old days!” Sabo grinned brightly. 

“Sounds great! Does Law have anything he has to take care of first?” he asked. 

“Huh? Oh, Law won’t come. He can’t really eat ramen on most islands, so he won’t risk it,” Ace said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I should let him know we’re going, though, so I’ll be right back!” Ace bounded back across the mess hall towards the galley, ignoring the weird looks Ikkaku and the others gave him. “Law!” Ace called as he stuck his head back into the galley. Law looked up, attention locking on to Ace immediately. 

“Yes? Are you finished with breakfast?” Law asked. 

“Yep. Sabo and I are gonna explore the island and then get lunch, so I’ll see you this afternoon.” Law’s expression didn’t waver, but Bepo made a weird sound. It took a second for Ace to realize that Bepo had growled at him. Whether or not something was up with Law, something was definitely bothering Bepo. 

“Understood. Oh, and Ace?” Law studied him solemnly for a few seconds, the kind of quiet, almost sad look that told Ace something was very wrong actually. 

“Yeah?” Law seemed to shake off whatever was bothering him, and he even smiled a little as he spoke again. 

“Enjoy your time with Sabo. I’m glad you two were able to reunite.” 

“Thanks, Law. See you later!” Ace was definitely going to corner him later and demand answers. But if Law wasn’t ready to just tell him, then he shouldn’t pry. Not in public, at least. Once he got Law alone later, Ace was determined not to let up until Law admitted what was wrong. For now, though, he had to head back to Sabo so they could explore. 

Chapter Text

When he returned from exploring with Sabo - which had taken a lot longer than he’d expected, and eaten up the whole afternoon, too - Ace couldn’t find Law for the second time that day. He’d expected Law to be with Cora and Marco, or maybe reading a book or something. But he wasn’t anywhere on the ship, and no one seemed to know where he was, or which crew members he might be with. 

It was starting to really worry him. 

Ace was just about to demand that the crew go searching for their captain - it was after dark now, they should all be worried! - when Bepo returned to the ship with Shachi and Penguin in tow, supporting a very flushed, wobbly Law. 

“What happened?” Ace demanded as he rushed forward to take Penguin’s place supporting Law on his right. Law hummed like he was pleased and turned to tuck his head against Ace’s neck, then pouted when he couldn’t get a good angle. Sabo stood back, watching with blatant amusement. 

“Nothing happened. He’s just drunk,” Shachi answered, ducking out from under Law’s other arm. Ace staggered a little under the sudden weight, then made a face at Shachi before just bending down and hooking one arm under Law’s knees. He scooped the captain into his arms, and Law immediately dropped his head onto Ace’s shoulder. 

“What took you so long?” Law grumbled, his voice muffled and his words a little slower than usual. 

“You guys are gonna die the second he’s sober again,” Ace informed them. “You know he hates getting wasted like this.” 

“Yeah, well, he’s your problem, now!” Shachi replied with a grin. Bepo looked like he wanted to disagree, but Penguin just shrugged. 

“He seemed like he needed to let loose a little, that’s all. Just make sure you have something for the massive hangover he’s gonna have in the morning, okay?” 

“Maybe I won’t, and then he’ll actually murder you,” Ace threatened. 

“Who are we killing?” Law mumbled. 

“Nobody yet,” he sighed. “We’ll see how you feel in the morning.”

“Hey, as long as he admits what he’s been upset about, the plan worked. If I die, I die,” Penguin announced. 

“Speak for yourself. If it’s my last night alive I at least want better company,” Shachi decided. He glanced sidelong at Sabo and asked, “You got plans?”

“Do not hit on my brother,” Ace snapped. He didn’t get a chance to see Sabo’s reaction, because Law distracted him by tracing the edge of the little square on Ace’s chest where his heart was missing. “Okay, he’s getting grabby, so I’m taking him to bed,” Ace announced. Sabo joined Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo in giving Ace disturbingly matching smirks. “Not like that, you asshats.” 

“Bed sounds good,” Law sighed. Ace glared at the others as they stifled laughter. 

“Sabo, if you want to-“

“I have a feeling that your captain wouldn’t want a stranger to see him like this,” Sabo said gently. “If your crewmates are willing to entertain me for a bit, I’ll be fine.” 

“Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your brother,” Shachi promised with a grin. 

“And we won’t let Shachi drool on him too much,” Penguin added. Bepo didn’t say anything, but he was back to frowning at Ace like Ace had done something to offend him. 

“Great. I’ll be back.” 

Ace carried Law into the Polar Tang, all the way to his quarters. He debated trying to get Law to change into something more comfortable, but gave up on that idea when he realized he’d have to do most of the work. He did manage to get Law’s boots off, but that was it. When he went to set Law on the bed, Law refused to let go. While struggling to disengage his captain’s arms, Ace caught sight of the cube holding his heart still on the bedside table. 

Now that he thought about it, the heart had been there that morning, too. 

“That’s weird,” Ace muttered. Law seemed to regain a little awareness, frowning around the room like he was looking for the weird thing. He finally let go of Ace to do so, and Ace reached over to pick up the heart cube before sitting on the bed facing Law. “Law?”

“Hm?” Law hummed, apparently satisfied that there was nothing threatening in the room as he refocused on Ace. 

“Has this been in here all day?” Law’s eyes went distant and sad. 

“Gotta get used to it,” he sighed. Ace felt his frown deepen as his heart sank. 

“What do you mean?” 

“If you leave,” Law explained, his words still clumsy but his tone matter-of-fact even as his voice wobbled on the word leave. “With Sabo. I gotta get used to not having it.” 

“Why would I leave with Sabo?” Ace pushed aside the familiar pang of almost-rejection. Law wasn’t trying to get rid of him, Ace told himself. If that was the case, Law wouldn’t be so obviously upset about the idea. 

“Why not?” Law shrugged. “‘M just a grumpy doctor. He’s family.”

“You’re family, too. You and all the Heart Pirates,” Ace insisted. He picked up one of Law’s hands and set the heart cube in Law’s palm, then curled both their fingers around it. “You don’t have to get used to not having this, or not having me. I’m not going anywhere, Law. You said I belong here, with you, remember?” Law’s cheeks were still flushed from the alcohol, but they got darker as he nodded. “Then stop leaving this just laying around.” Ace let go and pulled his hands back, leaving Law holding the heart. 

“Sorry,” Law mumbled, clutching the heart in both hands and cradling it to his chest. “I’m being stupid.” Ace’s immediate reaction was the impulse to laugh, or tease him, because Law was a lot of things, but he was never stupid. But while sober Law would appreciate the distraction, he had a feeling that drunk Law needed to talk. 

“Stupid about what?” Ace prompted gently. Law shook his head and held his heart a little tighter, then sighed. He sounded a little more coherent when he spoke again. Not sober, but more aware of their conversation. 

“You didn’t come to bed.” Ace opened his mouth to apologize, but Law kept talking. “Then you spent the whole day with Sabo. We were supposed to…” He trailed off, shook his head again, and then kept going. “You were with him, and it made you so happy. It would make sense if you left. He’s your family. You missed out on so much. You haven’t been mine that long.” Ace did his best to ignore the way that phrasing made his heart flutter in its cube. “So…if you go with him…if it makes you happy…” 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Ace demanded. “If you were upset, why didn’t you tell me?” 

“You were happy,” Law repeated. “I wouldn’t…” He trailed off like he was searching for the words, but Ace understood. He understood maybe too well, and it broke his heart. 

“Law, were you bottling up how you felt because you wanted me to be able to spend time with Sabo, without worrying about you?” He got a reluctant nod in reply, and Ace had to force himself not to seize Law in a hug, or worse, kiss him. “Idiot. If I’d known…but that’s the point, isn’t it? If you said something, I would have changed my plans.” Ace ran a hand through his hair and stared at Law in exasperation. “You’re only admitting this now because you’re drunk, aren’t you? You were going to just let me keep hurting you, all because you want me to be happy.” It was almost an accusation, and Law looked away instead of responding directly, all but confirming Ace’s words. “Fuck, Law. Why are you like this?” When it looked like Law might actually be about to answer him, Ace instinctively covered his mouth. “Okay, tell you what. I’m going to make sure the others are taking care of Sabo for the night, and then I’m coming right back here. We can talk more in the morning, okay?” Law’s eyes went soft and sad again, and Ace hated that he knew what Law was thinking. 

Ace had promised to be right there the night before, and gotten distracted talking to Sabo.

“I promise. You just hold onto my heart and wait here.” Ace got off the bed and headed for the door, not missing the way Law stopped himself from reaching out to Ace as he moved away. He paused at the door and looked back, promising once more, “I’ll be right back.” 

It didn’t take him long to find Sabo; he was in the rec room with Shachi, Penguin, Bepo, and Ikkaku. 

“Hey, Ace! How’s our captain?” Penguin asked. 

“He’s okay. I’m going back in a second,” Ace admitted. “I just had to check on Sabo.”

“I’m great,” Sabo assured him with a grin that bordered on a smirk. “I’m learning so much about what you’ve been up to for the last ten years that you didn’t tell me yet.” Ace hesitated. 

“Like what?” 

“You can worry about that in the morning,” Sabo replied smugly. “Did you actually carry Luffy’s first bounty poster around showing it to everyone?” 

“Are you saying I shouldn’t be proud of our baby brother?” Ace demanded, causing the Hearts and Sabo to snicker at his expense. “Whatever. I’m going back to Law.”

“Ace.” It was Bepo who spoke, his voice low and angry. Ace hesitated; Bepo wasn’t the angry type, but after what Ace had learned about Law’s feelings over the last twenty-four hours, he was pretty sure he knew why Bepo was upset with him. 

“Yeah?” Bepo crossed the room and loomed over him. When he spoke, it was quiet, just for Ace’s ears. 

“Don’t you dare mess with his feelings. If you’re going to leave, don’t promise that you’ll stay. And if you tell him you’ll do something, you better do it. Otherwise he’ll be really mad at me for hurting you,” Bepo threatened. Ace stared up at the polar bear, who was usually so sweet and shy that it was easy to forget just how large and powerful he was. 

“I’m not leaving the crew, and I’m not leaving Law,” Ace said, keeping his voice down but letting his determination show. “You all should know me better than that by now.” He didn’t give Bepo a chance to reply; he just leaned around him to wave at Sabo one more time, and then headed back to Law’s quarters. 

As he climbed into bed beside Law and let the gremlin doctor curl around him, Ace wondered what the fuck he had done that made everyone suddenly doubt him. Was one mistake enough to shake everyone’s belief in his loyalty? 

Or was there something else to it?

The thought kept him up a lot longer than usual, but eventually the exhaustion from not having slept the night before pulled him down into unconsciousness. 

The first thing Law was aware of when he woke up was a pounding headache. He clutched his temples as his own heartbeat echoed in his skull. He tried to get out of bed, but the blankets were tangled around his legs and he toppled to the floor. 

Great. 

Now his whole body ached, and his headache throbbed away worse than before, sending sparks of agony shooting down his spinal column. 

What the fuck had he ever done to deserve this?

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Ace said. Law winced; he knew Ace wasn’t shouting at him, but it felt like he was. It hurt his poor head. He pushed himself into a sitting position on the floor and tried to scowl at Ace, but his eyes stung. “Close your eyes, okay?” Law reluctantly did as he was told, wincing against the way the words seemed to pierce his skull. Ace must have noticed and understood, because his voice was barely a whisper when he spoke again. “Here. Hold out your hand.” Law did so, though he resented following directions. Ace placed what felt like a couple of pills in Law’s palm, and then Law felt a straw tap against his cheek. “Take these,” Ace murmured. 

Law tossed the pills back, though not without a sour expression, and blindly grabbed for the straw to get a gulp of water to wash them down. He felt Ace settle on the floor beside him, and the two sat in silence as Law sipped his water and waited for the meds to kick in. 

“I’m going to murder Penguin,” Law whispered when the pounding in his skull finally started to subside.  

“I think he and Shachi would be disappointed if you didn’t,” Ace replied just as softly. “What do you remember from last night?” 

Law remembered drinking with Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo, and grumbling about Ace, but he was pretty sure he hadn’t admitted the truth to them. He didn’t remember telling them anything too incriminating, anyway, but he did remember stumbling back and having to be half-dragged, half-carried by his friends, and then…

Ace had scooped him up like a princess and carried him to bed. In front of everyone. 

Law was going to have to kill everyone who saw that. What a shame; Ace would have to lose Sabo all over again, and Law would lose his three best friends. That was going to be really tragic for both of them. 

“When you’re ready to talk, just let me know,” Ace told him quietly. Law froze; what was Ace talking about? What was there to talk about?

Unless…

Unless Law’s fears weren’t unfounded. 

Unless Ace was going to leave. 

Law flexed his fingers, wishing he’d grabbed Ace’s heart from the nightstand. Though…maybe it wasn’t even there anymore. Anyone could put body parts back once Law removed them. Maybe Ace had already reclaimed his heart while Law made a fool of himself. 

Maybe he was just waiting to tell Law himself before he disappeared from Law’s life again. 

“Okay, you’ve got to stop spiraling,” Ace sighed. “Here.” Something was pressed into Law’s hands, something warm and rapidly beating. Law opened his eyes. He was holding one of his own heart cubes. For a second he wondered wildly if Ace had handed him someone else’s heart, but then he saw the missing square in Ace’s chest. 

He hadn’t put his heart back. 

He’d handed it over to Law. 

Again. 

“Better?” Ace asked, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Law just turned the cube over in his hands and didn’t answer. “Are you ready to talk now?” Law took a deep breath, bracing himself, and nodded. “Good. Then to start-“

“Actually,” Law interrupted, determined to make sure Ace wouldn’t misunderstand if Law lost control of his reaction when Ace told him he was leaving. “I need to say something first.” Ace’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, and then he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Law. 

“Okay.”

“You’re part of my crew, part of my family, and no matter where you go or what you do, that will never change. I want you here, but if being somewhere else, with someone else, is what will make you happier, then I will support you. Your safety and happiness are what matter the most to me, understand?” Law waited while Ace’s expression went through a whole journey of emotions. First he looked relieved, but then when Law mentioned the possibility of him being somewhere else, Ace suddenly looked upset, maybe even hurt. By the time Law stopped talking, Ace looked absolutely devastated for some reason. “Ace? Wildfire, what’s wrong?” 

“Don’t you have any faith in me?” Ace asked, his words dripping with pain. 

“What?”

“I can sort of understand Bepo doubting me. He’s your best friend, so that’s kind of his job. But you? You should know me better than that by now.” Ace sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Look, Law, you have to stop trying to guess what I want or what I’m going to do and just ask me.” He paused, met Law’s eyes, and Law realized that the pain meds must have finished kicking in, because it didn’t hurt his eyes to look at Ace without squinting anymore. His heart still kind of stung though. 

“Okay. What is it that you want, Ace?” Law asked finally. 

“I want you to stop trying to get rid of me.” Ace reached over and put his hands over Law’s where his fingers still curled around Ace’s heart. He squeezed, and Law felt his own fingers dig into the cube, to the point that it must have been uncomfortable for Ace. It had to feel smothering, even painful. But he didn’t flinch, just stared straight into Law’s eyes. “If you’re going to keep me, then keep me, Law. Stop trying to let me go every time you think I might be happy following someone else. You said I belonged to you, so I want you to just…stop trying to take it back.” Law’s fingers twitched around the heart in his hands, and Ace’s breathing stuttered. Law carefully relaxed his grip, at least enough that Ace didn’t seem to be in actual pain anymore. He had to push back against Ace’s own hold on his hands to do it. 

“I won’t hurt you,” Law insisted quietly. “I won’t force you to stay if you want to leave. I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. You’re a doctor. You do the hard thing because it’s better in the long run. You know that sometimes there’s side effects, but you still treat people. Law…if you hold something fragile too loosely, you’ll drop it, and it’ll break. You have to hold on tightly to the things that are important, and I want to be important enough for you to hold onto and never let go.” Law let Ace tighten his grip on the heart cube a little. Not enough to cause pain or damage. But he knew Ace could feel the pressure. 

“Okay. I’m sorry, Wildfire. I didn’t mean to let you feel like I was just letting you go like it was easy. Letting you leave would’ve been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But…”

“But you would have done it, if I wanted to go with Sabo, because you’re an idiot,” Ace replied. Law frowned and started to protest, but Ace let go of his hands to point accusingly at Law. “You also would have kept your mouth shut about how much it would have hurt you, because you didn’t even want to tell me that I’d already hurt you yesterday.” Law froze. He hadn’t said anything when he was out drinking, had he? Had Bepo blabbed? Had Law blurted it all out to Ace directly and just didn’t remember? “I have something else I want from you, Law.” His attention snapped back to Ace instantly. “I want you to stop letting me hurt you. I don’t care how much you think it will spare my feelings; if you let me do shit like I did the last couple of days again without telling me you’re upset, Bepo’s going to beat me up.” 

“What?” Law had no idea where Ace had gotten that threat from, and Law was seizing that as an opportunity to maybe turn the conversation away from how he bottled up his feelings. “Bepo wouldn’t-“

“He would. He warned me before I came back to you last night,” Ace insisted. “So unless you want your best friend to rip me to pieces with his huge, adorable, fluffy paws, you’re going to have to start speaking up when you’re upset instead of burying it.” Law stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. 

“I just don’t want you to sacrifice time that could be spent with your brother just because you’re worried about me.” 

“Spending time with you isn’t a sacrifice, idiot,” Ace countered. “I think you and Sabo would get along if you gave it a chance. Maybe we could all three explore together so I get to hang out with both of you at the same time.” 

“Maybe,” Law agreed, mostly because the idea seemed to make Ace happier, or at least less upset. “But I’m also an adult who can handle being away from you for a while.”

“Really? Because I kind of got the impression that you thought I was going to take my heart back and leave you to go stay with Sabo, which is why you just left my poor heart behind in your room all day.” Law winced as he realized that he had definitely admitted something he shouldn’t have while he was drunk. Maybe he could lie and cover for whatever he’d said? But if he didn’t know exactly what he was covering up, he might say something worse. 

Fuck. Maybe he just needed to actually be honest. At least partially. That seemed to be what Ace wanted, anyway. 

“If I admit it, you can’t accuse me of trying to get rid of you like you did earlier,” Law said finally. 

“Okay.” Ace said it easily, eagerly, like he’d been waiting for Law to crack the whole time. He probably had. 

“You joined my crew to have somewhere to belong, someone who wants you around. And I do. I want to keep you. Anyone who knows you would want you around. I gave you a piece of my Vivre Card because I always want you to come back, even if you leave for a while. I guess I just don’t see why you’d choose to stay on my crew, to stay with me, when you have other options. Especially someone like Sabo, your long-lost brother who is miraculously alive and found his way back to you.” It was better than admitting the underlying issue of his feelings for Ace. 

“Okay. So you’re not just unwilling to force me to stay if I wanted to leave…you can’t think of any reason I would actually want to stay?” Ace sounded confused, horrified, and maybe a little offended. “Law, what the fuck?” 

“I’m just a grumpy doctor. We’ve been friends for a few years, and I know you trust me, but there are plenty of former Whitebeard pirates that could say the same. I know you feel at home here, with our crew, but that doesn’t mean you should be trapped here. On top of that, again, Sabo’s your brother who effectively came back from the dead to find you again. And soon enough, Luffy will be back in action, too, and I know how much you love him.” Ace still looked offended, so Law hurried to clarify, “I’m not trying to downplay our history or relationship, it’s just that I’m being practical. I don’t exactly have anything unique to offer you. Not as a captain or as a friend.” Definitely not as anything more, he added silently. When he refocused on Ace, he was actually glaring at him. Shit, he’d managed to upset him more somehow. 

“Fucking hell, Law, are you seriously convinced that you don’t mean anything to me?” Ace demanded. Law blinked at him, surprised. 

“That’s not what I said, exactly,” he pointed out. 

“Right, you just think you don’t mean anything special,” Ace snapped. Law couldn’t disagree with that, so he just shrugged. “So you think I would have joined up with anyone who picked me up from Marineford? You think I would comfortably curl up to sleep with any of my former crewmates? You think I believe just anyone’s words when I’m doubting myself?” Law opened his mouth to object, but Ace just kept talking. “Do you really think I would choose just anyone as my captain and spend so much time convincing anyone else that I want them to keep me and hold on to me so tightly that I can’t breathe, just so I feel safe and cared for after everything? Do you think I can feel truly at home with just anyone? Do you think I want to?”

“Uh…no?” Based on his tone, Law knew that was the answer Ace was looking for. If he was actually looking for one at all. He just still didn’t understand why. 

“Good. Because I chose you. I want you to want to keep me. Not just anyone, not even just anyone I call family. I want you. I lost so much at Marineford, and you’re the thing I got to keep. And you trust me enough to let me near you while you sleep, so you have to trust me enough to believe me when I tell you that you mean a lot to me. You’re important. And I don’t want to leave. I belong here. With you. You keep telling me not to doubt that, so don’t you dare start doubting it yourself.” Law realized that for once, Ace had outmaneuvered him. If he wanted Ace to believe that Law wanted him around no matter what, then Law would have to believe that Ace wanted to be around, too. 

“Okay.” Law held the heart cube in his hands a little tighter. 

“Okay?” Ace prompted. 

“Okay, I won’t doubt you,” Law muttered. “You’re part of my crew; I’d be a terrible captain if I doubted you, especially after a speech like that.”

“Good. Now, come have breakfast with everyone. Sabo will want to meet you properly, without so much tension hanging over everyone.” Law made a face, but Ace wasn’t giving in, so Law let Ace take his hand and pull him to his feet. 

“Thank you, Wildfire.” He said it quietly, so Ace could ignore it if he wanted to. Ace didn’t acknowledge his words verbally, but he didn’t let go of Law’s hand until they stepped into the hallway. 

Chapter Text

Nico Robin eyed the yellow submarine in front of her. She knew that Jolly Roger, which meant she finally knew what fool’s errand Sabo had run off on. He was searching for Luffy. Robin sighed and crossed her arms, preparing to activate her power. 

“You don’t need to do that.” Robin glanced sideways and saw someone she hadn’t expected at all approaching her. She didn’t know what Marco the Phoenix was doing at the Heart Pirates’ ship, but his presence meant she had to be much more careful. 

“Excuse me?” Robin frowned, wondering if he knew enough about her to know the pose she used to focus her devil fruit. 

“Fine. I’ll be nice, mi cielo.” Robin jumped and spun around, preparing to summon a dozen arms to restrain whoever had snuck up behind her like that, only to stop and stare. The man was huge, even taller than Crocodile, and he wore a Heart Pirate boiler suit embellished with fluffy black feathers around his neck. 

“Who are you?” Robin demanded, suddenly realizing that maybe the Heart Pirates were more of a threat than she had expected based on how few of them had bounties on their heads. 

“Does it matter?” The tall man tilted his head thoughtfully before answering his own question. “Although, I suppose the infamous Nico Robin would want to know everything, so it probably matters a little.” The tall one had managed to sneak up on her, and he clearly had a positive relationship with the Phoenix. She would have to switch tactics and be polite now that she’d been discovered. 

“I’m just looking for a friend of mine.”

“A friend?” The tall one repeated. “Which friend?” The way he said that made Robin wonder just how many people he knew that he would consider to be friends of hers. Or maybe he was just worried Crocodile might be in the area. 

“I’m looking for Sabo. He’s the blond one with the pipe, the top hat, and the manners.” Robin watched as the two of them exchanged thoughtful looks. Then the tall one took a baby transponder snail out of his pocket and spoke into it. 

“We have another visitor. Tell our Captain to come say hello.” Robin relaxed slightly; while she didn’t know Trafalgar Law that well, she at least knew more about him than she did about Whitebeard’s former second in command or this giant of a man who seemed to get along with him so well. And considering what had happened on Sabaody, he couldn’t have changed too much in the last six years. 

“While we wait, I do have some questions for you,” the tall man said ominously. 

“You having questions doesn’t mean I’ll answer them,” Robin replied, keeping her tone polite. 

“Fair enough.” The tall one tilted his head again, but it was Marco who actually asked the first question.  

“Why wasn’t your crew with Straw Hat at Marineford?” 

“That wasn’t by choice.” Robin wasn’t going to tell them about Kuma, about her crewmates being who knows where doing who knows what while they waited for the remaining two and a half years to pass, but she also wasn’t about to let anyone think they had chosen to let Luffy go through that alone. 

“You said Sabo is your friend. Does that mean you’ve become a Revolutionary?” the tall one asking. 

“I’m a pirate,” Robin replied, hiding her surprise. Sabo’s status as a Revolutionary wasn’t technically a secret, but it wasn’t exactly the most well known piece of information. 

“Who’d you ambush this time, Cora?” Robin recognized that smug drawl from Sabaody; it was something he’d picked up in the years since she’d first met him. She looked up and found none other than Trafalgar Law leaning over the railing around his submarine’s deck. Before anyone could answer, Law’s eyes widened as he recognized Robin. “Holy shit. Nico Robin, in the flesh. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I’m looking for Sabo. I have reason to believe he came here to find his brother.”

“Oh, he came and found his brother, all right,” Law said, a hit of a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Cora, Marco, are you two coming aboard, or are you off for the day?” 

“I’d like to hear more from Nico Robin,” Cora replied, eyeing Robin like he thought she might be a threat. 

“I’m sure you’ll have a chance to talk to her at dinner,” Law replied. Cora considered this, then sighed and nodded. “Have fun, you two. Room.” Law gestured, and Robin watched as his operating room expanded, enveloping them in blue light. “Shambles.” He flicked his wrist, and suddenly Robin was on the deck beside him. This close, Robin could see bags under Law’s eyes, and he looked drawn and pale, like he didn’t feel well. She didn’t remember him looking quite so drained on Sabaody. “Welcome aboard the Polar Tang, Nico Robin. Follow me, and I’ll take you to Sabo.”

Sabo eyed Ace’s expression as his brother watched Law leave the Polar Tang’s mess. Ace looked torn, like he knew it was ridiculous to not want to be separated from Law for a few minutes, but he still didn’t want to let him leave. 

“You look like a lost puppy,” Sabo informed his brother once Law was out of earshot. Ace flushed and scarfed down some of his food instead of responding. 

“He pretty much always looks like that when Law’s not next to him,” Penguin said with a shrug. “Law gets mopey, too, if they’re apart for too long. It’s only gotten worse since Marineford.” Ace glared at Penguin, who just shrugged again. “You know I’m right.”

“It’s downright unbearable now that they share quarters, too,” Shachi added with a dramatic groan. “You two should just admit your feelings already.” 

“Shut up. Law doesn’t think about me like that and you know it,” Ace snapped. Sabo exchanged exasperated looks with Shachi and Penguin, which just made Ace scowl harder. 

“You know, if you’re not going to date him, I might,” Sabo said. Shachi pouted, while Penguin snickered and Ace looked downright murderous. 

“I didn’t think Law would be your type, Sabo,” Penguin grinned. 

“I mean this in the most respectful way, but your captain is everyone’s type. He’s attractive, protective, intelligent…he’s even family-oriented and clearly takes responsibility seriously. Who wouldn’t want him?” Sabo pointed out. “If I could recruit him into the RA, he’d probably be the perfect man.” 

“He’s a total dork,” Shachi scoffed. “I’m sure Ace can tell you.”

“He collects coins,” Ace agreed immediately. “Like old, weird coins. He’s got display cases and stuff.” 

“Attention to detail and commitment to his passions. Very sexy,” Sabo replied. He was tempted to tell Ace to stop pretending, but riling up both him and Shachi by being indirect was more fun. 

“Speaking of sexy, isn’t that Nico Robin?” Penguin was thoroughly distracted, staring at the entrance to the mess hall. Sabo followed Penguin’s gaze and groaned. 

“Shit, you’re right. How did she find me?” 

“You know her?” Shachi asked, frowning. 

“Quick, act like we’re friends so she’ll think I’m cool,” Penguin demanded. 

“If she didn’t think you were cool back on Sabaody, I don’t think she’s gonna change her mind now,” Shachi said sympathetically, patting Penguin on the shoulder. 

“You never know!” Penguin insisted. “Sabo thinks I’m cool, right, Sabo?”

“Don’t answer that,” Law advised as he reached them, Robin at his side. 

“Speaking of not answering things, is that Fire Fist Ace? I was under the impression he had…departed this world,” Robin said blithely.

“Reports of my death were slightly exaggerated, thanks to Law,” Ace replied with a lopsided grin. “Nico Robin, right? I heard you joined up with my baby brother after Alabasta.”

“Yes, he forced me to survive, so I made him take responsibility.”

“That sure sounds like Luffy,” Ace sighed. 

“Speaking of Luffy, are you sure that leaving him on Amazon Lily was a good idea?” Robin asked, giving Law a thoughtful look. 

“What?” Sabo blurted out. “Luffy’s on Amazon Lily?”

“The Kuja seemed to like him, and Rayleigh and Jinbei were with him. I’m sure it’s fine,” Law said to Robin, ignoring Sabo. “Besides, he’s probably not actually on their island anymore; Rayleigh was planning to help him train.” 

“Back up. You left him on Amazon Lily? Where they kill men?” Sabo rose halfway from his seat, staring in horror at Law, who just frowned at him. 

“Apparently, Boa Hancock took a liking to Luffy,” Robin explained. Sabo turned his glare on her next. 

“And how do you know that?”

“Oh, our dear surgeon told me on the way here,” Robin replied easily. Sabo’s mouth formed the word dear before just hanging open. Her smile was easy and innocent, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. “He was so kind, he told me all about Luffy’s operation and last known location.”

“You were gone for two minutes!” Sabo blurted out, staring accusingly at Law. “And you just told her everything when you’ve been refusing to tell me anything at all for like two days?!” 

“Nico Robin wouldn’t reveal the information to anyone who would hurt him,” Law replied with a shrug. 

“Our dear surgeon is a very compassionate person. He was anxious to make sure I knew my captain was alright.” 

“He’s my brother!” Sabo shouted. He couldn’t believe this. He liked Robin just fine. He’d even call her a friend after several months of her working with the Revolutionary Army. But Law had just met her! 

“I had no proof of that the last time you asked me,” Law replied with a shrug. “And you didn’t ask again.”

“Would you have told me?” Sabo demanded, furious. 

“Probably not. I have no idea how you’d react. Nico Robin can be trusted not to contact Luffy until the appointed time, since she’s a member of his crew. But you’re a revolutionary. You break rules. And I don’t know you.”

“You don’t know her!” Sabo retorted. He glanced at Robin apologetically. “I mean, you’re great, Robin, but-“

“I’ve known our dear surgeon for years,” Robin interrupted. Sabo stared at her. Ace did, too. Even Shachi and Penguin seemed surprised. 

“You’re exaggerating,” Law sighed. Sabo had no idea what to think. 

“We happened to be conducting research on the same island at the same time about six years ago, that’s all,” Robin explained. “I’m not even sure you recognized me at the time, Mister Surgeon.” 

“Would you believe me if I said I knew exactly who you were back then?” Law smirked, not waiting for an answer before turning to Ace. “Did you have plans for the day?” 

“Well…” Ace glanced between Sabo and Law. “I was thinking the three of us could explore together.” 

“That sounds like a lovely idea, since Sabo will be leaving this evening,” Robin replied. 

“I will?” That was news to Sabo, though not unexpected.  

“Yes. Koala and Hack will be picking us up tonight,” Robin informed him. Sabo slumped, resigned. 

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Law said quietly. “Go enjoy time with your brother.” Sabo blinked at him; he thought Law didn’t like him. But then, he was probably doing it for Ace. 

“But…” Ace glanced from Law to Sabo and back. Sabo couldn’t help but wonder what exactly had happened between them since Ace had returned to his captain’s side the night before. 

“I’ll keep our dear surgeon company,” Robin said, linking her arm through Law’s. Sabo stared at her, then turned to Ace. His brother was watching Law with an intensity that Sabo hadn’t seen before, like he was trying to see into the depths of Law’s soul. Shachi and Penguin were giving them both dubious looks. Sabo remembered how upset they’d been the night before, and hoped that Law knew what he was doing, and that whatever problem had been going on was actually resolved. 

“No doubts, right?” Law said, meeting Ace’s eyes. Sabo had no idea what that meant, but Ace clearly did. 

“Okay. I’ll see you later,” Ace said. His tone was almost reluctant, but he smiled as he turned to Sabo. “Come on. Let’s go.” Sabo pushed down his confusion, resolving to get answers out of Ace once they were alone.

As he followed Ace away from the others, he heard Robin say, “Even though he’s the one who’s supposed to be dead, you’re the one who looks like you have one foot in the grave, Mister Surgeon.” Sabo almost turned to look back, but didn’t want to risk losing any of his time with Ace. Surely Law could handle himself.

Right?

Chapter Text

Eleven Months after Marineford

“What the fuck is this?” Ace snarled as he stalked up to Law, brandishing a newspaper.  

“I don’t know what you mean,” Law blatantly lied. He’d already seen the day’s paper, and he knew exactly what Ace was pissed about. 

“Bullshit,” Ace snapped. “You did this on purpose.” 

“Did what, Wildfire?” 

“Don’t you ‘Wildfire’ me, you ass!” Ace hissed, shoving the paper into his hands. “You told me there was nothing going on after the Rocky Port thing. That there was no larger plan.” Law sighed and folded the paper up and set it aside without rereading the headline: The Seventh Warlord of the Sea: Trafalgar Law. Ace’s voice was quiet and deadly serious as he accused, “You lied to me, Law. I thought we weren’t doing that.” 

“I had to lie,” Law sighed. “You would have insisted on being with me on Hachinosu and going with me to deliver the hearts to the navy if you’d known.”

“Exactly! This says you went to deliver the hearts alone! You could have been captured or killed!” Ace insisted. Law studied him for a long moment, mulling over all the arguments he’d been storing up for when Ace inevitably discovered the plan. 

“Would it help if I explained my reasoning?” Law asked at last. Ace glared at him, but nodded. “I couldn’t risk you being spotted. Blackbeard was on Hachinosu, and so was that pink haired brat from Marineford. I couldn’t risk either of them recognizing you and realizing you were alive. I only took Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin onto Hachinosu for a reason; they’re the ones who were with me on Sabaody, so they’re the ones most likely to already have their identities compromised. I didn’t tell anyone else the plan.”

“And the Marine base?” Ace snapped. 

“I wanted to give them the impression that I did it alone. I wanted them focused completely on me, so they wouldn’t wonder who else might be on my crew,” Law explained. “And it worked. I’m officially a Warlord of the Sea, and now my whole crew is immune to prosecution by the World Government.”

“Okay.” Ace seemed to have calmed at least a little. If there was one thing he’d gotten better at since joining Law, it was making, understanding, and executing plans. He was clearly still upset, but at least he wasn’t brandishing the newspaper in Law’s face or shouting anymore. “What’s the point, Law? Why the fuck would you go through all this trouble, put the spotlight on yourself when you’ve tried to avoid it for the last decade, and then box yourself into being a government lackey? It doesn’t make any sense; what could possibly be worth sacrificing your freedom like that?”

This was the part Law had really been dreading. The answer was simple, obvious, and unfortunately the part he was sure Ace would object to the most. He forced himself to look Ace in the eye as he replied. 

“Why are you asking me when you already know, Wildfire?” 

“What?” Ace clearly hadn’t been expecting that. He’d probably expected Law to try to soften it, or make excuses, or outright deny it. Law stepped forward, making full use of the two inches of height he had over Ace. 

“You know exactly what I value enough to become a Warlord for,” Law repeated. “Yes, there are benefits for the whole crew, especially my parents. Marco’s the former First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and even though he’s not formally a member of my crew, he’s likely to sail with us for a while unless something drastic happens. Even Cora has a past that might make the Marines come after him. But you’re the one they were so desperate to kill that they risked Whitebeard’s wrath. I’m nowhere near as strong as he was, and secrecy won’t protect you forever. I have to be proactive, or you’ll end up dead for real next time.” 

Ace’s face contorted as he struggled to sort out his emotions. Law waited, watching the expressions that flickered across his face. Ace seemed to go through confusion, anger, and indignance before settling on dismay. 

“But I don’t want you to compromise who you are or what you want to do just to protect me,” Ace said at last. 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Law scoffed. “I’m not compromising anything.” When Ace looked like he was going to argue, Law stepped forward again, forcing Ace to step back to maintain eye contact. “This is who I am, Ace. This is what I want. A Warlord appointment lets me protect you and the rest of our family, and it gets me a step closer to several of my goals.” 

“Goals?” Ace repeated. Law stepped closer again, and Ace backed up another step, his back hitting the wall as he stared up at Law. Those two inches of height difference felt like more than they were, standing like this. 

“You’re part of my crew, now. Your dreams are part of mine, too. I can make a lot more happen with this Warlord status. We can keep an eye out for government threats to Sabo and feed him information that can keep him safe. We can start gaining strength with less worry, and start working towards taking down stronger enemies.”

“Stronger enemies?” 

“I know you and the other former Division Commanders want to help Wano, but none of us are strong enough to survive crossing Kaido right now. And then there’s Teach. He thinks he’s gotten away with everything he’s done, but he’s wrong. We remember. And now we’re in a position to stop being defensive and make real moves. Or at least plan them out.” Ace studied him for a long moment, then sighed. 

“You’re going through with this no matter what I say, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry, but yes. You’ll just have to bear with it until we’re all strong enough to not need me to be a Warlord.”

“Then I’ll get stronger. We all will. None of us wants you to be stuck as a Warlord any longer than absolutely necessary,” Ace insisted. Law smiled and reached up to brush his knuckles against Ace’s cheek. 

“I believe you, Wildfire.”

Law strolled out of his first official Warlord meeting, smirking to himself. Everything had gone according to plan, and now he was eager to return to his crew. 

Cora and Marco lounged near where the Tang waited just off shore and below the surface. Law waved, catching their attention. As he was about to call out to them, a Marine intercepted him. Law felt his smirk widen into a feral grin as he recognized the former Fleet Admiral, Sengoku. The last year hadn’t been kind to him, leaving new lines around his mouth and eyes and draining the color from his hair. 

“Trafalgar. I’m surprised you were willing to cooperate with the navy,” Sengoku scowled. Law shrugged, unbothered by Sengoku’s presence or words. 

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family,” he said. “And immunity from Marine prosecution is one of the strongest protections I can give them.” He stepped past Sengoku as he added, “If you follow me, my crew has a copy of the full roster for you to look over. Of course, I was assured that if I add new crew members, they’ll be covered as well, as long as they wear my Jolly Roger and I acknowledge them as my subordinates.”

“That’s how it works, yes,” Sengoku grumbled, his steps indignant as he was forced to follow Law to keep talking to him. 

“Excellent. Now…” Law reached Cora and Marco. “The roster, please.”

“Of course.” Cora’s voice was warm with amusement, even though Law knew that Cora had reservations about this course of action.  Sengoku froze, staring straight at Cora. He must have been so distracted by grouching at Law that he didn’t notice sooner. 

“Rosinante?” Sengoku whispered. Cora held out the crew roster to Sengoku with a sad smile on his face. 

“Hello, Sengoku.” 

“You’re…alive?” Sengoku rasped, staring at Cora with something akin to awe as his eyes went overbright with tears. “But I thought that Doflamingo…”

“Maybe don’t tell him that he failed. I’d hate to be the source of tension between two Warlords.”

“Two…” Sengoku seemed to realize that Cora was wearing a Heart Pirate uniform, complete with the smiling Jolly Roger on his chest. Sengoku looked from Cora to Law and back. “Oh.” 

“Anyway, go ahead and look at the roster. Make sure you’re willing to vouch for the immunity of every name on that list,” Law insisted. Sengoku grumbled a little, but glanced over the list. Law saw the exact moment he read the name Law had been waiting for. Sengoku went rigid, staring in shock and horror at the list. 

“Guess you and Doflamingo have something in common,” Law smirked. “At least as far as your success rates on trying to kill my family go.” Sengoku didn’t move for a long moment. As far as Law could tell, he wasn’t even breathing. 

“I haven’t seen that face since I was a teenager,” Cora muttered. Sengoku’s face had started to go red from how long he’d been holding his breath. 

“If that’s what happens when he finds out about Ace, do you think he’ll turn purple when he finds out he’s a grandfather?” Marco whispered, grinning at Law. Sengoku wheezed and turned a deeper shade of red, bordering on actually becoming purple. 

“Apparently not, but maybe finding out Cora’s married will do it,” Law mused. Sengoku did in fact turn purple at that. 

“Stop it, both of you,” Cora scolded. 

“Married? Grandfather?” Sengoku wheezed. 

“Shit, did we break him?” Marco leaned close and poked at Sengoku’s beard. “Law, he’s not having a heart attack, is he?” 

“If that’s all it takes, it’s gonna be rough when he finds out I’m the grandson in this scenario.” Law eyed Sengoku warily. 

“Think he’ll be more upset about being your grandpa or my father-in-law?” Marco asked. 

“You’re both terrible,” Cora sighed, moving a little closer to Sengoku. “Sengoku? Are you all right?” 

“Rosinante…” Sengoku refocused, staring straight at Cora. “Is it true?”

“That Marco is my husband and Law is my son? Or that Ace is alive?” Cora asked. Sengoku took a deep breath. 

“All of it.”

“It’s true.” Cora smiled, a bittersweet expression. “I thought about inviting you to the wedding, but I thought you might not appreciate it since Whitebeard officiated.” Sengoku’s eyes widened, and then his whole body slumped. 

“At Marineford…I didn’t see you.”

“Doflamingo was there. Law didn’t think it was wise to tempt fate by showing myself.” Cora scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “Besides that, Marco said he didn’t want to have to pull me back from the brink of death again.” Sengoku seemed to process this for a moment. 

“So the Phoenix is the one who saved you,” Sengoku said softly. “And Trafalgar kept you hidden at Marineford, and is now a Warlord to protect you and Ace.”

“My family takes good care of me,” Cora confirmed with a brighter smile. “So you don’t have to worry, Sengoku.” 

“I’m glad.” Sengoku held up the roster in his hand. “I’ll make sure your entire crew is covered, Trafalgar.”

“You better. Otherwise you’ll answer to me,” Law warned. Sengoku chuckled and didn’t object.

Chapter Text

One Year After Marineford

Standing in front of his own grave was a deeply strange and unsettling feeling. He could see his old hat and knife, along with the red beads he’d worn around his neck, hanging from a pair of crossed sticks on top of the stone marker. 

Someone must have restrung the beads, he realized. Of course, whoever placed them could have bought lookalikes. But there were scorch marks and dark stains on a couple of the beads.

Someone had collected them from the battlefield, restrung them, and placed them on his grave. 

Someone had retrieved his hat and knife from where he’d fought Teach, or from Marine custody. 

Ace reached out, his fingertips brushing the brim of his orange hat before dropping to the cool, smooth stone that marked the memorial the surviving Whitebeard Pirates had erected for him and for Pops. 

Ace had known that the other Commanders loved him. He knew that his former Spades loved him. 

But this grave was adorned with the items he had loved most, surrounded by soft grass and a scattering of wildflowers, at the crest of a hill overlooking the sea. 

Yes, it was small compared to Pops’ memorial, as it should be, but…

He could feel love from his former crewmates, his family, in how they had set up and decorated their memorial for him. 

He could feel their grief, the way they must have felt so heavy, yet so empty at the same time, as they carved the stone and placed Ace’s belongings. 

It hit him, then. The Division Commanders didn’t know he was alive. Neither did the former Spade Pirates. He had known that, sort of. He knew Law had plucked him from the battlefield more dead than alive, and he knew that Law hadn’t contacted any of the others since. 

But he hadn’t thought about what that meant. 

That his Whitebeard Pirate family, like Sabo once had, believed he had died on Akainu’s fist. They had mourned him. They had built a memorial for him. They hadn’t hated him after his death, even though Ace had been sure that with him dead, Pops’ death would have felt like it was for nothing. 

But they loved him anyway. They had loved him in his life, and they loved him even when they thought he was dead.

Even though Pops’ death was his fault. Even though so many people - their friends, allies, their family - had died to save him. 

Would they still love him when they found out he was alive, in hiding, letting them believe he was dead?

Ace shook away that last thought - he didn’t want Law or the others to notice, in case someone figured out what he was thinking and tried to reassure him - and looked up at Pops’ grave. 

The stone was larger, and his naginata had been buried in the stone. The Whitebeard Jolly Roger flew from the top of the polearm, and Pops’ coat was affixed just below it. 

The Heart Pirates clustered around Pops’ grave. Those who hadn’t known him well touched the stone and murmured their respects before moving away, giving space to those who had known Pops better. 

After a few minutes, only a handful of them were left by the gravestone. Marco, of course, with Cora, Law, Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin clustered together in the shadow of Pops’ memorial. 

Bepo sat, his giant, fluffy head shoved against Law’s sternum. His shoulders shook, and Ace realized the polar bear mink was crying. Law’s head was bowed over his best friend, talking quietly to him. Shachi and Penguin leaned together, shoulder to shoulder, quiet for once. 

Cora looked small, standing beside the memorial, hunched as he rested a hand on the blade of Pops’ naginata. Marco looked even smaller, standing closer to Cora than usual, close enough that Ace wasn’t surprised when Cora lifted his arm and Marco tucked himself silently against Cora’s side. Ace caught a glimpse of Marco’s face, and the tear tracks glistening on his cheeks shook Ace to the core. 

Marco was the strongest person, both physically and emotionally, that Ace knew aside from Pops. Cora was an emotional anchor, not just for Law but for all of the Heart Pirates. He kept them grounded, and seeing him silently rubbing his thumb along Pops’ naginata blade while he held his husband close with his other arm was sobering. 

Bepo didn’t cry like that often. He could be dramatic, and sometimes shed a tear for the effect, or cried over Law’s injuries, but the silent, body-shaking sobs that came over him as he sat before Pops’ grave wasn’t something Ace had seen before. 

And Law…Ace couldn’t see his face, or hear what he was saying to Bepo, but he knew that Law had to be trying to keep it together for the others. He always put his family first, even when he was hurting. 

And Law was hurting, just as much as or more than his crew members. 

Ace knew how much family Law had lost. He knew that losing Pops would hit Law hard. 

Law and the others had known Pops so much longer than Ace had. He’d only been with the Whitebeard Pirates for a couple of years, but Law and his closest family had known Pops for ten years. Ace loved Pops with his whole heart. He adored him, idolized him, would have died for him in an instant. 

But Marco had known Pops, looked up to him, loved him, for decades. 

And Ace had taken that all away from them. 

Ace had wished more than once since the war at Marineford started that he could die. Since he’d woken up after the battle, he’d wished multiple times that he had died instead of Pops. 

His own love and grief for the kind old man who had taken in a wayward brat who didn’t know how to love or be loved by anyone except Luffy and Sabo, who had lived out of spite more than a desire to keep existing, had been overwhelming. 

Now, Ace felt crushed beneath the weight of the others’ grief. 

Ace considered retreating, but couldn’t make himself walk away from Pops’ memorial. 

He thought about walking up to it, laying a hand on the stone, but he couldn’t bear to interrupt the others in their mourning. 

So Ace sank to the ground where he was, his knees thumping softly into thick grass that might as well have been the rough wood of a scaffold. 

I’m so sorry, Pops. The words started to form in his throat, but he swallowed them back. 

He couldn’t interrupt the others’ grief when he was the one who had caused it. 

Ace wanted to bury his face in his hands, but the thought crossed his mind that it would feel like hiding from the grief, hiding from the guilt, from the fact that it was all his fault. 

He was reckless, he disobeyed. 

He had betrayed Pops’ and even Law’s trust by going after Teach alone. 

Now Pops was dead and Law didn’t have his grandfather. Cora and Marco didn’t have their father. Bepo had lost Thatch forever, and Shachi and Penguin hadn’t seen Izou in a year. There was no telling if they’d ever see him again. 

And it was Ace’s fault. 

Maybe if he’d been stronger, or been smarter, or if he hadn’t put his own grief and fury first…

If only he hadn’t been so selfish. 

He’d been so furious after Thatch’s death, after Teach’s betrayal, that he had left Pops and the others to clean up his mess. 

And Pops died for it. 

Ace curled forward, half because he couldn’t hold himself upright any longer and half because he owed Pops some kind of apology. 

Grass tickled his forehead, and Ace wished fiercely for the rough wood of the execution scaffold. 

If he could go back, trade his ego for patience, trade his selfishness for obedience to his captain, his father, he would. 

If he could trade his life for Pops’, he would. 

Ace’s fingers latched on to the edge of the empty square in his chest that lay beneath his shirt. 

Where Law had taken his heart to keep track of him, to show his care. 

Law had saved Ace’s life, even after everything, but for what? What was the point in living if Pops was dead because of him? What was the point in making the Heart Pirates put up with him when he’d taken so much from them? 

Ace had wished for his own death more than once in his past, longed for it even. But in that moment, his fingers hooked in the empty space in his chest, his forehead pressed to grass that was too soft, too forgiving, too unlike the wood he’d felt while he waited for his execution, Ace didn’t just want to die. 

He wanted it to hurt. 

He wondered if his family would mourn him a second time. 

Part of him hoped they wouldn’t. 

Something warm and just slightly rough touched his cheek. Ace tensed, his awareness of his surroundings returning. He recognized the touch; Law’s hands were a delicate mix of a swordsman’s calluses and a surgeon’s nimble grace. The sensation of those fingers sliding to his chin, tilting his face upward, was unique. 

Ace instinctively started to lean into the touch, then remembered his self-loathing of a moment ago and flinched, trying to keep his face down, but it was too late. 

The grass wasn’t beneath his forehead anymore.

Law’s leg was. Ace blinked, surprised, and forgot to resist. Law coaxed his face upwards, and Ace realized that Law had taken a seat on the grass in front of him, one knee propped up with his arm resting on it, while the other was folded in front of him, just close enough that if Ace dropped forward, he’d be putting his head in Law’s lap. 

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life,” Law said quietly, like that wasn’t part of the reason Ace hated himself for Pops’ death so much. “And there’s one thing I learned. Grief will crush you if you let it. But it weighs less if you share it.” That sounded like something Cora would say, and it stung. 

Ace hadn’t meant to interrupt Law’s time with his family. 

He hadn’t meant to make Law comfort him. 

And he didn’t deserve for his grief and his guilt to weigh any less. 

He wanted them to crush him. 

Maybe then he could stop hurting the people he loved. 

“Don’t you think letting yourself be crushed by guilt would hurt the people you love?” Law asked. Ace froze, realizing he must’ve muttered some of his thoughts out loud. Either that, or Law just knew him that well. After three years, maybe he just knew without Ace having to slip up and say it. “I know it hurts me that you hate yourself for what happened to Pops and the others.”

“I didn’t mean to…” Ace trailed off as the lump on his throat felt like it doubled in size. He hated that he had given Law one more thing to worry about, hated even more that he’d managed to hurt Law again.   

“Besides,” Law continued, his voice low with his own pain even as his touch on Ace’s jaw stayed gentle. “I blame myself for how badly Marineford went, too. Do you think I shouldn’t share my pain with my family?”

“What? Of course not! But that’s different!” Ace protested. He leaned forward, pressing his jaw into Law’s palm as he did. 

“Really? How is it different?” Law asked, his words still heavy with grief. “Because you were the one who would have died if it had gone any worse?”

“Because it was my execution, and no one would have been there if I had listened to Pops and let it go, or even if I’d listened to you, if I had just waited for you instead of going after Teach alone like an idiot,” Ace insisted. Something shifted in Law’s expression, but he couldn’t tell what it meant.

“There is some truth to that,” Law agreed. Ace froze, guilt stabbing through him. Law was acknowledging the truth of what Ace had known, had feared, had needed others to say even as he dreaded hearing it. “Things would have gone differently if you had made different choices; if you’d obeyed Pops, or if you’d let me help you. But,” Law’s tone shifted, and Ace finally realized with a swooping feeling in his stomach that he recognized determination and maybe even affection in Law’s expression, not the hatred or blame Ace had expected - dreaded - maybe even wanted - to see. “Different doesn’t mean better, Wildfire. If it hadn’t been you, the government would’ve found some other way to get to Pops. If you hadn’t caught up to Teach when you did, maybe he would have been too far ahead of us, and you and I would never have even been able to make sure he knew he hadn’t gotten away with what he did to Thatch. And even if I’d made a different plan, played a different role at Marineford, we could still have lost Pops and Oars and the others. Maybe we could have lost you, too. So no matter how much you blame yourself, no matter how much I might blame myself, we can’t actually change it. I’ve made my peace with what happened, and that’s something you need to do, too. Maybe not today, maybe not this week or this month or even this year, but eventually, it’ll happen. You probably won’t stop blaming yourself - I haven’t, and I’m pretty sure Marco still hates himself a little bit for how things went down, too - but eventually, you’ll accept it.”

“Does that make it hurt less?” Ace asked before he could stop himself. 

“Of course not.” Law practically scoffed, a hint of humor flickering in his eyes. “But it’ll make the hurt more bearable.” 

“Like sharing the burden?” Ace almost smiled. Almost. 

“Exactly. Now come on. Let your family share our pain with you, and let us help you carry yours,” Law insisted, shifting back and letting go of Ace’s jaw so he could snag Ace’s hand instead, pulling him to his feet, towards their closest family members, who were still clustered at the base of Pops’ grave. Ace let him, deciding to do what he’d been doing for the last year: trust Law to lead him in the right direction.

“Yes, Captain.” 

“I told you it’s weird when you call me that.” 

“Okay, Law. Whatever you say.”

Chapter Text

One Year and Six Weeks After Marineford

Law stared dubiously at Ace’s hand, extended palm-up towards him. 

“Remind me why we’re doing this?” Law grumbled, not really expecting an answer. Ace gave him one anyway. 

“Because the island over there is uninhabited and I have cabin fever from our lovely but very enclosed submarine?” Ace grinned and crooked his fingers, his grin lopsided and affectionate but still a challenge. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about us falling into the ocean.”

“We are both devil fruit users and therefore unable to do anything but gurgle helplessly as we drown if your little skiff capsizes,” Law pointed out. He didn’t actually think that was likely, but if he didn’t argue at least a little, he’d definitely seem too eager to spend time alone with Ace. 

“The Striker never let me down, and Ikkaku and the others built her successor with extra buoyancy and an emergency beacon.” Ace’s eyes widened and he tried to force his grin to flip into a pout. It didn’t really work, but the effort was endearing in its own way. “Come on, Law, don't you trust me?” Law grumbled some more, but couldn’t deny that. He took Ace’s hand and let Ace help him onto the Striker II, not because he needed it but because he knew it would make Ace happy, and because his hand was warm and gentle as it supported Law’s own. “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Ace teased as Law found his footing and settled between Ace’s back and the Striker II’s mast. 

“If I fall into the ocean and drown, I’ll haunt you,” Law threatened, not even bothering to hide the fond tone in his voice. Ace just grinned at him over his shoulder. 

“Better hold on to something,” he advised. 

“Like what, exactly?” Law asked as he looked pointedly at the distinct lack of handholds.

“Like me,” Ace replied impishly. Law eyed him dubiously, but Ace just grinned wider. “Come on, you can’t seriously be shy about hanging on to me considering we share a bed.” 

“That’s not…whatever.” Law refused to argue that he wasn’t shy, since that would only encourage Ace to tease him more. Instead, he rolled his eyes and put his hands on Ace’s waist. Law was so distracted by just how warm Ace’s bare skin was beneath his fingers that he only caught a glimpse of that broad grin slipping towards becoming a smirk. That left him with barely half a second to remember just how abruptly Ace liked to accelerate before it happened. 

Ace channeled a blast of flames into the skiff’s propulsion system, and the Striker II jolted forward so sharply that Law almost lost his balance. Instead, he managed to lurch forward and wrap his arms completely around Ace’s waist. The bastard laughed as they shot away from the Polar Tang. 

“You did that on purpose,” Law accused, his cheek pressed against the top of Ace’s shoulder. His very warm, bare shoulder. “Bastard.” 

“Aw, you know you love me,” Ace snickered as they sped toward the waiting island. Law grumbled, caught between knowing he should tease Ace right back and knowing that if he did, he might accidentally reveal just how true that was, especially since his chest was currently pressed against Ace’s back so tightly that he could feel the ring of burn scars that marked where Ace had been impaled by Akainu’s fist a little over a year before. 

“You’re still a bastard,” Law finally said, knowing his reply was too late but hoping Ace wouldn’t say anything about it. 

“Yeah, yeah. Relax; we’re almost there.” Law lifted his head and realized that Ace was right; the island was almost within reach of his Room already. It was a jagged mountain island, with snow on the peaks while soft, new grass and a few daring flowers grew on the lower slopes. The delicate colors of spring were pushing back the winter chill, even though for most of the hemisphere, it was autumn. “I know it’s a spring island, not a winter one, but Bepo seemed to think it was close enough,” Ace said. He was looking straight ahead as the Striker II slowed almost to a stop in the island’s shadow, but Law could tell from the tension in Ace’s body that he was anxious about Law’s reaction. 

“It’s beautiful,” Law whispered. He’d always loved winter islands in their own little springs, when there were crocuses or snowdrops braving the cold to spread their petals. He loved the snow receding, the lingering crisp freshness in the air, the bittersweet memories that it all called forth. 

Cora had been shot and nearly died in the snow, and had recovered in the spring. 

Law had met Bepo for the first time when it was snowing, and had scared off Shachi and Penguin from their mischief, only to save their lives on his next visit to Swallow Island. 

Abies, where he had first seen Ace for who he was underneath the bravado and laughter, had been an island of pines and frost; Togen was all humidity and flowering crops. 

The border between spring and winter had always been a part of his life. Now it was part of this moment, too. 

“So,” Law said lightly as Ace eased the Striker II into a natural sheltered bay and onto the beach. “What was it about this island that made you want to work out your cabin fever here?”

“Come on, you’re smarter than that,” Ace scolded gently. He turned, loosening Law’s hold on him with equally gentle hands. He stepped out of the skiff, onto the shore, and held his hand out to Law, who frowned down at him for the second time that day. 

“What are you talking about?” Law demanded. Ace shook his head, a rueful grin spreading across his face. 

“Nevermind. If you haven’t realized it yet, then I’m not telling.” 

“Not even if I order you to?” Law teased, giving in and taking Ace’s hand just because he needed to get the feeling of the soft skin of Ace’s waist out of his head. That plan backfired spectacularly, because Ace’s hand was just as warm, and the sailor’s calluses on his palm were just the right contradiction to how smooth his stomach was that it made both sensations stick in Law’s brain even worse than they already would have. 

“Nope. You keep telling me it’s weird when I call you Captain, so I think I should disobey orders sometimes, just to keep things familiar.” Law rolled his eyes, but Ace just kept grinning at him. “Besides, I have complete faith that you’ll get it by the time we leave.” 

“That’s the best you’ve got? You have faith in me?” Law scoffed. 

Ace’s eyes went soft, his smile painfully sweet as he replied, “I always have absolute faith in you.” Law had to look away, clearing his throat as he did so. Ace let him pretend he wasn’t blushing, and pulled the Striker II fully onto the shore. “Come on,” Ace said when he was sure the skiff wouldn’t float off without them. “Let's explore.” He retrieved his bag from the skiff, and Law almost asked what he’d brought, but decided against it. Ace wasn’t the only one with faith in his friend. Law trusted that whatever Ace had in there, he’d either explain eventually, or it wouldn’t be relevant. 

They wandered through the snowy landscape, moving from one patch of flowers braving the cold to the next as they worked their way up the mountainside. After over a year of barely leaving each other’s side, they drifted from easy conversation to comfortable silence and back. 

It was peaceful, just the two of them out in the crisp air, exploring without the pressures of needing to stay hidden, or worrying that another Pirate crew might decide to try their luck by ambushing them. 

They reached an outcropping of stone that looked down over the slope below, which was dotted with snow drifts and budding early spring foliage. Law drew in a deep, satisfying breath, feeling the chill in his lungs and fingertips. 

“Here, then?” Ace asked knowingly. Law frowned, turning to ask what he was talking about, and found Ace pulling a pair of blankets out of his bag. He spread one on the ground and flopped down on it, grinning up at Law. 

“What…”

“You like a good lookout spot, whether it’s a cafe balcony, or the crow’s nest, or the portholes when we’re submerged, or-“

“I get the idea,” Law grumbled, unable to hide his smile. He sat beside Ace, who promptly wrapped the second blanket around Law’s shoulders. The weight and warmth was pleasant, even if Law was a bit bemused. 

Then Ace pulled out two thermoses from his bag, handing one to Law. When he opened it and sniffed at the steam that rose from the container, he could smell that it was coffee. He took a sip, and realized it was a higher quality coffee than Bepo usually bought for the Tang’s mess hall. 

That was strange; Bepo only usually splurged on the really good coffee when…

When it was almost Law’s birthday. 

Law did some quick math, and was so taken aback that he whispered his answer out loud. 

“Oh. It’s my birthday, isn’t it?”

“See, I knew you’d figure it out,” Ace chuckled as he took a drink from his own thermos. 

“You picked this island because I love winter islands in their spring seasons,” Law said. He had meant for it to be kind of a teasing accusation, but it just came out soft. 

“Yep. Took us ages to find one that would be close to what you might like,” Ace agreed. 

“Us?” Law raised an eyebrow. “So is our whole crew in on this, then?”

“Yep. Your parents and brothers were really helpful. Apparently, you didn’t get much of a birthday last year.” Ace looked a little guilty about that, and Law didn’t have to guess why; Marineford and Pops’ death were the reasons no one on the Heart Pirate crew was thinking about birthdays a year ago. 

“Actually, despite everything, I got a really good birthday present last year,” Law corrected. Ace frowned, and Law tried to smirk at his confusion, but he was pretty sure the expression was too wobbly and vulnerable to count.

“What did you-“

“You, Wildfire. I got you.” Ace’s eyes flew wide.

“Wait. Last week was…”

“The one year anniversary of you joining the crew,” Law agreed. He decided to let Ace think that was all of it, even though Law definitely counted Ace ending up sleeping beside him every night as part of his ‘birthday present’.

“Well, I’m glad you got me, if it made things a little better,” Ace said quietly. 

Law impulsively threw his arm and half the blanket around Ace’s shoulders, resting his temple against Ace’s as he admitted, “You always make things better.” Ace sputtered and turned his head away, but Law could see the blush spreading up to his ears and down to his collarbones. Law let him pretend he had hidden his reaction, distracting himself with his surroundings so Ace wouldn’t catch him watching. 

Ace’s body was warm against Law’s side, and the easy familiarity of that warmth just made everything feel softer and more peaceful. It was just about perfect, actually. The only thing that could make it better would be an interesting book to read. 

“Speaking of making things better,” Ace mumbled, still blushing but apparently determined to push past it. “I hope you like this, too.” Ace reached into his bag again and pulled out a rectangular object wrapped neatly in brown paper. Law took it, feeling the shape and weight of the object and knowing instantly what it was. 

“You got me a book to make our little adventure even better?” It was like Ace had read his mind, except that he’d been prepared, had gotten this and even wrapped it ahead of time. He had known that if Law had a good view, good company, and good coffee, the only thing he’d want was a good book. Law felt a little exposed as he unwrapped the book, unable to meet Ace’s eyes in case Ace was able to read him as easily as Law did medical texts. 

“Sort of. I just hope it’s okay that I got this for you,” Ace replied, his voice taking on a hint of nerves. 

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Law asked absently as he put aside the paper. Then he saw the cover and title. “Oh. Ace, this is…” Law’s fingertips trembled as they traced the image of familiar pristine white buildings on the cover. “Folklore of the White City,” he read aloud, his own words a shaky mix of reverence and grief. “How did you even find this?” 

“Robin helped. She put me in contact with some rare book collectors. Apparently there aren’t many books from Flevance left.”

“Most of them burned,” Law agreed quietly. Like the people who wrote them, he added silently. He opened the book, long-suppressed memories of his childhood bubbling to the surface. He slowly flipped through the pages, taking in the familiar script, the one he’d first learned to read. “This one was Lami’s favorite,” he whispered, pausing on a story about a princess who was turned into a toad after stealing herbs from a witch’s garden. He knew the story by heart, and while the illustrations in this particular book were unfamiliar, the scenes they depicted were burned into his memory. “I used to read to her when our parents were busy, because if I did, she’d fall asleep and I could go hunting for frogs to dissect.” 

“Is that a drawing of a princess turning into a toad?” Ace asked, leaning against Law’s side, his weight both comforting and searing at the same time. “Didn’t Lami have a problem with you skinning frogs if her favorite story was a toad princess?”

“I told her frogs and toads weren’t the same thing, and frogs were for science while toads were for stories.” Law swallowed against the lump forming in his throat. “My father accidentally called one of the frogs a toad and Lami cried for over an hour. Mom made us build a toad sanctuary in the yard for Lami after that.” He was quiet for a minute, and Ace let the moment linger. Just as Law was starting to feel like he should do or say something again, Ace spoke up. 

“So what’s the story?”

“You didn’t read the book?” Law asked, amused but not surprised. 

“It’s not written in either of the languages I know,” Ace replied. Law considered that for a moment. 

“I could read it to you.” 

“Will you read it in your language afterwards?” Ace asked.

“The language you don’t speak or read?” Law teased. 

“Yeah. I like the way it sounds,” Ace admitted a little sheepishly.

“You do? I always heard I sound angry when I speak it,” Law protested. Bepo had thought Law was mad at him when he first spoke his mother tongue in front of the mink. Hearing that Ace liked the way it sounded was strange, but it also made his heart skip a beat. 

“I wouldn’t say you sound angry. Just passionate. And that’s nice to hear,” Ace said with a crooked grin. The cool air had chilled his cheeks, leaving them pink. Law hoped his own cheeks didn’t look as flushed as they suddenly felt. 

“I guess I can read it twice, then.” Ace beamed and tucked his chin over Law’s shoulder so he could see the book as he replied. 

“Thanks, Law. You’re the best. I’m so happy you’re here.” Law had to clear his throat and hastily start reading the story so that Ace wouldn’t notice how happy hearing that made him.