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It was easy to get carried away with everything going on. Nothing was perfect. That wasn't how life worked. Especially if your name was Portgas D Ace. Nothing worked out for him the way it did with other people. You could see that just by who his father was. That cursed blood that ran through his veins. His mother died trying to protect him.
Then the was the man who took him in. The man who wanted Ace to call him Grandpa, when all he did was dump Ace onto someone else the moment he got the chance. Not wanting to stain his life and choices with a child of his enemy. Why he agreed to look out for him Ace didn't know.
Dadan was nice enough. She taught him to walk and talk, didn't let him starve. But, Ace knew she didn't want children. He heard her say it when drunk a few times. Ace wasn't as stupid as people thought. Nor was he as gullible as other children. He worked hard to earn his keep at Dadans. Bringing food for everyone to eat. Fighting for his plate with everyone else. He wouldn't let anyone say he was a burden more then his blood made him. Running against everything his father did. Knowing the marines would be after him.
Then there was the soft parts of his life. When he met Sabo, and Luffy. Sure he might have tried to kill them a few times. They weren't the perfect fit everyone thought they were. Sabo was smart and had a few stuck up moments. It was hard for the other boys to break old habits. Like how he didn't want to eat with his hands for the first few weeks Ace knew him. Using sticks and about anything else before he finally gave in and used his fingers.
Luffy was something bitter sweet for Ace. One on hand here was another child given to Garp to care and protect. Another child Garps dumped the moment he could. But, unlike Ace he got to live with people. To laugh and smile, and run around. Ace heard it all. How he was there because he met a pirate who he wanted to be like. This brat had been so close to freedom and didn't go. Ace hated it. Hated Luffy. Of course, this was also when Ace learned the truth of the world. It didn't matter how smart, kind, or angry you were. The world decided when it was done with you.
When setting out to sea Ace did everything to make a stand out. He fought everything that came his way. Wanting to grab the world and tell it, it didn't get to throw people away. It didn't get to look on his brothers and decide they weren't worth it. If he needed to be strong enough to turn the world into ash so it wouldn't never look down on Luffy again, he would.
"You love your brother a lot." Haruta laughed. It was so simple. Just a small things Ace had heard more times then he knew how to count.
Ace smiled back. "I would be dead without him." It was the truth, but the words fell from his mouth rang too close to home. He hadn't meant to say it like that. Ace hated how the words caused those near him to looked worried, hurt and panicked. "He's such a trouble maker though~" He whined, trying to fix the damage.
It worked in some cases. They laughed, and moved on. Letting Ace keep his wounds to himself. At least for a time. Until Pops and him were the last ones on deck drinking. Thanks to the flame flame fruit Ace wasn't able to get drunk. At least not as much as they hoped to get him. The fire burning away anything more then a buzz.
Ace though watched the sea with the old man. Watching all the hopes and dreams that rested on the waves. He could almost imagine Luffys future ship appearing in the distance. The pirate king coming to drink with his older brother. Though the two would have to battle a little before. He couldn't let his brother get complacement. Then there was Luffys true dream he needed to complete.
The silence stretched on the deck for a long time. "I'll sit here. As long as you need, son." Pops said. "You don't have to say anything."
Ace realized what was happening. They were hoping he would talk to pops about what he said earlier. It wasn't a big deal really. "I'm okay."
"You don't have to be."
Ace hummed, flicking a glance over his shoulder. No one was listening into them. He could talk about whatever he wanted. It wouldn't hurt to tell the older man about it. Taking a small sip of his drink for a bit of courage. "You know my brothers going to be the next pirate king." He said.
Pops huffed, amused. "Is he?"
"You want to know what his dream is?" Ace asked, peaking up at the old man. Who's eyes were a light with something. Ace couldn't place that look in his eyes. "—"
As Ace told the man his eyes grew and smile faded. A long sigh and a hand against his face. "Not another one." Pops said.
"What does that mean?" Ace asked. His voice turning to venom. He wouldn't let anyone make fun of Luffys dream. Not even people he looked up to.
Pops made a movement for him to come closer. Leaning down he whispered low, as if it was the greatest secret in the world. And it was. Ace had been protecting the dream of both the boy who saved his life and the man who gave it to him. "You're joking?"
Pops shook his head. "Makes me wonder if you're not your grandfathers bio son and your brother isn't his child." He said. Though both knew that would have been impossible. It was already crazy how long his mother keep him safe from marines. How long she held out from giving birth. It wasn't something easy that any woman could do.
"Fuck." Ace muttered. Almost laughing at how stupid the world was.