In Another Life [Ace X Reader ]

part ten

I stood beside Ace watching as he waved off his close friend and crew mate. They where just about to set sail.

"Gamble." I whispered low enough no one would hear.

I looked up at Ace.

8 months 16 days 1 hours 1 minute 7 seconds

"I'm really gonna miss him!" Ace fake cried holding onto Marco loosely.

I glanced over at the two leaving.

???

2 months 3 days 6 hours 9 minutes 38 seconds

Life goes on. Looking at the time over thatches head, I looked back at ace. The times where decently apart, That should be no cause for concern. Right?

I took a quick glance at whitebeard who was sat on his throne.

8 months 16 days 59 minutes 10 seconds

And back at ace

8 months 16 days 53 minutes 29 seconds

I drew a sharp breath as I looked back at ace. I wanted to change everything. I quickly looked towards Blackbeard. "Take" I whispered barely hearing it myself.

One year came, and then two, and nothing more. I pointed my hand at Ace where he couldn't see it. "Give" I whispered quietly. I watched as a blue essence only I could see crept up his arm and towards his heart.

I almost smiled thinking it was working, until the numbers above his head blinked red and the blue crept back up my arm. Ace held his chest in discomfort quickly earning Marcos concern.

"I'm fine, it's just some heartburn. I had to much spiced meat last night." He laughed heartily smacking Marcos back with his open palm.

Why didn't it work? Why couldn't I save Ace? A blaring migraine sore through my head. The pain almost made me throw up.

Ace noticed imidetly and rushed towards me. "Are you okay?" He questioned stabilizing me.

"I'm okay." I stated rubbing the bridge of my nose. "I think I just need to lay down." He instantly showed concern walking me towards not my bunk, but his room.

"It's probably quieter in here this time of day. The nurses are usually in and out of there all day long." He watched me sit down on his bed.

"Thank you." I smiled trying not to think of the number above his head. Even if it wasn't there right now, it was forever engraved over his head in my eyes. Both literally and metaphorically.

"Isn't that what friends are for?" He asked putting his hands on his hips.

I giggled gently as I took off my boots. "You sound just like luffy when he was a kid."

I had piqued his interest. He walked closer to me. "Your talking past tense, does that mean you've seen him?" He questioned trying to seem cool but failing.

"He's doing well, Ace. He has a crew that love him dearly, and a ship. He looked forward to seeing you again." I could see the surprise on Aces face, but he said nothing.

"I'll be going then, get some rest." He tried to leave but I piped up in a heartbeat.

"Stay with me?" A light tint of red formed on my cheeks as I realized how it sounded.

"I can do that." He gave a wide smile. I waited to see how he acted first. I hoped he didn't get the wrong idea. He ran and jumped on the bed almost sending me flying off.

"What do we wanna do?" He questioned like a kid. He sounded the same as when we where young in the tree fort.

"Why don't you tell me about all of your adventures?" I questioned. I really did want to know.

"Okay!" He smiled wide with a small laugh. "Well, there was this one time I went and confronted shankes- and this other time I met this woman in Wano! Or that time when I-"

He kept telling all the story's I had longed to hear. The ones I never thaught I'd be able to hear.

"And this big burly dude tried to eat me! How can you eat another person!" He ranted talking about one of his wild encounters. "He tied me to a stick and turned me around trying to cook me like a pig!" He himself could barely belive everything he was saying.

I cut him off with tears brimming my eyes as I engulfed him in the tightest hug I possibly could.

"I missed you, Portgas D. Ace." I gushed holding him like I'd never get to again.

"I missed you too. I really did." He hugged back just as tight. His chin reasted in the crook of my neck gently.

"And I'm sorry I yelled at you when you first got here." Ace was never the apologetic type.

"I forgive you." I said pulling away from the hug. It almost felt like he didn't want to let go of me.

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Sleep well! Don't forget your medications! Make sure you've had a glass of water and eaten!