In Another Life [Ace X Reader ]

part thirteen

The day came for thatch to die. And it felt like the world was going to end. I was jumpy all day just waiting for the news to get to the ship. All week was like that.

Until the dreadful moment actually arrived, and I wanted nothing more than for it to disappear.

"He killed his own brother over a devil fruit! How pathetic!"

"I always knew there was something wrong with that damn teach!"

"We're gonna make him pay! Right pops?"

"Something like this can't just be let go!"

The entire mess hall was filled with angry crew members all wanting there revenge. Ace stood the closest to pops. He swayed from side to side, almost like he was in a daze.

"That bastard!" Ace cried out. The pain in his voice shook everyone to their core. "How could he kill his best friend! His crewmate!" Ace refused to let the tears fall.

"Pops, I'm going after Teach no matter what you say! You can't stop me!" Ace yelled clenching his fists at his sides.

Whitebeard sat silent for a moment. He looked deep in thaught. "I understand. You may go after him. What he did was unexcusable! He must be punished accordingly."

Ace clenched his jaw without another word as he stormed off to his room in pure anger.

I caught a quick glance at his timer on the way out.

6 months 9 days 15 minutes 7 seconds

The time just continued to creep by.

I walked towards aces room, but didn't dare enter. The sound of things flying around and breaking wasn't as bad as hearing the heartbroken cries Ace let out as he did it.

"Damn you!" I could hear him scream as he shattered something glass. And then it all went silent. I was going to enter, but a cold hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me away from the door.

I looked back to see a tired looking blond. He was hardly recognizable with his dehydrated face and dark purple eyebags.

He simply sighed before letting go. "It's best to give him time. Just for a little while."

If only he had time.

"He'll come back around, don't worry. All you can do is be there for him." Marco was right no matter how much I hated it. I gave a simple nodd before turning back towards my bunk in the nurses office.

Time skip - the next day

I quietly closed the door behind me as I entered Aces room. He was still sound asleep while I did my best to silently clean up the glass and wood chunks from the ground. I didn't want him stepping on them.

"Why does God hate me?" A strained voice called from across the room. It felt like he was miles away.

"Did I do something to deserve this kind of pain?" He held back his sobs. I didn't even know if he knew it was me in the room.

"I couldn't save Sabo, I couldn't save Thatch." He continued to lay facing the wall. "I wish I had never been born."

My heart cracked. He sounded so broken and tired, all I wanted to do was hold him and tell him anything to make him feel better.

"Is this God's way of punishing me for being born the son of that devil?" Anger crept silently behind his words. I didn't know what to tell him.

"Ace-" I tried to comfort him, but it didn't seem like that's what he wanted.

He forced himself up off of his bed. It looked like he would fall back down. His black hair hung infront of his eyes.

"I need to pack. I'm leaving Tomorrow morning before the sun comes up." He tried to get me to leave, but I wouldn't. I stood my ground not leaving.

He turned towards me with a hateful glare. Every emotion he was feeling was pointed directly at me, but it seemed he noticed his error. His eyes widened as he realized who he was talking to.

"I'll help you pack." I suggest earning nothing more than a nodd from Ace. He not so neatly shoved a few things in a bag while I tried to tidy up his destroyed room.

He dropped the bag by the door and sat on the bed. I was ready to leave, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. He buried his face into my upper body for what felt like the last time. Well, it probably was.

"Stay?" He wasn't going to fight me on it, but I could tell he hoped I would say yes.

"Always." He stuck his pinky up like a child and I linked mine with his. I felt him smile lightly as my thumb made contact with his.

"Buddy promise?"

"Buddy promise."

He moved so that I could also lay on the one person bed. My arm loosely draped over his bare chest, his arm was under my neck acting as a pillow. He was fast asleep, but I couldn't sleep knowing what was coming.

My skin felt like I was laying to close to a cozy campfire, but I didn't mind. It was Ace after all. And I knew this wouldn't last long.

I nuzzled into his chest enjoying his semi masculine scent. It reminded me of a camping trip with roasted marshmallows and cooked meat over the fire.

"I love you." I whispered in his ear.

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