Dark flame

Finally Free

Mother Sea will care for him.

Tag
For Ace, it's comfort
For us, It's hurt
Implied Suicide

Ace's POV

At the back of the ship he stood alone. On top of the railing, looking at the blue water below. Echoing around were the sounds of rippling waves and vague voices partying in the distance that were easily tuned out in favour of the sea.

He watched as the waves caressed the sides of the ship, stroking them gently as they supported the Moby through thick and thin. Day in and day out the sea was there to ease its burden.

His head cocked as he watched the waves foam up over the wood before settling down, only to repeat the action not long later. The foam made the touch look softer than clouds.

He wonders if the sea would caress his body like that to. Would it feel like a mother's touch? A touch he so longed for, yet was never able to have. She was called Mother Sea after all. So maybe... maybe he could finally feel a Mother's love.

Feet shuffled forward, creeping closer to those soft waves until he saw no more wood under his toes. Only the heels of his feet supporting his body from falling down.

He wonders why he doesn't take the extra step. Just one more step and he could join Mother Sea. So why doesn't he jump? Just take that one step. He knows that if he doesn't, he will regret it tomorrow.

He's been here many times, and every time it has been the same. He stepped back. Went back to his duties but always questioned himself 'why?'.

Why does he keep stepping back? Why does he not take that step? What is keeping him on this edge?

One more step. If he just took one more tiny step, he would be free.

Free of being a burden to the world.

Free of being eyed by everyone.

Free of being judged for things he didn't do, but also did do.

Free of all the fake smiles.

Free of all these conflicting emotions.

Free from everything.

One more step and he could find peace.

...

His brothers... they would understand, wouldn't they? They've always wanted him to be happy. They've always promised each other to follow their heart and... His heart really wants to take this step. If he stepped away... Wouldn't that even be running away? He never runs away.

If he asked Luffy, if he could ask Sabo, if he should do what maks him happy. He knows that they would scream 'yes' and encourage him to do whatever his heart desired. They would bring up their own promise of living without regrets. Maybe they would even scoff to him that he never needed to ask for permission to follow his heart.

He's always wanted to see Luffy fulfil his dream. But even if he stepped, he still could. He may even have a better view. He could watch over him from above, just like Sabo has been doing all these years for the both of them.

...

The ship bobbed suddenly and if he didn't have sea-legs he would have tumbled down. Was Mother Sea calling for him? Telling him it was okay? That she would welcome him?

Oh how he longed for her. Mother Sea. Mother Ocean. Her beautiful vast waters would catch him. Hold him. Love him. She wouldn't judge him. She would love him just like she loved every other sailor. She would caress his body with the same amount of love as everyone else, no judgement.

He-

He wanted her.

He wanted out.

He wanted to be free.

He wants peace.

After having stood in this spot countless times before, for the very first time he stepped forward instead of backwards.

With those wants in his mind he set his foot into nothingness and closed his eyes as wind rushed past his face. The distance between him and the water closing within seconds before it soon enveloped him.

To his surprise, the water wasn't cold. It wasn't draining.

He shouldn't have been surprised. The water wasn't his enemy. It was Mother Sea. The water around him were her arms. Her whole being that now held him close.

A soft smile graced his lips at the touch. He didn't sink like a hammer, like a human cursed to be hated by even Mother Sea. But instead felt lifted. Felt the forgiveness from her for eating that devilish fruit as he was held for who he really was inside.

She never let go of him and he even hears her caring voice in his ears as water moved around him. He never fought it and instead leaned into her touch as she lowered his body deeper and deeper into her soft embrace.

He wished he could have enjoyed her touch longer, but he knew it was finally time when he let go of his last air bubbles and let Mother Sea enter his lungs.

The smile stayed on his lips as she did, as he welcomed her, as he gave her his whole being, knowing she would care for him for eternity now.

He was finally at peace.