Dark flame

Pops' pups (part 9)

2 updates within 24 hours. Make sure you didnt miss the update of part 8!

POV Ace... in heaven????????

A giggle came from the woman who he had been looking at for the past maybe 20 minutes already. He knew that woman, he knew her from pictures that he smuggled from his gramps, from marine reports. She was even more beautiful than he imagined she would be.

"Hihi, well thank you, son."

"M-mom." his voice cracked as it was the first time he really spoke in this weird place he was in.

"Ace, my baby boy. You've grown so big."

He swallowed, he wanted to run into her arms so badly but... something was holding him back. He tore his eyes away from her, looking around. They were in a field with small flowers that seemed to go on endlessly. A soft blue sky, the whitest clouds, no breeze or bird around.

"You're not dead, sweetie, don't worry."

"Then... where... where am I? We? Are you- are you real?"

The woman hummed and it was a melody he wished he would never forget again. "I'm as real as you want me to be."

"What?"

She giggled again and started to step closer to him and he didn't have it in him to move. "You've grown so big, Ace. It feels like yesterday that you were in my arms. Such a small and cute baby."

Even if he didn't know what to say as the woman held an imaginary baby while standing before him. Before she eventually looked up right into his eyes, making the breath catch in his throat.

"You've grown into a handsome young man, Ace. So much more perfect than I could ever imagine."

"I-I'm sorry."

"For what, baby?"

"For- for- killing-"

"You did not."

"I did-"

"You did not." The words were repeated clearly and making no room to argue.

It was silent between them for a while before the women's eyes traced down and a small smile was on her lips when she reached about halfway down his body. And even without her saying anything, he knew what she was looking it.

Was it protectively or in embarrassment, he didn't know, but he wrapped his arms around the bump. It was as big as he remembered, yet nothing hurt even though he was standing up.

"T-they- they're not Marco's. My mate. I-I-" He started babbling, but his mom knew what had to be said without even needing to think. Her sweet voice sounding in his ears, already reassuring him without him having listened to the message.

"Love is not decided by blood, don't you know that best my son?"

"Mom..."

"I love you, don't doubt that." Rouge quickly spoke, knowing her son would think she meant she didn't love him, "The second I laid my eyes on you, even when you were still in my womb, you already became the center of my life. But you know the strongest bonds don't just come from blood, because... Don't you have two little brothers you would do everything for?"

Ace's eyes widened a little, his mom knew of them? Of Sabo, of luffy."Y-yea, they- they're my everything."

"And they're not connected to you by blood, are they?"

"No... But we drank sake together, we're brothers."

Rouge nodded gently, "Brothers even if blood is different. And now, don't you have someone you call Pops?"

"I do."

"And he calls you his son. Do you want to be his son?"

"I- I do."

"Has he ever seemed to love you less because you're not born from him?"

"No, he- it doesn't matter. We're all children of the sea."

Another smile was there and Rouge stepped forward, putting her hands on the big bump on her son's stomach, "Then don't fear my son. Even if not his, they can form a bond together, a bond stronger than those connected by blood. He just needs to give it a chance, you need to give it a chance. Your little family can get through this, no matter what you choose."

"What if- what if I d-don't- don't want this?"

"Then that's your rightful choice, Ace."

"But." his voice broke, "M-mom. They didn't c-chose this. They shouldn't- they don't deserve to- to be hated for w-who their father is." just like he shouldn't have been hated for who his father was.

"You didn't choose for this either, my son." Rouge whispered as she brought her hands to freckled cheeks, stroking thumbs over falling tears. "It's okay to not want this."

"B-but-"

"No one will think less of you for ending it. You'll always be the first priority, Ace."

"Y-you chose me o-over yourself."

A soft smile graced her lips, "And I will do that all over again. But that was my own choice. I wanted you even if it killed me. Even knowing that it will... I will do it again. But just because I chose that route, doesn't mean that you need to. Think about it. Talk about it with your mate about what you want. Choose what you want, what your heart wants." She spoke while moving one hand to her son's chest, stopping above his heart. "No matter what you choose, I'm proud so immensely proud of you. Proud for the life you've lived, the things you've done. Proud for whatever is to come."

"P-pups or no pups?

"Pups or no pups." Rouge nodded, pressing a kiss to her son's forehead. "No matter what, know that I, your mom will always stand behind you. I'm watching over you and your family, no matter how big or small it will be. I love you."

"I-I love you too, mom."

Another press of the lips later, Rouge pulled away. Gently taking the hands that scrambled to take a hold of her again. She held them together before her. "It's time to wake up now, Ace. I'm so happy I had this chance to talk to you, to meet my son, but now it's time to return to your real home. To your mate. He's waiting for you."

He couldn't talk back anymore, no sounds leaving his mouth as the image of his mom slowly disappeared. Her gentle smile directed to him while her voice echoed around them, growing softer and softer.

"I'll always be here, even if you can't see me. Trust me, Ace. I love you, my beautiful beautiful baby boy."

---

"Ace!!"

The loud call of his name was in his ears and slowly he turned his head to the sound, a blurry mess of purple, pink and yellow in his vision.

Warmness was on his cheek and he unconsciously leaned into it while he closed his eyes again, only blinking slowly again when his name was called out again.

Very slowly did his vision grow more clear and he saw the happy yet concerned face of his mate.

"Marco." His voice was hoarse, hoarse and quiet. Still, at the sound leaving him did an immense amount of strain drain from the other's body. And the smell around him, the smell he hadn't really noticed, yet knew was there grew softer and sweeter. He couldn't help but inhale a deep stuttering breath of it, a tiny smile appearing on his face as he could focus more and more on the other's face. His mate. His mom was right, he was here, waiting for him all this time. Standing right by his side even with everything that is happening.