Epals

Chapter Ten

Ace's POV

Ace,

I am also doing good. I even got to spend some time with my dad today; that doesn't happen very often because he is always either busy with work or in the hospital. Since he has poor health he ends up there more often than I would like. My mom passed away when I born due to complications during birth. What about your parents?

Marco

I stared at the screen of the computer for a good hour after reading the last letter from Marco, my brain short circuiting. What was I supposed to tell him about them? They were well known here in town? Admittedly for not so good reasons after... well. That happened. Groaning, I roughly rub at my face with both hands before standing and marching to the kitchen. I need coffee. I pause in the doorway, frowning.

"When did you get here?" I asked, wondering how I didn't hear or see him come into the house let alone walk past me.

"Oh, so you are still alive, I was getting worried." Sanji glanced at me over his shoulder, a large skillet in one hand and spatula in the other. He was just starting to make what looked like filet mignon.

"I'm fine, but what are you cooking here for?" I started the coffee maker and sat on a nearby chair.

"It wasn't what I originally came here for. I was just here to drop off the bowls I borrowed last week. Then I seen you looking like a kicked puppy and figured it wouldn't hurt to cook something for you." Sanji shrugged and went back to the food sizzling. I smiled, knowing this was how Sanji says 'I know something is wrong, but I am here to talk to if you need to. I will make some of my delicious food to cheer you up while you talk.' So, I finished making my mug of coffee and sat back down, considering the cup as though it held all the answers.

"I got another letter from Marco today. He asked about my parents."

"Oh." Sanji paused his flipping for a moment before continuing, "what are you going to tell him?"

"I don't know. I'm not even sure I can answer his question. Who's to say the news of that day didn't reach where he lives?"

"And what if it didn't? Ace, you can't rely on what-ifs here. If you want this thing with Marco to be long term you will have to talk to him about it eventually."

"I know. You're right."

"I'm always right." I rolled my eyes, hearing the smirk in his voice.

"It took me years to talk to Luffy about it."

"Yes, but you were still kids back then, Luffy wasn't even here when it happened, and he was still 4 or 5 years old when he came into your life. You're an adult now. It's not as fresh in your mind as it was back then." I sighed, hating how logical Sanji sounds.

"It will take a few days to get the courage to, but I will tell him the truth."

"All of it?"

"Yes, all of it."

"Good. Now eat up!" Sanji placed the food on two plates and gently set one down in front of me, a grin on his face. I let my own smile form, digging into the food.

"Thanks."

"I don't know what you're thanking me for, I cook your food all the time."

I snorted, and we finished eating in companionable silence.