Portgas D. Ace

Hello! This is an ask/rp blog for Portgas D. Ace. I had one a long time ago and I miss this man so much that I thought I would bring him back.

[theflamingspade]

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ RULES

IMPORTANT: Please understand real life comes first, due to having a full time job I may not post regularly but I will reply when I have time!

NOTE ABOUT THE MUN: I am autistic and have anxiety, please be mindful how you word things if you need to correct me on something. Keep in mind I can't understand tone via text.

RULES:

TRIGGERS:

I will tag anything that could be triggering with a TW tag and place it under a read more. There will be mentions of SA but there will be no graphic descriptions. If this offends you, feel free to block for your own well-being.

If we have started rping and the above topic makes you uncomfortable, I will avoid mentioning it or you can stop.

I do not take offense if you do not wish to continue our rps in this case. My partners well-being is more important to me. Yes I do use my blog to work through some of my own trauma and how people handle their own is different and I respect that. Ace suffered something terrible at the hands of Blackbeard in my verse, it is not something he talks about but it does haunt his nightmares, something I relate to. Anything I consider could be triggering to my partner, or anyone reading will be put under a read more.

DNI if you are a Trump supporter, a MAP, a TERF or anyone who is simply filled with hate. I will not tolerate that kind of hatred on my dash or anywhere. I am non-binary and bisexual and go by they/them so if that bothers you please feel free to block me for both our sakes. The last thing I want to deal with is anymore hate in my online life because I have to deal with it at work and in public all the time. So please just stick to your corner of the world and leave the rest of us alone. I assure you the leopard eating your face party will come to eat your face.

Minors DNI for roleplaying purposes, you are free to send in asks, memes and other such things and they will be answered but they will not turn into rp threads. If you ask something inappropriate (anon or not) it will not be answered. I am honestly too tired to deal with people being immature.

If I discover someone is problematic I will block them, I reserve the right to do so, and fully respect others rights to do so in regards to me as well. I just want people to have fun and enjoy themselves on this platform, it is all in good fun.

IMPORTANT: In regards to shipping. I prefer chemistry over anything. Yes I ship Ace and Sabo, it is one of my favorite pairings. If this bothers you then feel free to block me on that if you don't want to see it. It did not start as children but it did turn into love when they grew older. Do not come here with hate against the ship, just quietly block me and we can go about our day.

2. SHIPPING:

As stated above I prefer chemistry over anything. I do ship Ace and Sanji too, but I would like to see how our characters interact, so other canon characters and ocs are possible but I want to see it become something natural. But please understand I will come gushing to you about our ships if they happen.

3. GENERAL ROLEPLAY:

Please no godmoding, that's not fun for anyone. Please do not pressure me into replying or try and take control of my character unless a small scene was discussed in DMS or something. Characters without weaknesses or room for development are no fun.

Feel free to message me about anything. My DM's are always open and once we are good enough friends I will share my Discord if asked. I am always willing to talk about our characters, their interactions and possible shipping if you think there is something there worth discussing. I am a friendly person and like to give everyone a welcome space to come and talk to me about anything.

[orbuz228]

[orbuz228]

[deleted-post-mortem-lullabies-d]

continued from [here] / @theflamingspade

The hat on her head was a welcome amusement, but the following gesture? The pull on the brim? It choked Emil up. She froze for a brief second and a knot tightened in her stomach.

She pushed it away and took in a deeper breath, lifting her head to face him again with a grin. "Thanks~" He didn't notice, did he? Diversion time!

Emil grabbed the two circular ornaments on the front with both hands. "And I wouldn't be able to do that if I still held the box." She ran her fingers along the shallow indents on the ornaments, feeling what they depicted.

[theflamingspade]

At the mention of her carrying him off like a princess, Ace couldn't help but laugh at her words. He would never consider himself royalty for that kind of treatment!

But he did appreciate the humor and when she took him up on the offer of a ride his smile grew even brighter. If there was a chance to show off Ace took it, even after everything it wasn't like Ace's personality completely changed.

Plus, if he did change completely it would be doing a dishonor to Pops and those who died for him to live. So even when his heart was at it's heaviest he tried to be true to himself, even when it got incredibly hard to do so.

When she pulled down the brim of his own hat over his dark eyes he let out a laugh, warm and genuine and Ace tilted the brim of his hat back up so he could look at her, freckled face split into a grin. It was nice running into someone who had a sense of humor themselves. It was good to laugh during these days, especially since Ace did laugh a little less.

Ace held out his hand and took hold of her right one, beginning to lead her towards where the Striker was docked. If she wanted something fast he could certainly give her that.

The Striker was one of Ace's pride and joy, and was the reason he and Deuce got off that uninhabited island alive. It was long and narrow, but still wide enough for Ace to stand comfortably on it. A large propeller was on each side closer towards the back that when powered by his devil fruit helped to propel the craft forward.

Ace was proud of only a few things in his life. His little brother, the tattoo that had once been upon his back and the Striker...which had only been saved due to Ikkaku, an engineer on Law's crew.

"The hat might be nice," Ace said as he lead her closer to his docked ship. "But the Striker is nicer. She's the only reason I can still travel...since my crew...disbanded." That was the best way Ace could think of in describing of what happened. It's not like he really wanted to share all the small details.

Instead of becoming lost in his own mind he just gave Emil a smirk. "I also hope you don't mind heat, it can get a little warm for other people when they are riding with me." Ace remembered that was really the only complaint Deuce had, but the spray of the ocean on his face seemed to help keep him cool enough that he wasn't dying of heat stroke during his ride. Plus he didn't expect to have her on the ship that long for it to become a problem anyhow.

"If you make yourself comfortable and situated here," Ace patted the part of the Striker that would be safe for her to sit, especially considering where Ace's seat was would be where the flames would burn both their brightest and hottest. "And I promise you I can give you some speed like you haven't experienced before." That could be considered a big promise, but Ace knew very few people, if any at all, who could actually go the speed that Ace could propel the Striker at. That also made marine time combat a lot easier because Ace would have more mobility.

"So when you're comfortable and ready to go, we can get this started." If speed and water were things that she needed then speed and water were things that she would get. Ace could, at least, provide that.

[sharpestclaws-deactivated202511]

@theflamingspade ──── continued from ミHERE 彡

❝ GYAHAHAHA!!! Don't worry man, just MESSING with ya - wouldn't want to see the new guy torn to shreds on his second day! Give it A WEEK tops and you'll reconsider, that tophat BASTARD got a talent for getting under one's skin, you'll see. ❞

[theflamingspade]

"It's Lucci tearing into my skin that I'm concerned about!" Ace said as he could just feel the steely look of the stoic man, even though he wasn't in the area.

"Look man, I've heard of hazing the new guy but going after someone's pet ain't exactly the hazing I would of had in mind." Ace had only just been hired to work at Galley-La, here he could build up some money before he set out on his search for Teach. After all Ace needed to stop and rest and eat to keep up his strength for what would certainly be a tough fight. That also meant he would need to lay low and not tip off, exactly, who he was. Which meant no fire, if he could help it. After all, even someone like Luffy could put together that meant just 'Ace' was actually Fire Fist Ace.

Once Ace was positive Lucci wasn't actually around to hear Jabra talk like that he turned to the other man. "What exactly is your problem with Hattori? He seems like a pretty chill bird, and is trained really well for Lucci's ventriloquism act."

Was Jabra afraid of birds? Or did the pigeon wrong him in some way? "Did he shit on your head or something?" That was the only reason he could really fathom anyone having this level of hate for just a little pigeon. Wait, were pigeons white? Ace couldn't remember seeing a white pigeon before. "Maybe he's actually a dove and not a pigeon?" Ace didn't really know if there was a difference or not. Ace was smart, it's what kept him alive so long after all but that didn't mean he knew everything.

"Anyway, I was told I'm supposed to be shadowing you to make sure I really understand what I'm doing. Like I told Iceburg I've helped build a ship before, but nothing on the level like this so he wants to make sure I can handle myself before turning me completely loose."

Ace had been introduced to everyone yesterday and spent most of it with Iceburg and his secretary Kalifka. She was a nice woman, beautiful too but Ace wasn't exactly the kind of guy to flirt with people. After all why would anyone want to be with someone like him? The man who carries the blood of a demon. Though right now those thoughts weren't going to help him here.

Ace shook his head and put on a smirk as he figured that Jabra was the kind of guy that likes pranks, considering the first thing the other said to him was 'roasting a pigeon'.

Upon remembering that though Ace looked at Jabra, though his expression didn't change from the smirk. Did they already know who he was and just not care? That wasn't often the case when he ended up having to use his abilities.

For now Ace would play it cool. He knew better than to assume something without all the facts.

"If you want to prank Lucci, that's different. What's the best way to properly introduce yourself but with a prank?" Ace asked as he stepped closer to lower his voice with a whisper. "And it's always good to start your first prank with an old reliable prank...we need a bucket of water, some rope and a doorway..."

[theflamingspade]

"You often have to remind your crew not to put toxin's in your guests food?" Ace asked calmly.

Ace began to eat the stew, as he watched Jango for a moment. He still appeared calm and non-threatening towards the captain and his gathered crew. There was no need to become aggressive but Ace made sure to remain aware of his surroundings.

"Foods not bad! Then again I've only been eating rations for the last few days so I appreciate anything properly cooked."

At the question about Devil Fruits were asked he swallowed what was in his mouth and nodded his head. "They can be, especially for a pirate, you know because of the ocean?"

Ace let out a hum as he thought about what he wanted to say. "Devil Fruit's require a lot of energy to use, and during battle adrenaline keeps you going but afterwards? You are absolutely exhausted and starving. But maybe that's only my experience and what I witness from Marco...but he also overworks himself on a daily basis."

Ace took the offered glass filled with the drink and let his smile grow wider at the mention of relaxing and having a good time, which was really something Ace could do with.

Ace threw his head back as he downed the drink with a grin, enjoying the feel of the cool liquid against his throat.

His personal secret was that his fire burned off alcohol long before he could even get drunk.

Which honestly benefitted him if people were trying to get him drunk to try and jump him, though he didn't think this would be something that this captain would try, considering he honestly seemed nervous about Ace in the beginning. Or perhaps it was because this man hiding something?

Ace had taken notice that both the name of the crew and the jolly roger had nothing to do with the current captain.

"What made you go with the 'Black Cat'?" Ace asked genuinely curious. "I notice that the crew has the theme down, but I don't notice any cat motif on you?"

Curiosity is one of the things that stirred a pirate on, the curiosity of wanting to know what was out there beyond the horizon? Though Ace took to the sea for more than just curiosity. He had wanted to make a name for himself, to get out of the shadow of the devil himself.

Ace turned his attention back to the stew in his hands and continued eating it. He really was glad to be having a properly cooked meal, even if it wasn't the greatest food he's eaten but it was still pretty good. Ace held out his glass for a refill and downed it again. This day had started out as a disappointed due to his lead being a dud but now he had company, questionable company but company nonetheless, and a cooked meal and good drink.

The mood of the crew was excitable and joyful and it did make what tension there had been dissipate in the air.

A bright smile broke across Ace's face as he finished off the stew that had been offered to him. Ace wiped off his mouth with the back of his hand as his dark eyes looked around at the crew who were already getting drunk so they must have been here for a bit, enjoying themselves and just having a good time. "You guys seem to know how to have a good time, I can appreciate that!" Ace said with a genuine laugh. "Are you guys celebrating something or you just enjoying life?" Not that a pirate really needed any reason to celebrate other than being free.

[jangoedmoves]

"Nah, it's just that scumbag Sham would pull this shit out of nowhere. The guy is as unstable as they get." Jango sighed, remembering all of Sham's underhanded tactics. "And you can never tell with him when he decides to act out." The dancer took a big swig of his alcohol with a tired grumble.

The pirate captain shrugged. "Not many good cooks are super eager to join a pirate crew. And I prefer to take in volunteers rather than risk getting poisoned one day. So you get what you get and you don't get upset." A long arm snatched a pear off Ace's plate.

Jango wasn't entirely sure who Marco was, but he assumed it was another Devil Fruit user considering the context. "I see, sounds like a lotta hassle." He once ate something that gave him powers, he couldn't even imagine what would have happened if that mushroom also took away some other normal function of his.

"Ah, the theme..." Jango winced, there he goes, lying again for the sake of Kuro's long-term plan. "Before me, our captain was a guy named Kuro. He was as catlike as they get. light on his feet, had giant sword slaws on his hands, but... Marines caught him. We kept his theme as a show of respect. As for me... Cat ears just never went with my style, so I am exempt." Jango tilted his hat at the young pirate. "I feel like you'd get it." He chuckled, nodding at wide brimmed hat on Ace's head.

The dancer glanced at the shadows dancing around the fire. "Yeah, we are taking a break. Been in the sea for way too long lately. Gotta raise morale somehow." Jango squinted at Ace. "And what about you? What did you forget in this neck of the woods? I heard you went to Grand Line where all the cool pirates hang out."

[theflamingspade]

"Sounds like your crew has you constantly on your toes!" The younger pirate laughed. "I would be lying if I didn't say we give Pops a headache with some of our antics. Pranks were incredibly common on the Moby Dick and you never knew when you were either going to be pranker or the pranked." Ace still had a smile on his face remembering some of the things they would get away with.

Ace was use to having food stolen off his plate. Luffy had been really good at doing that, and sometimes in the dining hall of the Moby Dick it hadn't been uncommon to swipe food off someone's plate when they weren't looking and laugh about it when they realized it was gone. At the mention of good cooks being hard to find his laughter stopped and now his own gaze was watching the flickering flames of the fire. "Yeah...they can be."

Ace's quietness lasted only a moment, after all they were supposed to be having a good time!

When Jango nodded to Ace's orange hat he smiled and gently tipped it towards the other. "Nah, I don't think cat ears would suit you either, if I'm honest. You look more like someone who would do well with some bright colors, something that will make you stand out but not too gaudy."

At Jango's question about why he was here Ace sighed and took another swig of his drink. "I didn't forget anything, per say...I am out here hunting down someone."

And Ace would leave that part at that. Somethings were meant to stay private afterall.

However there was something he could share, and that thought brought back that big smile that lit up his entire freckled face. "Though, on a less serious note, I know my brother is out this way and I wanted to check in on him since I'm in the area and we haven't seen each other in years."

Not since Ace set out to sea to make a name for himself. Now Luffy was doing the same thing. They were both following their dreams, and bringing Sabo with them in their heart. Even with them following different paths, they would always be brothers and Ace would always watch out for Luffy when he could, after all that was what a big brother would do.

"My brother, Luffy, want's to be King of the Pirates so he would have set sail by now to form his own pirate crew."

Ace smiled as he imagined that Luffy has probably already gotten himself into some trouble, and one day Luffy would have his first wanted poster and Ace would make sure he would grab one in perfect condition because that day would be a proud moment for both of them. "My little brother is going to make a name for himself along the way, I can promise you that! Once he has his mind set on something it's as good as his."

Ace knew that better than anyone too. Luffy's stubbornness, determination and loyalty was what won Ace over to him, and Ace knew that Luffy just had a way with people. He could make enemies into friends, and Ace was curious and excited about what kind of crew Luffy would make.

"Is your crew planning on heading to the Grand Line anytime soon?" Ace asked. "You seem like a pretty cool crew, after all."

[lwonoom]

PLAY. SHINE.

[drculeeyed]

Do you find your dashboard lacking in Wine Uncle energy? Then here is my rp promo because that's what you're going to get.

DRACULE MIHAWK has it all. A tragic backstory. Intensive aura farming. Secretly cares but is too emotionally constipated to ever show it. Definitely drinks more than the doctor recommended one glass of red wine a day.

100% an actual serious rp blog.

Penned by The Reverend, or Rev. 35+. 25+ years of rp experience.

Rules in Pinned. Please give a like/reblog if you're interested or want to promote my Brand (tm).

[burikubato]

Starter for @theflamingspade

"Ace... I'm so glad, you survived." Newgate stated in a sober tone, seeing his son again after his death at Marineford. He'd died there fighting Blackbeard. He remembered it, but he didn't see Ace make it out alive.

He wasn't the original Whitebeard. He was a clone of Whitebeard in his prime. That said, his creators couldn't control him and he recalled everything up to his death. In a sense he was Edward Newgate reborn in a way as it was the essence of him, extracted from Blackbeard that was used to make the clone. Apparently Teach noticed him fighting his will durring the payback war and used connections in the black market to get rid of him, and the black market scientist just made use of him after. Though they quickly learned the flaw of creating him as they couldn't control him.

None of that mattered to him right now though. He was happy to see Ace was safe. That it hadn't all been for nothing. But would Ace still see him as Whitebeard? Would he still consider him "Pops" and not just a clone?

[theflamingspade]

"A...clone?" Ace said slowly as he stared up at the younger version of the only man Ace would consider his father and the story of how this man was now standing before Ace.

It was information that would be hard to believe if the proof wasn't already standing in front of him. This was Edward Newgate's soul brought back from death, much like Law had managed to bring Ace back from death. "Teach never could be better than you, even with the Gura Gura no mi." Ace said with a quiet laugh. "And I was never able to best you either."

Dark eyes looked up into Whitebeard's, properly looking at this new Whitebeard. "You...went looking straight for your sons, huh?"

There was something...oddly comfortable about that. Knowing that even in 'death' and some strange 'rebirth' the first thing on Whitebeard's mind were the son's he had left behind, the one's he knew that were alive, anyhow. At his mention of a female scientist hiding here Ace shook his head. "I've never seen anyone else here, I've been here recovering and training with Rayleigh when he was here."

Ace took a step forward, slowly as if he wanted to make sure this was really Pops, really the soul of the man who came to save Ace, knowing it was a trap, and died for Ace. The only reason Ace knew that was because Law had informed him of the aftermath of the war. "It's...really you...isn't it...?" Ace's voice didn't sound as strong as it had been while his anger had lashed out.

In this moment Ace was that kid who simply wanted to be loved, to know it was OK to be alive. That he wasn't just some cursed bloodline born from a demon. He had wanted a family, a home, and acceptance.

All things Whitebeard had given him even though Ace had tried to take Whitebeard's head when they first met and had continued to try until Marco and Thatch spoke of how much love that Whitebeard had for his crew, his sons.

Ace had proudly bore the mark of Whitebeard across his back. Slowly a hand came up and touched his own chest, feeling the roughness of the ugly starburst scar that marked his chest and back, ruining the one thing Ace had been proud of. But even more than that, his 'execution' led to Whitebeard, any many other's, deaths.

Ace couldn't stop his vision from blurring as he looked down at the ground, his hands tightening into fists as they trembled with all the emotions that Ace had tried to keep locked away inside. The young man clenched his teeth as tears began to fall from his eyes.

He had no right to cry. He had no right to beg for mercy due to everything he had caused. "If I had just listened..." Ace began with a painful rasp in his throat. "If I had just listened to you...none of this would have happened. YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE WOULD STILL BE HERE RIGHT NOW!" Ace shouted the last part as all his grief, guilt, shame and anger just spilled forth from him like the dam he had built to contain his emotions could no longer hold back everything he was feeling. Ace couldn't hide his feelings anymore, and never could around Pops anyhow.

The only time Ace could ever remember crying like this, ugly and loud sobs, was when Sabo was killed. Back when he was just an angry and scared little boy. Just like he was now.

[theflamingspade]

Sanji's words truly spoke of someone who understood the part of Ace that he had been hiding for a very long time. "We are our own people." It was something Pops and the others had always tried to tell him, but hearing them from someone who wasn't close to Ace hit differently somehow.

Perhaps it was because Sanji had a more outside perspective than Pops and the others on his crew, or maybe it was because Sanji spoke with an understanding no one else had before. Whatever the reason it struck a cord in Ace no one else had. Ace looked down at the steaks, a small smile spreading across his face as he stuck his fork into the tender meat and began to eat.

"I'm glad Lu found someone that is both an incredible cook and level headed...reminds me of Thatch," Ace said softly after chewing and swallowing his food, looking down at the plate as the memory still brought an ache to Ace's chest, and most likely always would.

"Or maybe that's just a skill cooks of the sea need to have?" Ace asked with a chuckle, meaning having a level head. "Though I'm sure Lu tests that everyday...and I don't want to add to that frustration so...I will take what you said to heart." And Ace meant that too. "The future is still unknown...and we're alive to find out what it holds." Ace knew there would be times the darkness would try to swallow him whole and perhaps that's really why he came here, to find people that had a lightness in them that managed to chase the darkness away, with Luffy shining like the sun. Perhaps this was where Ace needed to be right now. And as he ate the delicious plate that was placed in front of him the freckled man began to feel that will to live beginning to stir again.

"I think I will take you up on that bench," Ace said honestly. He didn't sleep much on a normal day, and staying up traveling on the Striker until he got here was never a good thing considering using a devil fruit, any devil fruit from what Ace understood, required energy and could often leave the user completely drained if they used it non-stop without resting. The food Sanji had given him would give his body back the fuel it needed that the Mira Mira no Mi had claimed to get Ace here.

Ace had manners, although while he was actually eating there was no question he was Luffy's brother as he was eating fast, as if the food would suddenly grow legs and walk away.

Once he was done, and both plates were so completely clean one wouldn't have known there was food on it. Ace wiped his mouth and hands and gathered the empty plates up and made his way towards the kitchen sink. "But before I take a nap I'll clean the dishes," Ace said as he stepped up to the sink. "You cooked you shouldn't have to wash the dishes too."

That had also been a rule on the Moby Dick, and something that just seemed like the right thing to do for a hard working cook.

Especially considering how much time, effort and patience it had to take to make enough food to fill his endless void of a stomach that was Sanji's captain and Ace's brother and if Ace stayed? Well then he would be working triple time because Ace ate just as much food as Luffy, if not more after a fight but that really was a closer tie then anything.

"And before you start to protest about me being a guest...if I end up staying here, even if temporarily...I want to do this to thank you for the meal and taking care of my brother."

[king-and-his-consorts]

"Sea cooks are a strong willed bunch. Even so, I've definitely found my skill and stamina tested by that gluttonous beast you call a brother." Sanji chuckled and took a moment to watch Ace eat. There was a certain giddy feeling that would wash over the cook when he knew that others enjoyed the meals he crafted for him. It was a twin spiral of pride and happiness that would wind itself around his spine. The sensation would fill both mind and heart. A wall of pleasure crafted into his mind to hold the negative murmurs that would scratch at the dark corners of his damaged mind all hours of the day.

Witnessing others take pleasure in the spoils of his efforts was a grander rush than anything nicotine had ever done for him. Ever since he was a child, seeing another creature's face light up with the joy of eating good food fill the young chef with a bliss so strong it left him dizzy.

He watched Ace dig into the meal with a grin. The other man looked like he hadn't eaten in a year. The shadows under the other's eyes didn't seem quite so dark with the joy of a good meal at the ready. Food was magical. It held so many properties that could heal both mind and body. A quick glance over Ace's form held tell-tale signs of malnutrition and lack of nourishment. They weren't severe but someone with a disturbing familiarity could easily pick them out.

Sanji reached over to the side of his counter and lifted the lid off a tiny jar. He pulled out a toothpick and settled it between his own lips. Teeth settled in around the tiny stick in without a thought. The skittering, creeping sensation the back of his neck eased with the grind of wood settling into the grooves between his teeth. Tension slipped from strong shoulders as he leaned more fully against the counter to keep an eye on his guest.

Two years was not nearly long enough to forget the horror he'd felt when Ace had collapsed into his meal during lunch. Sanji had been horrified, mind swirling with thoughts of unknown food sensitivities and allergies. But his idiot captain had just laughed, proclaiming Ace would just do that. Sanji would like to avoid having his guest suffocating in fried rice, thank you very much.

"The bench should have a pillow and clean blanket on in." Sanji replied as he pulled away from the counter. He moved to the stove to clean up the mess that had gathered. "Chopper likes to come in and sleep between research bouts. So, I keep bedding around just in case."

Sanji turned from the stove towards the sink and startled. A jolt passing up his spine as he saw the other standing there. He had been lost in plans for breakfast that he hadn't noticed the other get up. It took several moments longer to comprehend the words spoken to him. Mouth agape at the absurdity that just left Ace's mouth.

Someone one actually volunteering to help him with dishes?!

"Well, that's..." Sanji blinked a few times as he tried to find his voice once more. A cough cleared his throat as his thoughts gathered. "Well, that's certainly a sentiment I've never heard before. But who am I to complain."

With a bit of trepidation to his movement, he set his now cool pans down at the side of the sink. It felt strange to step back and let Ace take over one of his duties. Guilt nibbled at his ear as he went to go sit at the counter with a pad of paper and a pen. He would need to adjust the week's recipes for basically a second Luffy's worth of food. "I appreciate the help. Breakfast won't be for a few more hours still. Would you like me to wake you so you can join us?"

[theflamingspade]

"Yeah, he's a glutton but he loves your food the most. Before we went our separate ways he talked about your cooking nonstop."

Ace's dark eyes were focused on the task at hand, but he was keenly aware of the cook's presence and actions but for the moment he would let them both simply just enjoy the comforting quiet of the kitchen as Ace did a task that was probably foreign for Sanji to have someone else do. He would need to remind the rest of Luffy's crew that Sanji cooked, he shouldn't have to clean too.

As for the meal itself? It had been the most amazing meal he had eaten in a long time. It was as close to heaven as he would get.

Ace carefully washed and dried the dishes, putting them back where he had memorized Sanji had gotten them from. Ace was very careful with each dish as he understood how important they had to be for a cook.

Once he was finished proper, he dried his hands on a towel and turned to face Sanji, bowing to him once more.

"Thank you so much for the meal again," Ace said with a warm smile as he stood back up. "And Lu was right, there is no one else's food I would want to eat in this world." That was still alive, but Thatch's cooking would always be something Ace missed.

Ace nodded when Sanji asked to wake him up, although Ace doubted he would be sleeping soundly. Plagued by nightmares he very rarely slept long, if at all. Perhaps the only time he could claim to be asleep was during a narcoleptic attack and that was dangerous as once Ace had an attack he was OUT. Though he was on an ally ship so he knew nothing bad would happen to him here but that didn't change the fact that once Ace left he would have to hope he was in a safe place when it happened.

For now though? He would simply just let himself relax as much as he could and keep his nightmares to himself. His suffering wasn't anything anyone else needed to handle, Ace had brought it upon himself after all. The worst part was when those words echoed back to him in Teach's voice. Ace automatically felt his muscles tense and a shudder break through him, the beat of his heart quickened. Ace closed his eyes, taking as few deep breaths as he could.

"I will go lay down, please wake me up when breakfast starts, I'll probably be surprised how much everyone's changed!"

With that Ace went towards the bench Sanji had directed him too, finding the blankets and pillows as instructed. "This will be a lot nicer than the last place I slept," Ace muttered with a chuckle.

He arranged the pillows as he laid down, sitting his own orange cowboy hat over his face with one arm behind his head.

He didn't really expect to sleep, but if he looked it then at least Sanji wouldn't worry. Ace was aware he could still pass out but what he was afraid of was jerking awake, covered in sweat and screaming. At this moment though he wasn't alone, so maybe that would help comfort his broken mind in some sense?

[pastghost]

photos from another time

[theflamingspade]

Ace laughed as he wrapped his arms around Ikkaku's form as he stumbled backwards from the force of her body running into his in her joy of seeing him again.

He held her tightly against his broad chest for a moment before stepping back slightly so that he could look at her. "I don't think a Sea King would like how spicy I am." Ace said with a broad smile across his freckled face.

He knew it had been a long time since he had set sail, and he wasn't entirely sure what compelled him to leave the island he had been hiding on but perhaps it was because Ace felt that he needed to make sure that Luffy achieved his dream.

Ace owed that to, not only Luffy, but to Pops and everyone who had died to ensure he lived. Ace had been mourning for so long now, and most likely would always be mourning to some extent but they had died so Ace could live and thus he needed to live, even if he would always carry the blame for so many people's deaths, especially the only father Ace would ever recognize.

"Glad to hear you're keeping those guys in check. At this point you'd think they would just realize they aren't ever going to get one over on you." Ace smiled at the mention of the Striker. "Since you found her and helped repair her she has been treating me really well." Ace paused for a moment as a small smile crossed his face. "I didn't realize how much I missed being on the ocean until I climbed on and set sail once more."

Ace ran his fingers through his messy dark hair. He had returned to dressing as he had when he first set sail, an open yellow shirt. Something he could button up when heading onto land.

"Though when I saw the Polar Tang I figured I would come and see you, considering you're one of the few people that know I am alive, which I owe to your captain, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for his skill and you stubbornly not letting me get lost in my own head, a bad habit I still have."

Not to mention, seeing the Polar Tang felt like they were crossing paths for a reason. This was the place where his life had been saved and given a chance to fulfill what so many other people had died to give Ace. After two years, Ace knew he couldn't remain hiding and pretending that he was dead when there were still people he loved out there that needed him. Luffy being one of the biggest reasons that Ace pulled himself out of his own head.

"I was actually hoping that I could spend some time with you and your crew." Ace admitted as he was watching Ikkaku because she was one of the people he trusted, one of the most level headed people he had gotten to know, that hadn't been on Whitebeard's crew. He figured that she would be able to help him sort through the complex and harsh emotions that still plagued him. They would always plague him but they didn't need to control him as they had already controlled him for so long.

"I can treat you to a meal as an apology for disappearing for so long. Anything you want, and I promise I will do my best not to steal off your plate." Ace said with a grin, honestly trying to get back into some sense of normalcy in a life that had been thrown upside-down.

[ikkaku-of-heart]

As much as Ikkaku would have loved for Ace to lay low and stay safe until the World Government had somehow been dismantled, she knew it would never be possible. He was a pirate, same as her, which meant that the seas called to him. The need to be free and keep moving and go on adventures was like a powerful magnet, calling them away from safety. A dangerous thing, but she was certain neither of them would trade it for all the riches and safety in the world.

But she knew he was strong. She could feel it in his warm, broad chest and the steady, healthy beat of his heart. The heart Law had made sure kept going, despite the odds.

His life had been saved, and many more lives had been lost in the process. It would be a disservice to their sacrifices for him to hide away for the rest of his life.

So Ikkaku released him from her hug and poked his chest playfully. "It's easy to get lost in that big head of yours. Especially with how empty it is," she joked. Really, Ace was quite intelligent, but his stubbornness and self-deprecation could lead to making unfathomably stupid decisions. Luckily for him, the engineer had something of a talent for knocking some sense into men and pulling them out of the dark spirals they found themselves falling into.

Waving to Jean Bart to signal she was done with her work and taking a break, she wrapped her arm around Ace's bicep and led them off the docks towards one of the seaside establishments that had some absolutely delicious scents wafting from it. She was pretty hungry, so lunch was an excellent idea. "I'll hold you to that promise. We'd better eat now, though - once Law catches wind that you're around, you know he'll drag you into his office for a check-up. Gotta make sure his greatest surgical feat is still in one piece and all that." Not that she blamed Law. Even with his skills and powers, the numerous procedures and constant near-flatlining of the man who walked beside her had taken a toll on the Surgeon of Death. He'd surely be intent on making sure all his hard work wouldn't be undone anytime soon.

"So, tell me what you've been up to. I demand a full report on what kind of trouble you've been getting yourself into and out of."

[theflamingspade]

There was no question in Ace's mind that Ikkaku was right. If Law even had an inkling that Ace was here there was no way the freckled man would be getting out of the surgeon's office until the crack of dawn. Ace understood he was a medical miracle, Law's greatest accomplishment and Ace was deeply grateful that the surgeon hadn't given up on him when many other doctors would have simply given up and would have deemed that Ace would die no matter how much work they put into it.

And now his heart was beating, for better or worse, as strong as it could. His body had limits now, with how extensive his internal injuries had been it only makes sense that he now had to listen to his body even closer now than before. He could still do things, but his limit came much quicker now.

But right now wasn't the time to be thinking about it, otherwise he was certainly gonna get knocked in the head by the engineer.

"At the moment nothing much. A few run in's with marines, but they aren't making it back to any base to report they saw me." Ace paused as he thought of something else to tell her. "Oh! Stopped on some uninhabited island to make dinner and camp at for the night and saw this strange fruit hanging on the tree...the only one there actually, I took a bite and was fine for a bit, and by the time I made it back to camp it knocked me out for a couple of hours. You'd think after how I got my devil fruit I'd stop eating weird fruit on random islands."

He thought of something else he could tell her. "Been tracking down Luffy...I promised him I would meet up with his crew once the two year training was up. Haven't had any luck finding him yet, but I still collect his wanted posters and I'm glad to see he's still being a pain in the ass for the World Government."

The smile that broke across Ace's face at the thought of his brother was small but filled with warmth. "He is the man who will be Pirate King after all."

As they entered the establishment the delicious aroma of food hit Ace's nose and he couldn't help but take in a big whiff of it. Ace wasn't a bad cook, but he knew a meal prepared by people who spent their whole lives mastering the art would always taste better than what he could make.

"I feel like I'm starving!" Ace said as he looked at Ikkaku with a big grin that grew across his face. "Hope you're ready to see how well my apatite has come back! Honestly I think it's gotten bigger if I'm entirely honest with you." Of course that didn't change with Ace, he could probably still give Luffy a run for his money in an eating contest.

Then again there was no restaurant in the world, new or old, that could keep up with either brother eating separately, let alone in the same place at the same time. They would certainly empty a place of all their food in a few moments.

"What about you?" Ace asked as they entered the establishment proper. "Other than whipping those guys into shape, what have you been up to?"

Ace had no doubt that Ikkaku's captain was probably keeping her busy, given some of the rumors he had been hearing while traveling and snippets he had read in the newspaper. Part of the reason he felt he couldn't just sit around anymore. He was trained by Rayleigh after he finished training Luffy and Ace couldn't let Pops and the other's down by sitting still any longer.

He just needed to figure out where he belonged now...and that was the hardest part. But Ace was still alive, thanks to the Heart Pirates, and he would think of something. But right now? Right now he was going to enjoy a meal with an old friend and enjoy talking to someone for the first time in a bit.

[opbackgrounds]

The SBS for volumes 109 and 111 reveal that Ace was offered the Warlord position to fill the spot of the guy he himself beat up. Can you imagine the World Government offering Luffy Crocodile or Moriah's spot after Alabasta or Thriller Bark?

[theflamingspade]

💡 - Are there any plots/ideas you really want to write?

💡: I am really down to try anything, honestly. I like exploring how Ace would experience the world and the people he would be interacting with. Vampire? Throw it at me! Modern? Ace got his bike! Mermaid? I always imagined Ace as a shark but still working out what would be the best species for him! I really just want to write it all and as long as me and my writing partner are having fun then that's the most important part for me!

[theflamingspade]

😎 - Why did you choose your mun name? Does it mean something to you?

😎: My mun name was inspired, again by Ace. With his devil fruit abilities and his former crew being called the Spade Pirated, I thought TheFlamingSpade was a good combination.

[theflamingspade]

✏️ - Why did you choose to write your muse(s)?

✏️Answered Here

Though another reason I chose to write as Ace is because he was the one that inspired me to change my name. So my name is Ace in rl, I felt that strong of a connection to him like I never have with any other fictional character before.

[theflamingspade]

✏️ - Why did you choose to write your muse(s)?

😍 - Do you have a specific character type that you usually find applies to your favorites?

✏️:The reason I chose to write as Ace is because I relate to him a lot. Both our childhoods were really shitty, differently for obvious reasons.) Because of how I was raise, without going into too much detail, I hated myself. I thought everything was wrong because I was born. I hated myself and I hated so many other kids because of it. But like Ace I found friends that became my family, and even got 'adopted' into my, now wife's, family where I got to know love and acceptance.

😍: Bad boys with a golden/broken heart, the himbo (Gourry helped me discover that.), compassionate, tragic, skinny boys with glasses (I know that's more a descripter but it's true none the less. Some of my favorite muses are:

Zelgadis, Gourry and Xelloss (Slayers)

Vash the Stampede, Nicholas D. Wolfwood (Trigun 90's version)

Chance/T-Bone (From Swat Kats)

Ace, Sanji, Zoro, Sabo, King (One Piece and more but I didn't want this post to become a mile long)

Percy, Vax, Scanlan (The Legend of Vox Machina)