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[mera_mera_ace]

[Ace woke with a groan and sat up. Grass? Wasn't he just on a battlefield? He ached everywhere and felt very weak. It took a good five minutes for him to even be able to stand. Waves of nausea and dizziness forced him to take it slowly. Finally upright he took stock of his injuries. Numerous cuts and scratches, dirty, weak. No broken bones though.

First order of business he looked all around him as keenly as possible. He called out as loud as he could hoping for an answer.]

LUFFY? MARCO? POPS? GRAMPS?

[Nothing. There was no sign of anything or anyone. No Marco, no Jimbe, no marines, and most importantly no Luffy. He felt panic rising inside of him but quickly stomped it down. Panic would get him no where right now. He needed to figure out where he was and where everyone else was.

Deciding anything was better then just waiting around; Ace slowly started walking forward intent on trying to find civilization. He crested a hill and saw a large building in the shape of what seemed like a shell of some kind. Hoping they could help him, he began to walk towards it. Doors opened revealing a school or center of some kind. Not that he had ever been inside of a school before. He stumbled forward towards a small group of people hoping they could help him.]




Backdated to before he enrolled]

Comments

[redcinemareel]

[As one of her many duties of planning the second best wedding in Garden, only coming second to her own, Grell had to go look at a few flowers, some color patterns, fabrics, and tuxedo designs for the grooms. No matter what, at least one of them had to wear a tuxedo!

She hears someone call out a few familiar names, but what is more important is that the voice is just as familiar. It makes Grell stop walking towards her destination and turned around to find the source of the voice. After a few minutes of walking, she happens upon that familiar man surrounded by wary cadets, and a few of them admiring his physique. She couldn't blame them.

Grell stands behind him and taps on his shoulder. Her presence alone makes the others scatter. They usually associate anything red with her, and that was never a good thing.]

Ace?

[mera_mera_ace]

[He'd been talking to the wary students for less then 10 minutes before he felt a tap on his shoulder. He had noted that the others scattered just before he turned.

He saw red hair and first he thought of Shanks. But no. That wasn't right. Shanks' hair was longer and he wasn't as well kept as the man before him. He nodded when the smooth voice reached his ear and eyed him suspiciously. Even though he was hurt and weak, he was prepared to fight if need be.]

I'm sorry, do I know you?

[redcinemareel]

[SIGHS]

Perfect. Time Compression has given you amnesia. How hurtful it is to know you don't even recognize your brother's wife! [She waves her hand haphazardly before linking an arm with his.]

Apparently, no you do not, but I do. [She'll just start tugging him towards the infirmary.] I'm Grell, darling. You're Ace. Please don't forget your name, as well.

[mera_mera_ace]

Time compression? Brother? Which brother? Wife, but you're a man aren't you?

[Is a little more confused so he doesn't really react more then following along when she starts pulling on him]

Grell? I've never heard anyone mention you. Where are you leading me?

1/2

[redcinemareel]

I said WIFE, didn't I?! [Ace had better read between the lines, or he's going to have a Problem.]

[redcinemareel]

[Grell calms down, though, because she could see that Ace is in no condition to get his ass kicked.]

I was speaking of Marco. I'm his wife. We've been here, in this world, for quite some time now, thanks to a phenomenon called Time Compression. Some sort of magic that pulls us all from differing worlds. I personally call it a headache.

[She looks him over at his condition.] You're obviously in need of medical attention, dear. We're heading to the infirmary.

[mera_mera_ace]

Marco? Marco's here!? What about Luffy, is he here too? Let me see him. Now. Take me to him. Forget the damn infirmary I have to make sure he's alright! [Starts to try and pull away because you've said a magic word. The rest of the conversation is on hold for the moment until he sees the blond with is own eyes.]

[redcinemareel]

Marco or Luffy? I can only take you to Marco, however. Luffy is not here. [And she doesn't know who he is...]

[mera_mera_ace]

Then take me to Marco!!! [He doesn't mean to sound rude, but he's really upset right now and yeah needs to see something he knows. Of course..you could knock him out and get him treated. He does need that badly.]

[om_nom_namur]

[Namur's hanging out with Thatch on the Quad, both of them chowing down on bentos from whoever it is that keeps leaving them at their doors. There are a lot of students milling around, a lot of life and movement, and Namur enjoys kicking back on one of the terraced Garden walls and taking it all in. He knows a lot of the students by taste, though he's never met them. Those two over there have been trying to hook up for the last week, but they're both too shy. That one in the corner keeps trying to off herself, even though two or three people come by every day to keep her company and she turns them away. He can't taste Marco or Grell since they're off doing whatever it is they do during the day, Espio's probably still in the gym, who the hell ever knows what Toby does, Ace is at the entrance, and Thatch seems content enough at the mo- wait.

Namur sits up, suddenly very alert and checking with haki. He taps the back of his knuckles against Thatch's knee, and nods his head toward the entrance to Garden.]

Oi, bro. We got t' go. Y' see who all's down there?

1/2

[thatched]

[he's damn spoiled with these bentos--but he doesn't mind. It's good to be spoiled by nakama once in a while. Even if he wasn't nakama in the sense that Thatch used to know them, he was getting used to the lad--and these lunches were only helping. Didn't hurt either that it was a warm day and there was young love trying to get together nearby in fits and starts. He'd been eyeing that couple for some time now. Almost tempted to lock them in a broom closet to see what came of it.

There was also the sad girl. Always hanging in the shadows. He wonders everytime if he should talk to her. But she's pretty young and instructors seem to intimidate her more than anything. Still he eyes those that come up to her and decide to interrogate them later for a name or student id so at least he can find who might be best able to help before she does something unfortunate.

Namur's sudden movement distracts him--and wonders at why he looks so intense all of a sudden before glancing in the direction of his nod--expecting to see Marco or Grell or, hell, even someone they knew faintly from Trabia.]

[thatched]

[and freezes. Vaguely realizing the bento has slid to the ground. The shock of recognition hits him like a slap to the face and his gut jerks.

That-- he couldn't--

His hands are shaking. His breath comes thick in his throat. No. Not this. Not here. Not him--

He can't--

He won't.

No.

It's too much.

He stands somehow and somehow moves the opposite way. Cold sweat racing down his spine as his throat threatens to close completely. His ears ringing faintly as if he's going to pass out but he won't.

Not until he gets away]

[om_nom_namur]

[Namur scrambles to his feet just long enough to pounce after Thatch, grabbing him around the legs and bringing him to the ground.]

Come on, bro! It's Ace. Think he's hurt, an' he needs us. Y' ain't gonna flip out an' leave him drownin' are y'?

[thatched]

[and why is hurt.

why is he hurt?! Who caused that, goddamned fish!

Thatch wants to say that but can't even breathe as it was knocked out of him when he was tripped to the ground. But he wont' go. He won't do this. He won't show himself so weak. He won't face him knowing--

knowing--

everything.

He can't.

He twists around and kicks Namur in the nose. And again. Until he lets go, digging furrows in the ground with his hands as he wheezes, struggling to breathe]

[om_nom_namur]

DAMN IT THATCH!

[Sure, he's only kicking Namur's face. But it still hurts!]

JACKASS KNOCK IT OFF!!! Y' GOIN' T' BE FIRST MATE THEN Y' GOT T' ACT LIKE ONE!

[mera_mera_ace]

Huh? [Ace was talking to a wary cadet when he heard what sounded like Namur. It was faint but it drew his attention towards the Quad. He started limping towards the sound, something compelling him to check it out. He didn't really pay attention to two of the cadets following him. Both seemed a little worried about him. Entering the Quad Ace startled seeing Namur fighting with Thatch. But..Thatch was dead wasn't he?]

T...Thatch? Namur?

[thatched]

[no! He can't! Not anymore! And if Namur doesn't let go of him right now he's going to grab him by the gills and--

He freezes at the sound of that voice. Calling him. Shit. Shit shit shit shit. He doesn't deserve to hear that. Doesn't deserve to even see him. Everything is crashing into him at once and he's suffocating.

But that's fine. That's fine he doesn't have to run. He doesn't have to hide. He just has to stop. So he does. Sitting up and staring into the middle distance at nothing.

He won't do it.

He can't.]

[om_nom_namur]

[Namur glances back at Ace, smiles, then kneels up next to Thatch, whispering.]

Come on, Thatch, y' got this. Don't blank out an' regret it later.

[Then he turns again. This time, leaping at Ace to wrap him up in a big hug and ruffle his hair.]

Hey Barbecue Pit! Took y' long 'nuff t' show yer scraggly face 'round here!

somewhere around 3am

[thatched]

Thatch leaned against the couch and watched Ace sleep. It was weird to see him again after so long. Weird to see him at all after-- everything. It didn't seem like he'd actually died at all. Like Namur had been mistaken. Because here he was, breathing softly in sleep, cheek pressed against the couch.

He should probably leave him to it. Probably should stop staring at him like a kid with his face pressed up a candy store window. But fuck it. He was a pirate and did what he wanted. And Sparks was here... On a couch when Thatch had a serviceable bed that no one was using but him.

Thatch glanced at the closed bedroom door and then proceeded to gather Ace in his arms to spirit him away to Thatchland.

[mera_mera_ace]

At first Ace was well deep asleep. It wasn't until he was being lifted that he woke. Instead of being alarmed, he recognized this scent, this familiar feeling. He snuggled into Thatch's arms and let the older man carry him where he wished.

He waited till the soft feeling of sheets reached his bare back before he spoke softly. "I was wondering how long it would take."

[thatched]

No one said for him to be adorable like that. It wasn't fair and he was cheating. Sleep snuggling the little bastard. And then saying things like that...hell speaking at all--on Thatch's bed. Well too bad. Thatch had emoted enough for one day and like hell he was going to do it again. He swallowed past the lump in his throat, somehow easier to deal with in the dark, and shoved Ace unceremoniously closer to the wall so that he could get in.

"It's been a rough time, Sparks." He ruffled Ace's hair--which was always soft to the touch no matter how long he'd been at sea, damn him, and pulled him close to rest his chin on it.

"Lot of things have changed."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace started a moment when Thatch climbed in beside him. He could barely remember the last time he had been in this situation with the older man beside him. So long ago...it seemed almost like another lifetime. Slowly Ace wrapped his arm around Thatch's torso, cuddling closer and resting his head on his shoulder. He was quiet for a long moment before his soft tenor broke the silence of the room.

"Yeah. Lots of things have changed. Some for the better....and others not. I'm sorry Thatch. Sorry I wasn't strong enough...." His voice choked a little as he fisted Thatch's shirt; emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He had some idea of why Thatch had run away earlier. Both Namur and Marco had managed to offer some insight...and Ace; well he wasn't stupid and he was able to put pieces together for himself. "It wasn't your fault you know...never your fault."

[thatched]

No... don't start that. Not that choked voice or the way he was clutching at him. It wasn't fair. Thatch swallowed again, trying to maintain himself, to be the strong one here like Marco was always the strong one. He was never that good at deadpan. Not exactly. And Ace would take that the wrong way anyway and don't say it wasn't his fault either because that wasn't helping.

He couldn't accept it either. Ace wasn't strong enough. Hell with that. He was one of the strongest people Thatch had ever known. He'd never believed in someone so much other than Pops himself. As if he could have done. If anyone hadn't been strong enough, it was Thatch. He should have survived somehow. He'd survived worse. Or eaten the fruit when he'd first gotten it rather than just--

But that was neither here nor there. That was a different era. A past era. And they had to start looking toward the future.

"Shut it, kid," Thatch said in a rough voice as he pulled his fingers through Ace's hair. "If I can't blame myself then neither can you, got it? Or I'll kick your scrawny ass."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace gave a sad chuckle and took a deep shuddering breath. "As if you could old man." He curled in closer to Thatch, inhaling his familiar scent and letting it calm him. He had missed the older man so much. It was almost as though part of him was missing. Neither he nor Marco had ever been the same but instead of dealing with it together, he had run off.

"I've missed you, Thatchette."

[thatched]

"Who the hell are you calling old? I really will kick your ass this time, damn sprout." Or, you know, pull him closer and blink away the stinging in his eyes at that breath. It was good like this. Like a part of him had come back he didn't even know he'd lost.

"I've missed you, too, Acelet."

But enough of that. He needed to change the topic before they both turned into weepy old men who hadn't seen each other in ages, partly because he wasn't old, but partly because distracting Ace was like an old hobby that he missed terribly.

"We'll have a lot of fun, aye? Let's make the turkey molt a little. Go out for a stroll or two. I want to show those stuffy bastards in Balamb what your cute freckles can do."