PC: ACE 💀

[resumed]

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[resumed]

[ he allows this, if only because he doesn't know how to answer that question honestly. ]

...I have other people I have to look after. You know that as well as I do. [ will. nimona. the rest of the jailbreakers. they're his responsibility just as much as anyone else's. ]

[selfimmolation]

That's what I figured you'd say. [ he doesn't think he's actually allowed to make it a request, all things considered, because it's his fault in the first place nico's finding himself with that much trouble. ] ... I was okay dying the first time because I knew Luffy's crew would take care of him.

[ he maybe shouldn't admit that but. yknow. whatever. ]

[resumed]

[ he doesn't like that, but he also understands. and maybe it's a little fucked up to say: ]

I think in the end Bianca was hoping for that for me. And it's why she was okay sacrificing herself. [ it just didn't work because nico reacted poorly and everything came crashing down and he ran away. and nobody thought to look for him until they realized he could be used against them for kronos's army. or at least that's what he figures enough. ]

...though I imagine it does make it a little less painful when you know the people you're leaving behind are going to be in good hands. [ and maybe that's what he's trying to do. or he's trying to distract how much it's going to hurt watching him die tomorrow. one of the two. ]

[selfimmolation]

Probably. [ maybe it's a terrible thing to say, but it's what he figures, too. and for that... ]

...Yeah, kinda. I know you guys will be, too. [ ... hm: ] With Luffy, it's... something Sabo asked me to do. He sent me a letter, before leaving. I only got it after he died.

[resumed]

...hence the reason you'd want to go back when I figure things out. Yeah, I get that. [ it's soft and it's thoughtful and he really does actually understand why ace has his attachments to his brothers. sometimes you have ghosts that never really go away. he thinks about ace receiving a letter after sabo died and he thinks about receiving a figurine he probably would've once coveted after bianca died and the parallels aren't lost on him. things you receive out of love that kind of chase you until you die.

or maybe he's dramatic. he's probably dramatic. ]

You know you did everything you could, right?

[selfimmolation]

I tried, but I probably didn't. [ he says it softly, but it's not really regretful, just sort of knowing. ] It's alright. I was never trying to be more than just good enough to... anyway. I think I had a point, but I got distracted.

[ it's wry. his brain is still half-soup. it's fine. ]

[resumed]

[ there's a soft laugh because yeah. he's been there. ]

I think I got your point, so it's okay. I'm still gonna counter it though that you did more than just good enough because I think I know you better than you think by now.

[selfimmolation]

... You think?

[ it's not so much dubious as curious and a little unsure ]

[resumed]

Sure. You're not exactly a difficult person to read most of the time, Ace. And the stories you did tell us kind of say enough.

[selfimmolation]

Pretty sure you said I understated how bad I was as a kid earlier this week.

[resumed]

Because you did, but I do remember someone telling me a story about how he got a barmaid to teach him manners solely so he could thank a pirate for saving his brother's life.

[selfimmolation]

... Yeah, so?

[ :T ]

[resumed]

It just feels like a lot of effort for someone who was only trying to be good enough is all.

[selfimmolation]

... Yeah, well... I was trying to be good enough for two, remember?

[ this isn't the time comic strip also technically he says i'm no good not i'm worthless but let's not get into me vs the subs i can find on youtube

he's just making this face because this isn't the TIME he's DYING TOMORROW ]

[resumed]

[ this isn't the time, and yet he reads through the comic strip almost passively before his gaze slides back to ace. ]

...obviously Luffy turned out okay. Was he mad when he woke up?

[selfimmolation]

[ he sort of sighs ]

... Nah. He's stupid like that. But that's about when I realized I couldn't... stay the way I was.

[resumed]

[ he thinks he knows what ace means, but he prompts him anyway. ]

...which way was that?

[selfimmolation]

Well, the manners thing was part of it. [ ... ] I was always a mean kid, but I realized I couldn't rely on Sabo to be nice to Luffy anymore. I had to actually care properly. It didn't come easy.

[ he didn't actually have role models there. ]

[resumed]

Yeah, I've heard that most things that're worth it don't. Come easy, that is. [ bemused. ] Do I need to bring up the whole idea of choices again...?

[selfimmolation]

Not if it means we're gonna go around in circles. [ he says it wryly. it's not like he's trying to convince nico he's bad anyway. ]

[resumed]

[ and then, stupidly: ]

I'd be willing to go in circles if it meant getting to be here a little longer.

[ oh. okay. not really what he meant to spit out but. whatever. ]

[selfimmolation]

[ he doesn't know what to say to that and it's clear on his face for a bit, just squeezing nico's hand ]

... You can stay here as long as you want.

[resumed]

I mean...the others are still out there. Pretty sure we're planning to stay the night until we all have to go tomorrow.

[ he says that even while he's keeping ace's hand pretty firmly in his own like...who knows, maybe like if he holds on tight enough this one won't slip from between his fingers, too. ]

[selfimmolation]

I'm not gonna say no.

[ he says it soft. it's like a less terrible version of garp sitting with him on the execution stand, he thinks, maybe. hmmm. time for more stories ]

... You know that guy I said I fought for five days straight? He actually ended up in the same cell as me.

[resumed]

[ they are all much better than garp, yes. but he tilts his head. ]

What'd he end up there for? Did you end up beating him up again?