#you don't even watch/read bleach so lwk the reference is kinda wasted here BUT SOMEONE WILL SEE IT AND UNDERSTAND THE VISION

[softlypaintedseafoam]

it's blue hour ー 00:00 + portgas d. ace

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"You finally going to tell me what's wrong, Mr. Portgas?"

Ace winces in the dull light of Sabaody's street lights. "What do you mean?" He tries asking obliviously, voice as light as it can be considering his mood.

Earlier in the day ー well, considering the time, you suppose yesterday is more accurate now ー Ace had so much pep in his step. Had been smiling much like a child just at the sight of Sabaody from the edge of the Spadille. Had been gone in the blink of an eye even, leaving the stubborn ensign Isuka to yell at air before you and Deuce reluctantly played rock-paper-scissors to see who'd keep your fiery captain on his best behavior.

Whatever had transpired while Ace and Deuce were on their lonesome, he'd been out of it by the time you reunited elsewhere on the mangrove. Being tactful has never been your strong suit, however. You smile lightly, rolling your eyes. "How long have we known each other? I can tell when you're upset about something; my eyes know all."

Ace has many tells when you look closely. The darkening of his eyes, the quiet sighs. Even his appetite takes a hit if the ten less plates compared to his usual twenty he's eaten are anything to go off of.

He chuckles but it is humorless and brown eyes avoid your own. "It's nothing," he tries in vain to alleviate your worries. "I guess it's just a lot knowing we're finally heading to the New World once the coating is done."

You are definitely Luffy's brother, you press your lips together in your concern. You're terrible liars.

A silence not quite uncomfortable but far from cozy falls over you both.

They're not entirely rare; at least you wouldn't be arrogant enough think otherwise. These silences aren't common between you both, but you've had your fair share of them whether it be due to your own issues or Ace's. They never seem to get easier to deal with despite how they come and go.

The melodic plucking of a harp catches your ear and you glance in its direction.

"A musician," you can hear Luffy's gleeful voice. "Every pirate crew needs a musician and I'm gonna get the best!"

A live band too? This place really does has everything. Perhaps you're too impressed; you've certainly seen your fair share of performances since sailing the seas. There's something more than a bit impressive about seeing one on an island where large bubbles float through the air.

Contrast to your hometown, this archipelago never sleeps.

Windmill Village doesn't have even one restaurant that stays open past 21:00 let alone midnight. Not even Makino's bar is an exception. Yet here you are, far from home, and listening to a live band play a dreamy tune on an island made of mangroves in the Grand Line. You stand to your feet, "well then," you grab Ace's hands and tug him onto his feet with a grunt. "Let's just leave whatever's all going through you head for Future Ace deal with and, for right now, Present Ace can dance with his best friend."

There's a stutter of confusion that slips from his lips, but you drag Ace a comfortable distance from your table anyway. It's funny in a way, you giggle as you place a large hand against your midriff. You're usually the one starting parties. Often at the drop of a hat simply because he'd been in a good mood or your crew had just won some sort of battle against another. Or it had been someone's birthday. Despite that, your crew couldn't help but indulge Ace's whims.

He is the sun you all chose to orbit, after all.

This is true even when his light isn't shining as vibrantly as you're used to.

So step by step, you lead the both of you in a whimsical dance as you haphazardly hum to a song you've never heard before. "Having fun yet?" You grin widely and chalkful of mischief.

"I might be," comes Ace's reply, barely putting up a fight against his earlier frown. His shoulders are looser and his steps are lighter and suddenly, you're not quite as in control of where you're moving as you were before. You don't mind the shift in control though, giggling all the while. He's your best friend and he's your captain, you'll follow him wherever he leads.

"Good," you reply promptly, squeezing your joined hands. It's a temporary fix; you know not every dark thought he has hasn't been entirely quelled. But he's still smiling; honest to goodness smiling. You close your eyes, relishing the sound of Ace's husky laugh. Good, you breathe. He's my Ace again.