#SaboAceWeek2018

[emnnart]

Day 4: Dance ヾ(´︶`♡)ﾉ ♬ ♪

@saboace-week

[ohshanksno]

Day 1: hugs/cuddles

@saboace-week

-> Starting Line: Light Lag - DECO*27 ft Topi ( has subtitles ) ~ Photographs - Marble Sounds ( video ) ~ Safe and Sound - Capital Cities ( video ) ~ Adorable - Artist vs. Poet

Story Under Cut! You can also read it here on my AO3 

Ace is humming.

It’s barely noticeable, soft and low to hear, but Sabo realizes that he’s humming. It’s something unfamilar, possibly his own tune, but he looks happy while setting himself up into their bed.

Sabo remains in the bathroom, brushing his teeth and ringing his hand through his hair to press the humidity from it after his recent shower. He quickly finishes, rinsing his mouth and putting his toothbrush back and turning off the light. He makes his way into the room and stands at the foot of the bed.

“Ace.”

The humming stops. “Mm?”

“Whatcha humming there?”

Silver eyes glance up from where he fiddles with his nightshirt, and he blinks. “Oh. Dunno. It’s just something, I guess.” He gives a shrug.

“Mm.”

The blond crawls into the bed, sliding next to him and goes under the thousand covers they have, and presses his body close to Ace’s. Arms wrap around his waist loosely, and he gives a fond smile as he turns, back pressing into the freckled man’s chest.

A light is turned off, and the room is engulfed in darkness.

“Goodnight, love,” Ace coos in his ear, and Sabo snorts.

“Goodnight, dork.”

He feels a hand grabbing his, and fingers lace together tightly. A nose brushes against the nape of his neck, and lips meet at his back. A moment passes, and he hears the humming start up again, but there’s heavy vibrations that follow. A hand travels through his hair slowly, and Sabo feels himself being lulled to sleep. It’s louder because it’s right next to his ear, but just as soft, as if the humming was not meant to disturb him.

And just as quick as it came, the humming stops.

He waits with bated breath for the humming to continue, but all he hears is the ticking of the clock on their wall.

“Who told you to stop?”

“What?”

“Keep doing that.”

He feels warm breath next to his ear, and he shivers slightly. “Why?” The question was whispered, unsure.

“…it feels nice,” he mumbles, cheeks growing hot. His other hand tightens on the bedsheets beneath him, and he closes his eyes. “I like it.”

He feels Ace smiling beside his temple, and he wills himself to breathe when his body is pushed closer and there are kisses being laid along his neck, right against his thundering pulse. The humming is a little quieter, but there’s an identifiable tune to it, a song they both know to their heart’s content and reminds them of their relationship, and it brings a huge smile to Sabo’s face. The kisses continue, light and quick, and it brings warmth to Sabo. He finds himself sighing happily, and his hands rub at Ace’s forearm sleepily.

.

And when the humming stops one last time, Sabo is deep in sleep, a gentle smile on his face.

[novice-comics]

I like my existential crisis with a side of cute. @saboace-week

[empresswrites]

@saboace-week Day Six: Monster

I had help by my friend Bunbo (from discord) since it plays off their Addams Sabo! Hope you all enjoyed~!!

After reading the letter, Ace had gone to the cliff and screeched his heart out in disbelief. Sabo had promised to wait until seventeen, where they would practically sail out together for being so close in age. The forest wouldn’t be the same anymore without Sabo to linger, and though Ace knew to take care of Luffy, it felt like someone ripped part of his heart from his chest, like a gaping bleeding wound. More screams to the sea left him, cursing the celestial dragons, cursing the sea for swallowing up his friend, cursing himself for not being there.

The venting left him raw in the throat, with red eyes, and dry tear streaks on his cheeks. Nothing else could leave him, never wanting to reach this point in his life so soon. It was too soon, it wasn’t ever supposed to happen like this, not like a sudden hurricane—streamlining and ruining his last amount of innocence he felt he had left. They were to sail the seas, make a name for themselves and only let the Maiden take control over their lives after setting sail. Living day by day when out on the sea, not before they were seventeen. Sabo had promised to wait, and he broke that because of the pressure and Ace deeply blamed himself for letting it happen. He should have gone to Sabo, he should have tried harder, he should have killed his father when he could.

A startle reaches Ace at the suddenly purely dark thought. Trying to calm his racing mind, he can’t help but notice he enjoyed that idea more than he first thought. It jolted to mind with no issue and blared through his mind like a mantra, pressing down to his shoulders. The blame for letting his friend die and not trying harder, it harbored down on him like the heaviest thing he could ever come across—more than the beasts in the jungle.

From then on, Ace couldn’t bring himself to turn away from those dark thoughts, especially when Magra found Sabo’s body on shore days later. It was a catalyst of breaking Ace down more. At the sight of and when the body was buried--the smell, it was engraved into him. He would never forget it. The words from people in town began to weigh down more—how they said he was the son of a monster. It made him grow more vigorous and vicious in his training—his fighting style. There were times that Ace glanced with a lingering amount of care to Luffy, but otherwise his heart was being consumed. If they thought Roger was a monster, then they were going to be in for a rude surprise when he reached out to the world.

Luffy grew a little distant, acting as himself, but one time he had admitted that Ace was starting to turn into someone else—not his Ace. It left a burning ache in Ace’s chest, but at the same he couldn’t understand how Luffy wouldn’t admit to things that he had seen to the general public. The nobles and their disgusting ways, people with their sneering and dirty tricks, not to mention the celestial dragons that took away his Sabo. Though through it all, Ace still carried a protectiveness for his little brother and knew he would do near anything to protect what he had left.

The only one that was able to quell his hatred for his father, to give him a reason to live in this damned world, and the one to seek him through everything—someone who he had even admitting to who his father was—was now dead. Sabo understood him like no one else, not even Dadan quite brought herself to his level to understand all his thoughts. The older he got, the darker the thoughts became, and Ace knew it was because he lost his last standing light—a simple glow lingering from Luffy not being enough. Once losing it, his life started to dim and his view upon everything began to become more and more dangerous.

When he finally turned seventeen and sailed away, the gathering was few and he kept it that way. Dadan was there with a few others, Makino, and of course Luffy. They were the only ones that he tolerated anyways, so he didn’t mind as he sailed off with black hat donned on his head and an orange belt that his little brother gave him as a parting gift. Ace thought of doing something to remember Sabo, but he never knew what he could do to fully giving the feeling and meaning behind it, so instead he kept the goggles found with the wreckage that had washed up.

The Grand Line was not prepared for Ace, ruthless with his dagger and fists at first. No mercy lied within his gaze, anyone standing in his way was taken out to never bother him again. They always claimed that if Roger ever had a child it would be a monster, and here he was fulfilling something that they caused all on their own. Packing up with gunpowder, filling to the brim, before setting it off with Sabo’s death. Nothing mattered, he knew Luffy could handle himself, he would have to as they were miles apart, with no way to get back to his little brother quickly or otherwise.

Ace became darkness, the devil fruit calling to him when he found it in the chest at a raid they did on an island full of bandits. The fruit was consumed after reading the notations of what it was, and he couldn’t help himself, his crew leaving him to do as he wanted. As his power become known to the world, figuring out how to gain other abilities and gaining fire, they easily named him ‘Shadowfire Ace’. The bounty set was high, and even his crew knew better than to interrupt anything he would do.

Then everything changed…

They approached the town at night. Ace liked the view along the streets when it was dark, feeling himself at home when people slept. The quiet, serenity of no one to speak, to stare, to breathe. It was something he desired once in a great while, as he had become used to his crew being themselves and even faked a fleeting smile like he was opening up every once in a while, but it was a beautiful show—Ace could hear applauds filling his mind when playing well.

Heels clicking the ground makes him groan in frustration, as he had been enjoying the peace and quiet of the night. Pulling his shadows from the path more to not make his darkness linger so long, he tries to pretend as if he isn't a dark force of nature and fire- even if that is mostly all he is these days. Dragging his gaze forward and along sleek black-heeled boots moving with ease along the stone path, clacking sharply as the other approaches, Ace slowly drags his gaze upwards. Legs are exposed from just below the knee to show scarred skin on the left side of the leg—though Ace is not sure how much by the distance and lingering night—then to shorts that are just above mid-thigh. Ace allows his eyes to trail further up—pausing as he views more of the button up shirt, where he sees that of a dark flower resting, while also seeming to be wilting. Suspenders go along the stark difference with the white shirt and not many can pull off the look, but this man did easily. Though, as he reaches the face—Ace finds that is where he feels his chest tighten as he swallows thickly.

“Ace…?” The voice lingers. The clicking has stopped and Ace can’t help but stare at curious dark eyes—not able to tell the color in the current lighting.

Sabo? His mind races at the view of what would have been an older version of Sabo. The scarring almost matched of what his Sabo had been left with when they found him along the shore and had haunted him into his dreams. Though only one arm shows from the short sleeves to have scarring, unlike what his Sabo had—as if he was trying to stay afloat on a burning plank that had engulfed both arms and most of his face and neck. 

“For, alas! alas with me!” The Sabo-lookalike’s hands shift out in a display to his words, feet shifting to slowly saunter closer. “The light of Life is o’er! No more—no more—no more—!” The scrapping of metal heels against the ground brings a shiver through Ace and he can’t find it in himself to move as he finds himself entranced by the slow approach. “And all my days are trances,” the voice is almost haunting now, but seeing a small tilt of the head and wicked gleam in his eyes, Ace can’t pull his own eyes away. “And all my nightly dreams- are where thy grey eye glances,” words tickle along Ace’s ears as he views upon a sinister smile that brings an alluring tone to everything. The other male’s legs still shift slowly to place his feet against the road while he draws himself closer to where Ace stands. “And where thy footstep gleams—In what ethereal dances,” pale lips shift in a way that pulls his attention there before a small sliver of a blade is in a hand, trailing along a chin as those eyes almost sparkle in macabre emotions, showing even in the dark a dance. It was something dragging, causing Ace to shift a small step before a stretched grin shows—within it a darkness Ace has never felt—almost looming over him. “By what eternal streams…”

The knife flickering in the moonlight is soon gone, hidden in the chest where the man’s heart lays. An overwhelming panic and fear settles in Ace at the blossoming blood along the white shirt, the man only a few arms length away from him yet reminding him so much of his best friend it’s painful to see this. It was clear that he was bleeding, but that sedated smirk confused him. Was Ace hallucinating? Did he even want to see such a sight? One with Sabo being the one to die before him in such a manner?

As this man before him like another version of Sabo that could have existed had he survived shifts, Ace jerks to get darkness to catch him and is befuddled on how to react. This man couldn’t be his Sabo, he had buried his Sabo years ago, causing him to change into a whole different person. It was something he enjoyed—changing, not burying Sabo—but it was no doubt that the body is real and not a mere illusion. As Ace removed the knife before consuming the man within his shadows, so many questions plague him. In the end, however, he had time to think over questions in the darkest depths of the forest connected to the town.

Oh how Ace had not realized how much his life would turn out with this man now within it.

[synnematic]

DAY 3: Letters to A Loved One

for @saboace-week

TWO PARTS:

Letters to No One ( written by me ) multiple chapters

a03: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13955610/chapters/32125773

A Couple Years Too Late ( written by @reiji--san ) single chapter

a03: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13955889

Summary: 

A collection of letters written over time with no set destination, but always a person in mind.

Letters to No One

Dear Sabo,

This is stupid.

Makinos got this idea in her head that I’m sad. Which I’m not. Im not sad anymore at all. I’m not. Its just hard. Youre not  When you died FUCK. Whatever. fuck spelling and whatnot too. not like you can read this anymore anyway. look. this is suposed to help i guess. a coping mechi mechen method. i write this letter and she stops naging at me. whatever it takes to make them all stop loking at me like im going to snap any second or try to run off again. not like i would anyway.

i know youre not coming back.

you’re dead

you left and you died and theres nothin i can do to turn back time or bring you back or get revenge becus the people that killed you are already GONE and i didnt even know until it was already to late

but im fine

im fine

im not fine

luffy is well hes been better but hes always been a crybaby so he’ll get better. im supposed to be strong now, stronger but i dont really  i don’t know how to handle the emotions and whatnot. not like you did. you always seemed to just GET it always sayin the right things, calmin me us him down. i can’t do that but im trying. im getting better i think.

we’ll get thrugh it

fuck this is stupid

what’s the point in writing a letter youl never read? or writing at all damn it

you taght me how to do this bulshit but i never thought id have to use it like this

fuck im not supposed to cry. messed up the ink now. not that it matters but still i wanted to fuck i dont know what i wanted anymore

sorry

im sorry sabo. i should have been i dunno. something. its different without you. too quiet and theres this pain in my chest all the time. like i’m the one that got shot. don’t get it but i hate it and it hurts and i just i wish you were here. i really wish you were here

i miss you

    ace

sabo,

hey i uhh found the other letter. never ended up giving it to makino but i think she knew i wrote it at least. luffy did but i don’t know what he did with his. i kept mine in the tree house, under one of the loose boards. its a little water damaged but i don’t think you really care huh?

this is still weird, talking to you like this. even though its not really a talk if its only one way. just like talking to an empty room but not even talking out loud

sorry

its been two years now to the day. maybe thats why i ended up finding the old letter in the first place. havent really been to the tree house much since then anyway because

well you know

went to the cliff tho. the one we used to sit at? i went there first yknow when i got youre letter. took me a while since im still not great at reading. getting better tho. it was quiet. always kinda is but really quiet this time with just a little wind. I think it would be a good day to go sailing. was it like this when you left too? dogma said it was a nice day but i dont really remember it that way.

i dont know why i do this to myself. same as last time i always get   i dunno. my chest still hurts. theres a doctor in foosha i went to once a while ago. thought maybe something was wrong with me. he said it was heart break. youd think this is something id get over but i guess not

youre still dead and im still breaking

i dont know when its gonna stop

if it does at all

    ace

sabo,

Is it nice where you are?

Overheard some people talking about it today. Talking about death and what comes after. It sounds nice. Heaven. If thats where you went. I think it should be. Where you went, that is, but nice too I guess.

It sounds warm.

I wonder sometimes if my mom went there too. Still dont really know much about her but she sounded nice. Maybe youve met? Is my d   Nah it doesn’t matter. I hope its nice there. I dont really beleive in that kinda stuff normaly, still kinda dont but i hope its true and youre happy there. Happier than you were here

I know its probably a stupid thing to ask but do you think ill ever be able to join you there?

The waves were choppy at the cliff today. Almost angry. Theres a storm comin but i think ill still go there later. Maybe

Ive been thinking about death a lot lately

    ace

Hey

I didn’t jump, obviously, since i’m writing to you now. Again. Sorry for the silence. Sometimes I just— I dont know. Everything rushes to my head all at once. It helps, occasionally, but then there are the times where my head fills with one singular drive or emotion and thats it, that’s all I can focus on. It used to be anger. So much anger. That was easier than the sadness though. Or the guilt.

There’s things I haven’t really told you. A lot of things actually. I was trying to be strong I guess. Still am. But Makino was right about one thing. It does help, these letters. I like to think sometimes that you just know. That you can read them or that my words somehow magically transfer to you. Wherever you are. But I know that kinda stuff doesnt happen. Not really. So this is more me talking to myself then. That I can do.

So for starters I guess, I had a dream about you last night. I used to have dreams about you a lot. Nightmares too. It’s been a while though, at least a few months since the last one. Normally the dreams are the same, extended memories or something small but usually just the two of us, sometimes luffy. Last night you turned to me in my dream but your face wasn’t right. And I think that’s more terrifying than any of the nightmares i’ve had.

I’m starting to forget what you look like, what you sound like.

It’s been six years now. Longer than the time I knew you. All I have left is the flag Luffy and I found in the wreckage of your ship. I tried to look for more but most of it’s been buried now and i’m afraid. I don’t know what Id do if I found your bones there.

We never took any pictures, never saved enough for something as meaningless as a camera and i regret that now.

I think i’m going to get a tattoo soon. Before I leave the island. Even if I forget what you look like and the sound of your laugh I still want to take you with me somehow. So you can sail the seas instead of — well.

I just don’t want to forget you sabo

    Ace

Me again,

I got that tattoo that I said I would in my last letter. It’s been a while now but it still itches every once in a while. Hah, you should have seen the guys face when I explained what I wanted done. People still keep mistaking it for a mispelling. As if I didn’t know how to spell my own name.

Anyway, got that done a little before I left Dawn and a lot has happened since then. I have my own crew! And a devil fruit too, though man was that a surprise. Still don’t really have the best of control over it and I set random things on fire sometimes but I think I’m starting to get the hang of it. I’m a CAPTAIN now! Got my own flag and everything. We’re the Spade pirates. Isn’t that cool? The Ace of Spades is supposed to be a card that symbolizes death but I don’t think we’re so bad. Hell, we’ve actually helped a lot of people so I hope you’re proud of me. Still wish you could have been my navigator but we probably would have ended up fighting all the time huh? Can’t have two people that want to be captain in the same crew obviously. You would have loved this life though.

I know you’re probably in a pretty nice place yourself right now but the open sea on a clear day is the most beautiful thing. And the STARS Sabo — when the sun sets down low you don’t even need the moon to see, the stars are so bright. Brighter than they ever were on the island.

You’re up there somewhere huh?

Is the view better than the one I’ve got right now?

Seven years is a long time my friend. I’ve grown a lot since I last saw you. Do you grow at all where you are? I bet I’d still be taller than you.

Wish you were here

    Ace

Hey Sabo

I think I need some advice right about now.

It’s been 103 days since Whitebeard defeated me and took me onto his flagship. Yeah, uhh, probably should have updated you on that sooner, huh? My bad. My crew was defeated not that long after I was too. We’re all here now but we’re fine I promise. Actually, that’s kinda my problem.

I want No, I wanted to kill him at first. Whitebeard. All this time hearing about my dad and all he accomplished in life, all he did. So many people that respected or hated him and I just — I don’t know. I heard that Whitebeard was around and I figured if I could just be the one to take him down, the one to kill him even when Roger couldn’t then maybe — Maybe I could prove myself. Prove that I’m stronger than him, than Roger. That I’m better somehow. Or at least different.

Not that that really worked out.

Could have killed me but instead he took me here and made this stupid speech about family and trust and wanting me to be his son or something and I told him no. Obviously. I don’t need a family after all, or at least more family. I’ve got Luffy. And you. Plus I wasn’t  I’m not about to just throw away my own ambitions yknow? I promised you, I PROMISED you that we’d go out to sea and live free lives, the life of pirates. I don’t want that to end, not when I wanted to take you with me on that journey, the life you never got to live.

So I kept fighting and fighting and fighting over and over again, new tactics, new plans. But Sabo I’m so tired now.

So tired.

And they’re really starting to grow on me. As much as I’ve tried to avoid the crew or even piss them off. There’s this one guy, Thatch, in particular that is just too god damn nice ALL THE TIME. And Marco too though he’s kinda stuck up. And they keep talking about family. About belonging and — I don’t know.

Is it bad that a part of me wants that? To have an actual home? To belong?

They don’t know though, not yet at least. They don’t know who I am and maybe — FUCK I don’t know. I don’t know how they’d react to knowing who I am, what I am. I’m scared to find out. But is it worth trying?

Would you hate me if I gave up a part of my freedom for something more?

I feel like I’m betraying you somehow. But at the same time I think you would want me to be happy too.

I don’t know yet for sure but maybe, maybe this is my one chance.

    Ace

He KILLED him.

One of the few genuine friends I have and he’s dead. All because of GREED. Why does this keep happening. Every time I grow attached and start to feel safe something like this happens again just to prove how messed up the world really is. Over a stupid FRUIT and now thatch is dead and— fuck. A member of my own division too. My responsibility and I failed again. Just like I failed you.

I can’t protect ANYONE. Even after all the training and the fighting, the missions and responsibilities. But when it actually matters I’m not even there and my friend gets stabbed in the back and left to DIE.

The blood’s on my hands. I should have known. Should have picked up on the signs and done something — anything . But I was too late. Again. And now he’s gone and that TRAITOR is who knows where.

Well not this time.

This isn’t going to be like what happened with you, with an enemy I never knew and had no chance of finding.

This time I’m going to find him and I’m going to make him pay.

I don’t care if I’m cursed. Maybe I brought this on them in the first place, just by being here. But I’m not going to just sit by and let this happen again. I couldn’t take revenge for you but I can for Thatch.

I can at least do that.

Sabo,

I’m getting close.

I know you probably don’t care, but writing to you like this is the only thing that seems to be keeping me sane recently. It’s like I’m chasing a damn shadow. Every time I get close or feel like I’ve finally caught up the bastard does something to out maneuver me or fuck me up somehow. It’s been months now but this time I think I’ve finally cornered him. Teach is apparently on his way to Water 7 now and there’s a little island, Banaro, that he’s sure to stop at. If I can get there before he leaves then I can finally avenge Thatch. I can make up for my own failures and make sure that he never hurts anyone from my family again.

I dunno how it’s going to go yet but he hasn’t had much time to master his new fruit yet so I should have the upper hand regardless of whatever that rat has planned.

Short letter this time, I know, but I don’t really have a lotta time to waste right now. I’ll be reaching port soon and from there — well, who knows. Guess I’ll probably update you again afterwards though, or whenever I get back to the rest of my crew.

It’s nice to know that I’ll finally be able to avenge someone important to me. Risky, but I know you’d do the same.

    Ace

Sabo,

I’m being executed today.

Guess that’s a solid way to start off my last  this letter, huh? Yeah, nice going Ace, well done. I really know how to keep things upbeat in these damn things don’t I?

Damn it.

Teach, well he, FUCK— sorry.

I don’t want to do this.

He beat me. I don’t have any excuses, nothin I can say to make up for what happened or explain it in anyway. He just did. Just another reason to hate him I guess, but if the alternative was joining him then this is better. Much better, Still, uhh, it hasn’t exactly been fun. Impel Down was just about as bad as I expected, maybe worse even. There’s— you know what, it doesn’t matter what it was like. You don’t need to know that.

Maybe I’m just stalling now.

They don’t really give a lot of time for these things apparently, even when they’re last requests. Bullshit, but I think they just don’t want me to be late for my closeup. Gol D. Roger’s only son means I’m about to broadcasted all around the world. Thanks dad. Great perks. Though, I expected as much. Just proving what I always feared.

ANYWAY, at least I’ve had a lot of time to think lately. Don’t actually know how long I was locked up in there but the silence does things to people, to me. I didn’t dream much while I was there, kinda hard to sleep, but I thought about you a lot. Actually, been thinkin about you a lot for a while but this was different I suppose.

The guys down there like to talk a lot. It helps pass the time but most of them are kinda shit people so I didn’t reply much. Still listened though.

Y’know, in twenty years, I’ve done a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot— more than most my age, but there’s a lot I didn’t get to do too, didn’t learn about.

I never really thought about love until recently. It’s not really a pirate thing, huh? High seas and all that nonsense but life moves fast and a lot happens all at once. Not a lotta time to sit around and, I dunno, dream?

Whatever. Well, the guys down there talked a surprising amount about it, like it’s something magical, better than any other treasure, and it got me thinkin. I’ve never really cared about that stuff, haven’t since I was a kid. But I guess that’s because I figured no one would be able to stand me for long, no one would actually accept me for who I am. But, that’s not really right, huh? Since you did that right from the start. I’ve known that for ages but guess it didn’t really sink in until now.

Call it childish innocence or whatever, but you accepted me even back then when I was broody and angry and maybe a little murderous. You knew who I was, my history, my dreams, and you didn’t laugh or run away or anything like that. You smiled that stupid smile of yours and just accepted me, all of me.

Here I am about to— about to leave , and it’s because there’s a whole fucking WORLD out there that can’t seem to do the same thing a five year old noble brat could — no offense.

And y’know, if that’s the closest I get to love then I’ll take it. Hell, maybe I even love you too. Actually, no. I don’t think maybe is even a factor anymore. Seems stupid now that I think about it, but I probably loved you even back then. From the very start. Little late to be figuring that out now, huh?

They’re rushing me. Marine bastards.

I know I’ve talked a lot about, well, death. So many years spent just thinkin that I deserve it, just because of who my father was, but now that there’s this whole messed up world agreeing with me, is it wrong that I’m— fuck — I’m scared Sabo. Absolutely terrified and there’s nothing I can do about it. All these years I’ve practically asked for it and now—

I know it’s late to start saying this, way too late now, but Sabo, I want to live.

I want to do so much with my life than this. I want to explore more, see more. I want— I want what I can’t have anymore. And it sucks. It really fucking sucks, but this is how it ends for me. Goin out the same way my shitty pops did. Apparently. What a sick joke this all is.

But I'm running out of time now. Guess I’ve spent what time I had. Garp knows what to do with this after... after everything. I know it won't matter in the end, but I think all of these should be together, y'know? Just in case. It's nice to know that he still considered me family, even now. He's the only one here that seems to actually care. You would think these assholes would cut me a little slack now that we’re here but I just… I don’t think it matters to them that I'm about to die. Not even a little bit. Shouldn’t hurt, but it does. I’m still human after all. Just like them. But maybe they don’t see it like that.

I’d pray for miracles but I don’t think there are any gods out there to help me. I still don’t think there are any gods at all. Doesn't really bode well for what comes after, huh?

Luffy’s going to be mad at me. I promised him that I wouldn’t die.

Maybe we can both watch over him though? You’ll probably be mad at me for saying this but a part of me is a little relieved. At the end. At least I’ll get to see you again, right? I don’t even know if we’ll both end up in the same place, but I can hope. I really, really hope. It’s selfish but I’m glad that I won’t be alone. I don’t want to be alone anymore.

    Ace

A Couple Years Too Late

Dear Ace,

         It’s been a while, has it not? I’m sorry, but man do I have some things to tell you.

If only I could tell you.

I got your letters. Well, more like I found your letters. Stored away in a box at our old tree house. Can you believe it’s still intact after all these years? Pretty good for a couple of kids huh?

.

.

.

Dear Ace,

         I’m sorry. I can’t believe I stopped so soon. Not even a couple sentences in and I had to leave the room. What an idiot. Let me start again.

Hey Ace. How are you? Are you eating well? Getting enough rest? You have to make sure to take care of yourself, I’m not there to nag at you anymore now. You’re all grown up. I sound like such a parent I’m sorry. I just care and want the best for you. I got your letters. I’m sorry the delivery took so long. Way too long. It’s a shame this is how we reunite. I hoped I could have seen you at least once before

.

.

.

Dear Ace,

          I did it again. At this rate I’ll clean out Headquarter’s paper supply. I’m sorry. It’s just, every time I write, my vision gets blurry and I can’t see anymore. How can I properly reply to you if I don’t know what I’m writing? Would be embarrassing if I had a bunch of spelling mistakes especially since I’m the one that taught you how to write.

Speaking of which, you’ve gotten a lot better! I can see from the different letters you wrote. It makes me happy to see that, shows you practiced a lot. Did you help Luffy too? I only taught him so much before I left, I’m sorry. It must’ve been hard on you.

It must have been really hard on you…

I’m sorry. I keep speaking nonsense. I just don’t know where to begin, what to say. This is the third time I’m trying to write to you and you are right—it’s pretty stupid. Maybe a part of me is just hoping that the same thing will happen with you. That you’ll get this letter in 10 years or so and then maybe we could meet again, somewhere in this wide ocean.

Or maybe somewhere in skies up above.

I can dream, right?

.

.

.

Hey Ace, Is this how you felt? When you wrote every one of those letters, did it hurt this badly each time? I’m sorry, I should’ve come to get them sooner. Maybe I wouldn’t even be writing this right now if I had. Maybe you wouldn’t have had to write them if I had come sooner. I’m sorry. I really made it hard for you huh? I’m happy you wrote though. It feels as if you are here, talking to me. Telling me of your struggles, your adventures. All the good and the bad—even though I already knew some of this. I’m happy for you Ace. Truly I am. I wish I could’ve been there when you sailed out to sea, we could’ve sailed out together. Met your first crew, that I wouldn’t be a part of because I would have had a better crew.

When you found a family .

I’ll have to visit them one day, and properly thank them. It’s the least I can do.

Hey, remember the declarations we made back at the cliff? I still haven’t done mine, been busy, it’ll probably take a while. Still, you did yours did you not? You let the whole world know who you were. Fire Fist Ace, that’s a pretty cool name they gave you. You were always the better big brother so I’m not surprised you beat me to it. Mine’s a little bit harder so cut me some slack okay?

Weird how the past couple days I struggled to write and now it’s all just pouring out, I’m sorry it’s such a mess of words. I still don’t know what to really say. My vision is still blurry but I’m fighting through it. I’m sorry the paper may be a little wet.

…I’m sorry.

Twelve times. Twelve times I’ve said those two words but nothing changes, nothing will change. I’ve come to that conclusion. Took me a while.

A long while.

It’s been two years or so since you left. Every night I have the same dream. And every time you’re always out of reach. Every single night I wonder “Would things have been different if I was there?” People kept telling me there’s no right answer to that.

Would you be alive right now if I had remembered just a little sooner?

Ah that’s right. I haven’t told you. I didn’t think it would matter if you knew since it wouldn't change anything, I’m sorry. Thirteen. I lost my memories. Pretty shitty thing for me to do right? I know. While you were suffering I didn’t even know you were a part of my life. While you died, I paid no mind because I didn’t know. You must be really mad at me. For forgetting so easily.

And then life rewards me my memories when I see your death mention in the papers. That’s pretty fucked up huh? Maybe I should’ve looked at the papers sooner.

Hey Ace, do you know now? Is it pretty up there where you are? Have you met your mom? She’s up there too right? I’m sure she is. If there is a Heaven I know you’re there. Regardless of what people say, what they may have called you, Heaven is where you belong. The image of an angel truly suits you, you know. Maybe you always were an angel, and god sent you down to me. Can I let you in on a little secret? Thanks to you, I was able to become who I am today. If I hadn’t met you that day you pulled me out of the Grey Terminal I probably would’ve been back in that castle, suffering. You changed my life for the better and I’m eternally grateful. And seeing as you brought it up first; I love you too. Always did. Even during my amnesiac years, I’m sure that part of me was still there. Loving you even if it didn’t remember you. Sad that we’re sharing such things now huh? It’s almost laughable. Yet not even a smile comes to my face right now… What am I saying? I’m sorry, I ramble a lot.

Fourteen.

It’s been almost two years since then Ace and the pain just gets worse. Does it ever go away? Did it ever go away for you? It’s like a nail is constantly being hammered into my chest. Some days they slam the hammer harder than others. Some days they slam it so hard I can barely breathe… I can cover it up better than before at least, can function in my daily life. Oh yeah—I’m a Revolutionary, have I told you that yet?

Do you think if this world was different, you would still be alive? I wonder.

Are these letters really supposed to help? The only thing it’s helping with is making the pain worse. Will you even read this? Maybe if I send it flying high enough, will it reach you? Or maybe you're watching me right now as I write it? If you are then well…

I miss you.

God I miss you so much.

It’s not fair. Why did you have to be the one to leave? My first friend, best friend, my partner, my brother, my… There are so many things I want to share with you. I want to see you again. See you smiling, laughing, angry—I just want to see you. Even if it’s just one more time.

Would it have been better if I had died that day? Would I be with you right now? I’ve had that thought so many times. And maybe I tried to join you…so many times.

But I’ve thought a lot. Luffy is still out there is he not? I can’t just leave our little brother like that. I’ve already fucked up enough as it is. Even if he hates me, pushes me away and never wants to see me again—I’ll protect him. I asked you to take care of him before, now it’s my turn.

By the way, I’ll be visiting you soon—no, not like that. Sadly. I’ve avoided doing it for a while because I didn’t want to believe it but I think it’s time now.

I’m sorry…that I can’t be with you, not yet. But you aren’t alone. I may not be next to you, but I’m always thinking of you. Every waking moment and every time I close my eyes. You’re there.

Fifteen.

We’ll meet again soon. There are just some things I have to take care of here first. It may sound a little selfish but please wait for me okay? Just a little longer.

         Sabo

[saboace-week]

Thank you!

Thank you all for making this year’s SaboAce week so great!

 We had a lot of great fics, arts, songs, and many more things showing the various ways in which this relationship can take form and I like to thank you all for creating what you did.

I hope you all had as much fun as I did during this time!

If I missed anything, please don’t be afraid of PMing, Sometimes Tumblr doesn’t bring it up during a search and I don’t want any of your hard work going without recognition! 

To those who still want to make something fear not! You can, I will gladly still included it as part of the week. It can be any time throughout the year 2018 and I will count it.

I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for us!

-R

[sickxici]

day 3// then and now

[emnnart]

Day 6: Monster @saboace-week

The first picture is transparent, so if you click on it it will look way better!

The second 2 pictures were made by my wife after I sent her my initial very shitty sketch and she made it into these gorgeous pictures!  ♪ ♬ ヾ(´︶`♡)ﾉ ♬ ♪

[ohshanksno]

Day 2: love at first sight

@saboace-week

-> Starting Line: Diagnosis: Lovesickness - HoneyWorks ft. GUMI ( no subtitles ) ~ Count on You - Big Time Rush ft. Jordin Sparks ( video ) ~ First Date - Blink-182 ( video )* ~ I’m A Believer - Smash Mouth ( video )

Story under cut! You can also read this at my AO3

“I think you should go talk to him.”

“I’d rather be set on fire.”

“You sure?”

A pause. “...not...not indirectly, no. Please don’t set me on fire.”

She frowns. “He’s not going to bite you! Look at him!”

They both turn, looking at the man sitting across the lunch hall from them. He’s eating a meatball sub, sauce all across his freckled cheek. His long hair is pulled up in a messy ponytail. Students are everywhere, some getting food, some hanging at vending machines, and some quickly copying homework at tables.

Sabo takes a forkful of spaghetti and shoves it in his mouth, chewing noisily.

“But he’s so hot, Koala! Have you seen the girls and guys drooling all over him?!” he whisper-shouts, leaning next to her.

“Your point?”

“I heard things in the boys locker room. That he…” he stops, and looks around them, before he continues in a lower voice. “That he caused a few boners while he was changing.”

“I don’t really see what that has to do with anything?”

“He’s out of my league, is what I’m saying.”

Koala sighs deeply, head jerking back in frustration. “Just talk to the dude, Sabo.”

“I’d rather be set on fire.” he repeats.

Her lips form a tight line, and she takes a hand and curls her hair around her fingers. “You’re pitiful.”

He shrugs. “Besides. It probably wouldn’t work out anyways.”

“...it wouldn’t work out, you say?” she finds herself repeating, staring at the school crush. Before she realizes, there’s a sinister smile appearing on her face, and she hums in agreement. “Well, we’ll see.”

Sabo takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes. His heart races violently in his chest and he feels his cheek grow warm as he stands at the side of the podium.

“And, here is one of our favorite writers in school...Sabo!”

There’s a huge round of applause, and Sabo waves shyly at the audience as he shuffles closer to the podium, and sets his papers down. He looks up and sees Koala waving high in the front row, and he gives a shaky smile. There’s an open seat right next to her, reserved for him, and he feels at ease seeing her there.

Slightly.

Brown eyes glance up at the audience, who calms down, and the auditorium goes quiet.

He swallows, and grabs the microphone, and brings it to his lips. “Uh.” he winces at the feedback, and notices that the teacher and some other students wince too. “Heh. Sorry. Uh, hello.”

“Hi!” Koala shouts.

“Uh. This. This is a work, that I wrote. It’s about, you know, being equal just as much as the person next to you.”

There’s a few whistles, and the applause starts again. He blushes at the sound, and swallows again.

“Thank you. Uh, okay…” he glances down at his papers, and starts.

“Sometimes you’re curious about yourself.

They say the meaning of life is to find yourself.

To me, I want to be free to be myself.

Not to be put under labels.

I am my own jar. The only label I need is my own name.”

He stumbles on his next sentence when there’s a few people clapping, and Koala whistles from the front row.

“Y-yes, they will...they will try and tear you down.

But don’t be afraid of that. Be afraid of being too broken to be put back together.”

He then looks up at the audience and--

The freckled man is sitting right next to Koala, and he’s whispering in her ear.

He tries not to make a face, so he grumbles under his breath. “Oh, fuck me.”

The microphone gives a loud screech, and when he looks up, the audience is in pure silence.

“Oh shit.”

The teacher only blinks.

Koala and the freckled man only look at him in an unrecognizable expression, and Sabo drops the microphone in shame.

“...is that a proposal?” the freckled man asks, and Sabo chokes.

“And that’s how we’ve been together for 6 years.” Sabo finishes, smiling.

Luffy makes a face, and Koala stares Sabo right in the eye.

“You and I both know that’s a lie, Sabo.” Koala says, crossing her arms.

“Yeah!” Luffy agrees.

“Anyways, that entire story is wrong. You guys met in jail, remember? When you thought that the cop wouldn’t arrest you for breaking in your own house?”

Sabo suddenly puffs his cheeks, and Ace laughs next to him.

“It was my house!”

"Oh yeah," Luffy starts, "and Ace got arrested for trying to set that cop's car on fire. I thought it was cool!"

She sighs. "That's a felony, Luffy."

"...oh." the man makes a confused face and pouts.

“Relatively speaking, the cop didn’t know that, now did he? No.”

The blond shrugs. “You asked for a story.”

“I’ll ask Ace next time.”

“Oi! What's that suppose to mean?”

Luffy rolls his eyes, and grabs the bowl of popcorn sitting on the table. "It means you're a horrible story teller," he says, stuffing a handful in his mouth. "I thought Garp was a pretty bad story teller, but you're worse."

"Am not!"

[art-farting]

Take a step and come out in the sun I can tell it's already begun I'm helpless without your warming smile

@saboace-week - Day 1 

[empresswrites]

@saboace-week Day Four: Dance

Enjoy!

Sabo hardly wanted to go to this gathering, but it was for the company and he was the advisor for Dragon. There wasn’t much choice, especially as no doubt if he didn’t go then he would be getting calls anyways. So, dressing up for the event, he is sure to set his business façade on as he knew most would be in a conniving mindset for anyone they lay eyes on. Sabo arrived on time with Dragon, Hack driving them and explaining he would be in after parking, and they went in while paparazzi hung around, but blocked off. 

The place is extravagant, though it is expected when being hosted by Edward Newgate. The mentioned man is laughing along with Roger Gold, being known as companies to work together on many events—being quite successful if he might add. Sabo scans while making his way with Dragon to greet some sister companies smoothly. 

The evening rolls along before Sabo goes for air on a balcony, hearing the music playing the classical and he needed to get away from it all. The air was getting stuffy and as he closes the door, he hears that of pop music, but in Spanish—no wait, that is Portuguese—to the side from the French doors. It makes him curious, trailing to peer around the corner to see a young male with dark hair in dress pants, shining dress shoes, and a black tank top. A dress shirt lays to the balcony rail and light scraping is made with words flowing. Sabo recognizes the song, but the voice is definitely trailing over the singer and he is surprised. The man is dancing while singing fluently and seeming to relax with the music. 

It's a lot more relaxing, so Sabo shifts to relax against the railing to watch the other dancing along to the music coming from a phone. At certain parts has Sabo smirking with small huffs, trying to not chuckle as he watches the other. Songs smooth together before the guy turns and dark eyes widen in surprise. Then it dawns on Sabo of who he was and registers the male as Ace—Roger’s son. A flush goes to freckled cheeks and tries to pat to his pants in embarrassment, probably to get the business-like atmosphere back. 

“S-Sorry,” Ace states while trying to pull on a scowl of not being embarrassed of what he was caught doing. 

“The music is way better, I’ve had enough classical for the night…” Sabo explains with a smile and brings a snort from Ace as he moves to the dress shirt. This has Sabo move to soon grip to the reaching hand and pulling on him, getting confused noises. “Show me some of those dance moves?” A grin flourishes on Sabo as he couldn’t help that he was entranced, not wanting it to end quite yet. 

“You’re stupid,” Ace scowls, but easily takes control of lead and shifts. “But I guess it’s a little more fun with someone else.” A smirk flickers to lips and Sabo finds himself blushing when being pulled flush against the other. Feeling that arm flex around him as they begin swaying and Sabo laughs lightly at the fact he was being flirted with, but then again, he did start it. 

“I might step on your feet, I only know fancy dancing.” Sabo explains while shifting along with Ace in a beginning sway and enjoying the display of muscles even on those freckled shoulders. 

“That’s fine, I don’t mind as long as you repay me with lunch and a number.” Ace gives a cheeky grin, like his flood gate was opened to freely flirt with Sabo, gaining a smile in return. 

“Only if I get a number in return so I can message you first.” 

“Deal.”

[synnematic]

DAY 2: In Bloom

for @saboace-week

ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/14037066 fff.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12876532/1/In-Bloom

Day: Love at First Sight Word Count: 4096 Warnings: Fluff | So much fluff

Summary:

There was a man perhaps no more than twenty feet from him, half hidden behind the front counter. Sabo didn't know how he had missed him, so distracted by the plants themselves that he must have merely skimmed over him, drawn to other things. Now, however, with his full attention riveted on the man, it seemed foolish. He was easily the most stunning thing here. 

There was coffee in his veins. It surged under his skin and beat behind his eyelids—or maybe that was the migraine. It was hard to tell, admittedly. At some point he had lost track of time, of even the date, hours marked in coffee stains and empty mugs balanced atop each other like an abstract depiction of art around his desk. His laptop was dusty, screen smeared where his hands had brushed against the glass, fingerprints standing out in the glare of the overhead lights. He hardly noticed, used to it by now.

Koala would call him a slob, but at least he got his work done. Even if it meant multiple all nighters and a possessive claim on the coffee machine closest to his desk. It had gotten so bad that Hack had even printed out a new sign to hang above the counter. It read: Beware Rabid Chief, and Sabo couldn’t even deny that it was fitting, maybe even a little accurate.

For a group of journalists, they took their job seriously. Sabo even more so. He was the Editor in Chief, second only to Dragon within their publishing firm. Realistically, he could have sat back and enjoyed the lessened burden the position offered him, but instead he pushed himself even harder . They were making a difference, slowly but surely, working to peel away the veil the government cast over civilian eyes, and they were damn good at their job, but Sabo still wanted to do more. He was already in charge of their budget, their personal image on the internet in the harsh world around them, as well as being their primary hiring manager, even if he left most of the actual scouting to Ivankov. More than that though, he made it his personal mission to read over every single report before they landed on Dragon’s desk, as well as taking the time, occasionally, to write his own additions as well.

And he was exhausted.

A political scandal was in the works and Legislation was working overtime to bury it and kick it under the rug. Which, of course, meant that their entire publishing department was working overtime as well. But at least most of the staff still slept .

Koala wasn’t the only one that noticed Sabo’s late hours turned into early mornings, and the way many would come in to find him in the same outfit as he had been the day before. She was, however, the only one that harassed him about it. Among other things.

“You look like a raccoon that crawled into a tailors, robbed them blind, and then got run over. Twice.” Standing in precisely the wrong spot, in between Sabo and his closest source of light, Koala’s shadow stretched over him ( and his keyboard), her arms folded and eyebrows drawn. “Really, Sabo, it’s no wonder that you’re still single. Have you even   eaten since I last saw you ten hours ago?”

Thoughts slow to process and left to blink at the sudden difference in light now that his face was cast into shadows, he was sluggish when his hand rose so that his gaze could fall on the beaten watch at his wrist. The timepiece blurred in his vision, numbers dancing in tangent with each other. He couldn’t really pick out the exact time down to the minute, but it was enough to realize that it wasn’t the same day anymore.

“Oh,” he paused, voice rough with disuse. “It’s morning.”

Koala gave an exasperated sigh, hands unfolding to reveal a small pastry bag which was promptly dropped onto his desk. It smelled of blueberries and his mouth watered. He was already reaching for it when a hand smacked gently at the back of his head, nearly dislodging his glasses from where they sat at the bridge of his nose.

“This is the third day in a row , Sabo. You’re no help to us like this.”

There was an arm in his vision, but he paid no mind to it until his computer screen went black. The whine, when it left his lips, was muffled by muffin crumbs but still just as pitiful.

“No, don’t even start with me right now,” Koala chided. “You’ve hardly moved in days, barely eaten, and I don’t think I’ve seen you sleep any more than that two hour period on Tuesday when your head hit the desk so hard it nearly gave Bunny Joe a heart attack.” She pulled at his chair and the wheels rolled back without complaint, Sabo’s outstretched hand, however, gave a futile struggle, his outstretched hands far too delayed. He sat back in the chair, arms crossed and pouting as she wheeled it away from his desk, out of his office and down the hallway, only stopping when they reached the front desk.

“Koala,” he whined, her name dragged out, eyes pleading . “Just let me at least finish the report I was working on. It’s almost done and I—”

“Nope! Don’t care. You’re going to run some errands for me instead. When you’re done, and only when you’re done, you can come back.”

She moved around to the front of the chair, pulling him to his feet with that damn monster strength of hers. His knees wobbled, just a little bit, but he remained standing on his own.

His lips parted to speak, but again, she beat him to it, her eyes sharp when they bore into his own. “Don’t even think about pulling rank on me, Mr. High and Mighty. I already got Dragon’s approval, so you don’t have a choice anymore. Besides, you’ll thank me for this later.”

Mouth snapping shut again, he scowled but it was halfhearted at most, the expression of a petulant child put into time-out. Koala pat him on the shoulder once and it felt onlymildly condescending before there was a folded piece of paper stuffed into his loose grip and he was abandoned with only the elevator as company.

He glared at it indignantly and took the stairs instead.

The list, when he opened it later, was annoyingly simple, but tedious all the same.

Go home.

Take a shower.

Get at least a four hour nap.

Eat a full meal. No, microwavable food doesn’t count.

Go on a walk. Outside.

Go back to sleep. Yes, before midnight. Yes, I will know if you don’t.

Sleep in, even if it just means staying in bed but not actually getting up.

It went on, of course. He did say that it was tedious after all, even if it was basically just telling him to do normal things like sleep and eat and not hide away inside his house for hours on end. Mainly, he was just annoyed that it was going to prevent him from working at all for the rest of the day. Koala hadn’t even let him take his laptop with him, so he wouldn’t be able to continue unless he went out and bought another one and by some miracle found a way to transfer over all of the files.

Fine, whatever, he could take a day off. It wasn’t that big of a deal, right?

Honestly, the only item on the list that really confused him was the last one. There was just an address there along with a shop name: Hibiscus Dreams. From Koala’s insistence that he find a plant that he couldn’t kill with neglect or accidental coffee consumption, it was safe to assume that it was a florist of some kind. She had also demanded that he bring back ‘ apology flowers ‘ for the office, so he would certainly hope that that was the case.

He was in no rush though, so he didn’t go that first day. Instead he sulked and followed the rest of the instructions begrudgingly and tried to ignore the way he did feel better after some proper rest, new clothes, and fresh food. Take-out—obviously. No point in burning down his kitchen and adding more things to the list.

When the following morning came and he was refreshed for the first time in ages, he was up and out of bed before seven. Koala may have demanded that he sleep in, but the multitude of hours in one place was already starting to drive him insane and he had gotten the rest she wanted him to. Besides, one quick google search had been enough to tell him that the store opened early, and the earlier he could get there, get the plants and leave, the sooner he could get back to work.

There was a website attached but he hardly glanced at it, just enough to confirm that it was the right address and nothing more. There was apparently a tiny cafe next door and it would be a decent enough breakfast to start the day, and his caffeine consumption.

Half an hour later, with a nearly empty mug of coffee in hand, Sabo stopped in front of a small, colorful shop partially hidden under the shadow of a nearby building.

Or at least, he assumed it was colorful. It was hard to actually pick up on beneath the plant life. Greenery had devoured the shop whole, vines crisscrossed along the brickwork, nestled into every crack of plaster and stone. There was a small awning over the doorway and archway just underneath, laden with flowers, blossoms of every color that spread out and multiplied, stretching dainty stems towards the sky. There were two trees nearby, close enough for the vines to have spread to them as well, climbing up the trunks, the branches strewn in white lights that caught the morning light like drops of dew. Most notable were the large flowering bushes planted just outside the shop itself, surrounding the edge of the building with wide green leaves and multicolored flowers larger than his fist dotted among them in the way blotches of paint met canvas.

Hibiscus, if the painted visage of the flower on the sign was any indication. Well, at least the shop was aptly named.

On the door itself was a small chalkboard, weather worn and chipped at the edges, the scratchy, bold lettering of OPEN smudged, but handwritten. A soft scoff left him at the messy handwriting, providing a brief distraction before his hand fell onto the handle to push inside.

There was a chime, bright and musical when the door swung inward, a far cry from the mechanical ding he was more accustomed to and it drew a brief flash of a smile to his features,  the wind chime out of the corner of his eye made of tarnished copper and half hidden by leaves. And speaking of leaves —the entire shop was filled with them. Plants of all sizes and shapes overlapped amongst each other, layered into a rain forest of scents, a mountains face saturated with color and life.

His first thought was cluttered , but it was impressive all the same.

Even from where he stood, cerulean hues scanning over the room as a whole, it was easy to see how much care had gone into it all, a careful planning that situated certain plants in clusters together. And they were truly everywhere, hanging from the ceiling, stacked upon shelves, small pots nestled in between larger ferns and shrubs. Flowers were situated in a cluster of pots to his right, the arrangements beautiful and eye catching. There were even trees , some seemingly planted directly into the earth itself which was bewildering given that meant the owner had pried away flooring and concrete just to—what? Complete the look? Baffling. Why would anyone go that far? What kind of morondecided that was a good idea?

“Hey,” a voice spoke up, making Sabo startle. “Welcome in! Can I help you with anything?”

Sabo was already waving his free hand in denial, embarrassed that he had been caught in the doorway as his gaze shifted towards the origin of the greeting. “No, it’s fine. I’m just—” Whatever else he had been about to say died on his tongue, the last few syllables drawn out and fading to nothing on his lips.

There was a man perhaps no more than twenty feet from him, half hidden behind the front counter. Sabo didn’t know how he had missed him, so distracted by the plants themselves that he must have merely skimmed over him, drawn to other things. Now, however, with his full attention riveted on the man, it seemed foolish. He was easily the most stunning thing here.

Light streamed in from above, but it was only now, left to admire the way sunlight framed the stranger’s face like a lover’s caress that he even processed the existence of a skylight. Dark hair fell in a halo around his face, warm skin speckled in stars, creating constellations along the line of a strong jaw and neckline. And his smile— fuck —the way those silver eyes crinkled at the edges, a sign of how freely given the expression was, it was dazzling. Sabo was helpless in response, desperately taking in each feature, every small detail. There was a pocket of air lodged in his chest that refused to budge, thrumming with something terrifyingly warm that spread from there outward like melted honey or liquid gold.

He felt heavy with the sensation, weak to it.

Flowers seemed brighter besides the other, as if soaking in his presence, thriving. There were other things too, of course, wind chimes and trinkets that he caught at the edge of his focus, but Sabo couldn’t will himself to look away and take in anything other than the male himself, the way he shone as if illuminated from within. Dazzling. This guy was dangerous .

“You okay over there man?”

Sabo’s eyes focused all at once, the return of that voice enough to slap him from the dream like state he had lost himself into. Pulled back so forcefully, he snapped back to attention in the way a rubber band did, just shy of breaking.

“I didn’t mean to startle you, sorry.”

The man’s eyes were on him again, but the smile had faded, expression still soft but those hypnotizing eyes of his muted with concern and confusion.

Shaking his head frantically, Sabo snapped shut his lips that had parted in awe, eyes wide and color slowly creeping up his neck as that embarrassment from earlier came crashing down once more, submerging himself in it. He almost hoped that he could drown in it and put himself out of this misery.

“No! No, I—” He had just been standing by the door like an idiot, a gawking, moronic idiot, and now he couldn’t even talk without fumbling words and flailing hands. The coffee cup slipped from his hand and clattered against the floor, the meager remainder trickling out even as Sabo dropped to retrieve it. The movement caused him to step away from the door and it shut behind with with a creak of hinges, trapping him inside. “ Fuck, sorry I-I’m not normally like this, I swear.” Salvaging the cup, he was relieved to find that only a little had escaped to splash across the laminated floor. “Do you have a napkin or something? Ah—a paper towel maybe?” Standing up again, his back rod-straight, he was startled to find that the other had moved closer to him by now, away from the counter where flowers rest abandoned, mournful of lost company.

There was a small towel in his hand and Sabo’s attention only flickered to it when he leaned down to wipe at the mess on the floor, the stranger’s laughter soft like bells. “It’s fine, it’s fine. No harm done,” the man said. “This shop’s been through worse, so don’t worry about it.”

Frozen in place, he could only watch, mortified.

When he rose to his feet again and turned that same blinding smile back towards him again, Sabo swore that his heart skipped a beat.

“I’m Ace, by the way,” the stranger— Ace spoke, a hand held out in his general direction.

Up this close, Sabo could pick out each individual freckle, admiring the way his eyes glimmered with remnants of mirth and genuine benevolence. Suddenly self-conscious, he worried about his own appearance. Even after a day of decent rest, there was sure to be evidence of bruising under his eyes, beaten into him through extended neglect. He was too pale, the tan of his childhood faded with shadows and fluorescent lighting. Did he brush his hair this morning? He couldn’t remember in his rush to leave . God he hoped so; his bed head was atrocious. At least he was dressed nicely, right? Yes, of course he was. It was the one thing he was proud of.

And then there were the scars, the rough skin he didn’t bother hiding with makeup on days spent in the office. He winced at the thought, the reminder of his past, his upbringing. Fire. His hair wouldn’t be enough to hide the evidence of trauma on his face. It was harsh compared to pale skin. Ugly.

Realizing that he was staring once again, his arm jerked forward to grip at Ace’s before the offer could fall away, his grip maybe a little tighter than he intended. “Sabo—I’m Sabo. Sorry, again, about the, uh, coffee. I…” he cleared his throat, distracted by the warmth of the male’s hand in his, the way he could feel how calloused they were. Hard-working hands. He dropped the contact in another quick movement, wiping the lingering sensation off on his pants. “Uhm…”

Ace’s smile was gentle, understanding when his own hand fell away, the dirty rag hanging limply from the other. “Sabo, I already told you, it’s no problem. Seriously. The plants do worse everyday. A little coffee is nothin’ at all.” He stepped back a step and Sabo followed as if drawn in through magnetized force.

“Just here to take a look today or is there something in particular you were looking for?”

Right . He was here for a reason—not that it really mattered to him anymore. Koala’s list, even work was nearly forgotten.

“Flowers. Apology flowers?” Sabo wet his lips, his words hesitant as he followed Ace further into the shop. He cradled the remains of his coffee cup tightly at his chest, absently pressing his fingers into his earlier blunder. “Sorry, I’m not really...used to this?”

Ace only hummed in response, eyes cast about the room, glancing in the direction of the clusters of flowers Sabo had noticed before. “Don’t worry about it. Multiple I assume, or are you just lookin’ for one?”

That was at least an easy question to answer. “Multiple. Definitely multiple.”

“Bouquet?”

“Uhh...yes?”

Silver eyes were on him again and Sabo lost himself in argent pools, drowning. Again. There was laughter there, even in his gaze, but it was soft and lacked the edge of mocking he half expected, absent of judgement. He hadn’t known that metal could appear so warm and inviting.

“You don’t know a single thing about plants, do you?”

Sabo flinched, taken aback by the blunt statement. Surprisingly, he wasn’t offended. In the same way Ace’s eyes conveyed warmth, his words came off as gentle, consoling. Grip tightening a little further around his cup, he shook his head in silent admittance.

Ace nodded, expression almost fond before he turned away from him, heading towards a doorway at the back of the shop Sabo hadn’t noticed before. “Well, that’s fine. You’re actually here at a good time of year, now that I think about it.” There was a rustling from the other room, Ace’s voice a little muffled. “A few more weeks and I wouldn’t have hyacinth’s anymore.”

Despite himself and the knowledge that he probably shouldn’t , Sabo found himself moving again towards the far doorway, his steps hesitant but too curious to resist. As it turned out, the shop was longer than he first assumed, a separate room set up past the wall that opened up into a greenroom, complete with glass walls and everything. And, despite the seeming impossibility, there were even more plants crammed into this one space than the entirety of the first room. Trees and shrubs and vines clustered within every available space but they were nothing compared to the sheer number of flowers. He could likely name on one hand the species he actually recognized and the rest were beyond him.

And there was Ace, in the middle of it all.

Framed by plants on every side, with dirt smudging his hands and shoulder length hair pulled back into an unexpected ponytail at the nape of his neck, he appeared as a wood nymph must, or some other type of mythical creature. Sacred and wild.

“Probably safe to assume you don’t know the language of flowers right,” Ace spoke, eyes still on the flowers though his voice was obviously directed at Sabo. “Hyacinth, especially purple hyacinth like these, are the absolute best if you’re trying to apologize to someone. They literally mean ‘please forgive me.’ Seriously, how awesome is that? Flowers are great.”

His hands were unexpectedly dainty as Sabo watched his fingers skim over damaged petals, working through the collection of tight knit purple buds and snipping those that passed whatever inspection he was conducting, collecting the chosen few in one hand. It should have been boring to watch, but just seeing Ace’s soft expression was enough to keep Sabo entranced.

“White tulips are a must too,” he continued as he moved about the space, unhindered by Sabo’s gaze on him. “Another one that means forgiveness. A little bit of lavender, some violets and lily of the valley aaaand final touch—there!”

The flowers were held out to him in a flourish, dark purple, violet and pale whites twining together artfully with a small write ribbon wrapped around their middle. Sabo had been so focused on watching Ace that he had hardly noticed the actual design that had gone into their placement. They were beautiful.

“I—thank you. How much…?”

Ace was already wiping his hands off onto his pants, the evidence of a repetitive action painted in smudges of dirt against dark jeans. It was endearing.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. First time here, right? I definitely would have remembered you if you’d been in here before.” He moved past him and into the larger room again. “First bouquet is on the house! Besides, it’s supposed to be an apology right? I figure you’ve been put through enough already then, huh?”

Sabo gaped after him, nearly tripping over his own feet in the rush to follow after him, the flowers held with a gentle grip normally reserved for brittle glass. As if they might shatter in his hold.

“I can’t possibly just take them. You said it yourself. You won’t have some of these flowers anymore soon, right? That means they’re valuable,” he sputtered, eyes tracking Ace as he moved behind the counter again. “At least let me tip you or something— please .”

Ace leaned over the counter, arms folded and smile slight but sharper this time, sly . “If you want to pay me back, you’re just going to have to come again then, huh?”

Sabo flushed, heat returning to his cheeks in a rush that left his lips parted on soundless words. It probably wasn’t meant to come off as such an invitation but he was selfish enough to think it that way, to hope that Ace was asking him to come back as more than just a returning customer. And perhaps it was just a little cowardly to nod and flee, but there was laughter at his back when he did and the other’s smile emblazoned in his mind.

Later, when there were flowers sitting in a vase at his ( miraculously clean ) desk, Koala chided him for forgetting one, very important thing with a knowing smile and mischievous eyes.

He never did get that desk plant.

[sickxici]

day 2// at first sight

just being kids

[saboace-week]

Day 1!

Alright everyone, it's officially day 1 of SaboAce-week!

Just a short reminder that I'll reblog anything as long as the tags are in place and try to make sure you @ the blog.

Sometimes things don't pop up in tag searches if it's not in the first 5 tags of the post.

I don't want to miss anything, just in case Thanks and let's have a fun event!!