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Ace was eight years old when he first realised what it meant to be an omega in this world.
It was about two years after he had met Sabo, a beta. They got along great and soon started working together, to reach their mutual dream: Becoming a pirat!
The two of them were currently patrolling the Grey Terminal, trying to 'aquire' treasure for their pirate fund.
They had made a bet, about who could get the most treasure today, so they had split up as soon as they reached the garbage dump.
After wandering around for a bit, Ace had chosen a pair of thugs to rob. Two men, clothes dirty, but not ripped and good quality, carrying clubs and a small dagger. At first glance they didn't seem to be from around here, from the Grey Terminal, they were too well-fed.
So, not exactly the kind of people, he should fuck with, but definitely the right people for huge spoils.
The two man were distracted, back turned towards Ace, as they rifled through a bag, arguing about who would get what.
An easy target.
Ace slowly and cautiously, crawled closer, staying hidden behind the rubbish. He was just about to jump the unsuspecting thugs...
When, suddenly, he was grabbed from behind. A third man lifted him up by his neck, as the young boy squirmed and fought, scratching at the hands around his throat.
"Well, look at this...what were you trying to do, little brat?" The man said, smirking. He was so close, the hairs of his scruffy beard scratched against his skin and his putrid breath made Ace feel sick.
Fear ran through him, as he fought the hands holding him harder. But it was useless, the man's grip was too tight.
"Fuck...I can't...let me breathe!!!"
The grip loosened slightly, but then a piece of rope was wrapped tighly around his wrists. Ace struggled fruitlessly, he wasn't going to just give up! He wasn't going to let himself be killed by some random small-time criminals!
Pain shot through him as he was thrown to the ground in front of the men he had been trying to rob. Before he could do anything the one with the beard put a foot down on him, like he was a hunting trophy, pressing his face into the nasty mix of dirt and garbage that made up the ground of the Grey Terminal.
They loomed over him dangerously, as Ace growled at them, threateningly.
"Oh, I think I know this one." One of other two said. "Him and this other boy. I heard they run around robbing people..." He leaned forward and got uncomfortably close to Ace.
The boy groaned as the foot left his back, before he was grabbed by the shoulder and yanked up. The asshole frowned, burying his nose in his neck and sniffing intensely. A shudder ran down Ace's spine as he kicked the air in panic.
Then, the man's eyes widened in surprise, a stomach-churning smile slowly stretching across his face.
"Well guys, would you look at that...we caught something really rare here!" He lifted a struggling Ace up into the air. "A male omega!"
The other two gasped and then the bearded-one laughed, apparently delighted.
"Really? I've never even seen one!"
"The money we could get!" The other continued, with a dreamy look.
The one who had grabbed Ace smirked, as he ran a hand through his beard, before he gave Ace a lecherous look, making the boys skin crawl.
"Or, and hear me out guys, we could have some fun before we sell him. When was the last time one of you had a real omega, huh? A fresh one, not one from the whore house?"
Ace was trying to wiggle free with more urgency than before. He wouldn't understand what exactly that meant until a few years later, but he knew with every fiber of his being, that he needed to get away from the lewd smiles and the depraved laughter as fast as possible.
Before he could do anything, he was on his back on the floor.
One of the men above him holding him down, another grabbing his legs.
And then there were hands everywhere.
Touching him, caressing him, all over.
Their laughter was ringing in his ears and he flinched at the sound of someone undoing their belt.
Fear ran through Ace like never before.
What were they doing? Were they going to torture him?
He screamed and kicked and punched and bit - fought with everything he had.
But it was pointless, he was too weak. The disgusting hands too strong.
"Stop touching me!" It was supposed to sound threatening, but it ended up being more like a whimper.
The bearded-one leaned close again, burying his face in Ace's neck, taking in his scent.
"Don't fight it, it's what you were born to do. Its your purpose, omega, so lay still and take it." He murmured into Ace's ear.
"That's right, you deserve this. Were made for it even!" Another laughed.
"No! Let me go you bastards!" Ace snarled, tears in his eyes now.
He didn't understand what they wanted, but he was terrified.
The sound of a slap rang through the air, and pain exploded across the boys face, leaving him temporarily stunned as the one with the beard backhanded him across the face.
"Stay still, you little bitch!"
But Ace was stubborn, he'd never stop struggling.
He gasped for breath, fear and confusion, clouding his head.
His legs were pried apart.
The bearded man slid his hand under Ace's shirt, yanking it up. Caressing his bare skin.
Ace let out an involuntarily scream, panic clawing through him as a hand slipped into the waistband of his trousers.
"No! Stop!"
Without warning a loud crash, sounded through the muted ringing in Ace's ears.
And Sabo appeared in the clearing.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
Sabo screamed and swung his pipe down, knocking out the man holding him down and using the confusion - and a small knife - to cut the ropes binding Ace, setting him free.
Ace jumped up, immediately rightend his clothes and picked up a stray piece of wood as a weapon.
Anything, to feel less vulnerable.
The two boys stood back to back, ready to beat the shit out of the two left over men.
Ace jumped forward, legs still weak. He ducked under the mans swing and knocked the disgusting man who had touched him over.
Ace stood over him now.
His hands never stopped shaking, but he didn't hesitate as he lifted his weapon.
With as much force as he could muster, he brought the wooden pole down on his attackers head.
His skin was crawling.
The thought of this man touching his bare skin made him nauseous.
Who did he think he was?
He brought the pole down again.
The way he looked at him. The way his beard had felt against his skin.
And again.
What he had called him. Omega. But in a way that made it sound like he was an insect, something disgusting, something he wanted to step on.
Again.
Something wet hit his face.
Again.
When it ran into his eyes and his vision turned red, he absentmindedly realised it was probably blood.
He lifted his arms.
"Ace!"
But he was stopped mid swing by Sabo.
"He's dead, you can stop. Let's just get out of here!"
Dazed, Ace looked around. The other man had apparently already been delt with by Sabo. And the bearded man...was nothing but a mount of flesh and blood.
He let go of the pole, body trembling and nodded. Unable to speak past the lump in his throat.
They picked up the bag with the treasure and ran. Through the garbage, into the trees and back to their hiding place.
Ace's heart hammered in his chest, as if trying to stay ahead of the beat of his feet as they slammed into the ground.
When they arrived and climbed up to the high branch of their hiding place, they both were slightly breathless.
After they hid their spoils Sabo hesitantly turned to Ace, worry on his face and asked:
"Are you okay?"
Ace scoffed, crossing his arms behind his head, faux relaxed. Trying to play it cool. Trying to hide how much this experience had scared him.
"I'm fine."
But behind his back, his trembling hands betrayed him. He had the sudden urge to get away, from everything and everyone, so he turned around and jumped back down from the tree.
"I'm going back to the hag. See you tomorrow."
"Wait, Ace! We should ta..."
But Ace was already gone, disappearing into the trees.
Over the next years, what had happened, haunted him.
He just didn't understand.
Dadan had explained the basics to him, once. There were three second genders Alpha, Beta and Omega.
There were mostly Betas, some Alphas and a few Omegas. Alphas could get Omegas pregnant. Just like the people with male parts could get those with female parts pregnant. And that's it.
So why did they do what they did? Why did they talk about Ace like that? Like he was somehow less than them...
Why would being an omega matter at all? Was this something else he would have to hide? Like the bad blood in his veins?
He didn't want to talk to Sabo about what happened, the boy had tried a few times to get Ace to speak about it, but Ace had refused, so Sabo had stopped trying.
Dadan and the bandits were useless.
But he needed answers to all of his questions.
In the end, he tried to get his answers the only other way he knew about. The same way he had gotten answers to the other really important question in his life.
He went to a bar.
He already knew he didn't deserve to live because he was his son. He'd already had horrible things spit in his face many times.
Still, he wasn't prepared for the answers he got when he asked his question.
"What do you think of Omegas?"
Later, even after he'd beaten the drunks bloody, their vile taunts kept echoing in his head.
How omegas were stupid, mindless breeding whores, who's only purpose was to bring pleasure to men and Alphas.
How omegas should be quiet, look pretty and obey without questions. 'But loud when they spread their legs' one had added, laughing.
How they were holes meant to be used.
How they were weak, useless.
How they could never achieve anything. Other than giving birth.
The rage inside, made him grit his teeth all the way back to the forest. Fists clenched around his blood-slick pipe.
Wasn't it bad enough that he was a demon child? A monster, because of his blood? Now, suddenly, there was something else about him that he couldn't change, that the world hated him for.
Frustrated, he punched a nearby tree, cracking the wood.
Blood dripped from his knuckles.
Hatred burned low in his gut.
Hatred for a world that never wanted him. Hatred for being born the way he was. Hatred for his father.
Hatred for everyone, but most of all...
Hatred for himself.
Ace hated his secondary gender.
Now, that he was ten, he understood better, had seen more.
The empty eyed omegas and women who sold themselves at the edges of the city.
The omegas who were claimed and wore a collar, treated like trophies or objects.
The groups of Alphas stalking through the Grey Terminal, searching for unsuspecting victims...
Ace and Sabo had long since learned to stay clear of them.
Just like Ace had learned to completely surpress his scent.
It was just safer that way. Everyone simply assumed he was a beta. He preferred it that way.
He was long used to hiding who he really was, after all. This was just another secret.
And so, Ace continued on in darkness, resigned to hating himself for something he had no power over.
Until, one day, a ray of light broke through the dark. The sun - personified in a little boy wearing a strawhat way too big for him - crashed into his life.
Luffy was loud, annoying and disgustingly positive.
About everything.
Life, dreams and even his secondary gender.
He was an omega, just like Ace, but he wasn't ashamed of it, didn't keep quiet about it.
No, he told any and everyone. Throwing his scent and his emotions around like it was nothing, like it didn't mean anything, like he wouldn't get hated and targeted for it.
It had pissed Ace off so much that, when Luffy had once again declared his dream to become pirate king, he had started berating him.
Screaming, that omegas where worth nothing in this world.
Screaming, that omegas where weak and useless and could never accomplish their dreams.
Screaming, that he should just give up.
Luffy had looked shocked, but then he had gotten weirdly serious. He had looked at Ace with an unreadable look, putting his strawhat on his head before he said:
"That's not true. Shanks and Makino said so. They said your secondary gender doesn't mean anything. And that I can do whatever I set my mind to. And so can you!"
He then put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath, before throwing his hands up and screaming:
"I'm the one who's going to become king of the pirates! Omega or not! That doesn't matter!
I'm going to train and get stronger and stronger and beat up anyone who says otherwise! Shishishi."
Ace blinked at him. Ever since he found out what this world thought about omegas, he had been getting...discouraged. About becoming a pirate. About his life in general.
What future did he even have as his son and an omega?
But here Luffy was, completely unbothered, declaring his dream for all the world to hear.
Ace just turned and left, causing Luffy to shout in indignation and run after him. Even after all this time he still tried to keep up with him.
But as he ran Luffy's declaration kept rummaging around in his brain. If Luffy could do it, maybe...Ace could as well?
Could he stop hating himself for being born an omega?
He shivered, as a memory played in his mind. Hands, all over him. Touching him. Not stopping...
Ace shook his head, trying to rid himself of the memory.
Was it worth it, trying to live openly, when being himself could cost him everything?
It would take a few more weeks - Sabo and Luffy meeting for the first time, a kidnapping, Luffy declaring how 'of course' he wanted Ace to live and the three of them becoming brothers - before Ace was willing to rethink his views of the world.
But meeting and accepting the other young omega had changed his perspective. He no longer accepted the discrimination as 'just how it was', he would be fighting for his rights now.
Or at least, he would be fighting for Luffy's.
Because Luffy was special and he was going to go far. He didn't deserve this.
Contrary to Luffy, Ace still kept his scent suppressed, hiding the fact he was an omega from everyone. It was a habit he couldn't just let go of.
The months that followed were the happiest of his live. Hunting with his brothers. Building a base. Robbing the thugs in Grey Terminal. Training together.
Just...living.
Freely and happily.
Though, tragically, it didn't last.
Sabo's father showed up. And soon, everything was on fire, Luffy and him barely survived.
And than came the worst news of his life so far.
Sabo had died.
His death weighted heavily on him.
His promises to both Luffy and Sabo were the only thing that had kept him holding on.
After Sabo's death, him and Luffy, only ever grew closer. Together, they had decided to be free, freer than anyone. In Sabo's honour.
Wich also meant the two of them swore to one another, to never let themselves be claimed and owned. To never let themselves be collared.
Because as an omega, you had few choices growing up.
You were either an unclaimed 'wild thing', an outcast or a whore, unwilling to accept the role you were born for, haunted and hated by those around you.
Or someone claimed and collared you and from that day forward, that person owned you.
But not them.
No one would take their freedom.
Years later, when Ace was 17 and left for his journey, he was ready to spread his name and to be free.
He wasn't proud of being an omega, but thanks to Luffy and Makino, who bravely lead by example proving that being an omega didn't make you worth less, or weak, he had learned that he could still have a chance.
He still hid his scent, of course. He hadn't left it unsurpressed in nearly 10 years. No one could know that he was an omega.
And he never regretted it, because soon, Ace learned what being an omega meant for the rest of the world.
Throughout his journey he had created a crew of trustworthy people.
People who would never discriminate someone solely for their secondary gender - Deuce, his first mate even found out about it and knew of his father!
People who were willing to follow him to the ends of the earth, no matter what gender he had. A new family, perhaps even.
He had been through many adventures with his crew, had even eaten a devil fruit - the mera-mera no mi. It had been strange, but soon the fire had felt like fate, like this fruit had always been meant for him.
At first he barely met any other omega at all.
Because apparently, as Ace found out, people in the east blue, thought they brought 'bad luck' on a ship.
It was ridiculous.
Because of that, the first other omegas he met on his journey, he encountered on a pirate ship.
They had been sailing through the stormy waters of the grandline, when they had come across a pirate crew, pillaging a small island, and when the enemy pirates noticed them, they immediately attacked.
Ace had no problem wiping the floor with those assholes, who were hurting innocent people.
They deserved it.
After he was finished, him and his crew decided to plunder their ship for food and treasure.
What they found though, shocked and disgusted them.
In the belly of the ship were tall, iron cages. Cages filled with about half a dozen young omega women.
All looking gaunt and terrified. They were barely dressed, covered in bruises and what looked like bite marks.
It made Ace shiver in anger and fear.
Hurriedly, they freed them and after some discussion, made a deal with the island, so that they would care for them while they recuperated.
And so Ace learned what happened to omegas in the grand line.
All those who didn't have protection from the world government - by being born a noble or something similar like being claimed and owned by someone acknowledged by the world government - were in constant danger of being abducted and sold.
Like the omegas they had found, who were being used as 'ship omegas'. Free to use and abuse for everyone.
'It was good for stress management and made for happier subordinates', Ace had gotten told, when he had beat the captains face in later.
Disgust had flooded Ace.
And through the haze in his mind, he had barely even registered burning the pathetic excuse for a man alive.
About halfway through Paradise, they got caught in a terrible storm.
Hail. Lighting. Tornadoes. It had everything.
After an exhausting fight and drenched to the bone they managed to weather the storm, but their ship, the Piece of Spadille, had gotten badly damaged.
Afterwards, they were forced to seek shelter at a small island. It wasn't much - just sand and forest and one tiny village - but enough to stop and make some repairs.
It was only a small setback in their journey and after spending the day working, at night they partied.
The locals kept their distance at first. Watching them quietly. Cautious, but not hostile.
After a day or two, some of them wandered over, offering trade and materials for the repairs. They happily accepted.
Most notably among the few villagers, was a young alpha. Tall and build, with brown hair and kind eyes. He always showed up with something useful: Rope, tools, water or food.
He was friendly and helpful, didn't judge and accepted that they were pirates without too many questions or suspicion.
He wasn't pushy and didn't expect anything in return for his help. Ace couldn't help but admit that he seemed like a nice guy.
After a day or two Ace and the crew were welcomed into the village with open arms. After that, they spend their evenings in the local tavern.
On his way back from the village one night, Ace slipped trying to cross a rock path near the ocean and fell into the water with a splash.
As he helplessly sank to his death, he regretted not being able to see Luffy achieve his dream and how stupid his death was.
It was that same alpha who saved him from drowning.
Ace woke up to arms around him pulling him to shore. He hacked and coughed, the water leaving his burning lungs.
The alpha held him tight through it all.
As Ace tried to gather his bearings, the alpha said nothing.
Just looked at him intently.
Ace, laying soaked on the floor, felt like something had shifted between them, though he couldn't put his finger on what it was.
Afterwards, the man started hovering in his periphery.
He wasn't pushy, he was still kind, still kept his distance. But the guy just kept showing up. Not just to help, but to simply spend time with him.
Ace let himself wonder, briefly, if this was what a safe alpha looked like. If, maybe, he could let himself go, just this once. Just for one night.
Later, on their last evening on the island, they sat side by side next to a fire Ace had started on the beach. The stars and moon shone above them and in front of them was nothing but the open ocean.
They were alone, enjoying the crackling of the wood and the murmur of the sea. It would be their last night in what might be forever and the alpha had invited him here. To be together one last time.
Ace had agreed with a slight blush, waving of his crewmates worried questions.
Here alone on this beach Ace was getting nervous. Did he even want to spend the night with this man? Or did he just feel like he had to?
The man in question smiled and handed him something to drink. Ace didn't question it, blinded by the charm and ready to get rid of the sudden insecurities that plagued him by getting drunk.
He didn't realise his mistake until it was far too late.
His eyelids suddenly started feeling heavy. His muscles became slack. His breathing slowed.
When he fell backwards, the alpha caught him and a face buried itself into his neck.
"I know what you are," he said, taking a deep breath, breathing in Ace's scent. "Such a beautiful, naive omega. You're mine now."
The words ripped him out of his shock. He tried to move, scream, fight. Nothing worked, not even his fire reacted.
He was completely paralysed and helpless.
He didn't remember much of what happened next, only fragments that blurred together - being carried, someone's breath on his neck, the cold press of panic from being unable to move, hands on his skin.
The next thing he knew, he was being surrounded by scents that he knew, scents that were safe.
His crew came for him. They rescued him.
And right then and there, Ace broke down crying.
Through the haze of his tears, he could barely make out the bloody pulp, that used to be an alpha.
Back on the ship, he was brought to his room and wrapped in blankets. Someone stayed with him at all times as they set sailed and left the island behind.
Ace didn't speak for hours.
God, he was such an idiot.
Every kind gesture, every quiet word from that man replayed in his head and suddenly got a new meaning. It hadn't been kindness. It had all been a lie. The alpha had been waiting for a moment where Ace dropped his guard. Luring him into a false sense of security...until he could attack when Ace expected it the least.
The worst part wasn't even what almost happened. It was that Ace had believed him. Trusted him, even, in a way.
He had started to believe that, maybe not all alphas wanted the same thing. That maybe he could be seen as more than a body waiting to be claimed.
Now he knew better.
The loud, ugly, obvious ones, they were easier. They were cruel from the start. At least you saw them coming.
But the nice ones, the kind ones?
They were worse.
So Ace continued making his way across the grandline - having adventures, meeting people, being free.
Although whenever he saw an omega trotting behind someone, pregnant and collared - an omegas supposed paradise, even if their eyes were always empty - a pit opened up inside his stomach.
A pit that only grew deeper whenever he saw those omegas high out of their mind, to survive the life in the brothels.
Whenever they found another one who was being kept on a ship, 'for amusement'.
'...we could have some fun before we sell him...'
It reminded him, that he was lucky and that one day, his luck could end.
It also reminded him that he would rather die, than be owned by someone.
After a few more months, the Spade Pirates had made their way into the New World in record time.
The name of the new rookie crew, led by the young captain, spread across the world.
A while ago, with great protest from his crew, Ace had decided to fight the Emporers of the sea.
Shanks was off the list, for obvious reasons and Kaido just wasn't there when Ace arrived to fight him - though meeting Yamato and O-tama more than made up for it.
And so Ace chose to fight Whitebeard next.
To make a name for himself and to test his own strength against those of legend. To see just how far Ace was from his father. To prove that he was strong, not despite, but because he was an omega.
So they searched for Whitebeards territories.
It was on one of those islands, that they met Jinbei.
Jinbei was strong and honorable.
They fought for five days and nights without pause and Ace was completely exhausted when the emporer finally arrived.
About ready to collapse again, Ace got up and fought. Flinging forward pillars of fire.
To prove himself, but more importantly, to protect his crew.
Whitebeard's strength turned out to be overwhelming. Ace didn't even stand a chance.
When he collapsed, he thought Whitebeard would kill him, but no, it was something worse. Way worse.
Whitebeard extended his hand and asked Ace to come with him, become his son.
Ace's rage was blinding, as he tried one last pointless attack and yelled at him to 'screw himself'.
Never would he belong to anyone, he'd rather die than loose his freedom.
He jumped up just as Whitebeard lifted his weapon and struck.
Pain exploded through Ace, before, suddenly, everything turned dark.
The sea was quiet the day Portgas D. Ace was brought aboard the Moby Dick.
He'd been unconscious, when his battered body had been lifted from the wreckage left by the fight.
Now, several days later, Ace woke up.
Disoriented he looked around, everything was blurry, but he felt something soft and warm beneath him.
Had he been saved? But how was that possible?
Sitting up slowly, he realised he was laying in a big bed covered in smooth silk sheets.
That alone was enough to make him feel sick.
He looked around in confusion, he didn't know where he was.
The room was warm and in the dim light of the lamps, Ace took stock of himself.
His injuries were bandaged. There were no chains on his wrists. No collar. His fire hadn't even been sealed.
But the air was thick with scents. Ace took a sniff - tea, honey, a subtle lavender, that was... that was laced with calming pheromones. Scents used specifically for calming down unruly omegas.
Ace shot out of the bed.
While he was unconscious, they had found out he was an omega.
Panic surged through him.
He had kept this secret his whole life, to protect himself and now...
And now they were trying to soothe him. Make him pliant. Make him forget.
He cursed out loud.
He knew some pirate crews liked rare omegas.
Not just for 'using' them, but as status symbols or trophies. Especially rare ones, with combat skills or special devil fruit powers.
...Or infamous bloodlines.
His body screamed at him to run.
He broke down the door and sprinted out of the room, across the hallway, past everyone standing there and barrelled onto the deck.
There, the shock left him breathless.
He was indeed on a pirate ship - one in the middle of the ocean no less - but this wasn't just any pirate ship. He was on the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's flagship.
He was trapped.
Alone, on a ship full of Alphas.
Ace gripped the railing so tight his knuckles whitened and the wood cracked.
He had no idea what they wanted from him or what had happened to his crew.
As he sank to his knees and let go of the destroyed railing, guilt flooded him.
He was the reason they went to sea, they had believed in him, believed he would protect them, but he had failed. For all he knew they were probably dead.
Stuck in his emotional turmoil he didn't realise someone had walked up to him until they spoke.
"Hey, you're awake! My names Thatch and I'm a good friend to have around here."
Immediately, Ace whipped around, arms lifted in combat position.
Before him stood a man, an alpha, dressed in a chefs uniform and with a weird hairstyle. He was grinning from ear to ear.
Ace's body was tense, ready to attack at the slightest threatening move.
"Back off! I don't know why you brought me here, but you're going to regret it. Now tell me what happened with my crew!"
The man, Thatch, just continued smiling.
"They're fine. A bit beat up maybe...they're on one of the Mini-Mobys right now, because they attacked us to get you back, but they're okay!" The man laughed.
Ace growled in response.
"Why take me in the first place and why didn't you put me in chains?"
"Didn't you listen? Pops wants you as part of the family!" He said, sounding amused, before waving a hand dismissively. "And we don't need chains with you."
Ace flinched back as if struck. So that's what this was...his first instincts had been right.
They thought he was a weak omega. One that was apparently good enough for a 'ship-omega', but not enough of a danger to require any amount of caution.
Ace barred his teeth in a snarl.
He sent a burst of fire in the direction of the Alpha and scurried away, back into the bowels of the ship.
He needed to collect himself, asses his injuries and then...
Then he was going to take Whitebeard's head.
He would show them.
Show them not to underestimate him ever again.
He was not going down without a fight.
Ace had been on the Moby Dick for six days now.
Trying to kill Whitebeard and failing miserably.
He was sitting near the back of the ship, leaned against the railing, watching the stars above.
Other than that, he still didn't know what to think of the emporers crew.
Pirates didn't take prisoners and try to feed them fresh food. Pirates didn't give omegas space.
And pirates sure as hell didn't let them roam the ship freely, without a collar or chains, while claiming they were 'part of the family now'.
Their apparent kindness unsettled him more than cruelty would have. It didn't make sense.
Whitebeard's crew were just too kind.
From the outside, it may have looked like nice, great even.
No locked doors. No collars. No drugs hidden in the food. No Alphas looming in drunken packs.
Hell, the quarters they gave him were nicer than any place he'd slept in since he was a kid.
But that didn't mean it was safe.
He knew what pirates could be like. What Alphas could be like. He'd seen it - lived it.
Sometimes, they smiled when they hurt you.
Sometimes, they fed you well before they caged you.
Sometimes, they waited until you trusted them, then struck.
Maybe that was the plan? Waiting until Ace broke and willingly submitted to them?
He grit his teeth. If so, they could wait forever.
Letting his eyes wander over the horizon, his gaze caught on a brilliant, blue and golden fire lighting up the night air.
Ace watched the phoenix as he flew through the air.
It was a breathtaking sight, one that he couldn't help but admire, no matter how much he hated himself for it.
As he watched the mesmerising fire, his mind wandered.
Over the last few days a new thought had entered Ace's head.
...Could it be that Whitebeard knew?
It shouldn't be possible, but... Whitebeard had met his father.
So, maybe, that bastard realised who he was and didn't just want Ace's fire or use him as entertainment for the crew. Maybe he wanted Ace's bloodline. Roger's legacy. A weapon with a womb.
No better way to aquire new, powerful sons, right?
The thought alone made Ace want to be sick.
He'd burn the ship down and drown everyone, including himself, before he'd let that happen.
With a growl Ace pushed of the railing he was leaning against.
Time to take that old man's head.
Over the years, Ace had to learn how to read Alphas. It had been critical for survival when he was younger.
And through his experiences, Ace had to learn more and more. But especially lately, he learned one important thing.
Usually, the quiet ones...were the ones you should trust the least.
Over the week he spend on the ship so far, he realised the 1st Division Commander - Marco - was the worst of all.
Always calm. Always unreadable. Scent muted and posture non-threatening.
He never stared. Never hovered. But he was always there.
Watching.
Checking in.
Offering food and bandages for wounds Ace didn't ask help for.
It made Ace's skin crawl.
He knew that tone. Knew the type. Gentle, patient Alphas were the most dangerous. The kind that made you want to trust them until you were claimed, collared and too deep to get out.
So Ace ignored him.
Pushed him away.
Gave him snarls instead of thanks.
And still, Marco hovered at the edges. Not close enough to be obvious, but never far enough to forget. He said nothing most of the time, but when he did speak, it was gentle in a way that made Ace want to bare his teeth.
One day Ace had taken over one of the crows nests and burned anyone who got close.
He'd needed space from the constant looks and whispers.
"Have you seen him? He's actually a male omega!" "Huh? No way!"
Up here, the wind in his hair, his eyes on the horizon, he could almost convince himself he was still free.
But he wasn't, not anymore.
He knew trying to run would be pointless, there was nothing but ocean around them.
Besides, he couldn't leave his crew behind. He refused to run, anyway.
He spend the whole day up here, dark thoughts spiralling.
After the sun had set, a head popped up over the barrier. Marco had shown up, carrying a basket with dinner.
Ace threateningly sat his arms on fire, but the older man just looked at him, eyes half-closed, an almost bored look on his face.
"You should eat, yoi. Don't think I didn't notice that you've barely eaten the last few days."
He sat the basket down in front of him and opened it.
Ace grit his teeth, the smell was heavenly and his stomach growled.
But he couldn't let his guard down, not again. So he snarled:
"Fuck off."
The alpha sighed, seemingly disappointed, before insistently pushing the basket towards him.
"Eat, yoi. I swear on my honor as a Whitebeard Pirate that it's not drugged or poisoned."
Instantly, Ace felt trapped. He would never take anything from another alpha.
"I said fuck off! You can take your honor and stick it up your arse!"
The older man didn't move, he just stared at Ace with an unreadable expression. Slowly, he opened his mouth and said:
"As 1st division commander, my honor is pretty important to me, but I want you..."
Rage burned through him as hot as his flames.
"I don't care what you want! Or who you are!
1st division commander, Alpha or Whitebeard's favorite! I won't be someone's pet. So leave me alone! You can try to manipulate me, bribe me with food as much as you want, I'll never give in."
Marco blinked, slowly, surprised at the outburst and frowned at him.
"That is not what I want, not what we want, yoi. You're not a prisoner or a pet, we want you to be a part of our family."
Ace laughed, a short, hollow sound.
"Yeah sure, I know how this works. You let me think I'm free until I drop my guard.
And then what?
You force me down on deck and pass me around until someone claims me? Until I'm pregnant? Or until I'm no longer useable?"
Marco flinched. Visibly.
Then he just looked at him, face sad.
But Ace didn't need his pity.
"We don't do that here, Ace. Pops doesn't have many rules, but hurting your nakama is unforgivable. No one here is gonna touch you.
You're not here as a prize. You're here because Pops wanted to give you a family, a chance to be free and still be protected under his flag, yoi."
Ace laughed, slightly hysterical. As he took an involuntary step back, fire flaring around him.
"Hah, protected? That's the worst excuse I've ever heard."
Marco's jaw flexed and he backed away, slowly, hands lifted, like Ace was a wild animal driven into a corner.
"Take your time, yoi. Just...don't make a decision based on fear. I'm sure someday, you can learn to trust us."
Ace snarled, throwing a blast of flame past Marco's head - a warning shot.
Marco didn't retaliate, just pointed at the food again.
"You don't have to trust me, yoi. I just want you to stay alive long enough to see we mean it, when we say we care."
Then he pointedly grabbed an apple and bit into it, before he turned and transformed his arms into beautiful blue and golden burning wings, flying down to the deck and leaving Ace alone with his dinner.
He felt a painful pulling in his stomach, followed by another loud growl.
Suspiciously, he eyed the food.
Marco always seemed so sincere in his kindness and Ace hated that part of him wanted to believe him.
But he knew better than that.
So he ignored the food - no matter how painful that was - and left. Going back to hiding in the bowels of the ship.
His stomach churned painfully.
He would have to raid the food storage tonight.
Ace moved in silence, feet making almost no sound as he moved through the ship.
Sleep didn't come easy to him. Every creak of wood, every low laugh, every movement set his nerves on edge. So he got up, alert and ready for the moment the Whitebeards made a wrong move.
He was cutting through one of the side corridors when a sound reached him. Soft, muffled, almost like a gasp. His body tensed immediately. The noise was followed by the low rumble of a man's voice, rough and close.
Ace edged forward, hugging the wall, careful not to make a sound. The scent hit him before the scene did - warm, sharp, and potent.
Alpha.
Thick enough that it made his chest tighten.
And beneath it, lighter and sweeter.
Omega.
His pulse kicked.
He knew it!
Every suspicion he had carried about these people hardened, leaving nothing but the ugly truth.
He rounded the corner, determined to fight-
and froze.
Thatch - one of the commanders - had someone pinned against the wall, his arm braced beside their head, his mouth working against their neck. The omegas scent was strong now, stirred up by the Alpha.
Ace's gut twisted.
The man pinned to the wall wasn't fighting, but Ace knew better than to trust appearances. Drugs, blackmail, fear...
There were lots of reasons why someone would or could not fight back.
The scene in front of him started to blur and his throat went dry.
Memories slammed into him uninvited, rough touches, overpowering scents, hands holding him down...
Ace's hand started hovering near the hilt of his knife.
Then, suddenly, Thatch was pushed back.
And Ace heard...a laugh? Not panicked or desperate. The omega's voice was warm and playful?
"Not a chance, you smell like you bathed in rum," the omega teased, pushing the alpha back another step, holding his nose in mock disgust. "Go shower."
Thatch groaned dramatically, throwing his head back like the rejection was fatal. "But... it was only like one drink..."
"More like 10." Izo, because thats who it was, corrected with a sly grin.
The alpha's pout was almost comical, but for all his dramatics, he didn't step back in again.
He just sighed, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
Ace stared, the tension in his shoulders slowly ebbing away. He had nearly attacked, ready to protect a fellow omega.
But this...
This wasn't anyone.
It was the 16th division commander, Izo. Ace had no idea there were other omegas on board, let alone in a position this high up!
Izo - a commander! And omega! - wasn't shrinking or cowering. His voice held no fear. He'd said no, even in jest, and the alpha had actually stopped.
It didn't fit with anything Ace had come to expect. His brain kept trying to shove it into the mold he understood: omegas being taken, controlled, degraded. But that wasn't what he was seeing.
Slipping back the way he came before they could notice him, the image stuck stubbornly in his mind.
Maybe… maybe he didn't know these people as well as he thought.
Ace's stomach growled as he sat on the railing towards the back of the ship.
His thoughts were running wild. The life he's lived and the experiences he'd had, just didn't compute with the way the Whitebeards acted.
He sighed, lifting his gaze to the horizon painted in oranges and reds, trying to enjoy the last few rays of the setting sun.
A presence appeared behind Ace and immediately he spun around, fire flickering over his shoulders as he got ready to defend himself.
"The fuck you want?" He snarled as he recognised the alpha - Thatch. The one with the weird hair.
The one who had stopped when asked.
The older man gave him a grin, both hands raised, signaling that he meant no harm.
"Calm down, I'm not here to hurt my future little brother. I'm not sure whether you know, but I'm the cook of this ship. Over the weeks I noticed some things going missing from our food storage. Some fuit, dried meats and bread..." He crossed his arms a serious look on his face now.
Oh shit. He was here about the food he'd been stealing.
Ace immediately tensed, eyes darting around, analysing his environment and looking for a possible escape route.
He was on the very back of the ship, in the corner. In front of him the alpha, who was probably here to punish him or kill him, because Pirates did not take kindly to thiefs and behind him was only water.
Damn it.
Fire ignited all around him.
He won't go down without a fight. He won't lose, not here, not now and especially not to an alpha.
He -
"...There's no way that is actually enough food for you! You're a young man! You're still growing you need your nutrients!
And I'm a cook, right? As a cook, it's my duty to feed those who are hungry. Come with me to the kitchen, I'll whip you up something good."
Eh...What?
The fire flickered and died as Ace gave Thatch an incredulous look.
"Aren't you angry? I stole from you?"
Thatch just shrugged.
"I might have to change the meal plan around a bit, but I told you to eat whatever you wanted, so its kind of my own fault. Come on, it's about my honor as a chef!"
Ace swallowed before he turned, walking away.
"I'm not hungry." He said flatly.
The cook sighed.
"You're killing me here. Really. You haven't eaten a healthy amount in so long you have to be hungry! I swear it's the best food this side of the grandline!"
Ace just kept walking.
"I don't need your pity, or your food." He said flatly.
Ace heard another sigh and a mumbled '...stubborn brat.'
But suddenly, another person stepped out of the dark. Ace tensed again.
Izo stood in front of him, hair in an extravagant up-do, elegant kimono trailing behind him. He gave Ace a calculating look.
"You don't trust us. I understand. But Ace, I have a proposal for you."
Ace said nothing, looking between the pair frowning faintly.
"What if I come with you. And Ace, you can watch Thatch prepare the food. You'll feel safer that way, won't you?"
Ace gulped, feeling uncomfortable under the 16th division commander's attentive gaze.
Thatch eyes darkened, his face caught somewhere between disgust and rage, before Izo threw him a look and he shook himself, brightening up again instantly.
"Yes! That's perfect I got nothing to hide. You can watch every move I make."
Somehow, between Izo's calm insistence and Thatch theatrical pleading, Ace found himself standing in the kitchen. The other omega leaned on the counter next to him, while the cook was taking out ingredients, pots and pans.
"See? No funny business, just honest cooking." Thatch said, cutting up vegetables and tossing them into a pan with practiced ease.
Ace said nothing during the cooking, he watched every movement like a hawk, making sure the ingredients were safe and before the cook could put seasoning on the meal, Ace made him try all of them, just in case.
The young omega's stomach rumbled, the smells were simply amazing and while he had been unsure still, when the full steaming plate was set down in front of him the fight had left him.
He really hadn't been eating right lately...
Under the watchful gaze of the pair of commanders, Ace took a bite. Slowly, waiting for the trick, the trap that would surely snap shut soon.
Nothing happened, but the explosion of different flavours in his mouth.
He took another bite. And another. Soon he was gulping down food at an astonishing pace.
The two commanders looked surprised and in Izo's case also mildly disgusted. Though a huge grin was slowly taking over Thatch's face.
"Told you. Best damn food in the New World!"
For a little while Ace just ate like a starving animal, while Thatch and Izo kept up a lighthearted conversation. They talked about everything and nothing. Ace even muttered a short answer under his breath when they tried to integrate him into their talk and couldn't suppress a snort when Izo started teasing Thatch.
When the plate was empty, Ace gave it a sad look, before getting up hurriedly, mumbling something about getting some air and slipping out before either of them could stop him.
He was already halfway down the hall when he realised what just happened.
He ate a meal with two of the commanders and he actually enjoyed himself.
And worse.
He had to admit those two, at least, seemed like good people.
Ace was on deck, not doing anything in particular when the sky suddenly darkened and the pressure dropped.
The storm hit fast and without mercy.
One moment, the air was heavy and still, the sea deceptively calm. The next, the wind howled through the rigging, rain stinging against his skin as waves slapped hard against the hull.
Ace had been keeping to himself near the back of the ship. He'd planned to stay there, out of the crews way, until the worst had passed.
But a sudden, sharp tilt of the deck sent him stumbling. His boots skidded on the slick planks, he hit the railing painfully and for a split second, his stomach lurched with the sick certainty that he was going overboard and that he'd drown.
But at the last second a hand shot out, catching his arm in a strong grip, preventing him from falling to his death.
Ace turned, shocked and saw -
Marco.
The 1st Division Commander's stance was steady despite the pitching deck, one hand still around Aces arm, his other hand braced against the railing.
"You alright, yoi?" Marco's worried voice carried easily over the roar of wind.
Ace reflectively jerked his arm free.
"I'm fine."
Marco's gaze flicked over him, unconvinced, but he didn't press.
The storm raged on and Marco stayed near - not hovering, exactly, just… there. His presence was steady, like a fixed point in the chaos, until the deck leveled again and the sea's fury began to ebb.
Ace didn't thank him. Marco didn't ask for it.
But the image of that unhesitating grip, the worry on the man's face, turning into relief when Ace was save, lingered long after the rain had stopped.
Over the course of the next month or two, Ace continued his assassination attempts every single day.
And every single day, Marco was there.
'To make sure you're alright' is what he had said.
And whenever Ace asked why he bothered, he said 'Because you're one of us now' or 'Because I care.'
Ace didn't know what to make of this crew, but especially not Marco.
Marco, who was kind and attentive and said Ace didn't owe him anything for it.
Marco, who simply smelled right.
It was undeniable the sharp scent of an alpha, but not as intense or bothersome. More like a warm hug or a cozy campfire.
Ace hated how his body responded to it.
Every time Ace got too close to the Alpha, his instincts ached to curl into him.
Marco had been polite, never forceful, hadn't touched him even once without asking.
But that made it worse.
It made Ace start to wonder if he wanted Marco to touch him.
And that was a problem.
Marco was worried.
Ever since the young omega had boarded the ship he just couldn't help it.
A young omega captain in the new world was nearly unheard of - the only one Marco could think of was Whitey Bay.
And she had to prove herself many times, had to fight discrimination her whole life and even then still sailed under the protection of their flag.
She had opened many of his brothers eyes to the fact that omegas weren't weak.
And neither was Ace.
But still, Marco worried.
The thought of what Big Mom or Kaido could have done to him, had they gotten to him first, made him shudder.
Ever since he picked up the unconscious body of the young pirate captain and incidentally discovered that he was an omega, the young man hadn't left his mind.
He was young and reckless and while Marco would never accuse his brothers of anything untoward, this was a pirate ship, filled with drunk pent-up idiots.
So Marco had decided to keep an eye on him.
To make sure he ate and that someone took care of his injuries.
To make sure Ace wasn't bothered by anyone.
And of course, to make sure the young firestarter didn't explode on anyone.
It was his duty as 1st division commander and doctor of the ship.
Or so he told himself.
At least until Izo pointed out in the mess hall one morning:
"Don't you think you care a little too much?"
"What, yoi?" Marco asked still half-asleep, gulping down his second cup of coffee.
"About Ace I mean. I don't want to see the kid die either. But he's old and strong enough to make it to the New World. You don't need to hover so much."
Marco let out an affronted noise.
"I don't hover, yoi, but as 1st division commander..."
Izo just rolled his eyes and waved a hand.
"Sure, sure your duties and what not. I know you always watch out for the newbies, but this is different. It's almost like you got a thing for him."
The samurai said with a twinkle in his eye.
Marco sputtered, caught completely off guard by Izo's observation.
Sure, he had being paying extra attention to Ace. But that was because he was still so young, because he had immense potential, but wasn't strong enough, yet.
Of course, he couldn't deny that Ace was physically attractive.
Or that his eyes may have strayed one or twice.
Or that he enjoyed the way Ace smelled. Like an omega, but different and exciting.
Or that the fire inside of Ace pulled him in like a moth to a flame. The pull too all-consuming to resist.
Or....oh.
Oh, no!
Maybe Izo was right, maybe he was interested in Ace.
Interpreting his silence right, Izo sighed. He took out his fan and eyed Marco up and down.
Apparently, Marco was deemed pathetic enough not to be hit, but Izo still flipped his fan open and muttered.
"Hopeless..."
Marco scowled into his coffee. He wasn't hopeless...just professionally concerned.
Yeah. That's right, there was no way.
Ace was way too young, distrusted them and apparently had had some bad experiences in the past. He was just watching out for a potential new family member - nothing more.
But Izo's knowing smirk lingered in his mind long after their conversation and no amount of denial could erase the fact that he already cared about Ace way too much.
The deck was quiet, except for the soft creak of wood and the steady hush of waves.
Ace was leaned on the railing, as far from the crew's usual traffic as he could get. The moonlight turned the sea silver, but he wasn't looking, not really. He was focused on his circling, restless thoughts.
Footsteps approached, slow and unhurried and the faint scent of Marco drifted close before the man himself stopped a few feet away.
"Still awake, yoi?" Marco's tone was casual, but his eyes flicked briefly over Ace, like he was quietly checking for injuries.
"Couldn't sleep," Ace muttered. He didn't move away, but he didn't step closer either. The space between was deliberate, like an insurmountable obstacle.
Marco leaned his arms on the railing, watching the dark horizon. For a while, neither of them spoke. The quiet stretched, not entirely comfortable, but not sharp with hostility either.
Finally, Ace broke it, with a question that had been burning in his soul from the very beginning.
"Why do you call him Pops?"
Marco seemed startled that Ace took the initiative to talk, but then his lips quirked faintly, a fond look in his eyes.
"Because he calls us his sons and daughters. All of us were outcasts in some way, rejected and scorned by this world. But Pops...he cares for us, treats us like family, yoi."
A lump formed in Ace's throat, as he watched Marco talk.
"Family," he repeated, unable to keep the disdain out of his voice. "You're pirates. Pirates don't have families."
Marco glanced at him.
"I admit, it is a bit unusual, yoi. But we are pirates, we do what we want. So here, we choose who we call family. And Pops… he's more than just a captain."
Ace didn't answer, but his jaw tightened. The thought of calling someone father scraped something raw inside him.
How could he? Even if all of this wasn't a lie, could he have this? Did he deserve this?
Marco didn't push. He just went back to watching the horizon.
They stood like this for a long time, scents mingling unconsciously and while his thoughts and emotions were all over the place, Ace couldn't deny one simple truth anymore:
Somehow, at some point, he started feeling comfortable in Marco's presence.
Over time, Marco and Ace slipped into an unspoken habit of finding each other under the quiet cover of night. Both content to just spend time together in silence.
It was a beautiful and sunny day and the Whitebeards were having a party.
Apparently, it was because some crewmates returned from a long journey to a distant territory.
But who knew with them, they seemed to throw a party every other day for no apparent reason.
Ace resolutely ignored the invitations to join in and got ready for another assassination attempt. He might be feeling conflicted, but that didn't mean he would just stop.
When no one was watching, he jumped, clutching the ax he had 'borrowed'.
Before he could react though, he was swatted away by a giant hand and thrown back. After crashing through two consecutive walls, he came to a stop inside of a hallway. Groaning and dazed he laid in the rubble. That old man's hits really were no joke.
After a few seconds of getting his bearings, Ace got up. He had to get away because any second now Marco would show up and start fussing over his wounds, mother hen that he was.
"Well, hello there, little omega. I heard that Pops had taken someone else in, but no one told me he'd smell this delectable."
The figure that suddenly approached was not Marco though. The undeniable scent of Alpha reached his nose, but there was something off about it - something foul and slimy.
A big, dark-haired man stood in front of him, cutting off his exit and making Ace feel backed into a corner.
A smile stretched across the alpha's face grotesquely, showing of his missing teeth, as he stepped closer.
Ace growled, fire igniting along his body. This man meant danger, he was sure of it.
The man stopped, his smile stretching even more, before he started laughing.
"Zehahaha, no need for all that! My name is Marshall D. Teach and I'm sure we'll get along splendidly, little omega!"
Teach continued laughing as he turned around and left.
Just then a blue flaming phoenix approached from the hole Ace had just made.
"Ace, yoi? Are you okay? Normally you're back up faster than..."
Another growl escaped Ace as Marco stepped closer. Only now did Ace realise how his heart was hammering inside his chest, how his breathing was too fast and uneven.
He backed away from Marco, barely registering the slightly hurt look as he sprinted down the hallway.
Away from where that man had just been.
Away from the hurt and worried looking eyes of the phoenix, following him until he was out of sight.
He knew it. He knew it was too good to be true.
Over the next few days, Ace avoided everyone.
He didn't go to the deck at night, to spend quiet time with Marco, or went to the kitchen to get food from Thatch.
But the one man he tried to avoid more than anyone was Teach.
The man had apparently been one of the people who had returned from that long trip and now that he was back, he was everywhere.
On deck during his assassination attempts, in the storage room he snuck food from at night, in the bathrooms where Ace hurriedly showered when no one else should be there, in the hallway of the quarters where he slept...
It was like he was following Ace around.
Whenever Teach showed up and looked at him, the alpha's scent flared with something the young omega couldn't name.
Something possessive. Something dark.
The alpha would smirk at him, standing close. Too close.
At first, it wasn't too bad, or at least, it was nothing that Ace hadn't heard or seen before.
A few casual touches that lingered. Remarks about Ace's 'fire', about how willful and wild he was.
Compliments, laced with possessiveness and a foul smile.
Ace told told himself to just ignore him, continue on with his self-proclaimed mission to take Whitebeard's head.
He wasn't here to be a part of their family or get along with people. Sure everyone had been nice...but Teach just proved that no one could be trusted.
Marco was worried. Again.
Or maybe he just never stopped.
Over the weeks Ace slowly but surely had started getting closer to the crew. Getting more relaxed in their presence. Spending time with him. Accepting food from Thatch and only Thatch. And no, Marco wasn't jealous, thank you very much Izo.
But something happened the other day during their party. Ace had suddenly closed off. Went back to that snarling ball off rage he had been when he had first been brought aboard. Back when he was convinced they were keeping him as a prisoner or as some kind of sex slave.
Ace's accusations from that day still rung in his ears and made him wonder what kind of life the young man had lived so far. It couldn't have been easy.
In the end Marco had hoped that their conversation, Izo's quiet reassurance and Thatch's, well, whole character had convinced Ace to at least trust them a little.
To maybe actually consider their offer.
Heck, the day before he suddenly closed off he'd even showed up at the galley when there were still people there!
And now...
Marco sighed, watching as Ace was thrown to the ground and bounced into a wall, destroying it completely.
When a crewmate got close to ask whether Ace was okay, he only got a growl and a burst of fire as an answer, before Ace took off again.
He just couldn't understand why Ace was pulling away. Why Ace flinched when he walked too close. Why Ace's scent spiked with panic every now and again.
It didn't make sense! There had to be something he could do to help Ace.
After two and a half months and nearly 100 attempts to kill Whitebeard later, Ace's determination wavered.
He'd been avoiding people, but the Whitebeards were nearly as stubborn as he was.
Other than Teach - who was still stalking him, but contrary to what he had expected, hadn't done anything but make disgusting remarks - everyone had been kind to him. Treated him like a human being and not a piece of meat.
When they partied they came up to him, tankards in hand, asking him to join them.
When he didn't eat for a certain time, one of the commanders, especially Thatch and Marco, would come find him and force him to the kitchen, so Thatch could prepare something.
They didn't even care that Ace only took food prepared by one cook and only when he watched him prepare it. They just worked it into their schedule without complaint.
When he got hurt or thrown overboard during his assassination attempts, Marco or one of the nurses would find him and treat his wounds.
When during the anniversary of Sabos death, he didn't leave the room for the whole day, a whole throng of people kept showing up at his door in worry. And when he emerged the next day to attack again, everyone cheered him on.
Cheered him on while he was trying to kill their captain.
They were a weird bunch.
But Ace had, without realising it at first, started to relax around them a bit more. He had started to feel comfortable here.
But that just presented another problem.
Even if, by some miracle, this wasn't a lie or a trap and they accepted him for who he was even though he was an omega...
Even if Teach didn't pose a problem...
How could Ace possibly join them knowing who's son he was?
How could they ever accept someone like him?
The weeks of tension, doubt and fear finally culminated late one night.
Ace jolted awake in the oppressive darkness of his quarters, his heart hammering like a drum in his chest.
It was quiet and yet every instinct inside of him screamed with icy certainty that he was not alone.
Then a familiar, putrid smell hit him - something rotten, something vile.
He froze, his flames flickering alive along his shoulders.
In the flickering light of his fire he could make out a figure inside of his room.
Tall and ominous in the dim light, his smile large and unsettling, like a predator savoring the moment.
Teach.
Ace sucked in a terrified breath, his stomach turning, bile rising.
His fire flared out instinctively, but his mind was clouded and he was unable to move, caught between panic and disbelief.
"You don't have to be scared," the disgusting alpha said, voice dripping with false sweetness. "I'm not gonna hurt you. But you've been on edge for weeks. I know what you omegas need to relax. You're just holding it back because no one's taught you right..."
The words felt like poison. Memories flooded back, shadows from a past Ace had tried so hard to bury. The near-violation he had barely escaped, the cold hands reaching for him when he was just a child.
Flames erupted around him like a wildfire, licking at the walls as he lunged, fury and terror fused in his attack.
"FUCK OFF, you basta.."
But Teach was faster than he looked.
A haki-covered hand closed around his throat, squeezing tight, cutting off his air flow and holding him up in the air.
"Don't worry, I'm going to teach you how an omega should behave. Zehahah." The mans disgusting lips brushed his ear as he wishipered. "Because you're not family. You're property. So let's have some fun!"
Ace clawed at Teach's hand, panic flooding every nerve. His vision blurred, edges darkening as the air thinned. Teach's other hand began to slip lower, fingers tracing over the young omega's skin with a sickening possessiveness.
'-let's have some fun before we sell him.'
Ace started thrashing wildly, every instinct screaming to break free. But Teach's grip was relentless.
He couldn't escape.
Ace's fire dimmed slowly, flickering under the weight of terror and pain. His mind spun with memories of past betrayals, of helplessness and fear. His vision was getting spotty, because of the lack of oxygen.
He was barely aware of being pushed down onto his bed. The tall, looming figure hovering over him as hands carrassed his skin.
A finger slipping into the waistband of his shorts, pulling them down in one smooth motion.
Hands wrapped around his thighs and pried them apart-
Without warning the door exploded inward.
Shards of wood rained down as Marco burst in, tearing through the room in full phoenix form.
He didn't hesitate. Didn't ask questions.
He just attacked.
In an instant, Teach was ripped off of him and pinned to the wall.
Marco's flaming talons pressed to his throat, a quiet and terrifying rage in the phoenix's voice.
"You dare to do this? On this ship, right in front of me. Of Pops?" Marco said, voice dangerously low. "l'll end you, yoi. You're not family. Not anymore."
Teach sneered. "Come on, brother. This is a misunderstanding. He wanted this! Are you really picking a fight over an omega? You want him too, don't you? I don't like sharing, but maybe we could reach an understanding?"
Marco's cold expression instantly turned murderous as he buried his claws in Teach's chest and hurled him through the wall into the hallway.
Meanwhile, Ace barely registered the sounds. He was shaking, his mouth dry, his skin crawling.
Backed into the corner of his bed, he'd barely managed to cover himself again, flames flickering without control, as if trying to protect him.
When Teach was gone Marco looked at him and his fury instantly melted away. He carefully stepped closer to the bed, hesitation clear. Slowly he lifted his arms as if to hug him, but lowered them again with a frown.
"Hey," he said, softly, gently. "Don't worry, you're safe now, yoi."
The smell of fear and Teach's putrid stench, slowly ebbed away, leaving only the smell of safety, of Marco.
As the fear slowly loosened its grip on Ace, a ragged sob tore its way out of his throat. He collapsed in on himself, arms wrapping around his body.
Broken cries left Ace as he tried to hold himself together and failed miserably.
Through the haze of his emotions, he felt a soft touch on his shoulder, when he lifted his head, his eyes met concerned blue ones. Marco's mouth was moving, but Ace didn't hear anything.
Ace didn't hesitate anymore he flung himself forward against Marco's chest, sobs wrecking his body, barely able to register anything around him anymore.
Only the feeling of steady arms catching him and holding him close, the quiet murmur of someone whispering reassurances in his ear and the overwhelming relief of having been saved.
Marco held the trembling body of Ace in his arms. He had stopped his wailing sobs, but tears were still streaming down his face, the occasional shiver running through him.
A quiet rage was still burning through Marco. He couldn't believe what had almost happened.
Teach had been with them for nearly two decades. To think he was capable of something like this...to think that he almost forced himself onto Ace... A shudder ran through Marco's body and his grip around the young omega tightened.
Never again. From now on, Marco would do whatever is necessary to protect him.
Suddenly, footsteps pounded down the corridor.
In seconds, some of his fellow commanders crashed through the door. Thatch, Jozu and Izo rushed in, their eyes wide, their postures battle-ready.
"Marco!? What the hell happened. We heard..." Izo began, but stopped when they saw Teach.
Bleeding and broken, laying in the rubble from the broken wall.
The traitor had just gained consciousness again and sat up groaning. After reorienting himself, he saw the other commanders and snarled:
"Thank god you're here, Marco has lost it! That little bitch was spreading lies about me and he just attacked! Completely unprovoked!"
Before anyone could speak, Marco's voice cut across the hallway like a blade.
"Shut up, yoi. Or I'll kill you."
The dark aura around him intensified. The air shimmered with heat. Rage was pouring of him in waves and he tightened his grip around Ace, who was completely quiet.
Marco turned back to the others, but never took his eyes off Teach, who wisely kept his mouth shut for the moment.
"Call a meeting. Wake Pops, yoi. And bring some chains for this traitor."
Thatch opened his mouth and closed it again. He seemed confused, ready to argue even, but then his eyes fell on the trembling figure in Marco's arms.
Thatch looked at Ace. Really looked.
The tears. The trembling. The bruising on Ace's neck. The half torn clothes, barely covering him...
You could tell the exact moment the cook realised what must have happened.
His face went pale, before rage burned in his eyes.
"I'll go get everyone."
Only minutes later they had gathered on deck.
The entire crew stood under the stars, expressions serious.
Ace had managed to calm down somewhat, but he was still wary and tense as he stood next to Whitebeard's throne-like chair. Marco stood slightly in front of him, like an attack dog, ready to defend him if necessary.
Everyone had fallen silent when Teach, still breathing but restrained, got dragged onto the deck.
Jozu threw him down onto the wood right in front of Whitebeard.
The captain sat in his chair, towering and still. His eyes were dark, his expression pained.
Ace didn't speak. He couldn't, even if he'd wanted to.
His vigilant gaze swept over everyone as he kept waiting for someone to ask if he was sure.
Waiting for the doubt. The pushback. The demand for proof.
But it never came.
Instead, Whitebeard turned his gaze on Teach, voice low and hard.
"You know the rules."
Teach's voice cracked. "Pops, I swear, I didn't do anything! Marco and that little..."
Whitebeard's harsh voice cut him off.
"That little what?" The old captain said, a sliver of his power and haki slipping out, making the ship tremble.
Silence.
Whitebeard stood and everyone backed up.
"I gave you a place here," he said, voice shaking with fury. "I called you my son. Fed you. Trusted you." Teach flinched. "And you betrayed all of it."
"I didn't..."
With an almighty crash, Whitebeard brought his bisento down, the resulting earthquake nearly causing Ace to loose his footing. At least, until a hand wrapped around his elbow to steady him.
The warm and familiar scent identifying him as Marco.
"Silence!" Whitebeard thundered. "I don't care about your excuses." Whitebeard pointed his bisento toward the sea. "As much as this pains me, but you are no longer my son."
A beat.
Then, a moment later, Ace watched as two men - Jozu and Vista - dragged a screaming and pleading Teach down the deck towards the railing and threw him off the Moby Dick like rotten cargo.
There was a scream, a splash and then...
Nothing.
No fanfare. No trial. He was just gone.
And Ace stood there, shaking. Feeling incredibly lost.
Later, Ace stood in the hallway in front of the bathrooms.
He was sure he still smelled of fear. Even after the scalding hot shower. Even after Marco had given him clean clothes.
The panic had sunken into his skin, too deep to get rid off.
Something touched his arm and Ace flinched. Eyes snapping around to face -
Marco.
Who gave him a concerned look and then silently took his arm in a gentle grip to lead him away. Ace just let him. Everything seemed distant and unimportant anyway.
They didn't talk on the way.
And when they had reached their destination, Marco just gently nudged Ace to sit down on the edge of the phoenix's bed.
He then immediately retreated and stood by the door. Giving him space. Even though, right now, Ace didn't want space.
Eventually, Ace whispered:
"Why did no one even question me, Marco? Teach...he's been your nakama for such a long time and I...I'm just..."
"The commanders - and I - were on your side, yoi. And even if I hadn't seen the evidence with my own eyes, claims like that get taken very seriously in our family. Not hurting anyone under our protection or part of our nakama is our one, golden rule after all."
Ace nodded. That made sense in a way, Marco had seen what happened. There were no excuses.
Though, that brought up a whole different question.
"How did you know I was in trouble anyway? It was late and your quarters are the opposite direction of mine?"
To Ace's surprise, Marco blushed, suddenly unable to meet his eyes.
"Well...I...kind of..." When the fearsome 1st division commander, became a blushing stuttering mess Ace couldn't help but give a small laugh, wich earned him a glare from Marco.
The alpha sighed before murmuring.
"I was waiting on deck to see if you'd show up tonight, yoi."
Ace's eyes widened in surprise. That kind of sounds like, he'd only been awake to wait for Ace...
Marco continued:
"When you didn't appear I...I just wanted to see whether you were okay, yoi." Marco's eyes got dark and his jaw clenched. "And then...I heard a crash and Teachs laugh and I....I'm sorry Ace."
Ace's head snapped up.
"What? Why would you apologise? You did nothing wrong. You were the one who saved me!" Ace insisted.
Marco shook his head.
"I knew him for years, I should have realised sooner, yoi. I should have protected you better! It's my job as 1st division commander to protect everyone on this ship! And I...I was the one who told you that you were safe! That something like that won't happen to you here!...I feel like I broke a promise, so I'm sorry, for everything."
Seeing the normally stoic Marco so agitated, especially talking about Ace of all people left him stunned, so Ace just nodded.
Marco had watched over him this whole time. He had insisted it was because he cared and Ace had immediately dismissed that. But maybe...maybe it was actually true.
Maybe...he could actually stay here. Become a part of the family. Stay by Marco's side.
Though, the phoenix's next words ripped the slowly steadying ground right out from under him.
"I already talked to Pops, yoi. Under the circumstances you'll probably want to leave as fast as possible. So we arranged for the rest of the Spades and your ship to be ready for you on the next island." Marco didn't quite meet his eyes as he spoke, his voice tinged with regret.
And Ace?
Only a few weeks ago he would have been happy. But now...
"No."
The words left Ace's mouth before he could think about it. But as soon as he said it, he realised it was the truth, he knew what he wanted now.
He wanted to stay.
Marco's eyes snapped to him, a flabbergasted expression on his face.
"...No, yoi?"
Ace let out a rough breath and tried to stand up, only to instantly stagger.
Marco was there in a heartbeat, catching him with gentle hands and then freezing, looking at Ace as if waiting for permission.
But Ace didn't pull away.
"No." He said again, firmer this time. "It might seem strange, but... This whole time, I was waiting for a trap or some trick. But when it happened...when he..." Ace's voice faltered, the words catching in his throat. He swallowed hard.
"The thing that I was afraid of this whole time actually happened. But you saved me. It made me realise, that you were telling the truth, that you actually cared. Because when it mattered, you were there." Ace turned to Marco, facing him now, determined dark eyes meeting tender blue.
"Marco, I want to stay here, become a real part of this family and I..." Ace stopped voice catching in his throat. He couldn't say it, not now.
Because Marco made him want to try again. Try to find love. But could he have this? Would someone like Marco even be interested?
Marco tentatively lifted his arms and reached out, one hand on Ace's arm, the other gently stroked a loose strand of hair out of the young omega's face, fingers slightly lingering on his cheek.
"Ace, yoi."
"I don't know if I can trust you, yet..."
Marco instantly stiffend, but he didn't step back, he gave Ace a look so intense, so full of determination, Ace got lost in the depth of his blue eyes.
"Then let me earn it, yoi." Came Marco's voice, low and almost urgent. "I swear I will do everything in my power to earn your trust."
Ace bit his lip.
Slowly, hesitantly, he leaned into Marco. His head pressed to a muscular shoulder, it wasn't quite a hug, but something close.
And then Marco wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in.
Warmth flooded Ace's chest as Marco's familiar scent enveloped him.
No matter what had happened, right here, right now, Ace felt safe.
Ace didn't leave Marco's room for a full day.
He sat curled up in the bed, scent sharp with residual fear, stomach twisting with memories he couldn't forget.
Marco sat nearby the whole time.
They didn't talk much, but the silence was comfortable. Marco had wrapped him into one of his soft blankets earlier, the scent grounded him, a physical reminder that he was safe and not alone.
Over the day several commanders, including Izo and Thatch, knocked and asked whether he was doing okay, but Marco shooed everyone away.
Ace was incredibly thankful, he didn't think he could handle all of them right now.
Speaking of -
"I don't know how to thank you. For what you did for me."
Marco looked up from his paperwork, scooting back his chair, he got up, before sitting down next to Ace, cocooned in blankets on his bed.
"You don't have to thank me, you don't owe me anything, yoi."
"That just makes it worse," Ace said hoarsely.
Marco looked at him from the edge of the bed.
"I just want you safe. That's it, yoi."
"...Why?"
Marco sighed.
"Because I care, yoi."
Ace's throat tightened. The silence between them grew thick with something unnamed.
"Because you're you. And because I…" Marco paused, voice quieter. "I feel something for you, yoi. I have, since the first moment I saw you. I tried to keep my distance, because you were scared and angry. But I..."
Ace looked at him, fire flickering faintly in his eyes.
"I'm in awe of you," Marco admitted, lifting his arm and gently caressing Ace's cheek. "Of what you accomplished. Of everything you are, yoi."
Shock coursed through Ace's veins. Did Marco just...did he just say he had feelings for Ace?
"But I'm..." Ace stuttered. "I'm a bad person by blood. I...I get angry! I fight! I'm a terrible omega! And I...I don't ever want to be claimed."
Marco smiled, sitting closer, just enough that Ace could feel his warmth.
"I would never claim you without your consent and collars are disgusting. If you want this, we will move at your pace, yoi. If you never want that, that's fine by me.
And by the way I don't care about what society expects you to be like," he said. "I already noticed your anger and your self-hatred, one day, I swear, we will all help you to overcome them. All I really want is for you to be yourself. To be safe, happy and free. Like a pirate should be."
Ace's breath caught. No one had ever said that to him. Not like that.
They sat in silence for a few more heartbeats. Then Ace turned, resting his forehead against Marco's chest.
"I think I'm in awe of you, too," Ace whispered.
And arms wrapped around him, Marco's quiet chuckle ringing in his ears, as they just held each other.
After a few minutes of silence Ace asked:
"Can I stay here tonight?"
A cautious and gentle hand, started running his fingers through his hair.
"Of course, yoi, whatever you want."
Their relationship was slow and filled with tender moments.
Ace had never been courted before and Marco did it with fevor. With quiet moments with sun-kissed fruit, with easy laughter and patient touches.
They didn't rush.
They slowly built something, together.
Built trust, a home, a bond - not of instincts, but of understanding.
When months later, during a party, Whitebeard himself toasted their bond, it was with happiness and pride.
"To Ace and Marco," Pops roared, "my sons! May the sea bless them and their relationship!"
The crew cheered. Tankards held high.
Ace blushed, his cheeks glowing as Marco wrapped an arm around his waist with quiet pride.
In the arms of the family that chose him for who he was, Ace finally felt at peace. It didn't matter what the world thought of him, as long as his family was by his side
In Marco's quiet devotion, he found a love he didn't know he deserved, but that he would never let go of ever again.
"Hey, Marco," he called out, leaning back against him. "I love you."
Marco looked at him, a fond smile on his face.
"I love you too, Ace, yoi."