justicereigns | Appointment Post / Voicemail / All That Jazz

[damn him...

though Ace weirdly kind of likes it. It's interesting and he's never really seen Smoker from this angle before... and maybe because partly he's relieved. That's something he can do. It's easier than the rest of it. Maybe he can't figure out happy but not miserable...

but still...

He sighs]

I still want to mess with Tashigi though. It's a problem. I want to figure her out and I don't want her to think of me as just some poor stupid dead pirate. But I don't want to freak you out either. Because it's too hard to be mad at you for long and you were right. I can't stay away from your stupid face.

[Grabs Smoker's face in both hands and kisses his chin]

[His heart jumps up into his throat, and he blushes furiously, and tries even harder to ignore or at least PRETEND to ignore the whole thing, even as the blush spreads out to his ears. It's fine. It's Portgas being Portgas. And it probably doesn't mean anything, he just wants to annoy him, so the simple thing is to not be annoyed, right?]

[Right.]

You hurt her and I'll break you.

And I mean it, Portgas.

I haven't gone easy on you out of pity, but because...

[...]

[His tongue shrivels up and refuses to finish that...]

Well...

You know.

[Because he told him once before. Even if Ace didn't believe him.]

[He swings Ace once, just because he thinks the kid might enjoy it, and then carefully swings him back into a soft landing on the ground.]

She doesn't pity you either. She's just...

[He sits down near Ace on the ground, with his knees bunched up, and arms around them and offers Portgas a cigar.]

We knew what your grandfather did for you. [Quiet voice.] All of it. [Moves just enough to let Ace choke or beat him senseless, whichever he preferred.] I don't think the others do as much. And we... don't agree with the government on it. [Wary, and haki coating his balls, but otherwise still willing to let Ace lose his cool.]

Well-- I can't say I won't... But I won't ride her as hard as I do you. I just want to see... Anyway she's you're subordinate right? She's got to be strong as steel.

[he's not sure what he's supposed to know... and the swing thrills him for a moment and then... the rest of it.

Ace flushes and moves away from Smoker, pulling his hat down as something like shame stings through him. Fuck]

Does everyone know about that? God. Who cares if you don't agree. I don't want to hear your stupid platitudes.

[but that she knew. That she would treat him any differently just because--]

Is that why you get so weird around me? Because you know all of it? It doesn't mean anything! [he wishes it didn't mean so much. That it was everyone's first thought

Just knowing...]

Did you tell Adela too?! Does everyone have to know every stupid detail about stuff that doesn't matter?!

No.

No, I wouldn't.

That's your place, if you ever feel strong enough.

And I don't treat you weird over him.

And she won't either. [Lights a fresh pair of cigars.] She told me off for thinking I could get one over on him by --

[Waves a hand.] Well, it's not important. And I hate to admit it, but she's probably right. She usually is.

And it doesn't matter how strong she is, she never realizes her real strength, and if you can't help her with that, at minimum, don't make it worse.

Portgas. [Looks up at him, and moves to crouching on his heels.] I've always told Adela you're Whitebeard's son, because you died making sure the whole world wouldn't forget it. And I haven't.

But I think it's important you know. You said trying to make her like you would be dishonest, and hiding just how much I know from you--

[Shrugs and rolls his eyes.] Would be the opposite of what Maribelle did for me. She trusted me enough to handle everything she knew. And while I didn't handle that great, I still think she had the right of it.

[Sighs and stretches out his legs.] You said once you don't get close to girls. But here... it's not like the government is after you. I know you don't want to be here, and I'm not trying to get you to do anything you don't want to, I just want to understand your thinking on it, all right?

[he nods about Tashigi. Part of him wants to take down a Marine out of... something. But he can't to someone so close to Smoker... and that's not really him anyway...

He's glad that Adela knows that he's Pops' son and no one else's. His was the only son Ace ever wanted to be, even if he wasn't doing such a great job of it. Marco and Namur were being so calm and confident about everything and Ace knew what a mess he was...

He sighs and shoves his hands in his pockets]

Thanks... about Adela...

But strength has nothing to do with it. It's not some thing that I have to aspire to. That I have to get tough enough for. Why does anyone have to know?

[he kicks at the ground, back turned to Smoker and huffs. Does it matter, he wonders, when it seems everyone from his world knows already?

He rolls his eyes at Smoker's question]

Why are you so obsessed with that? [turns back toward him and is mildly surprised to find him crouched. Have headpats Smoker. Have ear scratches]

Heel.

[good dog]

[Annoyed warning growl at the command and headpats. Remove that hand, boy, or find it soon bitten.]

I'm not obsessed. But if you are holding back from such a thing to protect Adela from it, you do owe her a better explanation than not.

[SIGHS AND SITS DOWN CROSS-LEGGED ALL HUFFY.]

No, never mind. I suppose I understand your thinking. [Ace wanted to be a protector, and if she saw something he couldn't handle she'd view him differently. And yet...]

[Gets back up and ruffles Ace's hair in REVEEEENGE.]

About Adela. Not everything else. It's important, Portgas. You're not hunted here. Except by me. Why not take advantage of that? Isn't that the freedom pirates crave so much?

[Ace groans and does remove his hand if only because he now wants to punch Smoker on the head and doesn't want to give him the pleasure. But then he scowls and moves away from Smoker's grip]

Look I'm grateful that you look after her but what goes on between us is none of your stupid business. I've already told her I'm not interested. Why should I have to tell her why? I tried to push away from her but she wouldn't let me. Now I'm not supposed to do that but everyone wants to know why I do?

Fuck that. Because I don't want to. Don't tell me to take advantage of it and I'm fucking sick of hearing what a pirate is supposed to be like. [kicks him in the shin]

Freedom is doing whatever the hell you want regardless of what people think. Of being who you are even if it pisses everyone off. [of being able to invent and reinvent yourself but how could he when there was nowhere to go]

So get off it already, will you? I'll try not to break her heart but I didn't ask for her to care for me in the first place!

[Punches him in the jaw, hard. With haki. Full-out Garp style.]

KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!

I told you! I TOLD YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN! You can't stop people from caring about you and to try will only get them killed quicker than not!

You think I want to be out here giving a damn about a pirate? Stop hating yourself for something you can't control! If you're going to hate yourself, at least do it for your actual actions! Not being someone people like!

[He's livid again, and wants to tackle Ace and throttle him, but for now his fists are just clenched very tightly at his sides.]

I like you, Adela likes you, I piss everyone off and I'm not even a pirate!

Stop thinking you can protect ANYONE by keeping them away from your heart! I'VE TRIED IT! I GET IT! I wouldn't be able to handle her any better, I'd probably be worse!

[Tilts his neck with a stretch to the side.] You can't control how you feel so what makes you so god damn arrogant as to think you can control anyone else's! Maybe I want to be pissed off like this! What are you going to do about it?!

[Gives him a more wild swing this time, easily dodgeable.]

[what the fuck? Ace staggers with the hit. Why are they even talking about this?! Why is Smoker so pissed? He was talking about something else altogether! Why does Smoker want answers when he can't even get what Ace was trying to tell him. He dodges the swing but then just stares at him. This is so stupid. It's all so stupid

So he tries again]

I can't stop you but I don't owe you anything either. Also don't tell me what to do.

Idiot!

I'm not telling you do anything, other than stop being an asshole just because people like you and you don't know how to deal with it. It's infuriating.

She likes you, but she's competent enough to deal with it without your pity or bullshit.

[Takes out his jitte and points it at Ace with a double twirl.] I didn't tell you to take advantage of anything other than being free you fucking dumbass. Something you should be able to do instinctively enough! And you don't owe me an explanation of why you won't, but you do owe yourself one if you don't!

You can't even make up your mind! Be free but stop being an asshole! Do what you want except what I don't want you to do! You owe Adela an explanation but she's strong enough not to need pity or bullshit..

What the hell do you want from me?! [throws up his hands] I can't be whatever mess is inside your head!

[Blinks...]

[Oh.]

[He was a bit contradictory there.]

[Like Garp.]

[Ew.]

[Slowly lowers the jitte, twirls a few more times, shifting hands, more for something to do, before he finally puts it back and rests a hand on his cigars instead.]

Sorry.

[Glances off to the side.]

[He needs to figure out how to explain what he means but--]

[He runs both hands through his hair, and sits back down cross-legged again... and then just falls back to lay on his back.]

Just...

[He wants to tell him to be happy. But 1) can't say that to a pirate too easily. 2) Even if he did Ace didn't know how, and 3) might choose to be obstinate about it nevertheless.]

Stop ignoring what you already have and dismissing it because it wasn't what you wanted. Sometimes when all you have is oranges, you gotta eat them anyway if you want to find something better. And sometimes if you sit there bitching that there's no rice, you miss out on something you'd like even better. [Props up on his elbows to look at Ace.] Am I making any sense yet?

I'm not saying just suddenly flip a switch and return Adela's feelings or Anything like that. [Looks around for a rock to literally throw at Ace's head :T]

But I am saying...

You're so set on something being missing you can't begin to make a raft. [Shakes his head.] It's a metaphor. You're smarter than your brother and Gramps so keep up with me. It's like you're on a stranded island. Lamenting the loss of your ship and crew and anything basic. But rather than foraging what there is, I feel like I'm the one doing all that, and you're still on shore complaining that there aren't crabs.

[Sighs and drags a hand down his face.] I'm not saying you can't complain, or that you have no right to. But start noticing what you do have. You have more brothers here than anyone else, even including your brothers. You have more people who care about you than anyone in the history of the world, and all you let it do is piss you off. It's frustrating.

[be grateful in other words. For what he had... Had he been grateful even once? Maybe not so much. At least not here so far. It was difficult and he hadn't asked for it but he didn't have the strength to pull away completely. He didn't want to or maybe... he knew if he did he'd be miserable and he owed Luffy and his nakama more than just him being miserable.

He moves to stand over Smoker, bracketing him with a foot on other side and then crouches to look at him. They're so close he can feel Smoker's breath on his face and Ace chews at his thumbnail idly as he looks into Smoker's eyes... just to freak him out a little honestly.]

I understand. But I guess if you're going to call Jiijii "Gramps" I better make an honest man of you for being his son-in-law. [takes Smoker's chin and tenderly kisses his forehead]

[Consider him properly freaked out.]

[No.]

[Seriously.]

[WTF PORTGAS.]

[He called him your Gramps! HE DOESN'T WANT HIM!]

[TAKE HIM BACK!]

[AND DON'T KISS HIM STUPID HE HATES YOU!]

[Shoves off.]

Not that you'll remember saying it but as you put it:

"Re-Ject-ed."

Edited (lol buttons) 2016-08-04 21:31 (UTC)

And I can do a lot better than a pirate for marriage prospects. [HUFFS. AS IF THIS THIS THE PROBLEM HERE.]

Edited 2016-08-04 21:32 (UTC)

[falls back and smirks a little. He's in a weird mood where he's enjoying it in his head but the feeling itself is dull and muted]

You? Maybe. But if that's the case maybe I should just take advantage of what I've got.

[moves in again, super close]

What do you think?

[BLUSHES MORE >:|]

You don't really expect me to answer that, do you?

[Because he can't.]

[and like a proper pirate, steals a kiss.

Then gets up and walks toward the motorbike, getting on and revving the engine]

Come on, Taisa. Let's go make some money.

[aka fight shit]

[>>;]

[He is in way too deep.]

[And needs to tell one of his friends, either Kuzan or Maribelle or... probably not Tashigi because he can only imagine her face cracking.]

[Although telling Kuzan will be really weird.]

[So would any of them.]

[Ugh.]

[He follows along at his own pace.] And who said you could drive, brat?

Me.

[revs the engine again and looks at Smoker up and down]

Unless you want to fight me for it.

[Tackles with a punch.]

Didn't anyone ever teach you never get on another man's bike until he offers?

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