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Yes?

[Fuck, this is hard. He's actually uncomfortable, sitting there staring at one word like it's a threat.]

There's gonna be food, games, flowers and stuff. Probably drinks too.

Edited 2019-04-13 05:16 (UTC)

[Smoker promised Faye she didn't have to go alone to these things, he'd take her, no questions asked.]

[It's strange. Portgas had a billion friends, and less of a hard time being social than Faye. Is he asking Smoker to be there?]

[It's familiar too. Like sometimes Portgas realized... Smoker was all too willing to stay home and be miserable without a good reason. Without someone else to protect like Adela.]

You want to go?

I wanna go with you. There's gonna be a ton of stuff to eat, that's worth checking out. Right?

Edited 2019-04-13 05:31 (UTC)

[Happy.]

[So that's what that feels like.]

[It's so weird. Smoker hasn't been happy like this... maybe ever.]

[It's so different than with Faye. Faye needed to know SOMEONE wanted her, but as far as Smoker could tell, it didn't have to be Smoker.]

[Portgas KNEW others wanted him. Knew he was loved.]

[Yet for some reason. he was masochistic enough to want to be with Smoker.]

[Fuck if Smoker knows why.]

[And part of him doesn't care. He's just enough of an asshole... to be happy about it.]

I'll buy you a souvenir.

[Belatedly:]

Portgas, Thanks. For asking me. I wouldn't go otherwise.

[It goes against his instincts. Like Namur said. But he can resolve to do better about it, and WILL. He's stronger than them! And even if throws Ace for a loop... good! PAYBACK!]

But for you I want to.

[It absolutely throws him for a loop, this is another round that goes to Smoker, and Ace sits on his bed and rereads the messages. And rereads them again. And once more for good measure.

He doesn't quite know what to do with this feeling, how happy he is that he got a yes, even if it's just for this event, without having to fight him for it. He's had to fight for everything his entire life, and this feels so good that he almost forgets to text back.]

Hey, we can't have you missing something that cool, right? And I'm holding you to that souvenir.

It'll probably actually be really lame. And flower themes are more the phoenix's thing, even if Namur would go insane from pollen. And the food probably won't be any better than any normal day. Drinks should be good though, I saw Gale offered to be a supplier. He was Faye's best friend and roommate. I trust him. [Hell, Smoker trusted him with Faye, even if he told him straight up he wouldn't back aside for him after doing it 3 other times for others.]

Honestly, you know you're crazy for wanting to spend it with me, right? But I'll try not to ruin it for you. Pay me back with smiles, all right?

Not fake ones.

It'll be good because I'll be there with you. I don't care if makes me crazy, I wanna be with you, and you're not going to ruin it for me. Cause we're gonna have a good time, even if it's lame.

It's gonna be great, really!

Edited 2019-04-13 06:23 (UTC)

[Wow. That sounded pathetic. He wants to fluster and tease him and keep his attention. Not sound like a flustered brat.] I mean, enough drinks and we'll both be smiling. No one loses out, right?

[Smoker saves this for all time.]

[His heart is beating out of his chest and he finally gets the association of it to all things gushy or romance.]

[Three little words.]

[If Namur is right.]

[Which is a big if.]

[And he's a pirate.]

[And yet...]

[Smoker switches to video, because Ace fucking earned it.]

Yeah, Portas. Win - win.

[He can't say he's looking forward to it. It's too hard. Even going against his instincts and making a resolve. But he's happy.]

[Oh, damn. This is something that makes him unsure, but it still feels good, it's like a reward to see him this way and actually hear his words, but he's not teasing or protesting. He's not making Ace fight, and while he's fine with that sort of thing jf he still gets Smoker's attention in the end, this works him in a totally different way.

His heart is pounding. He's in too deep, and he doesn't give a damn.] We're gonna have a good time. [Maybe Ace is making another stupid decision, pretty soon after he made a promise to himself to stop making stupid decisions. But in the end, Ace does everything he wants without thinking it through, he pushes forward with his heart instead of his head, and he wants to be happy. Even if it's just for a little while.]

Edited 2019-04-13 06:46 (UTC)

[IT'S SO CUTE. HE JUST WANTS TO SQUISH HIM AND MAKE HIM SULK AHHHH D:<]

As long as you know you're crazy.

Don't kill me if it rains or zombies attack -- No, you'd probably like that. [Smirks anyway.] You know what I mean.

Yeah, you wouldn't be the first to say that.

[As long as he gets to spend time with Smoker under the stupid flowering trees he will take rain, or zombies, or anything. Because he's absolutely stupid and crazy, and he wants to have something good. And he wants someone to share that good with him.

He takes it back, if it rains he's gonna be pissed. And he'll probably be a little irritated at the zombies before the fun of the fight kicks in. But regardless, he's excited.] Do you know what day you wanna go?

Yeah, but they don't count, because they're not me. [Only Smoker counts. New rule.]

[And slow headshake.] Whenever you want.

They have all kinds of these things every couple months or so, but I don't remember this one specifically. [Granted, he blocked some out. He remembers a few with Adela, one with Ace, Adela, and the dogs, but he's pretty sure those were summer.] One of Whitebeard's islands was all cherry blossoms, wasn't it?

Oh, so only you can call me crazy?

[Ace tilts his head, thinking.] I'm gonna go with my friends one day, family another, but I want to go with just you too. Maybe we can go the first day, so it's still new to me. [He's never been to this type of festival. So it's pretty exciting to him. And he knows that theoretically he shouldn't be so invested in this, but dammit, he rushes into everything and in his mind this is a date and he's going to enjoy the hell out of it.] I-damn, maybe? I don't remember right now, but Pops had a lot of reach. Then again, I've got like, two bottles of rum in me and my brain's still kinda scrambled up from dying I think. I just know that I've never had a chance to see the flowers in bloom, and I'm still getting messed up over stuff I'm supposed to remember but don't.

Yeah. The others don't know you the same, so it doesn't count from then.

[Oh no. Why did he switch to video? Such a happy blush.]

[And Smoker nods! First day lets him do it before everyone else so it's best.]

[And a wry grin to the rest.] All right, all right, relax, Portgas. I'm just awkward at conversation. You holdin' on all right? [Rubs the back of his neck.] Want to go to the park? You can play ball with the dogs and not have to think so hard for a bit. If you want.

There's a saying about how it takes one to know one.

[Ace beams at the confirming nod, he's looking forward to this.] Yeah, me too. I talk a lot, but it doesn't mean I'm sayin' the right stuff. [He sighs, and nods this time. Hand coming up to scratch in his hair.] It's still weird, it's probably gonna be for a while though. But it's nothing that a little time with the dogs can't help.

[Chuckles.]

[Awww Portgas. WHY SO CUTE? He'll die of cute. Cute is his weakness. Hence the dogs and wolf and story of his life.]

You're fine. Even if you fuck up with me, you'll find a way to fix it. I'll either let you, or it'll be my fault if I don't, got it?

[Grabs the keys, and that little jingle is all it takes for the dogs to come scampering. THEY KNOW MAN.]

I should warn you if you didn't see, Kuzan invited himself to my place.

[Heads out and puts the dogs in the basket on the back of his motorcycle he made for them.] Window's still open though. And like I said, I'm getting a new place soon anyway.

But these guys are all restless on account of it. Sami remembers him, but Sami's the easiest. She never met a face she wouldn't lick.

Got it.

[Ace laughs softly when he hears the dogs come running, all it takes is one little noise to get such a reaction and it makes him happy to see the pleasant chaos. Dogs are great, he's decided.] Yeah? Do I have to be nice to him? 'Cause that's a hell of a tall order.

[He's got his boots on and he's heading out.] She's a good girl. They're all good dogs. [Taking a final drink out of the bottle he's been working on, before tossing it in the garbage.] Damn. Where am I supposed to meet you exactly?

Please. I'm not even nice to him. He rescued my sorry ass from Doflamingo and I called him a traitor. Just don't kill him.

Yeah. When they're not brats like a certain someone.

Park. Genessia. What city are you in? I can go someplace easier.

Good, I can do that. I'm working hard for that whole good boy promise I made you, but dammit I've got limits. You've got someone else there too, right?

[There's a little half-hearted huff at the brat comment, but he really can't even effectively fake offense.] I'll be there, I'm just a little messed up still.

[Chuckles.] Yeah. Rosinante. He's a marine from way before your time. Tall as Kuzan too. Gotta tell you it's weird not being the tall one again. Although I guess you're used to always being a shrimp around the Whitebeards.

That's what I'm worried about, Portgas. [Arches eyebrow.] I've got the bike. It's easier for me to go distances.

[He sighs, that's way too many Marines for his tastes.] So do I have to worry about either of them? I mean, my experiences with the Marines haven't been great so far. [He has no clue about this Rosinante, and he doesn't care as long as he and Kuzan stay away.]

Nah, I'm staying in the shitty apartment they handed over right now. I can get there easy.

Nah. Kuzan isn't from after fighting Akainu himself, but he knew I had a thing for you before I was willing to acknowledge it. And he knows he doesn't have any authority here, so it would be criminal of him to start anything. He's less fussy about pirates than I am. And Rosinante... When you died, another pirate crew rescued your brother from the war. The Heart Pirates. They became allies of Straw Hat. Their captain Trafalgar Law is another pirate who's saved my life, and that of my base. And it's complicated, but I think it's because Law was protected by Rosinante. Long story short, he doesn't automatically hate pirates either. And... [Drums fingers on the bike handles for a bit.] He would agree with your father, Whitebeard, and me, that blood shouldn't be criminalized.

I thought you were going to stay with your crewmates?

[He's still on his way, trying to get to the park quickly while being just a little unsteady on his feet. But he's definitely taking in what Smoker said. Everything is complicated, and he feels a little sick and dizzy every time someone brings up that he died, the surreal feeling is not going to go away anytime soon. But there's also relief at the idea that he won't be battling the Marines that have arrived here.]

I was, and still do sometimes. But it's not my space, you know? I know I'm welcome there, but I also feel out of place. Does that make sense? They've got lovers and lives that didn't exist when I was-[Fuck, now he has to say it again.] When I was alive the first time.

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