[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.]
[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?
[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.
[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.
[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?
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.
[It's kind of funny, because Smoker had a life and lover outside of Ace too, but that hardly stops him. Then again, both of those things were left heavily dented by Portgas, even before here.]
That doesn't mean they didn't miss you.
[Rubs the back of his neck.] Ask me about G5. When you get here.
[There's a little pause this time between responses, someone stopped him to talk.] Yeah, I know. I know they missed me, but I got left in the dust. I still feel like I'm intruding somehow, even though I got welcomed with open arms. I mean, everyone's been nice to me. I'm not lonely. But I still feel like I'm a step behind and I can't catch up.
[G5, G5, he commits that to his memory as much as possible.] Yeah, I will.
[Most adorable brat. Sorry Whitebeards, Smoker's stealing him back. Somehow. If he can. But he can, because he's the White Hunter, and he does what he wants.]
[Smoker is working out at the park, between chucking balls for the dogs, doing jitte katas. Can't get rusty.]
Then claim your place back. You're not a rookie or just some new brat anymore. You earned your position as a division commander, and even if you think that doesn't count here, then it just means fighting your way here to prove you've still got your head together.
[Holds a hand up.] I get it. Easier said than done. No matter who I fought, or how many scars I earned, I always still feel like I'm scrambling behind Issho and Kuzan. Like I said, you're the only one I've ever considered my equal, and that's not just because we have matching logia.
But you've never gone easy on us before. When you want something, you punch your way into it -- not unlike Garp and walls. They'll give you space if they think you need it. But if it's not really what you want, don't run away for their sake.
And...
[Soft glance to the comm.] Like I said. I'm back to leaving that window open since you're making so much effort.
It's not really like that. My place doesn't exist anymore. So I gotta find a new place, with everyone. But figuring out how that works out is easier said than done. I just need to live, and see where that puts me. [There's nothing bitter about it, and he's not angry in his voice or in his heart. It's just a fact, the world changed so much and so fast between his death and this place.] You really mean that? You consider me your equal? Damn... [He's quiet and unsure of what to say, especially when that glance happens and the reminder of the open window policy is stated.] Almost there, just give me a minute.
[Ace takes the rest of the short trip to try to get his brain together and out of whatever mushy status effect has been hitting him. It's only mildly successful.] Hey!
Not that drunk. [He peers out from the coat, and settles on wearing it. He's not gonna get it back that quickly, sorry, it's cozy and it smells like Smoker. Which honestly, wouldn't be most people's cup of tea, but to Ace it's pleasant somehow.]
[Mentally Smoker is already dead of cute. He won't ask for it back, just shake Ace out of it when he's demanding.]
[Smoker gets up and goes back to jitte katas, though as the dogs return the balls, he gives some to Ace to throw for awhile.]
Drunk enough, Portgas. But it's fine. I've seen you worse. [Flicks his eyes up in thought.] Pretty sure you've seen me worse. This you, I mean, even. [Snorts, still going through jitte forms.] Not just things you won't remember.
[Ace happily accepts the balls, and tosses for the dogs, absolutely enjoying how relaxed he feels and how safe he feels too. This is so normal, domestic nearly, something gentle and tame and worlds away from Marines and piracy and death. This world is surreal to him, something that makes his mind hurt sometimes. And he's not sure if this is really real at this point.
But he kind of likes it. Maybe more than kind of likes it.] Yeah, we're both talented at getting shitfaced. But this? This is just a nice kind of drunk. It feels good and takes the edge off.
I have other talents besides getting drunk, I hope you realize. I'd hate that to be the reason you think you would ever spend time with me.
[But he's joking, since he's not the drunk one right now, and Ace is still choosing to spend time with him, and also at the festival, even if he emphasized the drinks, Smoker suspects that's more to try to sell Smoker and let him hide behind manly bonding. Or any kind of social thing usually requires Smoker to drink, tbfh.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Video]
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.]
[Video]
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.
[Video]
[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?
[Video]
[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?
[Video]
[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.
[Video]
[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.
[Video]
[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.
[Video]
[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.
[Video]
[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?
[Video]
Yeah. When they're not brats like a certain someone.
Park. Genessia. What city are you in? I can go someplace easier.
[Video]
[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.
[Video]
That's what I'm worried about, Portgas. [Arches eyebrow.] I've got the bike. It's easier for me to go distances.
[Video]
Nah, I'm staying in the shitty apartment they handed over right now. I can get there easy.
[Video]
I thought you were going to stay with your crewmates?
[Video]
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.
[Video]
[It's kind of funny, because Smoker had a life and lover outside of Ace too, but that hardly stops him. Then again, both of those things were left heavily dented by Portgas, even before here.]
That doesn't mean they didn't miss you.
[Rubs the back of his neck.] Ask me about G5. When you get here.
[Video]
[G5, G5, he commits that to his memory as much as possible.] Yeah, I will.
[Video]
[Smoker is working out at the park, between chucking balls for the dogs, doing jitte katas. Can't get rusty.]
Then claim your place back. You're not a rookie or just some new brat anymore. You earned your position as a division commander, and even if you think that doesn't count here, then it just means fighting your way here to prove you've still got your head together.
[Holds a hand up.] I get it. Easier said than done. No matter who I fought, or how many scars I earned, I always still feel like I'm scrambling behind Issho and Kuzan. Like I said, you're the only one I've ever considered my equal, and that's not just because we have matching logia.
But you've never gone easy on us before. When you want something, you punch your way into it -- not unlike Garp and walls. They'll give you space if they think you need it. But if it's not really what you want, don't run away for their sake.
And...
[Soft glance to the comm.] Like I said. I'm back to leaving that window open since you're making so much effort.
[Video]1/2
[Action]
[Video] -> [Action]
Yeah... didn't I say that? [Head tilt.]
[And then Portgas is there, annnnd...]
[HE HAS NO IDEA HOW TO REACT? OBVIOUSLY HE NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ACE... so...]
[PUNCHING HIM IS PROBABLY NOT THE RIGHT WAY.]
[Okay. Fighting instincts. FIGHTING INSTINCTS.]
Yo.
[Nods. Acknowledgement.]
[He's getting twitchy. Portgas is RIGHT THERE!!! He HAS to do SOMETHING!]
[So he grabs him by the beaded necklace to drag him forward and push him down.]
[And snorts, before sitting next to him and throwing his coat on Ace's head.] Fuck, you really are drunk. [Snort.]
[Action]
[Action]
[Smoker gets up and goes back to jitte katas, though as the dogs return the balls, he gives some to Ace to throw for awhile.]
Drunk enough, Portgas. But it's fine. I've seen you worse. [Flicks his eyes up in thought.] Pretty sure you've seen me worse. This you, I mean, even. [Snorts, still going through jitte forms.] Not just things you won't remember.
no subject
But he kind of likes it. Maybe more than kind of likes it.] Yeah, we're both talented at getting shitfaced. But this? This is just a nice kind of drunk. It feels good and takes the edge off.
no subject
Good.
I have other talents besides getting drunk, I hope you realize. I'd hate that to be the reason you think you would ever spend time with me.
[But he's joking, since he's not the drunk one right now, and Ace is still choosing to spend time with him, and also at the festival, even if he emphasized the drinks, Smoker suspects that's more to try to sell Smoker and let him hide behind manly bonding. Or any kind of social thing usually requires Smoker to drink, tbfh.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)