[Gah. It's so new and tender. He's never had that in his life before. The closest was Tashigi's loyalty, and it's severely different.]
[What's the right response? What can he even say to that?]
Good.
Portgas...
Thanks.
[That's probably not right, and it's probably stupid, but he means it too. He knows as much as he teases Ace about being obnoxious, Smoker is far from easy to live with or be around. And he's almost floored that Ace even tries.]
[And they are, honestly. Despite all odds and differences, they balance each other out beautifully. They're happy, honestly in love, and despite some bickering and struggle they're healthy together. And to Ace, the feeling he gets when he's with Smoker is worth any of the issues that come across.] I'm gonna run and get my stuff soon. I don't have much, really. Just some clothes for the most part.
Yeah. [Smoker's less... everything wrong with him around Ace. More relaxed. Calmer. It's weird. He shouldn't be. And yet...]
[That's cute too. That Ace is being so formal about this.] Like I said, my space is officially yours. You can throw in some color, or pirate trash too, if you want. It's fine.
Yeah. I do. We just fit together. I can't really explain it but that's how it is.
[Ace honestly doesn't have much in the way of belongings. Because he's felt unsteady in Genessia, like he didn't have a real home, he didn't bother collecting things.
But he'll probably buy a couple of things to make it feel like his space too.]
And not just logia. [Because when Sabo inherited it, it mostly just irked Smoker.]
[And not just the Roger thing, because Luffy was more like Roger, and yeah, a little bit the Whitebeard thing, because Smoker did respect the Whitebeards. Especially now.]
[But it's the same thing he said before. About G-5. Even before really knowing Ace, never mind intimately, Portgas changed his whole life. Set it on fire. Damn brat.]
Well, as long as we both recognize it, it probably doesn't need to be defined, right?
[Kismet?????? That sends a chill down Smoker's spine. He doesn't like the idea of fate, and he wonders what Fujitora would think of it. Especially after Straw Hat. He'd probably laugh. Almost definitely. But even beyond that...]
[He wonders if he could even anonymously ask the network without wanting to kill himself like trying to talk to Namur about what it was... Smoker kind of doubts it.]
[Better to leave it unclassified.]
[Maybe Tashigi would know.]
I mean you don't have to. If I come back to bright orange "A" all over the walls I won't gouge my eyes out like Issho, but I probably won't let you pick the designs on any of the bikes. Ever.
You're right. It doesn't need to be defined. It's just us. And that's good enough for me.
[There's a quiet noise as Ace thinks for a moment.] I'll pass on the A, maybe I'll get some art to go over the bed or something. I dunno. I really don't have a lot right now. I never felt like it was my home at Marco's or Namur's. Not that they didn't try to make me feel good when I stayed but it just wasn't where I was meant to be. So I didn't buy stuff. Aside from my clothes and some stuff for showers and things like that, I've got a knife and the notebook Sabo got me. That's pretty much it. [And then, it comes to him.] When you have some time free, we'll go pick something out together. Kinda of a way to make it our space, in the bedroom at least.
[Ace snorts.] I'd make great designs. You're missing out.
You should have seen my place back in Loguetown. Completely functional. I never wanted to stay, so I never got anything besides books and the basics. I mean even now, I only picked up what I needed. And it's been... 4 or 5 years? Nearly as long here as there. So you'll have to show me the ropes. All I can say is what I hate or not. And don't expect a lot of strong opinions except on pink and lace. And maroon. No maroon.
All right, you can show me your ideas on paper and we'll see if customers like it.
Yeah. Well... [There really wasn't any way for that to happen back home. It took death and the transfer between worlds for Ace and Smoker to really have a chance.] We'll figure something out. Back home I just put up Luffy's wanted posters as far as decoration went. So it's a new thing for me too. [Ace laughs.] Do I seem like someone who's gonna fill a place with pink and Lace? Really?
Good. I'm gonna do some pretty amazing stuff. [A lot of fire. A lot of skulls. Very rocker brat.]
I'll pass. That's a whole world away. I think we can do a little better. Especially if it's going to be in the room we sleep in. And sleep together in. I don't wanna see Luffy's face on the walls when we're trying to enjoy ourselves. [He doesn't really want to think of his own wanted poster at all, honestly. Much less seeing Luffy's face in the bedroom.]
It's fine. I can. But I'm not telling your father or brothers. You're on your own there. [Pause. Think. Puff.] All right I'll tell Whitebeard if he comes. But no one else.
Your grandfather would just tell you to adopt. It's not like he sees any difference.
Sabo already knows. He's not that happy about it. But we had a long talk and we understand stuff that we didn't before. [This sounds agreeable.] Hey, how can you tell Whitebeard but not tell him? He's my dad! You're changing your mind?
Yeah, that's true. But I think I'd be a kinda shitty parent.
Yeah, I changed my mind. I figured it's important enough to prove to him my intentions. Just as if anyone wasn't strong enough to face me, they wouldn't be worthy of Adela either.
That's... [Honestly Ace is overwhelmed a bit by that. Smoker just keeps surprising him.] Thanks, Smoker.
[Also mentally thanking him for not adding anything to the Sabo comment at all, this is stressful for him.]
I was so damn mean to Luffy when he was little. And kids need someone kind, someone stable. I'm... [Ace sighs.] I'm scared. I want kids someday really bad, but I still can't get it out of my head that I'm cursed and shouldn't even be alive in the first place. And I know, I know, I'm not. But I had it pushed into me so long and I'm kinda scared that I'd corrupt a kid somehow. [And that's not even touching on his trauma that comes from knowing how many pregnant women and unborn babies were sacrificed in the search for him.]
Firstly, Adela had the same problem. I'd rather she could tell you herself about her demon blood, but it's why she has metal magic. It's forbidden in her world, and would get her killed and hunted. Sound familiar?
Secondly, you've always done a good job parenting her. Sometimes she had memories of another world where she had you as her makeshift adopted father, not me, and she still never shut up about how great you are, even when you're a total idiot.
Thirdly, those fears, those experiences, that's what means you'll be a great parent. [It's hard for Smoker to do compliments, but he can honest and blunt, and showing Ace his true thoughts always came naturally since the other gave Smoker so much of his own.] You had the best role models, and your insane psychotic Grandfather to also show the extremes and motivate you to temper it. Any kid will be lucky to have you. You know how to have fun, you'll never stress over trying to force them to accommodate society, or use them for politics, and you care so much about other people, you'd teach them the importance of getting along in any world they're in. Much like Straw Hat. And don't tell me he was just naturally that way, he wouldn't be even half as good at winning over enemies like me if you hadn't influenced him so much. If he hadn't had the practice of winning you over.
[Part of Ace wants to argue, to respond with comments about how that wasn't him, that it means nothing in the end because Ace himself has never had any parenting experience. And as much as he cares about Adela and he knows that a version of him and a version of her were close? He's just now getting to know her, and the parental feeling isn't there.
But Smoker knows what to say when it counts, and how to make it leave an impact on Ace. And honestly, he's stunned. Smoker thinks that he could actually be a good parent. Someone that uses his past pain to help him raise a child better. And there's nothing that really feels better than having someone like Smoker show that he's confident in Ace's ability to do such a monumental task.] So you think I really could do this right, huh? [A pause comes though. He's not ready for kids right now. He's still in the young honeymoon stage of things where all he wants is sex and fun.] Maybe I'd be a good parent, yeah. And someday, I wanna raise a kid with you. [Ace laughs a little, then there's more teasing in his voice.] Right now I'd rather focus on calling you daddy than worry about us being parents.
[Snorts.] Yeah, I'm not suggesting you run out and adopt an entire orphanage already.
[In fact. Don't even talk to the kids and find out that Smoker dresses up as Santa every year for them. DO NOT.]
Like I said, one tomcat, and three dogs, and a feral forge daughter is more than enough for me.
But don't worry if something happens and there's someone you can't let go of. Raising a kid is even easier than commanding a hundred pirates. Or in my case, G5. Wannabe pirates, half marines. All as bratty as you. But no freckles, so I never accidentally fed any of them or would give 'em a key to my liquor. And heart. [Was that last part stupid as hell? Yes. Yes, it was. He doesn't ever care!]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Half-kidding. Half-serious. He might just hunt him down and kick his ass for fucking with his head all over again. Whichever.]
no subject
[Ace is comfortable with the idea of sticking around. He won't be running off.]
no subject
[What's the right response? What can he even say to that?]
Good.
Portgas...
Thanks.
[That's probably not right, and it's probably stupid, but he means it too. He knows as much as he teases Ace about being obnoxious, Smoker is far from easy to live with or be around. And he's almost floored that Ace even tries.]
[But glad. Definitely glad.]
no subject
[And they are, honestly. Despite all odds and differences, they balance each other out beautifully. They're happy, honestly in love, and despite some bickering and struggle they're healthy together. And to Ace, the feeling he gets when he's with Smoker is worth any of the issues that come across.] I'm gonna run and get my stuff soon. I don't have much, really. Just some clothes for the most part.
no subject
Yeah. [Smoker's less... everything wrong with him around Ace. More relaxed. Calmer. It's weird. He shouldn't be. And yet...]
[That's cute too. That Ace is being so formal about this.] Like I said, my space is officially yours. You can throw in some color, or pirate trash too, if you want. It's fine.
no subject
[Ace honestly doesn't have much in the way of belongings. Because he's felt unsteady in Genessia, like he didn't have a real home, he didn't bother collecting things.
But he'll probably buy a couple of things to make it feel like his space too.]
I guess I'll have to, huh?
no subject
And not just logia. [Because when Sabo inherited it, it mostly just irked Smoker.]
[And not just the Roger thing, because Luffy was more like Roger, and yeah, a little bit the Whitebeard thing, because Smoker did respect the Whitebeards. Especially now.]
[But it's the same thing he said before. About G-5. Even before really knowing Ace, never mind intimately, Portgas changed his whole life. Set it on fire. Damn brat.]
Well, as long as we both recognize it, it probably doesn't need to be defined, right?
[Kismet?????? That sends a chill down Smoker's spine. He doesn't like the idea of fate, and he wonders what Fujitora would think of it. Especially after Straw Hat. He'd probably laugh. Almost definitely. But even beyond that...]
[He wonders if he could even anonymously ask the network without wanting to kill himself like trying to talk to Namur about what it was... Smoker kind of doubts it.]
[Better to leave it unclassified.]
[Maybe Tashigi would know.]
I mean you don't have to. If I come back to bright orange "A" all over the walls I won't gouge my eyes out like Issho, but I probably won't let you pick the designs on any of the bikes. Ever.
no subject
[There's a quiet noise as Ace thinks for a moment.] I'll pass on the A, maybe I'll get some art to go over the bed or something. I dunno. I really don't have a lot right now. I never felt like it was my home at Marco's or Namur's. Not that they didn't try to make me feel good when I stayed but it just wasn't where I was meant to be. So I didn't buy stuff. Aside from my clothes and some stuff for showers and things like that, I've got a knife and the notebook Sabo got me. That's pretty much it. [And then, it comes to him.] When you have some time free, we'll go pick something out together. Kinda of a way to make it our space, in the bedroom at least.
[Ace snorts.] I'd make great designs. You're missing out.
no subject
All right, you can show me your ideas on paper and we'll see if customers like it.
no subject
Good. I'm gonna do some pretty amazing stuff. [A lot of fire. A lot of skulls. Very rocker brat.]
no subject
By all means, put up his whole crew's wanted posters.
[ :| ]
[ :||||| ]
And yours if you want. I didn't usually need to see them more than once, but if it makes you happy.
no subject
I'll pass. That's a whole world away. I think we can do a little better. Especially if it's going to be in the room we sleep in. And sleep together in. I don't wanna see Luffy's face on the walls when we're trying to enjoy ourselves. [He doesn't really want to think of his own wanted poster at all, honestly. Much less seeing Luffy's face in the bedroom.]
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Okay. I was gonna ask about something else.But now I'm stuck on Gramps.
If he does show up, which one of us has to tell him that we're together?
no subject
But he's going to scream about wanting great-grandkids, I hope you realize.
no subject
He's kinda out of luck! I love kids but I'm kind of lacking in the necessary equipment.
no subject
Your grandfather would just tell you to adopt. It's not like he sees any difference.
no subject
Yeah, that's true. But I think I'd be a kinda shitty parent.
no subject
[Not touching the Sabo thing, he knows better.]
No, you wouldn't. What makes you think that?
no subject
[Also mentally thanking him for not adding anything to the Sabo comment at all, this is stressful for him.]
I was so damn mean to Luffy when he was little. And kids need someone kind, someone stable. I'm... [Ace sighs.] I'm scared. I want kids someday really bad, but I still can't get it out of my head that I'm cursed and shouldn't even be alive in the first place. And I know, I know, I'm not. But I had it pushed into me so long and I'm kinda scared that I'd corrupt a kid somehow. [And that's not even touching on his trauma that comes from knowing how many pregnant women and unborn babies were sacrificed in the search for him.]
no subject
Portgas....
Three things. [Holds up three fingers.]
Firstly, Adela had the same problem. I'd rather she could tell you herself about her demon blood, but it's why she has metal magic. It's forbidden in her world, and would get her killed and hunted. Sound familiar?
Secondly, you've always done a good job parenting her. Sometimes she had memories of another world where she had you as her makeshift adopted father, not me, and she still never shut up about how great you are, even when you're a total idiot.
Thirdly, those fears, those experiences, that's what means you'll be a great parent. [It's hard for Smoker to do compliments, but he can honest and blunt, and showing Ace his true thoughts always came naturally since the other gave Smoker so much of his own.] You had the best role models, and your insane psychotic Grandfather to also show the extremes and motivate you to temper it. Any kid will be lucky to have you. You know how to have fun, you'll never stress over trying to force them to accommodate society, or use them for politics, and you care so much about other people, you'd teach them the importance of getting along in any world they're in. Much like Straw Hat. And don't tell me he was just naturally that way, he wouldn't be even half as good at winning over enemies like me if you hadn't influenced him so much. If he hadn't had the practice of winning you over.
no subject
But Smoker knows what to say when it counts, and how to make it leave an impact on Ace. And honestly, he's stunned. Smoker thinks that he could actually be a good parent. Someone that uses his past pain to help him raise a child better. And there's nothing that really feels better than having someone like Smoker show that he's confident in Ace's ability to do such a monumental task.] So you think I really could do this right, huh? [A pause comes though. He's not ready for kids right now. He's still in the young honeymoon stage of things where all he wants is sex and fun.] Maybe I'd be a good parent, yeah. And someday, I wanna raise a kid with you. [Ace laughs a little, then there's more teasing in his voice.] Right now I'd rather focus on calling you daddy than worry about us being parents.
no subject
[Snorts.] Yeah, I'm not suggesting you run out and adopt an entire orphanage already.
[In fact. Don't even talk to the kids and find out that Smoker dresses up as Santa every year for them. DO NOT.]
Like I said, one tomcat, and three dogs, and a feral forge daughter is more than enough for me.
But don't worry if something happens and there's someone you can't let go of. Raising a kid is even easier than commanding a hundred pirates. Or in my case, G5. Wannabe pirates, half marines. All as bratty as you. But no freckles, so I never accidentally fed any of them or would give 'em a key to my liquor. And heart. [Was that last part stupid as hell? Yes. Yes, it was. He doesn't ever care!]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)