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!]
I want kids someday. I don't want all the kids. [If Ace was the swooning type, he would absolutely do so at finding out that Smoker dresses up as Santa for the orphans. There is a level of amazing that Ace just isn't capable of handling and that might be his too cute limit.
Ace would totally help out too, if he found out about it.] It's a full house. But I like it that way. Makes me happy, y'know? It's busy in a good way. It feels like home. I guess unless there's a little chaos it doesn't for me.
[Ace doesn't know why his heart seems to beat faster at that permission. He has no interest in raising a kid anytime soon. He'd sooner get a puppy. But just that knowledge that they'd make it work if his heart chose for him is amazing. Smoker really is wonderful.
... And then he snorts, Smoker is also cheesy sometimes and his flirting is rough but Ace loves him so much that it feels like his heart will burst.] Good. And you know you've got the key to mine. So I'm the only freckled brat who gets to drink your booze and sleep in your bed.
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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?
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But he's going to scream about wanting great-grandkids, I hope you realize.
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He's kinda out of luck! I love kids but I'm kind of lacking in the necessary equipment.
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Your grandfather would just tell you to adopt. It's not like he sees any difference.
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Yeah, that's true. But I think I'd be a kinda shitty parent.
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[Not touching the Sabo thing, he knows better.]
No, you wouldn't. What makes you think that?
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[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.]
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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.
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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.
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[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!]
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Ace would totally help out too, if he found out about it.] It's a full house. But I like it that way. Makes me happy, y'know? It's busy in a good way. It feels like home. I guess unless there's a little chaos it doesn't for me.
[Ace doesn't know why his heart seems to beat faster at that permission. He has no interest in raising a kid anytime soon. He'd sooner get a puppy. But just that knowledge that they'd make it work if his heart chose for him is amazing. Smoker really is wonderful.
... And then he snorts, Smoker is also cheesy sometimes and his flirting is rough but Ace loves him so much that it feels like his heart will burst.] Good. And you know you've got the key to mine. So I'm the only freckled brat who gets to drink your booze and sleep in your bed.
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I even have the art for it.]Yeah, that's why I'd half expect you to decide one wasn't enough. Like father, like son.
[And fuck. Don't be cheesy back at him!!! NOW HE IS BRIGHT RED!!!! Again.]
[And nods. He doesn't remember if it's video or audio though. Hahh...]
Yeah, you're the only idiot I want to thoroughly fuck. [SO ROMANTIC.]
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Share this with me pls.]I guess so. He always liked it full of love and life. It wasn't home unless all his sons were there.
[He will just because he knows that it makes Smoker blush. Sorry. Not sorry.
Ace switched to video when Smoker did, so it's all good.] And you do it so well. Thoroughly isn't a joke.