Chapter Text
Portgas D. Ace had died.
He left the world like a bolt of lightning. Striking the Earth with such ferocity, and then leaving it with a scar that rested in the universe for all eternity. All those who had the honor to be near that sparking force could never be able to forget. His memory, and soul running through their veins for the rest of their lives.
He was a brother, commander, and most importantly a friend to all those he met. To Deuce though, he was a savior. He gave him a purpose. Something to live his life for. Watching the man he idolized for years falling down lifelessly had crumbled the reality he knew of. Destroyed his world, and heart in only a few seconds. Critical seconds that Deuce just spent standing and staring in disbelief. Doing nothing to help the man he called his friend for years……
He was a failure of a friend as well as a failure of a human being.
Despite it all, a very tiny, and unplanned thing made its way into Deuce’s life. Appearing at a moment where darkness almost consumed him. Almost as if fate was telling him that his purpose was not finished. And it was all in the form of a pink little baby.
Portgas D. Ace had died, and in his place, there was a newborn baby.
Face scrunched in agony as he screamed, and wailed for someone to comfort him. Small hands waving in a desperate attempt to stay alive. One tiny little weak speck in the middle of a decimated war zone. Honestly, if he didn't have such crazy pair of lungs Deuce may not have noticed him buried under a tower of rubble. All alone except for the blue haired man standing not too far away, and a pair of tattered shorts.
“Ace?” He dropped to his knees. His blood ran cold as he could only just stare at the baby with wide eyes. Expecting him to just disappear the moment he blinked, and in his place a very dead body. Of course, even when his eyelids slowly closed, the baby remained. He stayed there, bawling his little eyes out without even stopping for a breath.
Carefully he reached a gloved hand out, and shakily pressed the back of his palm against the babies cheek. His entire soul melting into a puddle as he watched the baby visibly calm down. His cries turning to light coos, and hands falling so they could rest. Deuce only able to watch on dumbly as the newborn baby slowly drifted into dreamland.
He didn't know what to do. What could he do!? Ace was just so helpless! If the marines saw him here, and came to the same conclusion as Deuce, then he would have to watch his friend die again! He was just Deuce though, unremarkable in every single way. He could never stop an admiral once they had their sights set on something!
Then, without warning, a tiny hand wrapped itself around his thumb. The one action alone erasing all of his worries, and completely making him forget where he was. The whole world around him just turned so bright, and when the little baby whined it pulled at his heartstrings.
Almost as if a switch went off in his head he knew what he needed to do.
Quickly he gathered up the ragged shorts, and wrapped them around the newborn. Making sure to pull him close to his chest for warmth before he bolted right out of Marineford. Staying out of sight, and out of mind as he did so. Ace whimpered just a little bit, obviously not liking the cold wind that was blowing in his face, but Deuce soothed him as best as he could.
“It's ok Ace. I’ll protect you. I’m here now, and you’ll never have to be afraid ever again. I’m not leaving you.” He planted a kiss on the babies tiny temple, watching with warm blue eyes as his whimpers became nothing. Cooing at him with little innocent baby noises. That's right, forever Deuce will protect him with his life.
Portgas D. Ace had died, and to the knowledge of the world that's how it stayed.