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The two of them have not been successful in their plan to take Whitebeard's head. Far from it actually.
The days were long, and hard. Ace fights all day without stopping for food, or rest. It pained Deuce. Watching him break down slowly like a broken toy. Each day he gained a new bruise like others did experiences. His captain never seemed to mind though. Nothing got in the way of Ace when he had a goal in mind, and Deuce wished he could say the same for himself.
They could leave at any time. That was made obvious by the commanders, and Whitebeard himself. Yet the pair stood their ground. Well, Ace stood his ground while Deuce followed him blindly. At least it seemed that way to him. In the grand scale of things he was fundamentally useless.
“Ace, let me heal your wounds.” That was the only thing he could do. Healing his captain’s wounds each day he returned from his battles with Whitebeard. Wobbling from side to side, and covered in wounds that were wearing his human body down. It pained the merman to see him like that, and he hated how useless he was in helping him.
“I don't want you to waste your energy on me. You get so tired everytime you heal me, and I don't want you to get hurt.” His voice was raspy. Barely able to speak as he struggled to catch his breath, and plopped himself right against Deuce’s tank. All he could see was his back pressed against the glass. Scars, and bruises littering his smooth skin.
“I refuse to be useless to you. Please, just let me heal you.” He popped up out of the water, and reached desperately Ace. The tips of his fingers only grazed his soft curls as he cried out for him. He wanted to touch Ace! Hold him! Comfort him, and tell him everything was going to be ok.
That seemed to be impossible though.
They were from two different worlds. The world of the ocean, and the world of land. Two separate species that should've never met to begin with, but here they were. Deuce felt he could never be apart from the man, but he wondered if Ace felt the same. Unlike him, Ace was surrendered by his own kind. Chatting, and interacting with each one like they were family. So why would he bother with one dumb merman?
“Deuce.” He was stopped when he felt a familiar calloused hand take him. Rough fingers squeezing him in a comforting manner, and holding it steady. “If anything happened to you then I wouldn't forgive myself. Just let me worry about this, ok?” He tried to smile, but the moment he did he winced from pain. It made the mer feel as though he was being stabbed over, and over again.
Without any more debate he held the hand tightly within his own, and began to lightly sing. His deep, and smooth voice reverberating across the deck as it filled the air with its lovely sound. A few Whitebeard pirates even stopped to listen. Closing their eyes, and smiling as they basked in the glorious song. Most didn't get a chance to hear a mer sing, and it seemed even pirates like them wouldn't pass up an opportunity to hear a merman’s singing. Each syllable though was filled with sadness, and dread. Reflecting the emotions that had been plaguing his waters since they ended up on this ship. Only stopping when all of Ace’s wounds were healed.
“You didn't have to do that for me.” The young man turned, and Deuce finally was able to see that face he loved. Though a part of him was shocked at the sight he saw, and he instantly dunked back down into the water so he could get a better look. His face was dirty, and still covered in little scuffs. His eyes no longer had any fire within them, and were instead just two dull brown pools. Thick dark circles underneath that showed proof of days without sleep.
“Ace!” He instantly pressed himself against the glass. Palms desperately pushed against the glass barrier, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger as his current home turned into his prison. Their hands both pressed against the tank, and Deuce despised how the glass kept them separated. He just wanted to be right next to him with their palms touching, and sharing each other’s body heat as they cuddled. He just wanted to cuddle with the man!
“Please.” His voice was mousy, and laced with sadness. Head slowly shaking side to side as his mind refused to take in the sight in front of him. “Please, just stop pushing yourself like this. You're going to die if you keep this up.” He swallowed a glob of fear. No, Ace cant die! If he dies then what was he going to do with his life!? Nothing would have been the same!
“I don't care if I die. I’m not going to stop until I take that old bastard's head.” His words were tough, but he no longer had any fight left in his voice. His body just leaning against the glass in a desperate attempt to find a comfortable spot. Though, when he sent a look to Deuce, he smiled. It was small, and tired, but filled with kindness.
“Honestly, i’m just happy you're still ok. That must mean i'm doing something right.” At that, he passed out. Cheek, and hand still leaning against the tank as Deuce could only stare on in confusion. Did he really mean that much to Ace? So much that the man put him before himself? But why? It just didn't make any sense.
“None of that makes me happy though. I just want to help you.” He knew his words were falling on deaf ears, but it didn't matter. The man was off into dreamland, or what Deuce hoped was dreamland. If the man had a nightmare then he would never be able to forgive himself. No amount of singing could heal something like that after all.
“He's asleep?” Deuce hid when he heard the familiar voice. The pit of his stomach growling in disgust at the mere thought that he was getting used to anyone that lived on this hell ship. He made sure glare as the tall, blonde, first commander approached.
To be honest, he wasn't that bad of a person. Marco kept his distance normally, but definitely would take the time to make sure the pair was ok. This time he had a thick fluffy blanket in one hand, and a large fish in the other. It was obvious who they were meant for.
“You don't have to glare at me everytime I come here. I have no intention to hurt you after all.” He always said that, but Deuce didn't buy it. Though he didn't trust very many people to begin with. His heart would just beat like crazy any time a stranger would make their way over to talk to him. Marco just sighed before gently throwing the blanket over the young captain. A smile on his features before he gave an amused chuckle.
“You two are thick as thieves aren't you?” Deuce thought maybe the question was rhetorical. It was when the air became thick with the oncoming silence, and those blue eyes continued to pierce into him that he realized it was directed at him.
“O-Oh! Yes! We are very close. He saved me, and now I just want to return the favor.” That was part of it, sure, but there was more that the mer couldn't necessarily put into words. A feeling that started at the tip of his tail, and rose into his chest any time he got to talk with Ace. Like little butterflies fluttering under his skin, and making him feel all warm. It was a good feeling, right?
“I see.” Why did Deuce feel like Marco was picking him apart little by little? “Isn't that difficult? You being a merman surrounded by humans?” Weirdly enough, that caught him off guard. Difficult? He didn't exactly think about it before.
Back on the Spadille he was always very lonely. While the pirates got to sing, drink, and dance together on the deck he was all alone. Stuck in his tank. The water worked as shackles, and the tail he loved so much seeming more like a cage as time went on. Keeping him away from the world he so badly wanted to be a part of.
Only getting worse when he would see Ace.
The young man chatting away with his fellow pirates, and filling the air with happiness as he did so. Never once sending a glance to the merman’s way. Deuce was just an oversized goldfish in his bowl, and he hated every second of it. His hand subconsciously reaching out, and practically begging to be pulled into the cozy group.
“Yes. It's hard.” His voice was mousy. Something that didn't suit his majestic, and giant form whatsoever. The sadness was overwhelming, and eating him alive inch by inch. Why? Why couldn't he just be a human too?
Marco didn't seem to pick up on the dark cloud that now rested over his tank. The blonde shrugging to himself in a laid back manner before tossing the fish into the water. “Well, whatever you're already doing is great. Don't worry, or put all of this on your shoulders.” Deuce couldn't take his words to heart though.
How could he not feel responsible? He was the first mate, and it was his job to lead the Spades to a bright future alongside his captain. Yet here he was, stuck in a tank with his captain black and blue sleeping not too far away. Useless. He was useless on land, and he hated it with his very being.
With a sigh he curled up at the bottom of his tank, face pushed against the glass so he could be as close as possible to Ace. He wanted to hug him. Hold him, and kiss him like humans always did with one another. He wanted to kiss Ace!
With piercing blue eyes he glared down at his tail, and pulled out one glittering scale. Its shimmering surface now serves as a reminder of what he was, and he hated it. He wanted to be human! Let him be human! Tears rolled down his cheeks as his prayers were not answered. His thoughts filled with images of running alongside Ace, and just being able to be close to him. Dreams were now filled with images of Deuce with his own pair of legs. So much that his core burned with desire, and his hatred for his own tail grew to unexplainable amounts.
All he wanted was for his shackles to break, and to be set free. Allowing him to live in the world he so desperately wanted to.
The next thing Deuce knew was that he couldn't breathe. Water filling his lungs as a sensation he had never felt before took him over. What in the hell!? He tried to swim, but instead he faltered. Arms flailing as his body seemed to keep sinking no matter what he did. In a moment of desperation something collided with the glass of the tank, and propelled him to the top. Instantly gasping for air the moment his head broke through the thick barrier of water. He almost sank down again, but with quick thinking he grabbed the rim. Holding himself up as he wheezed, and stared around with wide eyes.
What in the world!? Why the hell did he all of the sudden start drowning!? He noticed a few Whitebeard pirates staring at him, and instantly regained as much composure as he could. He couldn't let them see him as weak. Yet, they wouldn't stop staring. Their faces pale as their eyes refused to look away from his form. What was their issue?
That's when he saw it. His eyes catching something fleshy where his tail should have been, and when he finally looked down he almost screamed. There was a pair of legs. Long, muscleded, and complete with a pair of feet. He had legs? HE HAD LEGS!?
He screamed from the shock, and then instantly blushed. A part of it because he realized why he was getting stares, and another reason being the shock he was feeling. He must be dreaming! A good dream, but nonetheless a dream. He wasn't old enough to have legs! This shouldn't be possible.
With the grace of a baby deer Deuce had fallen out of his tank. Arms, and legs flailing as he landed harshly against the deck. Ok, if this was a dream then he shouldn't be feeling pain. Right? He pinched himself, and pulled back from the pain. Yeah, this is real, and he could barely believe it.
“Deuce? What are you doing out of your tank?” The mer (not mer?) let out a squawk of horror as he realized he had woken up his captain who was sleeping not too far away. His messy black curls looked so soft this close up, and the blue haired man just wanted to ruffle it up lovingly. This was the closest they had been since the day they met on Sixis, and he wanted to cherish every second of it.
Ace sleepily rubbed at his eyes, and yawned. He was tired, and Deuce wished he would just go back to sleep. He deserved to rest after all. Yet, instead, he opened his eyes and looked right at him. He blinked once, and then twice. Brown eyes trailing from his face, to his new legs, and then to every other exposed part that Deuce himself didn't think to cover up.
“W-Wait!? Is tha-are those!?” Weirdly enough it was comforting for him to see that Ace was as confused as him. Though what he didn't expect was to have a hand slowly reach out, and rest itself onto his thigh. Obviously trying to see if they were real, but the effect it had on Deuce was insane. His blush had gotten worse, and soon he had the urge to grab his hand so he could hold it close forever. “Holy shit, you have legs!” Yes, he knew that already.
“Yeah, I dont know how though. I just woke up and-” He motioned to his new legs. Expression must have said it all. As Ace just nodded slowly before quickly grabbing his abandoned blanket, and throwing it over the other man. Deuce didn't even realize how chilly he was out of the water until that moment.
“Whatever it is i’m sure it's fine! We’ll figure it out!” With newfound determination Ace jumped to his feet. His pain, and exhaustion were forgotten in favor of helping Deuce. “Anyway, can you walk? We need to get you to a med bay!” It was almost like he was on autopilot. Hand reaching out right for him, and filling the (ex?) mer with hope.
He tried to get up, but instantly fell on his ass. Legs too weak to do much. He supposed that made sense, but it didn't make it any less embarrassing. Ace on the other hand just seemed to become even more determined.
“Don't worry. I gotchu!” Without warning he crouched down, and scooped Deuce into his arms. Paying no mind to hoe he blushed, and sputtered in his hold. Oh my god! Ace was holding him!? Sure, the man carried him around before when they first got off Sixis, but this was different! He didn't have to do it, yet here he was. He was close to freaking out, but Ace’s smile instantly made everything better.
“You're going to be ok. I promise. Because I have you, and I'm not letting go.” That was all he needed to hear. For once, Deuce didn't stress. Instead he leaned his head against his captain’s chest and basked in how nice he smelled. Despite fighting for days, he smelled ok. Well, at least Deuce liked it. Smokey, and bringing him back to days camping under the stars with the young man.
That was all he needed to feel at home. His love for Ace, and to feel his touch. The perfect combination.