Work Text:
How many times has Sabo done this before? Oh, so many times until he’s lost count himself. At first, it was the right thing to do. Visiting your brother’s grave after learning about his death and gaining the memories of the first ten years of life is Sabo’s way to start making amends. To ease the guilt that’s still eating him from the inside out until this day. Two years since then, this becomes Sabo’s routine mini endeavor after a difficult mission at work.
He’s bound to declare war on the whole world at the top of Mariejois in less than two days, and yet his feet bring him here. To the final resting place of a brother he once forgot, the one he didn’t get to save.
After a few minutes of going uphill, Sabo finally reaches Ace’s tombstone. Resting proudly on top of it is an adult Ace’s signature orange hat and his beloved dagger with its matching green sheath. It’s a sight Sabo can see behind his eyelids even when he’s fast asleep. A true testament to the number of times he’s dropped by before.
“Hey,” Sabo greets to no one, lips twitching with reflex. “I brought you news of our baby brother.”
Since learning about Luffy’s tremendous increase in bounty and his new title as the Fifth Emperor of the Seas, Sabo hadn’t been able to share the great news with Ace. The mountain of reports he needed to get done after Dressrosa, the destruction of Baltigo, and the moving to Momoiro Island left him with no slack. Despite his penchant to hang up in the middle of a call, Sabo knows his duty well and always does a great job regarding his position in the Revolutionary Army.
In truth, Sabo’s not supposed to be here. He should be with his comrades, running through their plan to storm Mariejois one more time before setting sail to the island filled choke-full with rotten celestial dragons and nobles. Maybe some do have a good intention in their hearts, but Sabo knows better concerning the large majority of them.
Sabo exhales heavily. He sits down in front of Ace’s grave and takes out the newspaper he has stuffed inside his bag. After that, he grabs the small bottle of sake he always brings with him for every visit, pouring it into three cups he has prepared, a portion for Luffy, Ace, and himself. After the first few visits, this becomes Sabo’s habit.
Sabo takes a small sip from his cup, then starts reading the headline written in the newspaper. He reads everything in that section. The content Sabo already knows by heart, given how often Sabo re-reads and grins widely every time in response. Some might call this a futile attempt, but Sabo believes Ace can hear him from wherever he’s at right now. After Sabo finishes, he takes another sip from his sake cup.
Sabo looks up to the sky. He can see the looming white moon, still cut imperfectly but will soon be complete in just a few days. Stars greet him with their distant lights. It’s funny to think that some of them may have died already. Nevertheless, their shine lives on and provides a guide to many lost sailors scattered across the dark ocean.
Sounds like someone he knows, Sabo laughs. In the beginning, when left to his device, Sabo would tear up from the littlest thing that reminded him of Ace. Now, his tears have all dried up. The regret is still there, but Sabo has made peace with the choices Ace had made. What’s left is the will he intends to keep alight for years to come, together with the role of an older brother entrusted to him. The same one he asked Ace to perform many, many years ago.
Then, Sabo stands tall, back straight, a small, blooming smile etched on his face. His gloved left-hand burns bright, little licks of flame reaching out to him, and wisps of smoke float to the sky.
This will be the last time he steps into this island. When the war is won and Luffy is finally the King of Pirates, they will come back here to exchange stories and sake cups. For their bond, for their family. Just like the old times. But for now, Sabo promises himself he will face front with confidence and never looks back.
“Until then, Brother.”
---
