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“You're so small.” Ace couldn't help as the words tumbled out of his mouth. Hand placed on top of a bed of poofy blonde locks, feeling their softness before he was quickly pushed away.
“That isn't funny.” The unnaturally higher pitched voice was laced with every ounce of annoyance it could muster. There was venom in those piercing blue eyes as well, glaring down the taller man as if he hoped it would strike Ace dead. Instead, the brunette just laughed.
It didn't matter what anyone said, this was absolutely hilarious. There was even a part of Ace that swore he was dreaming, making up every detail of this very satisfying image as he peacefully slept. Yet, when he pinched himself nothing happened. The angry forms of very tiny teenage commanders were still standing around on the deck, their clothes falling off their thin shoulders, and faces smooth as if the tough years of being a pirate had melted away. The best of it all? They were shorter than Ace.
“Is he seriously laughing again?” Thatch’s normal laissez faire attitude was gone. Replaced with a broodiness that matched his current appearance. It was obvious he was trying to be threatening, but it only reflected as a pout on his young features.
Despite being younger, Ace was still able to pick out little familiarities with his two favorite commanders. Like Thatch’s chestnut brown hair, or Marco’s sky blue eyes. Yet with some of the others it was almost as if they were replaced with completely different people.
“Let him laugh, we’ll make him regret it later.” Vista was the complete opposite of the man Ace knew. He was shorter, baby faced, and without his signature mustache that everyone had grown used to. The only reason he knew this teenager was Vista to begin with was due to the familiar clothes that now swamped his smaller form.
“There's no need for that, boys.” Well, at least it wasn't only Ace enjoying this.
“Pops! Stop that!” Whitebeard hadn't stopped pitching the young commander’s cheeks, and ruffling their hair since the smoke had cleared. The smile on his face was so bright it was practically blinding, and no amount of angsty teenage growling could seem to dull it.
“Now, don't be like that. I haven't seen you like this in ages!” Ace didn't know much about The Whitebeard Pirates past. It just wasn't something they talked about. They all preferred to look ahead to the future, focusing on what was to come instead of what they left behind. No pictures were readily available either, at least, not for Ace. They were probably all hoarded within their captain’s room for only the man to see when he was feeling nostalgic.
“This isn't a good thing Pops. We should figure out a way to fix this.” Strangely enough, Izou was the calmest of the bunch. It didn't matter that he was shorter than the rest of the commanders, or that his normally well fitted kimono was now falling off him. His expression remained stone cold, looking over himself before deciding to use his energy to try and find a solution. It was a little odd, seeing a young kid acting like an adult, but Ace weirdly found it fitting. Izou always had a very mature personality, so it just seemed normal. Of course, that didn't stop the giant of a man from scooping the boy up and cradling him in his arms.
“We will, my son. Don't worry.” Whitebeard’s voice was soft, and unlike anything that Ace had heard before. His captain was always a kind man when it came to his crew, but this was different. It was more gentle, as if speaking above a whisper would cause the boy to shatter within his grasp. Eyes holding a sparkle that screamed his love for his children.
“Now, I think I have your old clothes somewhere.” Without any more protest Whitebeard placed Izou back on the ground, using a finger to give him a reassuring pat before he slowly rose from his throne. With Pop’s illness it was rare to see him leave his chair, and especially rare to see him move with such ferocity in each step. He was normally too sick to move much, but something about rummaging through old clothes seemed to ignite some type of spark within him. Ace wasn't the only one to notice this, as the moment the older man was gone the teenage commanders broke out into chaos.
“That's it! I’m hiding in my room until this magically fixes itself!” Marco was one of the few Ace could make out in the hurricane of voices that filled the deck. His expression was sour, and with heavy dark circles under his eyes. His teenage body obviously was not handling the many nights of no sleep as well as the ship’s doctor wished. Except, that wasn't what Ace was fixated on. Not when he saw Marco’s wings.
“Hey, they're different.” Ace had seen Marco’s devil fruit more times than he could count. It was hardly shocking, or even special at this point. Yet, he couldn't stop staring at the flame-covered feathers.
Their wingspan was smaller than normal, only a few inches past Marco’s fingers unlike their grand appearance. They also fluffier, as if the feathers had not exactly come in just yet. A baby bird that is only just then growing out of its fluff. Ace knew he was right too, as a blush had consumed the blonde's smooth face.
“No they aren't!” With one last indignant yell he flew away, disappearing high within the sky, and leaving behind his brothers who so desperately wished they could go with him.
To say Ace found the whole situation to be funny was an understatement. It was absolutely hilarious! Being taller than the-once-older commanders gave him a thrill that nothing else prior had.
“Hey! Hands off!” Before the young man could even think he found himself once again planting his hand on top of one of the shorter teen’s heads. A snicker caught within his throat at the sight of Thatch desperately trying to shake him off.
Maybe it was the big brother inside of him, or it could be because they would be similar ages to Luffy, but it just felt natural to mess with them. There was a chance Ace would regret this, but he was willing to take that risk.
Little brothers were little brothers after all. Even if they used to be his older brothers.