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Nobody expected Luffy to have a big brother.
It was clear, in the way all the crewmates gaped at him, how all of them darted their eyes between Ace and Luffy, incredulous and questioning.
It made Ace grin.
He couldn't stay long, he knew; Blackbeard was out and about, and Ace felt the fervor of revenge burning below his skin. Besides that, this was Luffy's adventure. He wouldn't intrude on his little brother's taste of freedom.
But he decided that it wouldn't be so bad to check on them, thought, if only for a little bit. He wanted to get to know this crew, these people his brother picked.
Yasopp's son, Ace noted, was the perfect fuel to Luffy's fire; they pranked around the ship, laughed and enjoyed life on the sea. A good sniper, but he'd definitely need to train to do any damage in the grand line.
A tiny reindeer doctor, and God, how Ace wanted Marco to have come with him. He was sure both would love to talk, and Ace felt his heart warm at how Luffy carried the doctor around, much like he had carried Luffy once.
The cat burglar was amusing, tempered just like Dadan, but Ace could see how she acted with Luffy. Friends, certainly, and would become more, if given time. Smart, and cunning, and that was good. Luffy was too naive; Ace felt grateful there was someone looking out for the dangers the crew could face.
The Princess, Ace knew, wouldn't stay. It was clear to him, how she lapsed in thought, looking at the horizon. How all of them skirted around the topic of what they'd do after, when she couldn't go on with them.
(Ace sat down by the crow's nest with Luffy, looking at the sun diving below the waves. She's crew, Luffy said, and well. Ace knew better than to contradict his little brother.)
The other two, thought...
They were, Ace knew immediately, the ones Luffy would look up to more. Not because he valued them more, no. But because they were frontline fighters, the ones who would follow Luffy right into the throes of danger.
The cook was devoted, looked at Luffy like he had hung the moon and stars, like he wasn't sure why he was given this chance but was desperate not to ruin it.
The samurai, however, was steady as stone, a landing platform that Luffy was sure would be there to pick him up if need be. Loyal, and fiercely at that.
He made them spar with him, one day, while the others were out. He needed to show them that they had so, so much more to learn. That their goal needed much more dedication and drive than what they had at the moment.
He wiped the floor with them, of course. Three rookies against a pirate who sailed alone through the New World? Not a chance. Ace grinned when they looked at him with fire in their eyes, motivation to succeed and better themselves shining through grins and looks of certainty. They'd do fine.
(They also looked at each other, Ace noted, a challenge and an invitation all in one. The samurai grinned, wild and clawed, and the cook raised a questioning eyebrow, taunting.
Then the samurai lifted his shirt to wipe his sweat, Ace saw a familiar kanabo and a chef's knife, and felt his brain empty.
Oh. Oh, he knew that mark.)
It wasn't until the last night he was staying at the ship that the cook cornered him, and well. He and Marco had an open relationship, and Ace did like blonds. One night of fun, he told himself, and one night to do something about the knowledge simmering in his stomach.
(Because.
Ace loved Yamato.
He left Wano, but Yamato was the first person who he could connect with, who knew what being the son of a monster was like. He was like him, in so many more ways than Ace had ever expected.
Yamato had a destiny, however. His island, his home, his dream. Yamato never mentioned his soulmark, shrugged when Ace questioned him. They'll come when they come. I have more important things to care about, he'd said. Ace wouldn't get in the way of that, but...
Surely it would be fine, if Ace just jump-started the process of making sure Yamato's soulmates accepted him, right?)
He slept with Sanji. Ignored the flustered flailing and answered all the questions he had, discussed how he felt about his body, talked about the surgery he'd made Deuce perform as soon as he was on the sea, and that later Marco touched up on. He wasn't sure Sanji was 100% convinced about the subject, but he didn't treat Ace like a woman next morning, and that was a win on his book.
When he woke up, he went to sit down by Zoro's side. Told stories about his crew, about how much chaos the soulmate trio of Marco-Izou-Thatch put the crew through. Talked about the dangers of the new world. About how the challenges ahead weren't solely dependent on strength, but on willpower.
Nothing that would be suspicious, he thought, but... Zoro was looking at him weird, and if he kept that up Luffy would see it. He was glad, thought. Zoro was the perceptive sort, and both Yamato and Luffy would need it.
He shook his head, smiled. A real smile, a little sad around the edges, and thumped a fist over Zoro's heart, right where the mark rested, ignoring the other's startled stare.
"Get stronger. I know someone is waiting for you in the New World."