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No one promised Ace that it would be easy. No, not even like that. Everyone said it would be difficult, and it really was. The radio station was supposed to be closed six months ago, because all employees suddenly left it, but Ace, having heard about it on the news, found the director, ran around all the thresholds of the administration and managed to get his way.
It wasn't that Ace wanted to prevent the construction of a new store on the site of the old radio station. (Yes, there were already a lot of them in their small town, but Ace didn't care much about the economy at all as long as he was able to pay for utilities and buy himself food). Ace just didn't want to say goodbye to the radio wave.
Because on this wave he heard his first favorite tracks. Listening to this radio, Ace rode his bike to school every day. He fell asleep with this radio and woke up, turning it on.
His name wouldn't be Portgas D Ace if he hadn't won back his radio wave from the greedy capitalists!
And now it's been two months since the day Ace put on his headphones for the first time, turned on the microphone button and wished his sleepy town a good morning. He liked it.
To be honest, he didn't understand much about this business, but he had friends and acquaintances who helped with equipment and technology, so Ace was only required to hammer tracks into the program, update the backup playlist (in case the program goes down) and, his favorite part, go on the air.
And today, on the occasion of his two-month anniversary, Ace decided to surprise the listeners. Now it will also be on the air at midnight! Not for long, just for a couple of minutes, but that's something too. He knew that the radio is listened to mostly on the road. And he knew that there was nothing worse than no long-term conversation. Therefore, radio listeners will have the opportunity to call him at night and chat.
Ace will be as much as they need him.
Throwing both legs on the table, Ace sang a song in pencil, which was now spinning on the air. For the second time this morning, by the way.
“Yes, dammit!” He said, already into the microphone, when the song ended again. “The first line of the top chart is already the fifth day, this is the personal record of the artist. Oops, the call!” Ace sat in the chair evenly and leaned his forearms on the table, concentrating. “Hello, you're on the air!”
“Hi! This is Luffy.”
“Oh, hi, Luffy. You're late today.”
“Well, because I'm late,” Luffy laughed.
“Wanna order a song?”
“The same one just was.”
Ace rolled his eyes. They have already discussed it.
“No, Luffy, I can't play the same song all day just because you want to listen it again.”
Luffy began to beg, but Ace, already used to calling several times a day in two months and asking to turn on the same song, dropped the call. And a second later he picked up the phone again.
“You're on the air!”
“Good morning. This is Sanji.”
“Hi, Sanji,” Ace smiled broadly. Usually only Luffy called him in the morning, and they chatted for a minute or two, but now another guy called, whom Ace vaguely remembers. He's definitely Luffy's friend. “How are you today?”
“Great. The weather is just a miracle.”
“That's for sure, the weather will be mild and sunny all day today. Finally, summer has come here. What are you doing, Sanji?”
“Right now I have my hands up to my elbows in the test, because I'm trying to correct the misunderstanding of one of the cooks who just quit.”
Sanji grins, and Ace wants to grin too, but he should broadcast not as a chill guy, but as a DJ who knows what he's doing.
“Oh, that's unpleasant. Someone's morning was obviously not good. Let's wish the guy good luck at his new workplace.” Ace cleared his throat, noticing that they had been chatting senselessly for more than a minute. “So, Sanji, do you want to order a song? Or maybe you want to say hello to someone?”
“I say hello to my beautiful friends Nami, Robin and Vivi. Good morning to all wonderful ladies!”
Ace laughed silently. Such a funny guy.
Sanji turned off, and Ace left the air, letting the same tracks that were now playing on the federal radio spin. Now, while he had a little time, he could go and have breakfast, because the sun had already risen, and his stomach was just as empty. But it was impossible to leave for a long time.
Deciding that until lunch he would have to limit himself only to coffee, Ace took his favorite cowboy hat from the table, without which he did not go outside, and wandered to the nearest coffee shop.
They recently opened, they didn't even have time to remove the ads yet. Judging by the sign, the coffee shop opened only after fifteen minutes, but Ace pushed the door, and it gave way. Maybe if he asks politely, they'll pour him his coffee?
“Hi,” Ace came in and turned to the empty counter, “is there anyone at home?”
He looked around the place. It was made in retro style, which added stars to it. Ace found the radio receiver on the rack and immediately set up the necessary wave.
A couple of minutes later, a guy with two heavy boxes came out from behind the far door. He was humming something under his nose, and Ace heard the song from the chart often enough to recognize it flawlessly.
“Hello,” he repeated.
The guy fell silent and turned sideways to see Ace from behind the boxes.
“We are closed.”
Ace missed it. He jumped closer to the guy and took the top box.
“Need some help?”
“Ah.” The guy blinted. “No. But you can put it there. Thank you.”
When his hands were free, Ace was able to see the guy in front of him. He was thin and held on somehow uncertainly. But, damn, he had such beautiful blond hair and huge eyes that Ace involuntarily admired it. It only made another guy uncomfortable.
“The receptionist comes only in the afternoon,” the guy suddenly said to say something.
Ace remembered where he was and why.
“What?”
“Did you come according to the announcement? We need such strong guys.”
At first he smiled and waved his hand at Ace's body, but, as if only now noticing that his shirt was open, and his shorts were deliberately lowered low, suddenly stumbled, got red and turned away. It amused Ace.
“No,” he said, straightening up (and deliberately showing off his uncovered tits). “I came for coffee.”
“Then I'm sorry, we're still closed.”
“But the coffee machine works.”
A cute blond guy with big eyes looked at Ace with a very talking look.
“Listen, there is a coffee shop in a couple of streets here, which has already opened.”
Ace knows, he was going there first, but this coffee shop turned out to be closer, and he wanted to try it.
“Will you go there to pour me coffee?” Ace asked, quite seriously.
“No,” the blond replied half-questioningly.
“Then we won't agree. I want coffee from you.”
He winked, knowing that it looked good. And he wasn't wrong, judging by the fact that the guy turned pink again and turned away. He muttered «Okay-but-just-to-give-me-to-prepare-a-coffee-shop-for-opening» and stood near the coffee machine, wondering what kind of coffee the early guest prefers.
Ace was about to ask something else when the blond turned around.
“What's your name?” He asked.
“You can choose me name yourself.” Ace was carried away. He found the guy behind the counter attractive, so he flirted with him so shamelessly and inappropriately.
“I can, but it's a personal cup, so..”
“Oh.”
Dumbass, he didn't try to get acquainted. He asked for the name for the fucking cup.
“Write to Ace. My name is Ace.”
All Ace's confidence in today has dissipated, having disappeared without a trace. The blond, grinning, put a glass of coffee in front of him, and when Ace opened the lid and inhaled the fragrance, his stomach grumbled treacherously.
Forget it. That's when Ace lost confidence not only in the day, but also in his fucking luck. He blushing, put his hand in his pocket, taking out money to pay, while the guy behind the counter laughed at him, and although the sound of his laughter was beautiful, Ace was still ashamed.
“Take it,” Ace looked up and saw the cupcake. “A compliment from the place.” The blond winked, and Ace felt them change roles. And it was unfair, because Ace was not used to changing roles.
He nodded blankly, muttered an embarrassed «Thank you» and ran away with the firm intention of never appearing in this coffee shop again.
***
The whole day and night broadcast were great! Ace was called by different people: who tried to have fun on the road, who asked to say hello (Sanji called again), who argued with friends (Zoro, a best friend and maybe Luffy's boyfriend, called twice), who asked to order a song.
Ace managed to forget about his fiasco, which faded against the background of a good day. Maybe if it's always like this, the radio wave won't be closed. Oh, that would be wonderful.
After saying goodbye to the listeners, Ace left the air, leaving calm music in the program. He himself stuck in a book, the name of which he didn't even know — it was shoved to him by some old man behind a handful of belly. And Ace, it seems, just liked the old things.
The book literally smelled of history. Ace, rather looking at it rather than reading it, thought far away and didn't notice how he fell asleep.
But he definitely noticed when he woke up. Someone was calling persistently.
“Good morning!” Ace shouted, seeing the time. “You're on the air!”
“Oh,” someone laughed there, “and I was already scared that no one was home.”
“I'm always at home,” Ace cleared his throat, scrolling through the notifications on the phone with his left hand.
Luffy probably called a thousand times. Ace doesn't even need to listen to voicemail to understand that he asked to turn on his favorite song.
In general, any song that got into the chart became Luffy's favorite. So he changed the favorite every week, if not the day.
“I called only because no one else called. It's time to cheer up, don't you think, Ace?”
Ace nodded, and then, realizing that he was not visible, agreed out loud:
“Yes, you're right. Do you have any wishes?”
But the guy turned off. Too bad. Ace didn't even have time to ask his name.
Call.
“Good morning, you're on the air!”
“It's Luffy! Please turn on my song finally!”
Ace laughed.
“It will be done!”
And so slowly passed another day. For lunch, Ace ordered a huge pile of food, happily stretching it out until the night. The radio called no less often than yesterday. Ace was pleasantly surprised when people he didn't know called. For example, he met a doctor today, who politely asked him not to turn on Luffy's favorite song anymore.
“I swear to God, if I hear this song again, I'll come and burn this fucking radio station!”
Immediately after that, Luffy called and quarreled with himself, interrupted by a plea to repeat the song. As a result, until Zoro intervened in the dispute, Luffy did not calm down.
Finally, Ace, seeing on the watch that it was time to go on the air, adjusted the headphones and yawned before setting up the microphone.
“Yes, it was a great day. Good night everyone, friends. It's exactly midnight, and your faithful servant Ace is with you again. I remind you that any of you can call to order a song, say hello or just chat with me while you are busy with your business.”
But time dragged on, and no one called. Ace turned on a calm song so as not to stress anyone, and began to quietly peck his nose.
Call.
“Good night! You're on the air.”
“Hello to everyone who is at home.”
Ace blurted into a smile.
“Morning guy,” he shouted at him. “Will you introduce yourself?”
“I was waiting for you to ask my name,” he reproached. “I'm Sabo.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ace replied vividly, rejoicing at the opportunity to chat. “What are you doing, Sabo?”
“I'm going home.”
“A long working day?”
“Just crazy,” Sabo's voice ooes with a smile. “Well, definitely not as cheerful as yours.”
“You have to choose a job wisely,” said Ace with the appearance of an coheist.
It's like he's been dreaming of a temporary job at a radio station all his life, which will be closed sooner or later.
“That's for sure. What's not a dream job to turn on music every day for this funny guy? How is he..?”
“Are you talking about Luffy?” Ace's mood rises because he likes to talk about Luffy.
“Yes, exactly, about him.”
“He's cool.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
“Luffy,” Ace is not sure if he hears them, but he still talks. “If you're here, know that Sabo and I are your fans now.”
There is a long silence, and Ace even checks several times to see if Sabo has turned off. But no, it didn't turn off. As if I was waiting for Ace to speak first.
“I've already reached home,” said Sabo suddenly, five more minutes later.
It's like he said, «Well, that's it, thank you for taking a breath with me, and now bye.»
“Okay.”
“Hey, Ace,” called Sabo just the second when Ace wanted to turn him off. “Do you think anyone was listening to us?”
Ace laughed.
“I don't think so.”
“I think so too,” Sabo giggled there. “Good night, Ace.”
“Good night, Sabo.”
The line breaks off, and Ace sits for a few more minutes with a stupid smile on his face before leaving the air. He's going home too, going to come early tomorrow.
***
And although there are so many calls throughout the day that Ace spends more time on the air than music plays, he still waits for Sabo to call. Ace honestly doesn't understand what happened that strangers were so interested in the old radio wave, which no one remembered recently, but he certainly wasn't going to complain about it.
All day he chatted with someone, asked how they were doing, asked to share stories from their lifes. In general, he had fun. And he remembered Sabo again.
And Ace didn't even try to hide his joy when exactly at midnight a small red light came on, warning of an incoming call.
“Hello to everyone who is at home.”
“I was waiting for your call.”
There was an awkward silence, and Ace was afraid that he had confused Sabo with his offer, but, fortunately, the guy turned out to be one of the impenetrable.
“I wanted to torture you.”
They both laugh about it, and then, unexpectedly for both of them, a friendly dialogue starts between them. They discuss all Luffy's funny phrases, discuss old books, music, movies, talk about the economy. Ace doesn't even understand what exactly is flying out of his mouth, he just says everything, but Sabo supports his every topic, and it seems incredibly funny.
But then Sabo says again that he has already reached home. They wish each other peaceful dreams and say goodbye.
And now Ace is waiting for Sabo's call not during the day. He waits for him at night.
***
Night "bells" of Ace and Sabo have been going on for more than a week. Judging by the fact that no one mentions these night conversations during the day, no one really listens to Ace and Sabo at night, and it's a little calming.
And, although Ace began to sleep worse and knocked down his regime a little, he liked to chat with Sabo. He had no idea what the guy looked like, but he had a beautiful and pleasant voice, he could talk to Ace as if they had known each other for several years. And maybe just a little bit, Ace liked it when Sabo flirted with him. Just a little bit.
Therefore, Ace decides to prepare for the next night call and buy coffee at the nearest coffee shop. The episode with a rumbling stomach was completely erased from his memory — all Ace remembered was a cute guy who made him coffee. Although not at the moment, Ace didn't care much about it. There was only a place for Sabo in his head. He knew it wasn't for long, so he didn't even worry much. It is unlikely that they will ever see each other at all.
The light in the coffee shop was no longer on. Ace pushed the door and it opened. Is this coffee shop working for sure, or can Ace really never get into her working hours?
“Au?” He calls, and that handsome blond man grows out from under the rack. “Oh, hello.”
“We are already closed,” he announces.
“But you won't refuse a cup of coffee for good old Ace, will you?”
The blond smiles and shakes his head, but waves his hand at the bar stool.
“Do you like last time?”
“Yeah.”
And they don't talk anymore. Ace listens and notices that the music he uploaded to the program today is quietly coming from somewhere.
“What sound is that?” He asks as if inadvert.
As if he didn't tune his radio wave first.
“It's a radio,” answers the blond, not distracting from the coffee.
Ace grins. Well, there is at least one night listener, except for Sabo. Unless, of course, he turns off the radio until Ace and Sabo start their conversations about everything in the world.
A glass of coffee and a cupcake grow in front of Ace.
“A compliment from the place again?” Ace smiles.
“No. This time you'll have to pay for it,” Sabo smiles just as slyly.
Ace, contrary to his original plan, stays to drink coffee here, with a pretty blond. He doesn't prevent the guy from working and closing the coffee shop, and, taking advantage of the moment when he can't see, Ace slips out, leaving a tip on the counter.
When Sabo calls, Ace feels a bit of a traitor, and he really doesn't understand why. After all, his sympathy for Sabo should not forbid him to look at other people and think that they are damn beautiful.
It shouldn’t, should it?
***
Ace decided that it shouldn't, so every evening for a month, before the night broadcast, he went to the blond's coffee shop, took coffee and came back to wait for Sabo's call. He no longer stayed in the coffee shop to chat, he just threw on duty phrases with the bartender, because to consider someone objectively handsome and flirt with him, knowing that in a few minutes you have to and want to flirt with another guy — it's a little difficult and unfair.
During this month, Ace's desire to get to know Sabo better has strengthened. He just didn't know how to ask about it, because he was still on the radio, and didn't really call the guy he likes.
And because of lack of sleep, Ace felt a little lost. As if he was missing something. And Sabo, on the contrary, communicated as if he knew a little more than Ace. Some missing puzzle.
And one day the gears in Ace's head spun. With a loud sound, of course, but they spun.
Sabo didn't call that night, and Ace, to be honest, was a little worried. He sat on the air for two hours, but eventually gave up, finished the rest of the coffee and turned on the music. And when he threw the cup into the urn, he noticed something.
His personal cup. In addition to the name "Ace", "Sabo" was also written.
Ace frowned. He dummed other cups, and they all turned out to be the same.
Okay, it was very creepy. He had already thought that someone might hear their conversations with Sabo, but it seemed to him that no one would be interested in really listening to them, but the guy from the coffee shop turned out to be a weirdo. Ace decided that his leg would no longer be in that coffee shop, and that's it.
In the morning everything was as before. Ace was called again a bunch of times. And, as always, none of them was Sabo.
Luffy has a new favorite song. Trafalgar — that's what, it turns out, called the doctor with an allergy to everything energetic — has a new hateful song. Sanji kept calling only to wish all the beautiful ladies a good day. Ace continued to respond to everyone kindly, but he thought a lot about Sabo and really hoped that he would call at least that night.
And he, fortunately, called.
“Where did you go yesterday?”
“I fell asleep,” Sabo laughed. “I'm sorry.”
Ace fell like an anchor from his soul.
“Everything is fine, I'm getting sleepy too. But I usually drink coffee, and everything comes back to normal.”
“Oh, don't tell me about coffee!” Sabo moaned pitifully. “I'm already sick of it!”
Ace laughed thoughtfully:
“What? Why?”
“I work in a coffee shop and all day I only have time to make coffee for someone. Not at all the dream job we talked about.”
Ace is silent. Why the hell is he so stupid?
Everything is finally in place.
“Sabo, you.. Do you work in a coffee shop?” His voice sounds quiet and disappointed.
Sabo is starting to laugh hysterically.
“Did it finally reach you?”
Ace, offended, drops the bell and throws his feet on the table. How could he not understand? Damn Sabo!
And he's handsome, you could say Ace was lucky.
Damn Sabo!
Call.
“Good night,” Ace grumbles. “You're on the air.”
“What just happened?” Luffy asks. Ace will recognize his voice out of a thousand. “Zoro and I have been listening to your chatter for more than a month, and now everything is so incomprehensible?”
Ace slaps himself on the forehead.
Tomorrow he will return to this damn coffee shop again, but only this time he will pour Sabo coffee on his head.
***
***
1) It turned out that the sudden interest in Ace's radio wave appeared precisely because of the Sabo’s coffee shop. He specially suggested the visitors to call.
2) Upon learning about it, Ace again felt that he was gaving his way at the helm to Sabo. On the same day, he, deciding to regain his authority, kissed Sabo. (Sabo seized the initiative, so Ace's plan failed).