dear_mun | on muse's bounty being released

I-I'm sorry... I'm so, so so sorry.

[This is killing him. He can't take it, he never wanted Sabo to die, he never should've gotten that! He should have sailed away. Ace is filled with a mix of emotions. Sadness for his pain, extreme anger at the people who took his brother's freedom away, and helplessness for not being able to do a damn thing about it.

But when Sabo cries that he doesn't want to die, Ace just loses it. And really can't stop the tears, no matter what he does. He just hugs and clings back to Sabo to keep him close, almost trying to prevent anything else from hurting him.] It's not FAIR! Goddammit, it's not fair at all! We didn't want you to die, but those shithead tenryuubito... I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

[Sorry, Ace. Sabo can't hear you over his own grief and hopelessness. He just curls up against his brother's chest and cries hard.

He's going to die. He's sailing right to his death. It's not actually the dying that crushes Sabo's heart. No, dying's part of the danger of setting out to the sea, Sabo knows that. It's the fact that he was actually free. He's finally free, to live and die on his own terms, and then it's snatched from him. He isn't even that far from High Town! There's so much he wants to do, so many plans for the future. And now it's gone, just like that? Without even doing a single thing, without even a chance to fight?

...He'll never see his brothers again. They are his greatest treasure, the most important people in his life. That he won't see them again pains him the most out of everything this horrible future paints for him.

He's going to die.]

[Ace isn't sure he can take this. He's never seen Sabo, who has always been so strong and so determined, just crumble like this. It's like a punch right in the gut, and he feels like it's his fault. For a lot of things. Dying in front of Luffy and breaking his promise, leaving all of his brothers and Pops so selfishly, and now shattering the little sliver of hope one of his most treasured brothers ever had. Even if Sabo came to Luceti and got extra time, the ocean was too small to really give him the freedom he wanted. He would still be trapped in a cage, like when he was a noble. It wasn't fucking fair! It's like fate kept taking every chance Sabo had at getting what he deserved.

He held Sabo closer, trying to do anything he could to just comfort him, in whatever way he could.]

Dammit, Sabo... I'd give the world if I could! I'd make you an ocean to sail on! I'd beat the shit out of anyone who tried to stop you! [So why couldn't he before?] Pl-please don't quit. You're alive now, you can see me and Luffy now, you can still live! There's gotta be some place around here with an ocean! And if not, we'll make one! Or force someone to make a game that will! I swear, I'm not gonna stop looking! [Does he sound desperate? Because he is.]

[It's only when Ace pulls him closer that Sabo remembers where exactly he is and who he's with. Ace. Despite the odds, he's here with his brother. Seeing how much Ace had grown, hearing about Luffy's adventures, actually seeing them alive and happy... things now lost to him forever back in their world. Somehow, through all the grief and fear he's feeling (would never stop feeling, if he's honest), Sabo recognizes it for what it is: a small mercy. One that he swears now he won't waste, especially if it is really nothing but borrowed time.

And besides, he hates that anguish and desperation he sees in Ace. Like this is somehow his fault and his responsibility to fix. Sabo might be powerless against dying, but knocking common sense back into a stubborn brother's head is something he could do. The least he could, if Sabo really caused this much grief to his brothers.

It's far from a comforting thought, but it's enough to make Sabo take a shuddering breath and squeeze his eyes shut to quell the tears. It takes a number of tries (because you don't get over your inevitable death that easily) but when he finally looks up, Ace might now glimpse that familiar brother he grew up with.]

H-huh, who's quitting, idiot? I'm here... aren't I? Like hell I'm going to pass up this second chance. [If his bravado's sometimes broken by sobs he couldn't yet stop, ignore it. He needs to get this out, for his stupid idiot bro.] ...This isn't your fault, Ace. You don't have to take the responsibility for this.

[Ace tries to stop his own tears, with little success, though. But when Sabo looks up and confirms what Ace wanted to hear, he just can't help but smile through the tears. This is the brother he knows, loves, remembers from their childhood. He gives Sabo one last tight squeeze before setting him down and wiping away his tears.]

Damn right you are. I'm gonna make your mun put you in Luceti or the Thor. [His face dims a bit, though, when he brings up the point of fault.] I know... but shit, you deserved so much more!

[Is that a smile? Oh, it is. Looks like Ace's finally dropping that stupid expression Sabo never wants to see again. And because Sabo has always drawn strength from his brothers, Ace's smile bolsters his determination to make the most from this second chance.]

I'll go to both if I had my way. You have Luffy with you in those places, right? [Sabo blinks at that last line. Then knocks a fist to Ace's head.] That still doesn't make it your fault, stupid! ...Besides, just who the hell decides what we deserve in life? It's what we do while we're alive that's important, right?! And I'm a pirate before dying. I'm free, a-and I'm here... [He's shaking again, fists clenched tightly on his sides, fighting hard against the new wave of grief. He won't break down again, he won't!] I-It's one damn small comfort but it's enough. I can move past this!

[He nods, his face getting brighter.] Mn, and some of his nakama, too.

[The punch didn't hurt because hah, logia, but he does pout a little.] I'm not deciding you deserve more, I'm just saying I think you do!

[When he sees him shaking again, he shoves that hat over his eyes to let him save a little face.] Damn right you will. I'l be here with you every step of the way. I'm not gonna let you go it alone ever again. [Brothers stick together, and he is going to do this no matter what.]

Good! Then I'll meet them too. But for now I just... I want to be with you and Luffy. There's nothing else I want more--

[Almost as soon as the brim covers his eyes, the tears streak down his cheeks. He's far from being okay, and he's never going to be. But to hell with it! Sabo's got his brothers here.

Everything's going to be fine.] Heh, when and how did you become this mushy? Hahaha, well that's one other thing I'd regret not seeing.

We can give you that much, Sabo. I promise. [Because Ace has been stellar with promises lately. He can see those tears falling, and turns away to let him cry in peace. Pops was right. It's okay to show emotion, but sometimes it's better to hide it a little.

He smiles a little, and chuckles a bit.] Because I'm damn happy to see you, no shit. You can see a ton more when you get to Luceti. My mun told me your mun's bringing you there.

[Ok, wiping all that tears and snot from his face now. Sheesh, crying's always a messy business. He's fine, he's going to be. Finally with another deep breath and a push of his hat, that familiar gap-toothed grin is back on his face.]

I'm glad to see you too, you shitty bastard!

Don't try to mother me so much if I get there, alright? I know I'm so much weaker than you and even Luffy now, but dammit, I'm going to get stronger! More and more until I can bring our scores closer again!

[And then he just BURSTS into laughter. Because this is how Sabo is supposed to be. Cheerful, encouraging, upbeat, and such a rude asshole.]

Same to you, you little shithead!

Ooooooi, I haven't seen you in over ten years, I'm not mothering you. Just catching up. [SHIT EATING GRIN NOW.] Oh, damn right you are! Hurry and catch up, we're waiting!

[Laughing along because holy crap, that joy is infectious and just punches the sad in him in the face.]

That's good. You better not go easy on me just because I'm a kid, or I'll kick your damn ass, logia or not!

[... he can keep a straight face. Totally can, he's A-- NOPE, CAN'T DO IT, HE KEEPS LAUGHING.]

Damn, you sound just like Luffy! You guys sure want to kick my ass, huh? Too bad you can't!

[GASP oh you did not just say that! ]

WHAT?!! I DO NOT, YOU ASSHOLE!! [attempting that ass-kicking right now.]

[PFFFFFHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH OKAY. THIS. THIS IS GOOD. He'll let Sabo get a few kicks/punches in, he picks him up by the back of his coat.]

Suuuuuure you don't. [Sabo, kick him. KICK HIM.]

[YOU ARE HORRIBLE, ACE. HORRIBLE hdu use height advantage on him?!

Sabo's still flailing hard while hanging there, still trying to get a kick and punch in. But uguuu, short legs... ;;]

HEY! PUT ME DOWN YOU PIECE OF SHIT! THIS ISN'T FAIR!!!

[After a bit more laughing, he finally puts him down, but he can't seem to stop smiling or laughing.]

Hah... you sound so much like Luffy it's not even funny.

Tch! That doesn't mean you have to treat me like him! [Aiming a kick at Ace's shin one last time before huffing. But then there's a smile creeping on his face. The next moment, he's bursting out laughing too.]

Man, this is crazy! I can't believe I'm the youngest now!

Heheheh. Yeah, but you know? [Leans in to whisper.] You're still more mature than him.

[Are we surprised? No.]

[Sabo blinks as he listens. Then he snorts and shoves Ace playfully.] That's not surprising. Does he even know what that word means?!

[Speaking of maturity, this is when Sabo's logic kicks in.] Ah, but damn. I sure hope it wouldn't take me ten years to catch up with you two. This second chance's good, but I don't think any of us has that long in this place.

[He chuckles, and shoves Sabo's because he can.] Doubt it. A lot.

[Aaaah, dammit bro, you gotta bring that up? He lets out a sigh.] Oi. Anytime you get is time with us, okay? I'd like to think that's enough. Besides, maybe something will happen to give you a few extra years.

[... >[ shoves back.] Well yeah, he has you teaching him. No wonder.

That's true, I guess... But I don't want to be always this weak. Even you wouldn't if you're in my place. [Frowns.] What do you mean, something will happen?

[....SHOBES BACK!] Oooooooi, cheap shot.

Aah, I get what you mean. We'll help you get stronger. There's a place to train there. [Here he gets... hesitant.] Well, uh... they can make people de-age. So I think aging people isn't too far off.

[SHOVES.] What, it's true!

...That's possible? Huh, weird place. [Don't mind him trailing off, just picturing the possibilities. And liking it very much.] Hey, that's a good thing, right? Why're you looking like that for?

You do remember where we grew up, right? You think maturity was high on the list then?

"Weird" is putting it lightly. [dnglng slightly flustered.] Nothing. Just crazy crap.

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