on muse's bounty being released

[hiken_ace]

Yep, you heard right, mun. 550 million. Pretty damn impressive, huh? I got quite a reputation back home. [ACE GODDAMN, I LOVE YOU. And he lauuuuughs.]

Glad you like it! It's pretty frickin' great!

Comments

[hiken_ace]

[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!

[sailedfirst]

[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!

[hiken_ace]

[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.]

[sailedfirst]

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.

[hiken_ace]

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.

[sailedfirst]

[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!

[hiken_ace]

[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!

[sailedfirst]

[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!

[hiken_ace]

[... 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!

[sailedfirst]

[GASP oh you did not just say that! ]

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

[hiken_ace]

[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.]

[sailedfirst]

[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!!!

[hiken_ace]

[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.

[sailedfirst]

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!

[hiken_ace]

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

[Are we surprised? No.]

[sailedfirst]

[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.

[hiken_ace]

[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.

[sailedfirst]

[... >[ 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?

[hiken_ace]

[....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.

[sailedfirst]

[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?

[hiken_ace]

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.

[sailedfirst]

W-Well, no... But at least tell me you taught him how to sail! He'd have taken a rowboat just because it floats, y'know!

Like we're not used to crazy crap. [Crosses arms.] Tell me.

[hiken_ace]

[CAN I HEADCANON AND SAY HE DID AT LEAST THAT MUCH okay...] Of course I did! He'd drown if I did.

[ghhhhhhhk--] Exactly. We're used to it, so it's fine.

[sailedfirst]

[Can you hear his sigh of relief? CAN YOU?] Maaan, I just hope he actually listened. Can't imagine a Devil Fruit user in a tiny rowboat in the middle of the sea...

... [He's waiting, bro. B[ ]

[hiken_ace]

[......cough.] It's fine if you're careful.

[SHUT UP.]