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"It's been a long time since I've used these..." you carefully adjusted the origami flower in your hair, resisting the urge to fidget any more "... I'll get used to it"

Throwing on your ever-reliable oversized hoodie and leggings, you skipped down the stairs. Sunlight poured through your kitchen windows as the sound of your stoves being set aflame was like music to your ears.

"Today is a day for pancakes" you concluded

Like clockwork, you prepared the required ingredients for your designated dish and got started on making the batter. But by all means, this did not hinder you in multitasking and preparing a fresh fruit salad, eggs and meat.

'Can she do it? Can she flip another perfect pancake?' you narrated as you lined yourself up for the spectacle, 'And here she goes...'

"You changed your hair!" An unexpected voice commented.

"AAGH!" You screamed flinging the pancake in the air, yet again. "Watch out!"

The half-dressed raven chuckled as he caught the pancake in his mouth and proceeded to eat.

"Morfnin'!" Ace grinned with half a pancake.

'Was that even cooked properly?' You gave a concerned look 'oh well he's a man of flames, he'll work something out'

"Please don't sneak up on me like that, it's not good for my heart!" you chided "And you shouldn't have eaten that, there were good ones on the side"

Amid your worry, Ace had somehow found his way to your person. Perching his head on your shoulder and arms fastened around your waist, he continued to chew on his morning snack whilst focusing on waking up. It felt a lot like your previous mornings with Ace, and it made you feel warm and fuzzy inside to know that even with all the time and distance, nothing had changed between you.

"Good morning to you too" you finally leaned into his embrace, something he acknowledged with a low hum.

Pouring the aromatic sticky batter into the pan, you had no issue in

"You changed the colours" Ace repeated.

Ace was referring to the flowers in your hair. At the forefront of your crown, your vivre flower sat proudly, and the vibrant blue flowers were still there, but they were no longer just blue. Instead, they were accompanied by a different selection of red and yellow flowers. It was like the one you used to wear back when you were kids, living together in an abundance of fun and chaos... Carefree... Free...

You spun round to face him in his arms, but when you came face to face with a large bare chest you were stunned into the only natural response.

'I only have one chance...' you reported 'I must make it count'

Reaching your arms around and bringing them back together again to meet at his waist.

... You began to button up his shirt...

'My school for the shirtless has hope!'

Carefully fiddling between fabric and buttons, you spoke calmly as your mind celebrated your new victory of maintaining Ace's dignity within your proximity. Your fingers would occasionally brush against his skin as you forced the buttons through the hole and worked your way up.

"I thought that since Sabo is alive then maybe I should change up the flowers to what they used to be. Of course, Sabo still holds a special place in my heart but he was never the only one who had my back, right?"

"Is it too much?" you whispered cautiously

You hesitated around his the second to last button as you contemplated the idea. Ace, on the other hand, just couldn't seem to meet your eyes.

"Ace?... Say something at least" you laughed nervously.

And he looked at you, and let the words just tumble out.

"...I love you..."

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For context, before your question, Ace had been slightly preoccupied with your little buttoning-up attempt. Unbeknownst to you, a few wisps of hair had caught on fire, and ever since, he was desperately trying to calm himself down to dampen the flames. Only when you'd asked your question, did the last flame fizzle out allowing him to straighten up and peek down at you.

And you were a sight to see. The flowers adorning your head only served as a visual aid for the halo that belonged there. From the warmth in your eyes to the comforting touch of your fingertips, your presence was both a blessing and a curse that Ace couldn't resist. He was completely enamoured, and he knew it. From the small glances he stole in these moments to indulging himself in the thought of you daily, he could only ever envision a future with you. Something he could only dare to make a reality.

So when he heard the question 'is it too much?' he translated to 'am I too much?' to which his only response was l, 'how could that be possible if I...'

"Ace?... Say something at least" you laughed nervously.

'...I love you...'

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"Huh?" you blinked.

"I love it" he smiled, his voice now carrying a strong sense of nostalgia. "Seeing you like this, I missed it"

You gave him a bewildered look full of doubt. His nostalgic expression somehow guiding you away from his minor slip of the tongue.

"It looks good on you, really good!" he insisted. "Beautiful actually! Don't change it!"

"O-Okay, I get it, You can stop now!" Your face burned from embarrassment.

But it wasn't only the compliments; the fact that you'd misheard him completely and made up something so unbelievable in your head...

"Somethings burning" Ace stated calmly.

"AH! THE PANCAKES!" You screeched as you raced to turn off the stove which had claimed your pancake as a sweet sacrifice "That's the second one to go bad"

'What did I do to offend you pancake lord?' you whimpered

Whilst you were grieving over the loss of your fallen soldier, Ace just shrugged and promptly undid the buttons on his shirt.

"You're so dramatic" Ace sighed, reaching over your head and grabbing the fried pancake and shoving it in his mouth "It'f juft a wittle burmft"

As if you'd just witnessed the world imploding in on itself, you gawked at him in complete horror as you watched him chew on your sorry excuse of a pancake.

'After travelling out on the boundless and unforgiving sea, the one thing most people crave is a good home-cooked meal! BUT I - a self-proclaimed master baker and ideal housewife - HAVE FAILED!' Your pride cried out.

"AAAGGH! SPIT THAT OUT ACE! It's not safe!" you begged "If you're hungry I'll make you a better one!"

Ace eyed you up as the plea registered in his brain. But you were all too well acquainted with that cheeky glint in his eyes; it was more than enough to tell you that he had another idea in mind. Maintaining eye contact he did the worst thing you could possibly imagine at that moment.

He swallowed.

'Here lies (Y/n)'s deceased pride' Your sanity recited and sighed

"No" you croaked weakly the as the colour drained from your face "How could you? There were good ones you could've eaten on the counter"

"But it tasted fine" Ace licked the last of the crumbs from his thumb with a satisfied grin.

'Pride has been put to rest next to logic' your sanity continued 'I am soon to follow'

"Stawp teafing her Afe" A sleepy voice muttered out behind a half-eaten pancake.

Both you and Ace paused to see a half-asleep Sabo happily tucking into the - prior mentioned - stack of pancakes.

"Morfnin'!" Sabo half smiled with a pancake in his mouth "...You changed your hair..."

"DON'T EAT FROM THE PILE!" You barked.

"That's not what you told me" Ace grinned

"So early in the morning and you're already disagreeing with yourself" Sabo chuckled gathering up another two pancakes from the pile.

"BOTH OF YOU GO AWAY AND LET ME COOK IN PEACE!!!" You fumed

...So it was just another typical morning...

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"And you're not a pirate?" The woman questioned with her hands pressed together and eyes closed in concentration.

You watched in understandable concern as the 27th person went to interrogate Sabo. This had been going on for the last 4 days in your bakery and it was nothing short of harassment at this point.

"I am not" Sabo forced a smile "I'm actually part of the revolutionary army"

"You don't say" The woman muttered in approval before glancing in Ace's direction, his whitebeard tattoo on display "And you're staying with (Y/n)?"

"I am" Sabo's smile faltered

You knew where this was going. After all, Sabo had already experienced the considerate warning as to the company I tended to keep 26 times.

"I'm pretty sure there are some beds available at the inn! Why don't you stay closer to town?" The lady clapped her hands together and beamed at him.

"There's no need" Sabo gritted "I'm already staying with (Y/n) "

"But you're not a pira-" She began

"Lady, do you want the bread or not?" Sabo snapped, his fake smile still in place.

"I-!?" She flinched at the outburst and turned red in embarrassment

"Please don't mind my brother" Ace quickly intervened "He's not great when it comes to costumer service"

"Well, I never!" Realising that Ace was a pirate she looked at the pair in disgust, before spinning on her heel.

"Please come again!" Ace bowed politely.

And with that, She slammed the door and vacated the premises. Sabo, still smiling, held up his middle finger in the direction the young lady had left before letting out an irritated sigh.

"How much do I owe?" Sabo hissed whilst Ace straightened himself up

"That'll be another 200 berries" Ace smirked as he held up his hand expectantly.

The two brothers had a little bet going on as to the number of customers who would offer Sabo different accommodations or support his choice to stay with you. Of course, this game was rigged from the start and Sabo fell victim to Ace's bet. After all, Sabo was considered a hero on this island, so for him to be staying in the company of pirates was a little... confusing for most of the townspeople. No offence to yourself of course, people just couldn't, approve your choice of regular company.

Sabo groaned as he dug into his pocket and begrudgingly slapped the cash into his hand.

"Thank you" Ace whistled.

"How about we call it a day you guys?" You sweat-dropped at the sight of Sabo checking his personal funds "I managed to get a lot done thanks to your help around here, so let's stop by Briggs and pick up some sake before we head back"

"It was no problem (Y/n), I found it a very enriching experience" Ace patted his brother on the back "wouldn't you agree Sabo"

You shook your head. Business had been rather good, ignoring the reoccurring interrogation and each time Claire came to visit. Both Sabo and Ace volunteered to help around the bakery so that you could focus on getting your next big order ready for Big Mom and the upcoming party for the revolutionaries tomorrow. Everyone was busy thanks to the preparations, but almost everyone on the island made time to meet the chief of staff in person to offer their thanks and appreciation, as well as better accommodation. He wasn't exactly thrilled, and the fact that Luffy still hadn't arrived wasn't making it better for him.

"Ace, give your brother his money back" you sighed as you made your way to the front door to switch the sign from 'open' to 'closed'

"What!?" Ace gawked at you "You can't be serious (Y/n)? I just got-!"

"You shouldn't take from family" you answered calmly "Give it back"

Ace was about to argue but the words got caught in his throat when he was jabbed in the gut by Sabo.

"You heard the lady" Sabo grinned.

"You shouldn't hurt your family either" you scolded

Sabo flinched. The two of them grumbled apologies between themselves, coming to some sort of agreement. Eventually they sauntered out of the store but not before giving you their signature smiles, just to let you know all was well.

"I heard your friends are arriving for the party tomorrow" You smiled at Sabo as you locked the door to the bakery.

"Yeah! You're going to love them (Y/n)! Koala especially, has been looking forward to meeting you!" Sabo suddenly became more animated as his voice picked up in excitement as he told you more about his friends.

Ace would chime in and talk about his friends in comparison, easily matching Sabo's level of pride and excitement. Walking between the two you felt at ease as you listened in contently. However, somewhere along the line, you started to hear something strange. Something that kind of sounded familiar, but definitely didn't sound right, and it was slowly getting louder.

You came to a sudden halt as you strained your ears to identify the source of the sound. Ace was the first to notice your strange reaction.

"(Y/n)?" He tilted his head in confusion, "You good?"

"Do you not hear that?" you whispered looking off into the distance.

"Hear what?" Sabo readied himself as though a threat was on its way "What do you hear (Y/n)?"

"I don't know... It kind of sounds like...AGH-!?"

You soon came to realise what the sound was, but it was far too late, and no amount of experience could prepare you for the events to occur in the following moments.

The rubbery appendage had already snaked its way multiple times around your waist, ready to reel back its poor victim. From the moment you saw it, you wept as sanity proceeded to bury himself. After all, even your sanity could recognise the sound of Impending Doom.

"SH*T!" Ace hissed rapidly

"DAMN IT!" Sabo bellowed

"why mee...?" you whimpered

.

.

.

And you were gone

.

.

.

The air force whipped through your hair unforgivingly as you raced past the trees. It was only moments later when you finally burst out of the forest, that you were encompassed in the brilliantly bright light of the blazing sun. And the sound you were hearing before, was now crystal clear.

"............(y.......y............y....y...yyy.y.yyyyyyy..YYYYYYYYY/NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

You slammed straight into your assailant, the force taking you both off your feet and sending you both tumbling around on the sandy shore, still wrapped securely in their rubber limbs. Eventually, you came to a stop, AND the world stopped spinning AND your senses caught up with you, AND only after that you noticed

...You couldn't breathe...

"(YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY/NNNNNNNNNNNNN)!!!!!!!!!!!" Luffy wailed, unknowingly strangling you to death.

'He's going to kill me before Big Mom...'

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