Disclaimer : I do not own One Piece.

Replies of reviews :

OrangeJacket : Yes, it is from that doujinshi! Thank you so much! It means a lot to me :)

JarOfIdeas : Thank you! I'm so glad you like it. I agree. I'm craving for more family WBP stories and ended up with writing it myself now XD

snowphy : Yes, it was from a doujinshi but I did alter it...Thanks for reading!

AndurilofTolkien : Glad you liked it! Thank you!

SarakuHD : Thank you so much! I can die happy now, seeing a review from my favourite author in the One Piece fandom. I'll definitely write that prompt! Thank you!

Lulu : I'll try to include more scenes of Ace being treated like the youngest again! Thank you so much :)

Anon : Thank you!

Sorry for not updating for so long. I had this written for almost a month, but never got to typing it out haha ANYWAYEnjoy!

Ace always acted on impulse; he never was one to think before he acted. But on some rare occasions, he would think too much. He would overthink and it prevented him from falling asleep.

After hours of tossing and turning, he eventually gave up and sat up, leaning against his pillow and looking out of the window. Staring at the night sky though filled him with a familiar peace. It was the only time of the day when the sky and sea were almost the same shade of blue, blending together perfectly as though the horizon had disappeared. The twinkling stars and the glimmering waves were what differentiated them.

He loved looking at the sea at night. In a way, it reminded him of how big and vast the world is; there were so many things and places he had yet to explore.

It was such a beautiful sight.

Despite that, his exhaustion dragged him back to reality. He let out an irritated sigh. He was exhausted, yet his mind kept him from falling into slumber. There was one thing weighing at the back of his mind and it was heavy. It suffocated him.

On the Moby Dick today, no one were their usual selves. There were no laughter loud enough for him to complain that they hurt his ears. He didn't get pranked nor were there any pranks going on. Even food tasted bad, not that it was Thatch's fault; he just didn't have the appetite.

It was as though the life was sucked out of the crew. Everyone emitted the same gloomy aura and ever expression mirrored the other.

The night before, they had a party. Like every other party, everyone were having the best time of their lives. That was until Whitebeard had collapsed all of a sudden and caused the whole ship to shake violently. Everyone were threw off the ground. Both literally and figuratively.

The nurses tended to Whitebeard and after two painstakingly long hours, they informed Marco the situation at which he relayed the news to the crew.

It was just over exhaustion. Rest was all the captain needed.

But was it really?

Although the anxiousness was lifted off everyone's shoulders, the worry clung to them. It felt like a slap to their faces, that their strong oyaji was old after all. Deep down, every single one of them knew that no one could fight old age, or even worse, death. It woke them up and they could no longer afford to laugh. Because what if their home was to disappear?

Being the newest and youngest member of the crew didn't stop Ace from worrying. Although it had only been not more than six months since he joined the Whitebeard's Pirates, he had already found home in this place. His true home.

Whitebeard offered him a home, hope he had never owned, a sense of belonging and most importantly, the freedom he had desired for all his life.

Free from pain and sufferings, self-loath and hatred, fear and emptiness.

And he had gained a father.

A father that he never had; a father he always though he didn't need, one that will always be there for him now.

How in the world could he not worry?

He couldn't afford to lose him or any of what he owned now; the things he could proudly call his now.

Throwing the blanket aside, Ace got off his bed and stood up. Putting on his boots, he walked out of his room silently, not wanting to walk anyone up. His feet brought him to where he wanted to go, the captain's room.

After a day in the infirmary, Whitebeard was allowed to go back to his room to recuperate unsupervised.

As he arrived, he paused right in front of the door. It was already opened - just ajar -, enough for one to peek in if they stood right in front of the door, yet not really enough for passerby to glance in.

It was always open. Every time Ace passed by, it was always, always left open. It was something small but it felt welcoming. Just like Whitebeard himself. Strong but kind, guarded but with cracks small enough for you to squeeze and get to know his love.

Ace push opened the door and walked in hesitantly. The room was only lit with the flame in a lamp on the table. Ace swept his gaze across the room and found Whitebeard snoring lightly on his bed.

Before Ace could even start thinking about how stupid it was to have come here - in the middle of the night and when all the nurses specially ordered that Whitebeard needed to rest without any distractions - Whitebeard stirred. Ace flinched and his heart started thumping faster as though he was a child caught red handed for stealing.

Whitebeard grunted and slowly looked over. Their gazes met and Ace found serenity seeping into him.

"What's wrong, son?" Whitebeard spoke, his voice deep and husky. Ace didn't answer, only staying at the same spot, looking down at his feet. "Won't you come nearer? It's hard to talk when you're so far away."

Ace complied and took a seat on one of the chairs beside Whitebeard's bed, not wanting to tire his captain out any further.

A comfortable silence settled down between them, although Ace was starting to feel the guilt catching up to him.

Noticing his anxiety, Whitebeard propped again. "Are you worried?"

Ace nodded, gaze still glued to his hands, not daring to look at his father.

"I'll be fine. This happens al the time. I'm an old man after all." Whitebeard chuckled, catching Ace's frown at the corner of his eyes. The grin was wiped off of his face as a soft smile substituted it.

"Ace,"

The way his name was uttered with such concern soothed his nerves. Ace finally looked up, distraught eyes meeting sharp but gentle eyes.

"There comes a time when everyone leaves. In this world, there are separations everywhere. But the thing is that you, Ace, aren't alone. Not anymore, and never will be. You have your brothers now."

"But that's different…" Ace muttered. It warmed his heart as he remember all his brothers, but something was missing. It wasn't the same. Because brothers can't replace a father.

"Gurarara! What's a pirate if he is afraid of losing his life?" Whitebeard grinned.

"You're not just any pirate! You're Whitebeard! You're supposed to be strong!" Ace raised his voice, but stopped when he realized what he had just blurted out. More importantly, even he could hear how his voice trembled.

Whitebeard stared right ahead with a deep look in his eyes. After some time had passed and Ace's breathings had become even, Whitebeard started, "I set sailed alone, carrying the dream that everyone laughed at with me as I search for a family, a home. It really wasn't easy."

When Ace met Whitebeard's gaze, he was lost in the fondness that reflected from his eyes. They seemed to sparkle.

"Now I've gotten all of you and I must say, I have more than enough."

"…Even me?"

"Especially you," Whitebeard smiled, the corners of his eyes wrinkling up.

Ace ignored the lump in his throat and couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips.

After a beat of silence, Ace looked up again, but the look in his eyes changed. There were no more fear, anxiousness or sorrow. They shone with pride, love and fiery determination. "I won't let anyone get to you."

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow at his statement.

"I'll protect your back with my life."

A large warmth settled on his head and Ace was pushed down a little.

"Well, I'll be counting on you then," Whitebeard smiled, "son."

One day, Whitebeard will die, but Ace Knew he really wouldn't need to be alone anymore. For the rest of his life until the day he dies. Because his gaping hole in his heart was filled and he would never ever forget the warmth that he was given tonight.

He would give his best shot at surviving, at living his life with his family. And when the day comes for him to die, Ace wished it can be for the sake of his family.

"Now, Ace. I would like to ask for a favour."

"Yeah?"

"Won't you do something about your gloomy brothers? It makes me sicker to see them like way. I'm counting on you to get them back to normal." With that, he closed his eyes, still smiling.

Ace grinned, "Sure!"

And tomorrow - yes tomorrow - he will cause a ruckus again and laugh.

Thanks for reading! Leave a review to tell me whether you liked or disliked it and why! If you have any prompts or ideas for me, feel free to leave them in the reviews as well. I'll do my best to write them!