I know it's been a long, long time. Sorry. And there are no excuses for why I have made you wait. In all honesty a friend asked "Hey what happened to that Nest of brothers story?" so you have them to thank as well as all reviewers and followers, good job. I mean it seriously! Recently checked it out and I'm speechless to how popular this story it. Don't worry for those few that have mentioned, I promise I won't ever abandon this story. *someone shackles me to the desk O_O * I said I promise!

Anyway found the next chapter and finished it off. Though short I hope you like it.

Chapter 9: Words between brothers

ACE & SABO

It was the next day, still he hadn't come with a proper plan to apologize to Sabo. Honestly he was never great at thinking things through instead he decided to wing it. He was prepared for what hit or punishment Sabo threw at him. 'So what the hell am I still standing here for?' He thought, the familiar shadow of their ship looming over him. Ace had been standing for who know how long, not taking another step closer.

He stared at one particular place – after all living in a forest they liked high places – the crows nest. The dark aura emitted from it only confirmed his siblings' presence. Gathering all his nerve, he climbs the plank.

He really regrets that it was midday as now all the crew were awake and out on deck. At first they stared at him confused, probably because he was back so soon usually after one his tantrum he's gone for a few days.

Looking to his vice – Harry – spotting the middle aged man near the center of the deck with his arms crossed. Ace rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, mumbling 'I'm back' to Harry. Out of all the humans he had met, he found Harry to be a decent one. Obviously Sabo had been the one to recruit him after helping us out in the East Blue. Ace wasn't comfortable with humans but Harry eventually caught onto Ace's boundaries and respected them as well as made sure the other new members knew, which Ace was slightly grateful for and as time passed became to respect him.

"He's been brooding up there since getting back. Do I need to be concerned?" Harry wasn't satisfied when receiving a shrug. "…?" Another shrug. "Does it have to do with you know?" This question was quieter, but by the warning glare he got Harry knew his answer. It was then he gestured all the crew inside, the crew didn't dawdle know it was best to leave their captains be.

"Think you can handle it?"

"Maybe, I think this might take awhile." Ace responded before moving toward the rigging.

A few moments later and nineteen meters high he was greeted by his brothers back, aware of his presence Sabo kept his place. Climbing into the crows nest, he positioned himself next him, leaning against the edge. Still Sabo refuse to acknowledge him. Ace had expected that his kin didn't want to speak to him, right now he wouldn't let that detour him.

"Sab, What I sa-"

"Don't." Sabo said sternly.

Despite being shot down; Ace took the confidence he had left to continue. "I know you don't want to hear this right now. I can understand if you want your own space for awhile or if you want to kick me off this mast. What ever the punishment I'll take it. Just listen."

Sabo still wasn't looking at Ace instead focusing on the scene in front, but Ace knew his brother was listening. "I'm sorry for everything, I was totally in the wrong. For taking it out on you, what I said, even for the fight. I should've handled the situation better than I did."

"Ace…I know you're sorry." Sabo huffed, finally acknowledging the other. "After all these years we've been together I'm used to your tantrums. And I knew the moment I walked away you were sorry, and that you will never intentionally hurt me that's just how you are. However, …you said those words. You may take them back now, but you still said them." His hands began to quiver, from anger or heartache he couldn't tell, maybe it was both.

Sabo turned around holding back a snarl. "Do have any idea how that made me feel?!"

This was one of the reasons he'd been avoiding Ace, he knew he would get emotional. It was luck that they were in the crows nest so none of the crew would see the yellow flecks of scales appearing over his skin and his blue eyes slitting, not to mention his talons ruining his new gloves. "For a second you thought I had stopped being your brother. For a second you believed I had stopped caring, that I had decided to abandon Luffy. Our hatchling."

Speechless, Ace couldn't deny what Sabo had said. Only making Ace loath himself further, now realizing how much damage he had truly done.

"Not once have I stopped caring, nor hoping to see him again. I would give my life to see his carefree smile one more time." By the end of the sentence Sabo was a mess, the bitterness flowed out with each word. Sabo collapsed onto the floor, clawed hands combing through his tattered blonde hair. "You say I'm calm? But I'm the complete opposite, like you I want to scream and cry for him when I fell his pain… yet I have no right. Not when I'm the one who put him there." His voice became hoarse as tears welled up in the corner of his eyes.

"What?"

"You heard what I said. It's my fault." Sabo sniffled.

"I know what you said! I mean what do you mean you're to blame? What happen to the brother that would go on about it not being our fault?" Hands clamped onto the blonde's shoulders, Ace looking down at his weeping kin.

"I lied! What else was could I do? You were going down a dark path, yelling that Luffy was taken because you'd blacked out, that you were weak. I thought I could be strong for you, but I was just deluding myself. I was the weak one. My actions split us apart."

Suddenly Sabo was grabbed by collar, pulling him back to his feet, 'til was a hairs width from Ace's face. Pure frustration on his freckled face. "As I remember you were at the bottom of the bay. I don't see how this is your fault. You did nothing."

"Exactly! I did NOTHING. You may think otherwise but, remembering that day, I know it's really mine. It was my mistake you both were there, otherwise Lu wouldn't have been taken and you had been lying half dead." The images of finding Ace haunted his nightmares. "All this would have been avoided if I had just fought from the beginning. If I had done something sooner."

"Shut up!" Ace exclaimed. His face downcast at some point, eyes unreadable with a shadow cast over them, only showing a tight frown. "J- Just stop, please."

It was obvious Sabo had more to say but that was not going to happen. Ace couldn't bear to listen anymore, he welcomed the silence.

Sabo was good at masking his emotions even through the bond, mainly to not worry Luffy, Ace understood that. But realizing that Sabo was even hiding his true self around him hurt, in more ways than one. It just showed how unreliable and selfish he'd been this whole year, not once noticing the stress of his kin. 'I'm such an idiot.'

"The whole time you've been there for me whereas I forgot to do the same, I'm so blind that I made you suffer alone."

Ace pulled Sabo into a comforting embrace, before speaking again. "But, you keep saying 'if'. If that's that case then I share the blame, IF only we were stronger."

"No, Ace that was-" Sabo tried to pull away, but Ace kept his grip.

"Dammit, that's the point! I wasn't in the wrong just as you weren't. I know there's a lot you or I could've done but it still happened. It's like you've been saying, the only one's to blame are those who split us apart." Ace continued to console his kin, in way that you could compare to a cat.

Sabo couldn't help blush but relaxed all the same at the sound of purring, he inwardly cursed how easy his dragon half was to manipulate. His kin did like taking advantage of that, on the other hand he was no different.

"I promise you this now, I and Lu will never blame you for it. So you shouldn't either."

"Just had to pull the Lu excuse." Sabo slightly chuckled, it seemed Ace was using his own tricks against him this time. And couldn't deny that it was working a bit.

"Made you listen. "Ace pulled from the hug, finally giving them space. "… feeling better?"

"I guess. I need a little time just to sort things out."

"Alright. I'm here if you need an ear, and if I find out you been keeping from me again. I swear I'll knock you back into the ground." A moment passed 'til Sabo grumbled, correcting about who actually pushed who down and won. Ace smirked but left it, 'I'll let him have this one'.

Thanks for reading this chapter.

Just to let you know already half way though the next chapter, just need to finish it and work out the kinks. So hopefully it won't be too long.

Also if anyone can throw in some ideas for what would help Luffy and thatch bond don't hesitate. As I really want to build their relationship up more be it humorous, sad, or adorable.

Looking forward to hearing everyones opinion. See you next time. *Pulls on shackles* where's the key!