Chapter 39: An Onslaught of Waves

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The uncomfortable shakes of the silent boat were not unlike those of the atmosphere surrounding you and Ace.

Many things had led you to your current awkward premise and the boat being way too small for the two of you was only the beginning. The boat, originally made for Ace's -and only Ace's- use, shook over the smallest wave and forced you into a position where you had to cling on for dear life not to fall off. While Ace did not seem that bothered by it; for you, who was not used to riding a boat fueled by Ace's fire, the cramped up space had become even more uncomfortable.

Sadly, rather than you, Ace seemed to be the one who had to endure the long journey as every time you felt yourself trip over the waves bumps you clinged to his body as if it were a lifeline. After a few minutes, he had stood up, you didn't know whether it was because of the fact that your faces got too close for comfort or the atmosphere that became even more uncomfortable each time, but now you were forced to stare at his legs throughout the journey, as he watched the direction of travel with concentration and made sure the boats flames did not touch you.

You coughed, letting out a breath of air out of nervousness rather than need, as you zoned out, gazing at the boat and it's plasters in a trance. It had been at least 6 hours since the beginning of your journey. Ace had not taken a single break, continuing to fuel the boat with his fire consistently and without any lack of efficiency. You wanted to ask him if he was tired but an unknown unease kept your mouth shut, the same feeling maintaining the quiet throughout your journey. While you moved restlessly Ace seemed much more composed, quietly observing the ever disappearing sea regally and handing you food and a blanket without even waiting for you to ask. For that reason even in the long silence in the boat you did not feel as if you were suffocating, but only felt the unease of the awkward quiet.

Suddenly however, a strong wave swept you out of your thoughts and caused you to wobble over the small contents of the boat. You yelped in surprise, clinging to Ace's leg for support and hoping not to fall off. But this time his leg wasn't much of a reinforcement. Ace let out a yelp similar to yours as he hit the boats floor with a thud, too shocked by your sudden move to keep the both of you upright.

You stared at each other with a look of surprise, you on top of him as though you were a monkey on top of a tree. You stuttered an apology as he looked at you with astoundment, his lips partly open from his sudden fall. From his shock it was easy to tell that he wasn't as collected and concentrated as you had thought, but in your current embarrassment you were too busy trying not to panic to notice. Ace moved to fix his hat but halted as both your eyes widened even more than they possibly could. He immediately stood up looking around the sea, trying to find the orange and blue clothing atop the water and paused. You gazed at his expression and grimaced as his hat which was a meter or so to the left of your boat floated dangerously upon the sea's waves. Knowing Ace couldn't swim you felt even more nervous at the fact that you were the reason his hat hovered over the waves instead of his head.

-"My hat." Ace stated as the both of you stared at it tip dangerously upon the waves. You could literally see Ace's head going into overdrive.

Realising it would take too long to maneuver the boat to reach for the hat you stood up, deciding to get it before it was engulfed never to be seen again. Seeing you stand up, Ace raised his brow:

-"Hey what are you-"

Before he could finish you jumped. On a mission to get back his floating hat.

Regret came soon afterwards as you started sinking immediately upon contact with the water, not listening to the commands of your body that knew all too well how to swim.

Your eyes widened in panic as you started sinking slow and steady like a rock. You didn't have time to flail around, only raising your hand to not completely sink in. What the fuck was going on?!! A scream came out of your mouth and turned into gurgles as water surged into your open mouth.

-"Hey- hey!" Ace shouted realising that you were sinking faster than the hat you were supposed to be saving.

His hands were on yours in seconds, pulling you out of the water and into the boat with force. Your free hand gripped the sailing hat just as he did, and both you and Ace's valued hat were back on the boat once again. You gasped and coughed, heaving in air with all your energy as Ace sat you down on the small boat as well as he could. He stared at you wide eyed as both of you tried to process the series of disasters that had taken place in the span of 5 seconds. The cold wind hit your skin, causing you to shiver in your completely wet state.

-"Why did you jump in if you didn't know how to swim?!" Ace asked you with force. Meanwhile patting your back, trying to get the salty water out of your lungs to aid your coughs.

-"I do-!" You tried to speak but cut your sentence short before you could justify your actions. Realization sinked in as you understood- you did know how to swim. But your body- it sunk like a heavy weight against the slippery slopes of the sea.

-"You ate a devil fruit." Ace finally said, not as a question but as a statement as gloom washed over you.

-"I really liked swimming." You sulked, eyeing the sea that looked much more dangerous than it did a few seconds ago. Your hands grasped Ace's arm subconsciously as you realised how easily the both of you could die on this boat. Ace moved a little but didn't pull back, causing you to notice your own grip on him. But you didn't pull back either. The thought of drowning seemed much more grim than making both of you a little more uncomfortable with each other.

However, instead of seeming troubled Ace grinned and patted your back.

-"If you can't swim, it looks like we are on the same boat." He handed you the blanket that lay forgotten and looked around the little sail you guys were standing on.

-"Literally."

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Ace walked around the roads of Robello Town, a little town in Drum Island, with a slow pace. He was fiddling around with his toothpick out of boredom, which he had obtained from a little eat and run adventure moments before.

A sudden gust of wind blew across his face causing Ace to sigh, feeling his body heat up even more at the sudden mist surrounding him, his cloak floating leisurely through the fog. His eyes searched for people he could talk to, but his keen hearing located them first.

-"It hasn't snowed at all today.. How weird." Two men with big puffy jackets stood on the road crested with rocks. Their expressions held a look of confusion at the little town's abrupt change in weather. Ace paused, smiling a little, knowing that he was the cause of their bemusement. Fire followed after his every step after all.

-"Hello, can I ask you two gentelman a few questions?" Ace spoke up, standing still at his spot. Inspecting the men and their strength, deeming them appropriate for questioning.

-"I am after a man. I don't know if you heard of him but he is called Blackbeard." He continued without waiting for them to answer his first question, but rather hitting them with the onslaught of another. The two men hesitated for a moment, turning to observe Ace standing amongst the misty air.

-"He has long since left here. Along with our supplies. Right after ransacking our country." One of them finally spoke up with a voice that held temper but no outright disrespect. Too wary of Blackbeard's power to step out of line even when he wasn't here. Ace grinned at the prospect.

-"Then I'll ask another question. Has a pirate wearing a straw hat ever come here?" His voice was lower, louder than a mumble but not loud enough for it to be called a speaking voice. But they could hear him just fine, the cold wind carrying his words briskly across the current.

-"We don't know." Their answer held no hesitation, knowing only a slight pause and a swift reply eager to fulfill the wishes of the man in front of them. The heat radiating from the man all too clearly contradicting the cold across the country, warning the two men of the Ace's powers shrewdly.

-"If he does come here..." Ace's eyes shrinked a he looked at the two. They gulped as though they were having trouble swallowing the tension in the air.

-"If he comes...?" One of them asked. Restless to know what Ace would say.

-"Tell him I'll be in Alabasta for 10 days." Ace finally continued and turned around, not waiting for a reply from the two stunned men standing solid still at the rock road of Robello Town.

-"I'll leave it with you." He finished raising one hand up to salute them goodbye as a sign of respect. His every step leaving them feeling a little more cold, as though he was taking the heat away with him.

-"Hey, wait a moment!" One of the men shouted before Ace could leave. "What's your name!?" Ace didn't stop to speak but his voice reached them all the same:

-"Oh yes. That's right." He said, his calm voice just as easy to hear as the mens shout. Turning around to face them, Ace grinned again, his toothpick still placed securely between his teeth.

-"My name is Ace. When he comes, tell him that and he'll figure it out." Ace said with an amused tone of voice. He turned to leave, headed towards where the girl was waiting for him, leaving the two men to wonder the events that had taken place right in front of their eyes.

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