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By some miracle he still struggled to understand, the brother he had thought dead all these years was actually alive and well, and he had finally come back to him. He could see the blonde's sleeping face right now, cuddled against Luffy and him. It hadn't been a dream, Sabo was actually there. Ace felt his heart beating faster as he acknowledged that fact once more. He would probably be amazed again and again everytime he woke up and saw Sabo again.

He didn't think he would ever get tired of the sight.

Ace noticed that his hand was clutching at the blonde's arm. Probably had the whole time he was asleep. He didn't quite want to let go, some irrational fear making him want to stay still or else Sabo might suddenly disappear. But he knew that was just his fears talking. Sabo being here was real. Sabo's arm in his hand was warm, and solid. He could hear his brother's quiet breathing. The burn scars across the left side of his face were also proof that Sabo had survived the explosion that had destroyed his ship.

He truly had his brother back.

Ace just stared for a long while at his sleeping brothers' faces. Even though Luffy was badly hurt and covered in bandages, he knew his little brother would be alright. He was currently breathing regularly and drooling on Sabo's shirt. Ace remembered when the three of them used to sleep like this, cuddled against one another, when they were kids at Mont Corvo. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and yet it was still so familiar and comforting. Ace couldn't get enough of this feeling. His heart kept beating fast at the knowledge that Sabo was alive and right there. He was just so goddamn happy. 

Feeling a warm presence behind him, Ace teared his eyes away from his sleeping brothers to look around him. He was in the infirmary. He noticed immediately Marco, sleeping on a chair just beside him, and his feeling of happiness and joy increased even more, if that was even possible. Ace realised that the older man must have fallen asleep while watching over him. Marco was still wearing the clothes he had during the battle, much like Ace was. He must have come straight to the infirmary to look after Ace once the Moby Dick had escaped from the Marines. Ace felt all his love for the older man surge up within him, and gosh, he wanted to kiss the man senseless, for coming to save him, for watching over him in his sleep, for being here. He had missed his entire crew while he was imprisoned, but Marco most of all.

He didn't want to wake him up though. Marco must be exhausted from the fight, even if his devil fruit powers could easily heal most of his injuries. He needed all the rest he could get, and Ace was content just watching the older man sleep.

When Ace noticed Whitebeard lying in a bed at the back of the infirmary though, his happy feelings turned sour. He was suddenly reminded that his current happiness had come at a cost. There was a mass of IV tubes attached to his Father's arms, pumping drugs into him, and bandages covering almost every inch of his giant body including half of his face. He'd never seen his Pops so badly hurt. And it was all his fault. The truth was that Whitebeard, Marco and the others could have all died because of him. How could he feel happy, when he was guilty of putting all his family at risk? If only he had listened to Pops instead of going after Teach, none of this would have happened. Even Luffy had been put in danger by his fault! He didn't know what he would have done if Luffy had died because of him. And what if Sabo had come back from the dead, only to die in front of him at Marineford? 

Ace tried to push these gloomy thoughts out of his head. Thinking about the terrible things that could have happened didn't help anyone. He had to focus on the present. Ace took a deep, long breath to center himself. Everyone had made it out alive. Luffy, his Pops and many others were badly hurt, yes, but they were alive. They would be fine, eventually. He had to believe in this. 

- Are you alright?

Ace turned his eyes towards Sabo, who had woken up and was looking at him with concern. 

- Y.. yeah, he answered with a shaky voice. I mean, yes. I am now.

He looked into the familiar blue eyes that he loved so damn much. 

- I must be the luckiest man in the world, to have all of you come to save my stupid ass from the Marine's headquarters, and make it out alive.

- Well, your crew is pretty strong, of course they got you out. Whitebeard and Marco in particular were quite impressive on that battlefield. Which isn't surprising given their reputation, but still, it was stunning to see them fight. 

- Yeah. I'm so lucky to have them, agreed Ace. And to have Luffy and you, too. I hate to admit it but... I don't think things would have turned out so well if the two of you hadn't shown up.

He would probably have been killed by Akainu right there and then if Sabo hadn't saved the day. Akainu would have probably killed Luffy too, and who knows who else. It was painful to think about.

- Of course we came. We swore we would always be there for each other, didn't we?

Ace smiled.

- We did. 

Sabo had a sad look on his face though, and Ace wanted nothing more than to make this sadness go away. 

- Hey, what's wrong, Sabo?

- Nothing. It's just... 

The blonde evaded his gaze.

- Sabo. Please tell me.

- ... I'm... sorry I couldn't keep that promise before. I'm sorry I forgot. 

Sabo looked so miserable and guilty at the admission. Ace couldn't bear the sight, especially for something that absolutely wasn't Sabo's fault. So he reached out over Luffy's still sleeping form to place a comforting hand on Sabo's shoulder.

- Hey. It's not your fault. Are you seriously blaming yourself for that? You do realise that neither Luffy or I would ever be angry at you for your amnesia, right?

Sabo didn't answer, which probably meant that he did fear that Luffy and Ace would resent him for forgetting them. His brother might be the most clever among the three of them, but he was still an idiot. 

- Sabo. Trust me. We're just happy you're alive. So, so very happy. 

He didn't let go of Sabo's shoulder until the blonde finally looked at him again. Ace hoped his eyes conveyed all the gratefulness and happiness he felt at having Sabo back in his life. 

The gaze they shared lasted a long time. Even after all these years, Ace could so easily get lost in the azure eyes of his brother. They were just as beautiful and fierce as he remembered them, though with a touch of melancholy too. 

Ace couldn't help the vivid memory from their childhood that suddenly came unbidden to his mind. The memory of when Sabo and him had shared their first kiss, after climbing on a giant tree at the highest peak of Mont Corvo to watch the sunset. It had been a rather innocent thing, just a quick press of his lips against Sabo's, but Ace had dreamt about it many, many times over the years. He didn't really remember what the sunset had looked like, but he never forgot the look in Sabo's big blue eyes after that kiss... His brother had been shocked at Ace's bold gesture, but excited too, and happy. So many emotions had crossed Sabo's eyes then. Ace's own too, he was sure. They had never talked about that moment though, and it had never happened again. They had been just boys after all, unable to put words at the time on what they were feeling. And not long after that kiss, Sabo had been taken away by his father, and then Ace thought he had died. 

Ace wondered now if Sabo remembered that kiss. Sabo had said that his memories were back, but did everything came back or just some things? Did he remember this particular moment?

And if he did remember... Was he thinking about it now, as Ace was? What would Sabo think about that kiss now, so many years later? Ace's heart started to beat faster as he wondered whether Sabo could still have romantic feelings for him. But that was probably not the case of course, Ace tried to reason himself. It had been years, and Sabo had forgotten about him all these years. Surely, he must have found some other romantic interest, among the Revolutionaries maybe or elsewhere. And anyway, it was really selfish of Ace to even think of the possibility of Sabo being interested in him in that way, when he himself was very much in love with Marco. It would be better for Sabo if he had moved on, for sure. 

And yet... 

The sound of Ace's grumbling stomach thankfully interrupted his embarrassing thoughts, and Sabo and him finally broke eye contact. Ace was blushing like crazy, and hoped Sabo wouldn't ask him about it. 

- We should go eat something, said Ace in a voice that he hoped sounded casual. I can smell food, and I feel like I could eat an entire Sea King all by myself. 

Sabo's stomach grumbled in agreement, which had them both laughing and Ace felt some of his tension release. 

They didn't feel like leaving Luffy alone though, so Ace went to get food — after casting one more loving look at Marco — while Sabo kept watch over their little brother. The nurses had warned them that Luffy would probably remain unconscious for a few days. 

By the time Ace got back in the infirmary, carrying extravagant amounts of food, the First Commander had woken up and was checking WhiteBeard's bandages while chatting with Sabo.

- Marco!, exclaimed Ace with a bright smile. You're awake!

He quickly set down the food on a table and launched himself into Marco's open arms. The Phoenix hugged him for a long while, with almost bone-crushing force. It felt so, so good to be back in Marco's arms. How he had longed for the other's warmth, while he was all alone in his dark, cold cell in Impel Down. He had thought he would never see Marco's quiet smile again, would never feel his lips against his. Of all the things he had regretted after being taken prisoner, not seeing Marco again had been the worse. 

Marco's mouth easily found his own, and they shared a desperate kiss, only stopping when they needed to breathe. Ace had turned red as a tomato. From Marco's most-welcome passion, but also because he was keenly aware of Sabo in the room, watching them. Just after Ace had been thinking about his first kiss with Sabo, too. It was kind of embarrassing that he still had such thoughts about Sabo, when he was already deeply in love with Marco — even if he hadn't confessed his feelings to the older man yet. He really needed to get himself together. He didn't want to take advantage of either men, or to risk hurting them. 

- You should eat, yoi. I need to get back on deck, check how things are going, but I'll be back later ok?

- Yeah. Sure. Just... hug me another minute before you go?

- Of course, Marco agreed easily.

They stayed in each other's arms for a while, Ace relishing the warmth of Marco's solid body against his. He truly had missed him. He was so lucky to be back home.

They eventually parted, and Marco left the infirmary after one more kiss on his brow, which made Ace feel like he could melt. Ace started digging into the food then, as did Sabo. They sat by the table and stuffed their mouths without manners, just like they used to do as kids when they were always at risk of having their food stolen by Luffy. Apparently that was a habit that Sabo hadn't lost, just like himself.

Between bites, Sabo asked him about Marco.

- So, the Phoenix. He's your boyfriend?

Ace blushed. Of course Sabo would bring up that topic, after the display of affection they just had in from of him. Uh. 

- I... well... we never made it official but... I guess we've been kissing a lot, lately? Before I left to go after Teach I mean. 

This was so embarrassing to talk about with Sabo. 

- What do you mean, not official? The man is clearly crazy about you. What are you waiting for?

- You... you think? 

Ace could feel his cheeks reddening even more. 

- I mean, yeah I know he cares for me. It's just... We haven't really discussed what we are yet, I guess? I meant to before I left but... I'm not sure how serious he is about this, if he wants the commitment or whatever... 

- Ace. From the way Marco was kissing you... hell, just from the way he was looking at you when you were sleeping, it's obvious he's very serious about you.

- Oh.

Ace didn't quite know what to answer to that. He'd been pining over Marco for quite a while, and one day (when he may have been a bit drunk) he had just kissed Marco in front of everyone. To his surprise (and delight), Marco had kissed him back with passion, and after that they had kept stealing kisses just everywhere on the ship. 

Ace had sort of avoided having a serious conversation about it with Marco though. He wasn't sure how serious this was for the older man, and was afraid of finding out if this was just a casual fling for the Phoenix. It had been easier not to ask, and Marco had obligingly not pressured him about it. Then Teach's treason had happened, Thatch had been gravely injured, and Ace had insisted to go after the traitor.

And Ace had almost died, before having confessed his feelings to Marco. 

- The man is hot, too, continued Sabo. He's right not to hide his gorgeous abs. And he's kind and caring. Extremely strong, clever and reliable too, if the rumors about him are true. You'd be a fool not to go after him. 

- Should I be jealous about how you're apparently lusting after the man I like?

And why do I feel jealous that you seem ok with me being with Marco?, Ace didn't ask. It was so greedy of him to want Sabo to still have romantic feelings for him, but he couldn't seem to help it. 

- I'm just saying, if you don't seriously go after Marco, make him yours and put a ring on him and everything, then maybe I will. He's definitely worth it.

Ace knew Sabo was teasing, but the idea of Sabo with Marco brought too many confusing emotions to his mind that he had no idea how to deal with. His feelings were all over the place, with Sabo back in his life. Ace had no doubt that he was deeply in love with Marco, but... he had also never really stopped loving Sabo. Ever since they were little boys, he had known Sabo was special to him, and in a different way than Luffy was. He had believed back then that Sabo and him were meant to be, forever. And even after he had thought Sabo had died, he hadn't been able to fall in love with anyone else, not until Marco appeared in his life. The fact that he still had feelings for his dead brother was actually also part of the reason he had avoided having a serious conversation about Marco. He'd felt guilty about it. Marco deserved someone who would love him exclusively, not someone haunted by the ghost of his first love. Ace was such a mess, he really had no idea how Marco put up with him.

And now that Sabo was back... Ace was even more of a mess. Sabo had become such a gorgeous man, Ace couldn't help but notice. His hair were longer, his blonde curls reflecting the light of the sun that peered through the window; his skin still looked so soft, and the scar on his face only accentuated his beauty in Ace's opinion. And he could guess the muscular body under Sabo's well fitted clothes. His brother was a sight to behold.