Waves lapped against the sides of the ship, gulls could be heard outside the porthole indicating land was near. The room wasn't familiar, but the jolly roger hanging on the wall was; it was a ship in the fleet. His heart skipped a few beats as he rubbed his eyes and made his way to his feet. He couldn't hear any voices out on deck but continued to walk the halls running his fingers over the timbers lining his path.

A harsh briney wind whipped through his waves as he stepped fully onto the deck. Land was in fact near, they'd been docked. He could see the bay from where he stood as the sun was sneaking up passed the horizon behind the ship. Perhaps they'd gone to stock up or moved the banquet to the shore, as he'd taken this as a sign of victory at Marineford.

"You finally made it brat."

The voice stopped Ace in his tracks, it felt like forever since the last time he was called out by his father.

"Pops?" The raven spun to face the enormous man.

Even sitting on bare timbers the old man towered over his adopted son. Why was he on this ship? Maybe the Moby Dick had taken too much damage during battle? Right now Ace's mind was too all over the place to really care for answers.

"You never were one to be on time, were you lad?" Pops chuckled.
"On time? So they are having a banquet?" Ace perked.
"Not at all." the old man answered, "They've been waiting for us."
"Did you drink too much? You're not making any sense."
"You'll see soon enough." Pops rose with ease to lead Ace off the ship.

The men walked in silence around the bay and up a steep hill. Morning light cast over two monuments that Ace couldn't quite make out from so far away but as they approached his heart sank. The ground around the carved granite was littered with swords of all sizes. Whitebeard's gigantic coat swayed gently in the breeze as it hung over his bisentō, a tattered jolly roger waved from above. Ace's rubies slowly moved to the right where a smaller head stone sat, perched atop were his dagger, beads and hat. A ridiculous awray of flowers covered both stones and the ground around them.

"Red-Hair..." Marco's voice drew Ace's attention from the head stone, "I don't know how to thank you enough."

He looked awful and worn out, tired eyes swept up the towering memorial as he adjusted the bandages wrapped around his head.

"No need for any of that," Shanks sighed stepping next to the blond, "he may have been my enemy but Whitebeard was a man worthy of respect."

Ace moved forward confused, "Oi, Marco!"

Neither male acknowledged his presence.

“Shanks, what the fuck-" the raven was silenced as his father's hand enveloped his back turning him, "Pops I - what are they talking about? What is this place?"
"Take a seat lad." Pops rumbled.

Ace did as instructed facing his father. The old man took a moment to find his words and stroked his mustache thoughtfully.

"I know that you are aware of your death lad." Pops smiled softly, "I also know you've fallen in love."
"It wasn't a dream." Ace murmured running a shaky hand through his hair.

He'd thought he was back, that you and your world were some sort of illusion he had while recovering, it always felt too good to be true.

Pops shook his head, smile still present,"It wasn't, and F/N needs you more than anyone here ever did."
"Thatch." Ace whispered.
“Ah, I've seen him already, he wasn't allowed to tell you, so don't hold it against him. This is a place you must find on your own."
"So..." Ace paused before voicing his thoughts, "so you died too? When? Why didn't you come where Thatch and I are?"
"I didn't survive Marineford either." he answered flatly, "You and Thatch had someone waiting for you, someone from beyond our world." his golden eyes swayed over to Shanks' retreating form and back to Marco, "I had many friends and many enemies and many more shameless, brainless sons. There is no other world for me."

Ace swallowed passed the lump in his throat. He'd never considered Pops' death, especially not after finding Thatch, he just assumed the man would appear and they'd be together again some day. He stood and placed his right hand on Marco's shoulder.

The blond closed his tired dry eyes and bowed his head, "We will make you proud, yoi."
"It's time to go." Pops rumbled.
Ace turned back toward his father, "I just have one more question. Is Luffy safe?"
"He is and he has a great path to follow." Pops moved to wrap his enormous arm around Ace's shoulders, "There are some things that are difficult for an old pirate to say, but you will always be my son and I will always love you."
Ace rubbed the tears from his eyes, "Love you too Pops."

With a gasp he opened his eyes to see your calm sleeping face. He slid from his pillow to your chest while you instinctively wrapped your arms around him and nuzzled into his hair.

"You ok babe?" you murmured sleepily.

He nodded and burrowed further into your warmth.