A/N: Please note, unlike most other one-shots there is not erotica in this.

Just... a LOT of angst.

Years after Marineford - the world is different. A New Pirate King rules the seas, the World Government is in tatters, the Revolutionary Army has swarmed over the islands and it's all different.

Sabo finds himself on an island in the West Blue. In the quiet hours of the morning something has always pulled him in this direction. He never had time to consider it or worry about it, but the pull is harder lately, more urgent.

Right now the sun is high in the sky and he walks through the peaceful town easily, following the direction of the tug. It almost feels like the pull is from the devil fruit that's a part of him. It's formless and desperate and insistent.

His feet bring him to the doorstep of a small brick home, a few kilometers outside the edge of the town proper. A few farm animals meander around, and there's a small garden wrapped around the back of the home. A line of laundry sways in the warm breeze of the day, and Sabo knocks on the door.

He has no idea what he'll say. He doesn't even know why he's here, only that something compels him.

There's a sound of something being dropped from the other side of the door and a quiet gasp that finds his ears despite the impossibility of it. Fast foot steps rush toward the door and as it swings open bright eyes and a wide smile greet him.

"Ace you're aliv-!" The words die along with the joy on your face, and a dark shadow falls over eyes that had been lit so beautifully just a moment ago. "F-forgive me, sir. I mistook you for the impossible."

"No it's," Sabo steadies himself. He feels near to tears, but he has some inkling why. "It's quite alright. I apologize, I was... well, I was compelled to come here, and I didn't know why."

"Are you a bounty hunter, sir?" You ask, a weak smile on your face.

"No. No, I'm... I'm a member of the Revolutionary Army." He admits.

"If you came here to recruit an ex-pirate, I can't help you." You say sourly. You look around and notice the young blonde is well and truly alone and on foot. "It's quite the walk from town to here, I can offer you a drink before you leave. The Revolutionary Army's done good by the people, I don't mind sparing a cup."

"That's... very kind of you. I would love a bit of tea, if you have it."

You step back and allow him inside. It takes everything Sabo has not to react. The simple home is well-cared for, but there's no real life in it. It's dark inside, most of the windows are drawn and shuttered, but it's clean, and the scent is... painfully familiar.

Everything is patches of orange and red, and there's a small collection of sketches on the table as he sits down that have a face that twists his heart.

"Pardon the mess." You say absently. "I've not had a guest since Kaido was defeated."

"It's quite alright..." Sabo says carefully. "I... I apologize, but I must ask you something."

"Fire- er, shoot, Army Man." You say, setting a kettle to boil on the small stove you had.

"Did you know Portgas D. Ace?" As the question leaves Sabo's lips he regrets it. The pain that twists your features twists his heart.

"... Forgive me." He says before you can answer.

"You knew him too." You say, nodding toward your sketches. "I lost my wanted poster of him a few months ago and have been trying to make sure I don't forget - ah, I mean. They're not making new posters of him, you know."

"He... he loved you, didn't he?" Sabo asks hesitantly. There's a tear slipping down his cheek and he can't reconcile the absolute pain in his heart. He doesn't even know your name, but he wants to comfort you somehow.

"I did. We did. It was..." You stop as the kettle starts to whistle and turn your attention to brewing the tea.

"I never knew I could love fire." You admit, as you set two cups on the table. Before the young army man can ask, you pull the legs of your pants up and show him the burn scars. "I have some on my back too. I got them before I joined the Whitebeard crew. A decade or more before I ever even met him."

You force yourself to smile. You were well-practiced at this conversation, and you'd managed to get even Marco to leave you alone not too long ago.

"He died protecting a dream, and that dream came true." You say, holding onto your smile. "I can take comfort in that."

The sad smile on the young man's face makes you feel like he understands. You both drink tea quietly for a few moments, but the longer he stays, the harder it is to keep your mask on. Something about him pulls at you, reaches for you, begs for you, and you're not sure what it is.

You also know that you don't want to know.

"Thank you," Sabo says, as he drains his cup. "For the tea."

"Of course, Army Man." You reply evenly.

Sabo gets up, stopping after he's only taken a step toward the door.

"I'd... like to return, if I may? I have much left to do, but it won't be for forever. I think I'd like to get to know you better."

You consider it for a moment and then shake your head. "No offense, Army Man, but I don't want to ever see you again." You look up from your tea cup, smiling despite the tears in your eyes.

"I've already been burned twice in this life."