Thatch and Zoro entered the room nearly dropping the food they’d brought back when they saw you hunched over Ace’s chest crying as he weakly stroked your hair.
 
“It’s ok,” he murmured unsure if it was the truth or not.
“I know,” you sniffled, “that’s why I’m crying.”
 
Thatch set the tray he was holding on the nearest table and slumped over you.
 
“Guys,” Ace croaked, “it’s really hard to breathe with you like this.”
 
You were just so relieved to see him awake and hear his voice, it was hard not to cry.
 
“You’re awake!” Thatch sobbed.
“It’s like I have two moms.” The raven chuckled glancing at Zoro.
“Ok, maybe you guys should let him breathe.” Your boyfriend suggested calmly moving to peel you away from your sibling.
 
As you stood Zoro swept the tears from your cheeks and smiled softly. Though he wasn’t a fan of seeing you cry, at least for once it was over something good.
 
“Oh!” you gasped yanking your phone from your pocket, “I have to tell everyone.”
 
 
 
The Crew :
 
You: He’s awake!

Phoenix_blue: I’m at the office but I can be there soon.

Dragon925: How is he?

You: he seems fine but doesn’t remember much. Law will be in soon to check on him.

PirateKing98: Me & Nami will be there in a few hours

Dragon925: Al and I were out getting breakfast but we’re on our way. Should we stop for anything?

You: We’ll worry about that later. See you guys soon.
 
 Law entered shortly after to perform some neuropathy tests.
 
“Well, he doesn’t seem to have any issues with nerve damage or motor skills.” Law glanced at you and your oldest brother and then turned back to Ace, “Do you remember anything that happened the night of the fight?”
Ace pondered for a moment, “Uhm…I know I had to fight some old man.” His face scrunched as he fought harder to remember.
Law placed a hand on his shoulder, “Don’t push yourself. If you happen to recall later let me or Detective Smoker know.”
“Yeah, of course.” Your freckled brother nodded.
 
“Well,” Law stood placing the clipboard back at the foot of Ace’s bed, “We’ll keep him one more night just for observation, but I expect a full recovery.”
“Thank you,” Thatch murmured.
“I’ll be back during my rounds later.” The doctor reached the door just as Sabo and Al entered.
“So how bad do I look?” Ace asked wiggling into a more seated position.
“Remember that time Luffy put gum in your hair?” Sabo chuckled as Ace frowned.
“That bad?”
“Worse.” The blond confirmed.
“Your hair isn’t so bad,” Al chirped, “it’s at least fixable”
“Yeah,” you agreed, “your face on the other hand…”
“Gimme a mirror!” Ace demanded.
“It was a lot worse four days ago.” Zoro added handing him the small mirror from your overnight bag.
 “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” the raven gaped at himself for a moment and then reached up slowly running his fingers over the bruised swollen parts of his face, “Holy shit.”
 
Your chest burned a bit watching him realize just how serious the situation was. Zoro’s gaze fell over you taking in your reaction as well. He brought his arms up to wrap around your shoulders and reeled you into his chest.
 
“My hair…” Ace’s busted lip jutted out just a bit.
“We’ll fix it.” You murmured with a smile.
“Not you.” His ruby gaze snapped up to you, “Not after the last time.”
“I can do it.” Al volunteered.
“No one better than the licensed professional.” Thatch commented still drying his tears.
“We’ll have to wait until you’re home and feeling a bit better.” You added.
“I can just bring everything to the house when you’re ready.” Al smiled softly.
 
The day carried on slowly as your siblings came in short stints to visit your younger brother. Thatch volunteered to come back in the evening for the final night shift, just to make sure Ace was comfortable and not left alone.
 
“Did you have anything in mind for dinner?” you asked Zoro shedding your hoodie in the doorway of his apartment.
“Delivery is already on the way.” He answered pressing a kiss to your forehead.
“Oh, planning ahead, Tiger?”
“I had to considering most places would be busier today.” He answered stepping back into his room.
 
You plopped down on the sofa wondering what was so special about today that meant restaurants would be busier. Was another snowstorm blowing through? People always had to get out of the house before possibly being snowed in for a few days.
 
It wasn’t a weekend.
 
You sighed.
 
 
 
You really had tunnel vision this week and couldn’t think of a single reason, until your greenette emerged carrying a small magenta gift bag and single white tulip with a purple ribbon tied around the stem.
 
Valentine’s day.
 
You’d completely forgotten in all of the drama that surrounded Ace’s hospital stay.
 
“It isn’t much.” Zoro started, handing you the flower first, “I thought you’d rather have a quiet night.”
“You didn’t have to do anything, I’m so terrible I didn’t even remember.” You accepted the flower and the gift bag as he offered it.
“There’s been a lot going on,” he scoffed, “I wouldn’t have expected you to. So, don’t worry about it and remember I’m bad at this gift thing.”
 “Yeah I bought that lie on Christmas.” You rolled your eyes as he took a seat next to you.
 
Tugging the shimmery white tissue paper from the bag your fingers brushed against something soft. You pulled out a small purple lop-eared rabbit plushie. It was actually very cute and about the same size as the little tiger you’d won for Zoro so long ago, you could even assume it was made by the same company just judging by the facial expression and materials used.

He watched with slightly flushed cheeks as you marveled at the toy. The smile on your lips and amusement in your eyes was something he could get addicted to. If you looked like this every time you received a gift he’d have to start giving you things every day.
 
“She’s so cute ~.” You sing-songed.
“I’m glad you like it.” He rubbed his nape and glanced away, “They’re still in business…the company that made mine.”
“How did you even know that?” You shifted to face him.
“The tag,” he muttered, “all I had to do was look it up.”
“So you ordered it for me?” knowing he went through the trouble of getting you a truly matching plush made your chest tight in an exhilarating way.
 
He never struck you as the romantic type. Truthfully, he wasn’t, but for you he tried and it was adorable.
 
“Yeah.” He murmured quickly turning back to you as you climbed into his lap and cupped his cheeks.
“How did I get so deserving?” you asked running your fingers along his jaw while he looked into your eyes and smirked.
“How did I?” he kissed your lips.
“Careful,” you smooched him back, “that’ll go straight to my head.”
 
He chuckled nipping your bottom lip while sliding his hands over your hips pressing you against him. Slowly rocking into him, your hands traveled into his hairline never losing contact as you offered short sweet kisses between long deep ones. Zoro hummed and shuddered while you gently tugged at his short tresses.

His hand dropped to the cushion next to you raking your gifts onto the floor before turning and pushing you back into the sofa. You mewled hooking your legs around his waist while he kissed down your neck and chest. A short sigh pushed passed your lips as he rolled his hips into yours.

Your fingertips danced down the back of his neck and dove into his shirt dragging your nails between his shoulder blades as he bit down on your nipple through your clothes. Quickly your hands shot back into his hair while his left caressed your thigh and his right worked under your shirt to free your chest of its lacy confines. Arching your back, you worked against him hoping to gain some much-needed friction. Sensing your objective, he lowered himself further allowing you to grind on him, the airy sounds you made only getting him more excited.

An abrupt wrap on the door halted all motion allowing your huffs to fill the silent space. Zoro’s face dropped into your half-covered bosom with a heavy sigh. Another quick knock followed by a loud, “hello?!” had him withdrawing completely.
 
“Dinner.” He muttered, rising with an annoyed frown between his brows.
 
You chuckled sitting up and adjusting yourself while he did the same during his short trek.
 
“This better be the best damn Chinese food.” He grumbled opening the door.

_______________
 
 
A few days after Ace was released from the hospital Al arrived with all of her equipment to cut Ace's hair.
 
He sat in a kitchen chair you’d moved into the den with a smock draped around him. Carefully Al removed the bandage on his head and began trimming his poor uneven locks. He cringed a bit hearing her fire up the clippers and move up the back of his head. It had been a long time since his hair was this short. Women always seemed to prefer his shaggy look, though lately he hadn’t been that interested in anyone really. Closing his eyes, he tried to ignore Al’s closeness as she moved around him humming quietly to herself.
 
“I think we can keep some length on the top.” she murmured tussling his hair with her fingers as she spritzed some water to make her work easier.
 
Ace sat quiet eyes still closed lost in thought.
 
“Hello?” Al poked his cheek, “Earth to Ace?”
His face contorted at the unexpected contact making her chuckle, “Hmm? What?”
“Ready to shave it all off?” she stepped back and smirked at the oblivious male.
“What?!” he jolted up in the seat.
“Cálmate, I was kidding.” Al grasped his shirt and guided him back into the chair, “I said we’ll keep some length on top. Is that alright? Or do you want it all short?”
“Oh, uh yeah…I’d like to keep it if we can.” he muttered glancing up at her as she nodded and reached for the scissors.
 
Fifteen minutes later Al called you into the den after drying and styling Ace’s final look. When you entered the room she was removing the smock and brushing of his shoulders. His ruby’s trailed over her face and then caught sight of you causing a slight blush to rise to his freckled cheeks.
 
You entered raising a brow, “Looking dapper, Freckles.”
“This could be your new look.” Al handed him a mirror.
“Thanks,” he replied distractedly turning his head to check all his angles.
“There’s nothing I can do around your stitches, but we can trim everything down again until it fills in that way it all grows evenly.”
 
Ace hummed again. You found his bashful demeanor a bit odd but chose to ignore it until Al exited the room.
 
“What was that?” you asked watching his gaze trail after her as she left.
“I dunno?” your brother shrugged.
“You never blush or gawk like that.”
 
He shrugged again.
 
“Ace,” you furrowed your brows, “she isn’t single.”
“What? I know.” he sighed.
“And she’s with Sabo.” you commented as if he needed reminding.
“It’s nothing, shut up.”  he grumbled pushing passed you.

A/N - The cover photo of Ace for this chapter was done by the amazingly talented Wolfytoons31x - if you don't know her go check out her books and show her love.