Sabo sits very still on Ace's couch. He listens to the clatter from the other room as his brother rearranges his kitchen, trying to figure out what to cook. It's been far too long since they saw each other, but it doesn't feel right.

  This should be a joyous occasion. After all, it's not often they meet up. But it isn't. Ace's demeanor isn't right. He's acting strange. It feels as if Ace has reverted back to that fearful state he was in after the crash. He's becoming distant again.

  Ace comes out of the kitchen, he's taken off his shirt. At least he hasn't lost that trait yet.

  "Did you eat yet?" Sabo's brother asks before he takes a seat next to him.

  "Yeah, (Y/N) gave me some food," he gives him a small smile. "She was standing outside when I pulled up. She waited all day for you, Ace."

  "That's funny. Because the last time we talked, she told me she didn't care about me," Ace leans back into the couch. 

  "Did she actually say that?" Sabo turns his head to look at the expression on his face. "And if she actually said it, do you think she really believed it?"

  "Well, no she didn't say it like that," his face clouds over. Sabo can tell that he's trying to act like he's okay. "But it's the feeling I got. It-"

  "Ace, you've always had an active imagination," the blond clasps his hands together, staring at his intertwined fingers. "I'm sure you just took it one step too far. But you tell me what happened. No beating around the bush. Just upfront. Talk to me. I'm your brother. And I never want to feel like I wasn't here for you."

  Ace takes a deep breath, "I don't know where to start."

  "Okay," Sabo puts his hand on Ace's shoulder and stares into his eyes. "So she's your neighbor and your coworker. How'd you meet her? What happened to you for you to feel like she doesn't care. Just tell me what's been happening over this past month. That's all I'm here for."

  And so he starts by telling him about the first day she moved in, how she looked familiar. The noises he heard from upstairs, how he confronted her about it. And about the next day, when she missed the bus and he drove her to work. How he found notes on his car. How Shanks had him go in and do a presentation for her class while they were in training.

  Then he told him about the party. How he came clean to her about all his darkest thoughts and concerns. How they kissed in the closet. How she makes him feel. How she shares the same name as the person who called him all those years ago. About the fact that she makes him feel like he doesn't have to pretend to be anyone. But also, about how loyal she is.

  About how desperate she is to continue to hold onto Ryker. How she'd give up all her happiness to finally see him happy again. How he saw this, and probably just wanted it so bad that he imagines the butterflies she gives him.

  After a few moments of silence, Sabo finally speaks, "It sounds to me like you two are increasingly the same."

  "What do you mean?" Ace stares at him, a bit offended. "She could never be like me."

  "You say that being like you is such a bad thing," his brother rolls his eyes at him. "You're both so caught up in all the bad things that you think it's the only thing that defines you. But you're both too kind for your own good, yet somehow, you both feel like you're selfish. You're constantly more worried about other people, that you neglect yourself. You need to move on."

  "It's not my place to give her advice," he stares at Ace, waiting for him to meet his eyes. "But I can give it to you. You're my brother and I've watched you grow up. You can stand to have a little more confidence in yourself. You used to have so much. We used to kick ass and take names later. No one could get in our way. But now, you're someone completely different."

  "It's kind of the reason I don't talk to you as much anymore. I don't know what I can or can't say anymore. I'm terrified of saying the wrong thing and setting you off. But it hurts not being able to have these conversations anymore," he stares at his hands again. "You're my brother. And I'll always be here. I don't want fear to stop me anymore, and I don't want it to stop you either. What are you so afraid of, Ace?"

  Ace stays quiet. He's not sure, but if he had to give an answer it would have to be everything. Nothing he does, he does with confidence anymore.

  "I heard that you haven't visited the orphanage in a while," Sabo continues after a few more moments of silence. "I think you should before your birthday. They could probably offer some more insight than I can."

  "I don't think that's true at all, Sabo," he finally speaks. "I think you said some things that I really needed to hear. And I'm grateful for it. I'm sorry I've been kind of a bad brother lately. So lost in my own world that I can't remember those I still have around me."

  They share a smile before Sabo grabs Ace and pulls him into a hug, "I almost thought I lost you again today, Ace. I thought that we lost you for good this time. And that scared me."

  Ace hugs him back, breathing in the smell of the woods they used to run rampant in, "I'm sorry. I know it doesn't excuse my behavior, but I'm sorry."

  "Now go talk to her," Sabo pulls away and stands up hurriedly. "I'm sure she was just as worried about you as we were."

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