With different eyes

Dream Talks

Lucia's POV

I just look at Ace's hand in disbelief. I quickly stand up and rush towards Ace. I take his hand in my uninjured one. The red line is right where, the wound is on my hand. "What the hell?" I ask, stunned, and continue to stare at Ace's hand. He doesn't seem to want it any more, but detaches himself from my hand and gently takes my injured one. Ace scowls at Marco, but he just looks smug. "We should get your hand fixed!" says Ace and pulls me to my feet. I wave it off and just say, "It's just a scratch, I want answers now!" with these words I look at Marco promptly. "I don't have one either, it was just a guess. Apparently you can share some of each other's wounds and pain," Marco explains to me. "And you show him that? He's just putting himself in danger!" I complain. "He does it anyway," Marco says with a shrug, but Ace looks very smug. That's great, he'll take every opportunity to take on my pain. We still have to discuss that topic, but first the more important one. "And Ace's strange behaviour?" I ask. "I'm not acting weird!" the lighter complains, but Marco and I just ignore him. "I don't have an answer to that either, maybe your madness is contagious." Marco shrugs. "Or your crabbiness!" I counter, while we ignore the grumbling Ace.

A wave of tiredness washes over me. Worried, I turn to Ace. "Ace when was the last time you slept?" I ask, looking at the dark circles under Ace's eyes. "I'm alright!" he says simply, but I've already caught Marco's attention. "Ace lie down!" the vice orders. "I'm not leaving Lucia alone!" says Ace stubbornly. "Then take her with you! One less problem!" says Marco indifferently. "I'm not a cuddly toy without self-determination that you can just drag along!" I grumble. That's not possible, who do they think I am? First Law, now Marco!

Although I am rather tired. Inconspicuously I rub my eyes. But father puts a spoke in my wheel by saying, "Do Ace a favour, my daughter. He was really worried about you!" no matter what world, fathers are terrible, always appealing to your conscience! "For your sake!" I say to Whitebeard, who takes it, grinning broadly. Ace lifts me up again. "I can walk myself!" I complain. What is this princess syndrome? I have two healthy legs! I fidget wildly while Ace simply carries me below deck as if I were a doll. Just before we reach our cabin I give up, it's no use, besides, it's too exhausting for me.

I lean my head on Ace's shoulder. Ace kicks the door open with his foot and carries me into the room. The door is closed in the same way and I wonder how she can last so long with Ace without cracking. Ace gently lays me down on the bed as I roll my eyes. We really need to find out what's going on with Ace. Because this is really exhausting. He lies down next to me and takes me in his arms. I grumble some more, but it's just too comfortable, so I snuggle deeper into the embrace. I hear Ace's quiet breathing and let it accompany me to sleep.

Narrator's POV

Lucia opens her eyes and finds herself back in Ace and her clearing. She turns her head and can see him lying beside her. A peaceful expression on his face and assuming a relaxed posture. Lucia sits up carefully so as not to wake Ace. Although could it be called that? They hadn't been here for a long time. For the first time Lucia thinks about her journey. How long has she been here by now? A year, a year and a half? She looks at Ace and smiles. It had been worth all the trouble and riddles. Lucia plucks a long blade of grass from the ground and leans her arms on Ace's chest. She sees him smiling, so he's not asleep at all. She tickles Ace under the nose with the blade of grass, making him sneeze. Laughing, Lucia gets up.

She turns as she hears a dark laugh. Across from them in the clearing are Roger and Rouge, smiling lovingly at the two of them. Lucia nudges Ace with her foot so that he finally moves. "Ace, someone wants to see you!" she says, but Ace just grins and keeps his eyes closed. Well then, another way. Lucia puts her foot in Ace's face until he finally gives up and grabs her foot. Lucia loses her balance and falls backwards. But before she can hit the ground, she is already in Ace's arms. "Hello!" says Lucia laughing, eliciting a laugh from Ace. He sets Lucia back on her own feet and turns to the visitor. His eyes gleam and he quickly walks towards his mother to give her a hug. Lucia just stays where she is. But D's must have a terrible habit of mistaking her for a cuddly toy, because Roger is already with her, squishing her. Also called a hug, hopefully Luffy never tries that because Lucia would never survive it. Heartily, Lucia returns the hug, she kind of missed the bearded man. "I still have your shirt!" says Lucia laughing. He laughs out loud and says only: "Keep it!"