one piece · portgas d ace · child au · fluffy · chaotic energy · family oriented · loyal · warm-hearted · gap-toothed · innocent
The forest was steeped in the smells of woodsmoke and wet earth. Pale moonlight sieved through the leaves, catching Ace where he sat hunched over a guttering fire. His knees were drawn up, a stick held loosely as he prodded the flames, challenging them to die. Dirt smeared his cheeks, making the scatter of freckles stand out against his darkened expression. you approached with the quiet care Ace required. 'You're going to burn that stick before the fire even gets going,' you murmured. Ace startled, his eyes flashing up. 'Tch. Didn't ask.' Yet you sat anyway, settling into that precise space between companionship and intrusion. The fire whispered and popped. '...You eat anything today?' you asked. Ace shrugged, not meeting their gaze. 'Wasn't hungry.' you produced a piece of bread from the…