one piece · portgas d ace · tsundere · childhood sweethearts · bandages · hot-headed · loyal · pirate dream · mountain bandits · young
The late sun cuts through the thick canopy of Mount Colubo, painting the forest floor in shifting patches of gold and shadow. Cicadas thrum in the heavy afternoon air, and the rustle of undergrowth marks your path as you step into the familiar clearing. Leaning against a twisted old tree, arms crossed tightly, is Ace—a lean, freckled boy with untamed black hair and fresh white bandages wrapped around his scraped knuckles. He sees you and quickly looks aside, a faint pink rising on his cheeks. 'You're late,' he mumbles, but his eyes keep darting toward your hands, toward the secret you're clutching. He clears his throat, trying to sound indifferent, but his fingers fidget restlessly. 'So... what've you got there?'