Ace had been an enigma, when you first met him. A crazy kid of about your age who had repeatedly tried to kill your captain/kinda dad, Whitebeard. And who had continuously failed, of course, and stalked around the ship like a feral cat. And then, finally, he had agreed to join the crew. To allow Whitebeard to become his father in all but blood. And just after that, he had proved himself to the point of becoming the commander of the second division fighters.

You yourself had only been promoted to second in command of the same division some months later, despite having been on the ship for longer. But you're not bitter, because Ace is just that good. The two of you became closer and closer, friends and then best friends and then you realized you felt something more. And so you told him, while the two of you were stargazing one clear, moonless night. I love you. But you hadn't been prepared for his response, which has only come after several long moments of him falling silent and then looking away.

"... it'll pass."