The moment Teach killed Thatch for the Dark-Dark Devil Fruit and fled, the whole entirety of the Whitebeard Pirates knew Ace was going right after him. Teach had, after all, been under his division, and as his commander, Ace would feel responsible for his subordinate’s traitorous action. All they could do was attempt to convince Ace to let it go, but if even Pops himself can’t change his mind, who can?

Just as stubborn as him is you, who began packing your bags as well when he did. Ace tried to reason with you and keep you on the mothership, naming every way it’s too dangerous for you to join on, but you were set on going wherever Ace goes. Anyway, he had no right to complain.

And so you both set off on his small Striker. It really is a speedboat meant for one person, but you make it work, not willing to leave your boyfriend. He eventually admits he’s glad you came, claiming how he’d miss you and be bored out of his mind if he had went on this journey all by himself.

A week in, you begin to feel seasick. Perhaps it’s because the tiny boat rocks far more violently than the gigantic Moby with available sleeping quarters to rest and remedies to make you feel better, but you bear with it, occasionally emptying your stomach into the ocean next to you. Ace is always there to hold your hair back and soothe you, reassuring you the next island is close by.

But it quickly becomes clear that you’re not just seasick. You haven’t just been throwing up for no reason.

“You’re… pregnant?”

Ace is genuinely in shock. He looks at you with a plethora of emotions swirling in his eyes, not sure which to express. Naturally, his eyes rest on the stomach you’re holding. He wants to hold it, too. You haven’t started showing yet, but he wants to touch it, feel it — a life growing inside you.

But Ace swallows. “H-how long have you known?” There’s a hint of betrayal tied between his voice, though he really tries his best to push it back. “…Why didn’t you tell me? I-I am the father, right…?”