The freckles just got sadder. Smoker rubbed his forehead and then inched his fingers back to his temple to press and rub again, while he gave him an one armed hug. "Portgas," he started, murmuring against his forehead, "I'm a marine. You're a pirate. You won't change me and I won't change you. I'm not letting you force me to try and choose." He felt like that was where it was going, that Ace finally decided to try and choose between the two.

"Your home is with me, you can just view everything else as a visit somewhere until you're coming home, I don't know." Gritting his teeth, he finally scooped up Ace, leaning him back towards his chest. Why was he the one picking up the pieces of Ace when Ace was the one who fucked up? Love, ah, cruel mistress, akin to the sea.

"Follow your justice, Portgas, you know what you need to do, but you just won't let yourself see it."