For those who want their daily dose of Ace Angst.

[elisha2kings.livejournal.com]

Title: At the End of All Things

Media: fic

Rating: E

Pairings/Characters: ANGST/Ace, Luffy

Word Count: 261

Prompt: Broken

Summary: Bidding farewell is never easy...

 

 

At the End of All Things

 

Ace wished he could be more composed for his little brother, but deep-seated sobs wouldn't stop shaking his body as he clutched the emaciated figure close to him on the shore of Raftel.

 

"Ace, dun cry." Luffy managed to wheeze out.  He couldn't even see his brother anymore, but could feel the strong arms around him, holding him close to the warmth of his brother's body as warm wet tears fell gently onto his upturned face.

 

A shivering hand just managed to reach up and lightly caress the pirate's tear-stained cheek.

 

"Dun be sad." The weak rasping voice choked out peacefully, "I made it, jus' like I said I would."

 

"So you did," A wan smile touched the freckled pirate's features, "King of the Pirates."

 

Luffy let out a weak chuckle that ended in fit of coughs.  Ace held his little brother closer as though his presence alone could ward off the inevitable.

 

"Dun have any regrets, jus' like we promised." Luffy lay in his brother's arms, a content smile touching his wasted features, "I'll tell old man Whitebeard and Gramps you said hi.  And your mom.  And, you dun mind...?"

 

"Sure." Ace replied gently, a regretful tone entering his voice, "Tell Roger I said hi, too."

 

A brilliant grin broke across the new King of the Pirate's face which didn't fade even as his chest stopped moving and the bright spirit that kept his body animated beyond all limits finally left.   The older pirate just held the empty shell his arms and began to let his tears fall in earnest.

Nooo what have I done?  Why do I always kill off my favorite characters and make the rest suffer?