Chapter Text
Fuck sakes man!
Ace slammed the letter down on top the table in frustration. He held himself up with a hand to the table, his other hand pushing back his hair which was starting to get a bit long. Another fucking problem to deal with!
Ace pulled out a dusty chair at the table and plopped down on his ass with a long sigh.
Another bill… and this time? Doubled fucking rent…
Ace felt his blood boil all over again at the prospect. The rent was rising and fast. Last months wasn’t nearly such a steep price…
“You ok there bro?” Ace looked to see his brother sabo place a hand on his shoulder in comfort, seeing him glance at the upside down letter seeming unsure of what it could be.
Ace internally cursed before smiling wildly at sabo and waving a hand dismissively.
“Nah sorry I just got frustrated that the renter keeps sending copy’s of the rent over and over even though it’s paid! I really should tell them huh?” Sabo seemed to relax at the false excuse and smiled.
“Yeah… anyhow are you ready to pick Luffy up today?” Ace internally cursed once more knowing he was forgetting something.
“Ah actually my shift starts soon so I’ve got to get over! I totally forgot…” Sabo could clearly see aces pained expression as he immediately pat his back once more before starting to grab his coat off the rack.
“Don’t worry I’ll cover for you!” Ace smiled gratefully at sabo before frowning as he looked back to the letter.
“… can you say sorry for me? I think I’ll be working all night again…” Sabo smiled softly and nodding before heading out. Aces relief immeasurable as he too started his way out the door at off to work via bike.
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“I’m so sorry Ace but…” Ace clutched his fists seething at his bosses sorry look.
“Your fired. You just don’t get here on time! And you keep falling asleep on the job! I can’t keep waisting time and money on someone who won’t even take it seriously!” Ace sucked up his pride and started to plead.
“Please sir- I need the money or else my brothers-“
“No excuses Ace. Leave your apron here. Your pay check for the month will be sent as well. Good bye now.” And just like that Ace was left in the break room alone as everyone else had gone home.
He put the apron down as his boss said and Ace made his way out. A wave of rage that once was there overtaken with grief. That’s the 3rd job this week he was cut from! Now he was left with his work at some flower shop that barely pays minimum wage.
He stared down at the floor as he walked down the street, the utter defeat that came off him in waves sending few people out at this time to walk farther from him. What was he gunna do? He couldn’t cut Luffys or sabos schooling- and what about food for next week? The entire family all ate like fucking monsters so their already small storage will disappear easily… Ace had already used the excuse he had eaten at work two days in a row and he knew sabo was smart enough to figure it out…
When Ace walked inside at the late hour of 3am, he softly put his jacket on the rack and attempted to sit on their couch. Only to notice Luffy and sabo snugly alseep together. They waited for him… Ace smiled softly before going to their room and bringing a blanket to cover them up. Ace sitting beside them only to feel his little brothers arm slowly stretch over and pull him into the hug as well.
The comfort was well appreciated as Ace hugged the two back with his long arms. Smiling wider when sabo pulled ace closer to himself as well, giving his shoulder a nuzzle. It was a lovely moment. No work pulling him out for late shift and no annoying customers calling him slurs and curses just for getting a order ‘wrong’.
This is what he lived for.
Moments like these.
And he would give anything to always be like this.
He just wished he could do better for his family… better for his brothers…