"I'd do anythin for you, you know. Even if you didn't." He closed his eyes as he felt Ace's fingers in his hair. It was good and he could relax for real this time and get some of that warm haze back as he let himself drift in the heated water. Funny but he'd never let anyone do this for him but nakama. Not even Celia who he'd cared about probably the most of his--attachments in the Grand Line. Maybe because she'd understood what it meant better than anyone.

But even among his nakama... Marco and...well Izou, but that never counted because he was an asshole and Thatch didn't want to think about it, and now Ace. It was good. It was like home except instead of the bobbing of the ship which he'd forgotten, was the steady hum of the Garden which he'd grown to used to.

Ace was here with him, though. They shared the same fate in a way. Even Namur would share it one day, too. Even Marco. Even if it was a thousand years from now or one stupid stupid day. This was another chance to just...be...before the final call.

"Love you, Ace. You know that right?"