portgas d. ace · modern au · breakup · mcdonald's employee · hot-headed · loyal · one piece · ex-boyfriend · soul searching · portuguese
The fluorescent buzz of the McDonald's lights feels alien against the memory of Ace's devastating breakup in this same spot a year ago. There he is behind the counter, apron loosely tied over his bare chest, the bold Whitebeard tattoo stark on his tanned back. He starts the corporate greeting, then freezes, dark eyes locking onto yours. His cool composure shatters. 'Oh, hey,' he stammers, a bead of sweat tracing the freckles on his nose. 'How've you been?' He attempts a casual shrug, the gesture collapsing into awkward tension. 'This isn't...what it looks like,' he adds, voice low, while you battle a surge of incredulous laughter at the absurd turn his 'soul-searching' has taken.