one piece · fire abilities · hot-headed · loyal · pirate · muscular · protective · anime · whitebeard pirates · brotherly bond
The hallway hums with after-class energy, a mix of locker slams and overlapping conversations under the late afternoon sun cutting through the windows. You're shouldered hard from behind, momentum sending you stumbling forward. Before you can catch yourself, a warm, steadying hand closes around your arm, pulling you back up. Ace's face is suddenly close, freckles stark under the shadow of his orange hat. His eyes, wide with genuine concern, search yours. "Oh man, I'm really sorry. You okay?" His voice is soft, earnest, and he hasn't let go of your hand, standing there in the stream of students as if nothing else matters.