Finally the MarcoAce oneshot for UNikopol (cheesecakecaramel on tumblr)! Sorry it took so long 3

"Guess who's the best?" Sabo said upon bursting into the room where Ace and Luffy were hard at work cleaning their days take, waving a bunch of papers around. Well, where Ace was cleaning their take for the day while Luffy was dancing with impatience. They would eat well tonight even with the bandits taking their share.

"Ace caught the most today," Luffy said, and Ace couldn't help the pride the settled warmly in his stomach. He swatted at Luffy, who ducked neatly, and Ace had to hold back a grin at the instinctive dodge..

"I catch the most everyday, idiot."

"Nuh-uh, sometimes Sabo catches more, and one day I'm going to catch so much more than either of you, you'll both bow before me." Luffy grinned at them both, and Ace scoffed but couldn't help but smile back.

"In your dreams."

Sabo interrupted before it could devolve into a fight. "Oh, would you just look already!" He waved the papers in his hands wildly again. Ace turned back to getting dinner ready, Luffy in eager attendance. Papers were boring, especially ones that interested Sabo.

"Oi, jackasses. I got us- well, okay I foraged yours but details- invitations to the King's ball tomorrow!" Ace turned to Sabo, glancing over him to make sure he looked alright.

"Why?" Ace tilted his head. His eyes were bright, and he was a bit flushed, but then Sabo had obviously run here, so that could be the cause. He looked at Luffy to see if he was concerned as well, but he just blinked owlishly at Sabo, confused but not worried.

"Free food, of course. You don't think I want to prance around with all of those nobles, do you?" Sabo grinned. "Besides, I have to go, so I want you to be there too, or I'll perish from boredom." Before Ace could react, Luffy had managed to fling them both at Sabo, and they all fell to the ground, laughing together in what Ace was sure Luffy would deem a group hug but more closely resembled a heap.

Ace fidgeted in place, staring out at the glittering crowd swirling before him, wondering how he'd let Sabo make him think this was a good idea. He frowned down at his white gloves. Makino had put a lot of effort into getting them all prepared for the event, but he really should have drawn the line when gloves had been mentioned.

The whole outfit was ridiculous, but Ace had to admit it did fit with everyone else's, so Sabo and Makino hadn't just been pulling a prank on Luffy and him. But the black and white tuxedo was far too confining, and why anyone felt the need to wear so many layers was beyond Ace. Though he did have to admit, if only to himself, that he liked the mask Sabo had forced on him, with its swirls of flames, even if Sabo had said it was for his fiery temper.

He glanced over to where Luffy was still stuffing his face and smiled. At least Sabo had been right about the food, but he'd eventually been forced to dance, leaving Ace to stand by the food table and watch as Luffy managed to outeat the pace of the best chefs in the country. Their invitations said they were very important, so no one was willing to say anything as Luffy plowed through his 15th plate.

A huddle of wait staff was conferring nearby, trying to decided what to do about Luffy and his atrocious manners, and Ace watched in amusement as their debate became more and more heated.

"No need to worry." Ace jumped at the sudden comment from right beside him, turning to look at the man that had managed to sneak up on him in his corner by the potted plant. Ace automatically glanced over him,looking for weaknesses (he did not like being snuck up on), but he looked like any other guest at this stupid party, the only thing setting him apart from the crowd his brilliant blue mask. "They won't muster up the courage to say anything to your brother."

"Oh- uh, thanks," Ace said, "I figured we were safe when they said nothing when both of us were eating."

The man chuckled softly, the sound warming Ace, who found himself grinning in return. "Whoever foraged your invitations did an excellent job. They won't dare turn say anything to the sons of the most reclusive, wealthy count." Ace felt his eyes widen as he automatically took a defensive pose.

The best way out would be to go through the kitchen door right behind them. He could grab Luffy, and then- A hand caught his wrist before he could do more than tense, a thumb stroking along his pulse, and Ace froze in shock at the man's speed.

"No need to worry. These parties are really dull, and if I have to talk to one more pompous ass, I will kill someone." Ace was almost certain that if he'd been able to see the man's face, there would be merest suggestion of a pout, and he found himself relaxing even though everything told him this man was dangerous.

"Please? I'm Marco, by the way." Ace should have been shocked, but he couldn't seem to work up the proper emotion. He glanced over to see Luffy examining them carefully, before grinning and going back to terrorizing the chefs.

"Marco, as in heir to the Kingdom, Marco?"

"Not scared, are you, yoi?" Ace grinned.

"Of course not." He waved his free hand airily. "I could take a privileged bastard like you any day."

Marco's laugh skittered warmly along his skin, and Ace eased his burning wrist away from Marco's grasp. "I'd like to see you try."

"I don't think that's appropriate party behavior. Fighting was on my list of forbidden things," Ace said, nodding for emphasis.

Marco raised a brow. "He gave you a list?"

"Yeah, we have to wait until midnight before we're allowed to cause mayhem." Marco stared at him, and Ace could almost feel the question. "I'm not sure why. Either that's how long Sabo has to stay, or maybe by then everyone will be too drunk to care."

"And what is that, exactly?" Marco gestured to Luffy, and Ace laughed.

"Oh, that's nowhere near mayhem." Marco hummed, the only sign of his amusement was slight crinkles at the corner of his eyes, and they fell into a companionable silence, listening to the end of the last waltz.

Just before the song ended, Marco turned to Ace. "Would you like to dance?" Ace's heart thudded in his ears. Surely he hadn't heard that right? When he didn't respond right away, Marco shifted slightly before continuing. "You've got a few hours to kill, and standing behind the plant all night doesn't seem like the most entertaining thing, but I understand if you don't want to, and it doesn't have to be with me. I'm sure there are lots of people who would dance with you. I mean-"

Ace grabbed Marco's hand, reveling in the tingle that shot across his skin at the touch. "I'd love to dance with you."

Marco's answering smile was electrifying, and Ace grinned as he let Marco pull him away from his corner and out onto the dance floor. Ace gave silent thanks to Sabo for forcing him to learn the step. Marco claimed his waist, the warmth from his hand managing to burn straight through the ludicrously many layers of clothing Ace had been forced to wear, and Ace settled his hand on Marco's shoulder, nervously going over the count in his head.

"Do you know how to waltz?" Marco asked softly, the warmth of his voice forcing Ace to repress a shudder as he nodded and smiled cheekily.

"Of course I do. Do you?" Marco laughed as the music began and took the lead. Despite his bravado, it took a few measures before Ace stopped counting mentally and could pay more attention to Marco than his feet.

Brilliantly blue eyes caught his when he looked up, and Ace's thoughts fled, his world narrowed until all that was left was Marco; his scent, his warmth, his presence filled Ace's senese until there was no longer room for anything else. Whatever expression was on his face as he relaxed into Marco's embrace (and Ace was certain he was happier not knowing exactly) brought a slight smirk to Marco's face, and the hand on his waist tightened possessively, closing the distance between them even farther from what was proper.

Their thighs brushed with every turn, each touch sending shockwaves through Ace, though he was certain he was not the only one affected. Marco too was breathing far more heavily than was warranted by such slight exercise, and Ace felt a rush of confidence at the thought.

He let his gaze drop obviously to Marco's lips, staring intently at them, letting his thoughts stray to what it would be like to press his own against them. Would Marco taste as good as he smelled? Surely even better. If he did kiss him here, the heir to the Kingdom, in the middle of the dance floor, everyone would see and would think Marco belonged to him. Ace dragged his eyes back to Marco's, tongue darting out to moisten his lips.

The sheer want in Marco's eyes staggered him, and Ace looked away, a smile ghosting his lips. Perhaps he had been a bit too blatant in his inspection. A warm breeze surprised him into taking note of their surroundings.

They were on a torch-lit terrace, the waltz now second to the sounds of the summer evening, the scent of roses heavy in the air. They slowed together, drifting until they came to a stop near the railing, but neither made a move to let the other go. Their lips were close enough that their breath mingled as they stood in silence.

Suddenly, it struck Ace what he was doing, and he wrenched himself away, turning to stand at the railing. How could he be so stupid? Dancing with the crown prince, of all people, and enjoying it. He was going to kill Sabo. Clearly, this madness was all his fault. Ace let out something between a laugh and a sob, unable to tell anymore.

Marco followed after a brief moment, leaning against the railing next to him, and Ace had to fight the urge to lean towards him. Marco was silent as he stared off into the dark gardens, letting Ace have his space, and Ace was torn between being grateful and hating that he could be so understanding. It would be so much easier if he could just do something wrong.

Ace sighed. "Thank you very much for the dance," he said, "but I'm afraid I must be going now."

"It's too early to cause mischief. At least don't lie to me, yoi."

Ace glared at Marco, but at his steady gaze, Ace felt himself soften. He sighed again and turned back to the rail.

"Will you tell me your name at least?" Marco asked, and Ace laughed bitterly, emptiness liked he'd never felt before surging up in him.

"My name is Ace." One corner of his mouth quirked up. "Gol D. Ace, which should explain the rest."

"Ace," Marco said, letting the word roll around on his tongue as if he were trying to taste it. "If that is your only concern, I'm going to have to ask you to dance again." For the first time this evening, Ace cursed the mask that kept him from seeing all of Marco's face. It hadn't been hard to tell how he was feeling earlier, but now, when it was most important, he gave away nothing.

"Don't you know what that means!?" Ace slammed a fist on the stone railing, the pain going unnoticed until Marco caught his hand in order to look it over. Ace jerked his hand away from the warm grip. "My father was your father's rival until his death! Yours as well!"

Marco took his hand again more firmly, inspecting it carefully, ignoring Ace's protests. When he had finished his examination to his satisfaction, he lowered his hand, Ace's still in his grasp. He met Ace's eyes once more, and Ace again found himself unable to look away. "And what," Marco said, "does that have to do with us, yoi? You must not have even known the man, and you are not him, so what does your father have to do with anything?"

Ace moved his mouth, but couldn't seem to make anything come out. Finally, he croaked out, "I-"

A small explosion sounded from the ballroom behind them, interrupting them. Luffy skidded to a halt in the open French doors.

"Oh, there you are, Ace! It's time to go, I think. They all seem upset." Luffy grinned unrepentantly, though the explosion could only have been him. Ace laughed at Marco's bewildered expression as Luffy continued to eat an apple while people shrieked in the background and a strange color smoke drifted from inside.

"See, now that is mischief."

"What... happened, yoi?" Luffy shrugged.

"I dunno."

Suddenly Sabo appeared behind him, and Luffy made a muffled squeak, running towards Ace and throwing himself off the railing after Luffy. "What do you mean you don't know? You're the one who..."

Clearly, it was time to leave. Ace leaned up and kissed Marco, hot and open-mouthed, full of need. He pulled back reluctantly and smirked at Marco's shocked face before throwing himself off the balcony after his brothers.

As he raced to catch up with them, following the sound of Sabo yelling about how midnight was when both hands were on the twelve, not just one, with ease, he smiled. Marco had his name. Time would tell if he would use it to find him, but Ace had a hunch he'd be seeing him sooner rather than later.

The sooner the better as far as he was concerned.