Wow! Thx to everyone for the nice reviews. What better way to thank you than to post another chapter :)

So here comes the next part:

Ace stretched his muscles and sighed contentedly, his day couldn't get any better now that his back wasn't killing him anymore.

His grin was infectious and Marco chuckled as he saw how much Ace appreciated his efforts.

When they slipped back into the crowd at lunch and Marco instructed him to sit down and take it easy so his efforts won't be in vain he nodded cheerfully and waited for the older to bring him the food he so desired. He thanked Marco and politely waited for the blonde to get ready as well and a few minutes later they simultaneously said: "Itadakimasu!" digging in next to each other.

Two certain commanders happened to be sitting in front of the happy duo and were staring incredulously at them. Their faces were red, eyes bulging and their forks dropped from their hands at the scene they saw. This was not happening… so fast. They thought in union. The only way their newfound love could be more obvious was if they were making out or telling everyone hey we're in love or we're together now, guys! – Thatch and Izou glanced to the side to confirm if their eyes were still working.

Suddenly, Marco stopped eating and clinked his glass so all other crewmembers would stop too.

"Hey everyone, me and Ace have some very good news for you" – Ace gently nudged the blond with his elbow whispering: "Hey I wanted to tell them" – he sounded disappointed.

Okay that's it even their jaws dropped at this. Is this for real? So soon? Or the better question, how long has this been going on between their friends? – All these questions swarmed the 4th and 15th division commanders' minds and they almost didn't catch Marco's words still caught in utter disbelief.

"…so as you all know Ace has been here for more than a year now and he's been an awesome addition to our family so far, ain't that right, yoi?" – he made a pause and the other's cheered, making Ace flush and smile.

"What I would like to announce is…" – Thatch and Izou gulped hearts beating faster, already knowing what Marco would say, or at least they thought they did.

"…that the two of us have thought of a great gift to Oyaji for his upcoming birthday" – another ominous pause. Ummm, where the hell was he going with this, when will he finally tell the others about their affair? – Thatch and Izou looked to the side, confused expressions reflecting each other. If their eyes could talk they would probably say: what the hell?

"He's getting a massage weekend at Lax Island– finished Marco proudly puffing out his chest and put a hand around the black-haired male's shoulders sitting next to him. All of them agreed with this idea, hooraying in unison.

Ace scowled and muttered. "Spoilsport" "That's all, everyone" – Marco calmly sat back down and the crew resumed eating in a warm atmosphere.

"It's my reward for earlier today, remember, you were pretty satisfied as far as I know, yoi" – Marco winked and smirked down at the younger.

Ace shrugged and then beamed. "I guess you're right, I did enjoy that a lot, didn't I?"

Marco nodded and they went back to eating, oblivious of the two men staring at them like they grew another head.

Izou blinked a few times and gathered his wits long enough to pull Thatch away before the cook confronted the duo. Marco and Ace looked up in question at the sudden retreat but decided that food was more important right now. They must have a good reason to leave their meals like that.

"Hey, stop, Izou, let go already" – exclaimed Thatch and yanked his arm free of the crossdresser's grasp. They were in one of the hallways now empty as most of the crew was filling their stomachs to their hearts' content.

"What was that for?"

"You were gonna crack and spoil things for them!" – Izou frowned folding his arms.

"That's not true" – Izou raised an elegant eyebrow.

"Alright, maybe, but did you hear them, gosh they are totally in love"

"I know"

"Ya know, for a minute there, I thought Marco would stop this charade that's been going on for who knows how long, and just blurt it out." – Izou agreed, they were on the same page for once.

Thatch was deep in thought silently pulling at his beard when something popped into his mind. Izou was skeptical about this, though in the end decided to hear him out.

"So, we know about their secret and we know they want the crew to accept their relationship. So what could it be that makes them hide it so well?"

"…"

"Exactly, nothing comes to mind, so then this, between them must still be pretty new."

"Or they are afraid because they are both men…" – Izou challenged, he knew Thatch was an idiot. This was obvious. The two thought others would frown upon a relationship between two men. It was very uncommon.

"You think so?"

"I know so" – he smirked smugly. "The real question is, should we do something about this?"

Again that annoying beard pulling… Thatch was killing him with his small antics.

"Uhhh…I think we should go and ask them about it" – the crossdresser face palmed and rubbed his forehead in annoyance.

"Something tells me they would be hell-bent on denying it. We don't want to scare them, let them come out in their own pace. I want them to work. I like the thought of them together as a pair"

"Me too, somehow Marco and Ace were meant to be together, even their powers complement each other"

"Huh, what did you say, Thatch?" – the conversing commanders were alerted and immediately turned around to see a wide-eyed Haruta staring at them incredulously.

"Are Marco and Ace a couple?" – he asked and they gulped. So much for secrecy…

TBC

Hope you enjoyed reading. Tell me what you think so far. :)