Thanks to all readers and reviewers, and a special thanks to Vergina :3 (sorry I'm a day late, if you were paying attention to that, but yesterday I had a presentation to prepare)

Enjoy ^^

Reborn in Fire

Chapter 10

Slowly the courtroom became empty and a guard undid Ace's handcuffs. His brother bounced towards him and hugged him, while Sanji, Zoro and Nami followed the boy. The fireman laughed and rubbed over the boy's head with his knuckles. During the visiting hours in prison physical contact was forbidden. He had missed it. After all, he was a very physical person.

"Hey guys," the freckled man greeted his friends grinning. "Glad you could make it."

"You're an idiot, you know that?" Zoro burst out. "Why the hell did you wait so long before telling where you fucking were–"

"Were fucking," Ace corrected him with a wink. The green haired man was taken aback for a moment, staring at him blinking, but then exploded again. The fireman waited patiently until he was done ranting and then said: "I missed you too." After giving Zoro a pat on the shoulder he looked at Sanji. "And only the thought of you could keep me going," he said dramatically. Actually, it was thinking of another blonde, but he liked embarrassing the chef. "You've changed your hair style. I like it." He watched a blush creep up the cook's cheeks while inadvertently the blonde fiddled with his goatee.

Snickering, Ace noticed Smoker approach. "Smokey! Thanks for getting me out of jail," the freckled man said smiling.

"Yeah, yeah. This is the last time I'm getting you out of trouble, brat." With that, Smoker walked away again.

"How the hell did you end up with an old guy like him?" Zoro asked snorting.

"He's not that old," Ace defended him, though he didn't know exactly why. "He's thirty-four. He just looks older, 'cause he's a bit grumpy. And I did not 'end up with him'." The freckled man looked at his brother who had taken the judge's seat, playing with the hammer and wasn't listening anymore. "Like he said, we're just fuck buddies. We met after a fire, I gave him a blow job in an ally… Well, that's how it started."

"You could have gone to jail! Why the hell didn't you say something?"

Ace looked at his friend and sighed. "It's a pride thing, Zoro. You of all people should get that."

The green haired man grumbled something, but the freckled man changed the subject. "Thanks for taking care of my little bro. All of you." He bowed deep.

An officer came for him, saying he could get his possessions back. The freckled man turned to his friends. "Robin, my lawyer, suggested we can all go drink something to celebrate. Her husband is coming here with a van, so wait outside the courtroom for me, okay?"

After that he followed the officer. As soon as he was outside the courtroom, he ripped of his tie and opened his shirt, sighing in relief. He didn't understand how Sanji could always wear suits, these kind of shirts were even more confiding than a T-shirt or something.

On his way through the hall he saw some of his colleagues, to whom he gestured he would talk to them later. He didn't have many possessions on him when he was arrested, just his sports bag and his phone. For a moment he expected to get his lighter back as well, but then he remembered how he lost it. Sighing disappointed he turned on his phone. Miraculously the device still had power. He had a few missed calls, mostly from persons who didn't know he had been arrested at the time they tried to contact him. Dismissing the calls, he turned over to text messages. Same as for the calls, he had been texted by people before they found out he was in jail. He saw one of Marco, of which he recognized the date as the day he would meet the blonde in the sports bar. A guilty feeling made his stomach twist. Dreading what it would read he opened the text message: 'You could have called', it read accusingly.

Biting his lip he thought about what he would do. He should explain it to the arson inspector. Maybe call him to apologize?

Deciding first to see if he had other important messages, he scrolled through the others. Most were just asking him where he was or how he was doing. His eye fell on the last one. Strange enough it was another one from Marco, sent only a few minutes ago. Curious he opened the text. It only read one word. 'Congratulations'.

Blankly he started at the screen, swallowing hard. Marco knew? Why else would he congratulate him, if not for his won case? But… How?

He wanted to slap himself in the head. Of course! His virtual self stopped texting Marco, right at the moment where the real him went to jail. That had to be a coincidence. Though Marco didn't necessarily knew that he knew he was texting the arson inspector, right? Man, things got complicated.

Deciding to deal with it later – he really could use some alcohol right now – he thanked the officer and started to walk back to his friends. On his way there he bumped into Smoker again. "That was a close call, you saving my ass," the freckled man said smirking. "If you'd come a little later, then you had to visit me in prison."

"Yeah, yeah. I don't live to get you out of trouble, brat. I have work, you know," Smoker grouched.

"So, you were on a undercover mission?" Ace asked. "My lawyer has tried to reach you numerous times."

"I only got her messages a few hours ago, after I round up a gang of drugs dealers. You've been very lucky, brat."

"I know. Thanks again." He bowed.

Smoker snorted. "Well, I suppose I have to thank you as well. After all, you did keep to your end of the deal. So it was the least I could do. That, and," he sighed, "I checked out that arson inspector for you."

"Really? What did you find?" Excitedly Ace bounced up and down.

"Like I said, if you want to know something, ask him yourself. All I tell you is, he's a good guy. So, if that's what you want, go for it."

The fireman fell silent for a moment, before he nodded and a smile crept up his face. "Thanks, Smokey! You're the best." Without thinking, he pressed a kiss on his cheek.

Marco excited the men's room in the courthouse. From the suspense about Ace's case he had failed to notice his full bladder and only after the judgement had been made he had realized nature called. He intended to go home right away, but stopped dead in his tracks. Right before him he saw Ace standing, talking to the police officer who had gotten him acquitted. The fireman smiled happily, before leaning forward and kissing the older man's cheek.

Marco smiled wearily. That hardly looked like the relationship as 'fuck buddies' as they claimed. Sighing he turned around and made his way out of the court.

Ace was just taking leave from Smoker when he saw a flash of blond disappear in the crowd. He quickly said goodbye and ran after Marco. He didn't see the man anymore, but he could still find him!

Before he could cross the hall halfway, however, he was intercepted by the fire fighters. They slapped his shoulder and congratulated him. He shook hands, but hardly listened to his colleagues, his eyes still searching for the blond head of hair.

Only when the station manager asked him a question what he was up to now, he forced himself to pay attention. "For now I'm gonna have a drink with my friends."

"Well, it's great to have you back. Nobody of us thought you did it, by the way. Least of all Fenwick, as it turns out." Laughing heartily his boss slapped his shoulder and the others joined in. Ace grinned as well, but he noticed that Johnson's scowl turned darker.

"Well, I can't keep my friends waiting too long," he said apologizing, in an attempt to make an escape.

"Of course. We'll see you at the station on Monday."

Thanking them for their support, Ace took leave and made his way out of the courthouse, keeping an eye out for Marco. Unfortunately, he didn't see the fire investigator anywhere. Outside he joined his friends again. Robin's husband Franky had not yet arrived.

"By the way, where is that hot arson inspector?" the black haired man asked in an attempt to inconspicuously obtain information, while scanning the crowd outside.

Zoro rolled his eyes. "He's gone home already. Besides, didn't you just got your ass saved by your lover?"

"Fuck buddy." Ace pouted. "And he was making a pass at me. How can I ignore that?"

"So you like him?" Sanji asked. It almost sounded hopeful.

The arson inspector was pretty much the only thing on his mind lately, but he sure as hell wasn't going to admit to that. So he just snickered and said: "What can I say? He's blond and has a really nice ass. But that doesn't mean I don't like yours anymore," he added with a wink. Just to annoy Sanji.

They kept chatting until a van with the text 'Franky's Contracting' on it stopped in front of them with shrieking brakes. Ace met Usopp, Sanji's former roommate who studied architecture and was now apparently working for Robin's husband, a contractor. Said husband was an enormous guy with a blue quiff, who thought a lot of things were 'SUPERR'. Ace was enjoying himself already. Even if Marco wasn't there, he was in the company of some very interesting people.

They decided to first go eat, which made both the D-brothers very happy. They all got in the van. He was just listening to a story told by Usopp – who was either very brave or very much lying, though the story was entertaining anyway – when suddenly Franky braked really hard. His driving style was never boring, according to the architect. Zoro cast an annoyed look at the seatbelt of Sanji, who was sitting right across him and had not fallen in his lap during the braking. Ace winked at his green haired friend. Yes, those two would be perfect for each other. It was too bad Sanji still seemed to be convinced he was straight.

They got out of the van and on their way to the pizzeria they met with a former colleague of the blond chef, an extremely tall and thin man with the biggest afro Ace had ever seen. The man was called Brook. He had just eaten, but he would like to meet with them for drinks.

Ace put away two extra large pizzas, while his brother worked on his third one. It wasn't like the prison food had been bad, but apparently food tasted better when you had your freedom. The fireman convinced Sanji to make him dinner sometime. That food should be way better than what he got in prison.\

After dinner they got back into the van to find a bar. Ace started to get to know the persons in his company better, and found out they were all very interesting, and funny, in their own way. He could see why his brother had chosen these people to be his friends.

They were by far the loudest group in the bar. His friends caught Ace up with everything that happened. Zoro finally filled him in on details of Vivi's wedding, to which he had taken Sanji to play his boyfriend. The fireman almost rolled over the floor laughing. Then someone bumped into him and he looked around to see who, when he suddenly noticed a familiar blond head of hair sitting at the bar. His heartbeat sped up. What should he do?

Pretending he was still listening, he got out his phone and without anyone noticing he wrote: 'Turn around'. His heart racing a million miles a minute, he pressed 'send'. At least now everything would be out in the open. He knew that Marco knew who he was and Marco knew that he knew who the fire investigator was.

The waiting was agonizing. From the corner of his eye he saw Sanji noticing the man too, so he pretended he followed the cook's gaze.

Marco had turned around. Their eyes met, making it impossible for Ace to look away. The arson inspector raised his beer bottle towards him, silently congratulating him again. After that he turned back. Ace sat still for a moment, trying to gather his courage. He couldn't let Marco slip though his fingers, not again. He took a draught from his beer, since being drunk helped in talking to the blonde, as their brief phone conversation had proved. Taking another deep breath he got up and made his way over to the bar.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked Marco. The arson inspector had changed his clothes, wearing now jeans and his purple jacket.

The other man shook his head without looking up, but that wasn't good enough for Ace. This time they would really have a conversation, dammit! So he took a seat, leaning with his elbows on the bar, while Marco sipped his beer in silence.

"You lied under oath."

That made the blonde look up. "I did?"

Ace suppressed the urge to do a little victory dance now he had finally gotten the arson inspector to talk to him. He kept a straight face and continued: "Yes, you said we never talked before. But we did. On the phone."

"I didn't know it was you."

"Maybe not at the time, but you did find out at some point. Why else would you congratulate me?" Ace pressed.

Finally Marco looked at him, but still kept silent. The fireman ordered another beer to get rid of his dry mouth. "So when did you find out?"

"The time the texts stopped and when you went to jail were awfully coincidental. That, and Thatch mentioned you were a boxer," Marco said musing.

Ace felt his cheeks heat up when he realized that the brothers had talked about him.

"Which reminds me." The blonde rummaged about in his pocket for something, before taking out a small, silver coloured device. He placed it on the bar and slid it towards Ace. Pleasantly surprised the freckled man recognized it. "My lighter! How did you get it?"

"I found it on the floor, after you almost fell down the stairs at the fire station."

The fireman flushed a little at that blunt statement, but flicked the lighter open and produced a small flame. "Well, thank you for saving it for me." He decided not to comment on the fact that the arson inspector carried the device around. After all, he couldn't have known he would meet Ace in this bar.

"So when did you know who you were texting?"

The question caught him a little off guard, causing the small flame to die out. He took a draught of the much welcomed beer that was placed before him, before admitting embarrassed: "I knew the whole time. It wasn't a coincidence I called you."

Marco stared into space musing, tapping his fingers on the bar. "So, why didn't you say anything?"

Ace sighed. "I don't know… I wanted to talk to you, or rather that you talked to me. But I didn't know what to say… And I didn't know if you liked me, the real me. But," he interrupted himself grinning, "you obviously do."

He hoped he didn't imagine the blush that crept up Marco's cheeks. "Yeah, I hoped you didn't hear that," the blonde muttered.

"Well, I did. You think I'm hot, don't deny it," the freckled man said teasing.

The older man took a sip from his beverage, his eyebrow twitching. "I'm sure I'm not the only one."

"The only one to declare it under oath."

Marco kept silent.

Ace got a little nervous. The beer helped him talk to the fire investigator like he usually talked to people, but he needed to make sure this wouldn't be the last time. Taking a deep breath he asked: "You gonna ask me out then?"

Marco turned towards him, meeting his stare. "I wasn't planning on it," he answered.

The fireman studied the other man's face, but he couldn't see if the man was serous or not. He just looked bored, like usual. Well, after all this time he wasn't going to take no for an answer. "It seems like I have to change your mind, then."

Before Marco could react, the freckled man leaned in, his lips hovering over the blonde's. His hand ran up the older man's leg. The arson inspector swallowed. It was so tempting just to lean forward a little… Now more then ever he was glad he had this much willpower. Things had been safe when he hadn't spoken to the fireman. And now it turned out the freckled man was also interested in him? He couldn't have that.

Ace's face moved until his lips were less than an inch away from Marco's ear. "Ready to reconsider?" he whispered breathily.

A shudder went down his spine. It took every last ounce of his willpower not to throw the younger man on the bar top and kiss him right there and then. This was a very different side of Ace then he had seen before. This boy, no, man was not the playful rascal with the boyish grin. This Ace was sexy, and very seductive. He didn't know which side he liked better.

The freckled man pulled back and smiled at him with the cheeky grin he knew and loved. "I'll take that as a yes."

Wait, what? Confused Marco looked at the fireman, who nodded in direction of his leg. Ace's hand was still lying there, only now covered with the blonde's own. He had placed it there to remove the hand of the freckled man. Apparently, things hadn't gone according to plan.

He grabbed Ace's hand to place it on the bar or something, but halfway through their eyes met. He froze. God, he had missed it looking upon the freckled man from far way, and now he was sitting this close, holding his hand!

The fireman's mouth curved into a smile. "Why don't you meet my friends," he said in a soft tone. He grabbed Marco's hand firmer and dragged the man with him, before he had a chance to protest. The blonde could barely grab his beer.

He introduced the arson inspector to his friends, sitting down and tapping on the empty chair next to him invitingly. Marco sat down, observing the group. Some faces he recognized, like those of the head chef of the burned down restaurant and Ace's lawyer. He hoped the first would be discrete enough not to mention the little incident, namely Marco getting shitfaced over Ace. But the other blonde seemed to be occupied.

He took his time to study the other people around the table. It was a very varied group, that was for sure, both in character and age. Robin, her husband Franky and a thin man named Brook seemed to be the older ones of the group, while Ace's brother Luffy and a young man called Usopp were the youngest. Zoro, the green haired man across the table looked familiar, and Marco realised he had almost hired this man to investigate Ace's case.

Suddenly he felt someone pulling his sleeve. Turning around he looked in the young face of Luffy, who observed him curiously. "Do you like meat?" he asked.

The arson inspector looked at him confused, not entirely sure if this was a serious question. But nothing on the boy's face indicated that he was making a joke. "Sure," he said slowly.

The boy's face broke into a grin. "I like you," he declared laughing.

Ace turned around and smiled at Marco. He was glad Luffy had approved of the older man.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, jokes and talking. Fortunately for Marco, everyone was polite enough not to mention his slip of the tongue in the courtroom.

Ace had already quite a lot to drink when he suddenly decided he didn't like his chair anymore and crawled onto Marco's lap. The latter was just having a conversation with Robin and Nami, Luffy's girlfriend, and was a bit surprised, but could hardly say that he minded. Absent minded he started to caress the raven haired man's leg, while continuing his conversation. When he realised what he was doing, he stopped, but Ace didn't allow that and placed Marco's hand back on his leg.

"Zoro! Could you get me another beer?" the freckled man asked the green haired man, who was already on his way to the bar. His friend nodded.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Nami said a little worried.

Ace pouted. "Come on, I just got out of jail! Let me have a little fun."

The orange haired girl shrugged. "Fine. Whatever."

His beer was brought, together with a plate of chicken wings he attacked like he was famished, slapping away the hand of his brother, who was currently putting way his own plate. He did offer Marco some, who refused politely. The arson inspector was just returning to his conversation with the women, when he heard a muffled bang. Ace had landed face first in the plate of chicken wings that was standing before him. A loud snoring sound arose.

Nami rubbed her temples. "That's where I was afraid of."

Marco carefully lifted the raven haired man's head and wiped his face clean with a napkin, while the red head explained: "Ace has narcolepsy. When he drinks too much alcohol, eats too much or over exhausts himself, he spontaneously falls asleep. Like this."

Ace's head lulled against Marco's shoulder. The fire investigator looked at him tenderly. He loved to watch the younger man sleep. He almost didn't notice the others making plans to leave, since the guest of honour was asleep.

"Oh Marco, could you be a dear and bring Ace home?" Nami asked in a peremptory tone that reminded him a little of Nojiko.

"And you better bring him home safe," Zoro added in a threatening tone.

"Come on, Marimo. In the worst case scenario, I know where he lives." Sanji nodded to Marco and then led the other man out of the bar.

Marco stayed behind staggered. Everyone had already left, leaving him behind with a sleeping Ace in his lap. And he had no idea where the freckled man lived!

"Yohoho! You need some help?" Brook, the man with the afro didn't leave with the rest, having arrived later by himself.

"Please," Marco said sighing. He was able to lift the fireman, but he did need some help getting him in his car. Brook opened the door of the passenger's side and the blonde put the sleeping man on the seat. He struggled a bit to fasten the seatbelt. When Ace was safely constricted, Marco straightened.

"Thank you, Brook. You wouldn't happen to know where he lives, would you?"

The thinner man laughed. "Yohoho~! No, I only met him today. Good luck with that."

"Would you like a lift?"

"No, thank you. I prefer to walk. Though I don't have to lose more weight, as I already am hardly more than skin and bones! Yohoho!"

Marco watched the curious man walk away, before sighing and getting behind the wheel. He looked at Ace, who was still snoring lightly. He couldn't do much else then wait until the other man woke up. He used the time to think about everything that happened today. Ace had been acquitted, declared innocent. He had been saved by his boyfriend, or what Marco thought was his boyfriend. But just now the freckled man had definitely been flirting with him. A fluttering feeling arose in his stomach when he remembered sitting at the bar with the fireman, his lips so close to his…

At that moment Ace began to stir and opened his eyes sleepily. When he realised he wasn't in the bar anymore, he cocked his head confused. "Are you kidnapping me?"

He smiled slightly. "Your friend Nami insisted I brought you home."

"You poor thing," Ace laughed. "Don't worry, no one says no to her." He looked out of the window. "So why are we still in the car park?"

"I don't know where you live."

The freckled man laughed again. "For a kidnapper, you're not much of a stalker." Then he got serious again. "But before we go, you still haven't given your answer yet."

Marco sighed. "I don't think your boyfriend would like it if I asked you out."

"Boyfriend?" Ace looked at him confused. "Wait, you mean Smoker? God, no. Just… No! It's like he said. Sex, nothing more." He grabbed the blonde's hand. "I'm single. Really." He leaned back in the seat. "That only leaves the question of what you want. You say you think I'm hot, but is that all there is? Because if that's the case, we can take care of that right now."

Two dark eyes looked at him piercing, causing him to swallow. He knew what Ace was implying. Sex, right here in his car. The offer was tempting. He would get what he want, or at least part of it. Nothing complicated and after they could pretend it never happened and move on with their lives.

But he knew that it wouldn't be enough. After, he would only want Ace more. And a selfish part of him wanted to be more to the fireman than that police officer apparently was.

Like he read his mind, Ace said: "Or we could go on that date." He almost sounded… hopeful?

Swallowing again, because nothing of this was going according to plan, he gave in. He nodded. "I'd like that."

Ace smiled happily and started to give him directions to his house. It was actually not that far from his own place. The blonde pulled up on the drive way. The raven haired man undid his seatbelt and got ready to open the door, when he suddenly turned back. "I suppose Luffy went home with Nami?"

"I think so."

The freckled man nodded and chewed on his lip. Finally he took a deep breath and asked: "You wanna come in? I really don't like it to be alone and it's the first night I'm home again…" He looked at the floor. He didn't want to sound like a child, but he just really didn't like to be alone.

But Marco smiled. "Sure." He followed an excited Ace to the door.

The house was a complete mess, but the freckled man supposed that was to be expected if he left Luffy alone for weeks. Not that it would be much cleaner if Ace hadn't been gone.

He led Marco up the stairs to his room. At the door he hesitated for a second. "Just… Please don't mind the mess," he mumbled.

The blonde smiled. "I grew up with fourteen siblings. Believe me, I'm used to shambles."

Ace grinned and opened the door. His room was just like he left it. With a happy groan he let himself fall on the bed. Marco took a seat on the edge, until Ace pulled him next to him.

"Thank you," he mumbled sleepily to the blonde.

"For what?" the arson inspector whispered. The raven haired man curled up against him and he couldn't help but stroke his hair. No, things were definitely not going according to plan, but he'd be damned if he complained. He would have never thought he would be lying in bed with the object of his desire.

"You were worried about me. You did everything you could to help me," Ace murmured. "And your ass looks great in those jeans…" His words died away and were replaced by soft snoring.

Marco smiled. He watched the fireman sleep for a while, before hoisting himself up. He should probably leave.

In the hall he bumped into Luffy. "Oh, hello," he said confused. "Ace said nobody was home…"

The boy cocked his head. "Ace doesn't like to be alone. So I'm here. Are you here for him as well?"

"Y-yes. I was just leaving, though. He's sleeping."

"Do you like him?"

A smile tugged on the corners of his mouth at the sudden question. "Yes, I do," he admitted.

"Ace likes you too."

Marco was surprised, to say the least. Luffy had seemed only interested in food, preferably meat. Now he showed some sharp insight.

"My brother has never had a boyfriend. Please don't hurt him."

He couldn't do anything but nod. "I wouldn't dare to." Then the blonde smiled again. "You're a good brother."

Luffy grinned broadly. "Does that mean I get meat?"

Sleepy he opened his eyes. It took him a second to realise he was lying in his own bed. Stretching himself, he smiled. Yesterday had been a good day. Not only had he been acquitted from the arson charge, he finally had gotten Marco to ask him out.

But where was the arson inspector? Pouting he concluded that the blonde must have left after he had fallen asleep. A little disappointed he got up and started to undress. It probably hadn't been a good idea to go to sleep in his suit. Oh well, he'd just have to bring it to the drycleaner or something.

He strolled over to the bathroom. For the first time in weeks he could shower by himself without anyone staring at him, so he decided to enjoy it to the fullest. And when thoughts about Marco entered his head, that resolution became quite literally. Weeks of pent-up sexual frustration were finally relieved.

Sighing contently he turned off the shower and started to dry off. Stark naked he walked to his room – it was a good thing Nami wasn't here – and pulled on a clean pair of pants. After that he made his way downstairs. Surprised he found his brother sitting at the kitchen table, putting away his breakfast. "Luffy! I thought you went home with Nami."

The black haired boy shrugged. "You don't like to be alone. So I came here."

"Thanks." Ace caressed his brother's head. "Did you see Marco leave?"

"Yes." He started to grin. "He likes you."

A blush crept up his cheeks, making him feel like a school girl. "Shut up." After this mature conversation he grabbed some breakfast.

All day he was debating whether or not to call Marco. When his phone started to ring, he dove on the device like a cat on its prey. Unfortunately, it wasn't the arson inspector calling. Izo's name was shown on the display. He answered, trying not to sound too disappointed. "Hello?"

"Ace! I heard you've been cleared of all charges!"

He smiled and sat down on the couch. "You've been talking to Marco?"

"Of course. I instructed him to inform me of every little detail."

Ace chuckled. He doubted the blonde had told everything. Izo wouldn't shut up if he knew they would go out.

"You got out of jail right on time, by the way," his friend continued. "You know the drawings I made of you? Well, the exhibition is in two weeks and Thatch, the idiot, has spilled coffee on my best piece! So I need you to stop by tonight so I can make a new one."

"Oh." Ace couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He had hoped to do something fun, after all, he had just spend weeks being locked up. And it wasn't that selfish to want to go celebrate with his friends, right?

But Izo probably was nervous for his exhibition. Ace wondered if Thatch was still alive. "Yeah, okay. I'll be there."

"Great, see you at eight!" With that, Izo hung up the phone.

A little past eight Ace rung the doorbell at Izo's place. He hadn't even bothered putting on more than his pants, he had to take it off again anyway. The cross-dresser opened the door. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Sure. So which drawing was it anyway?" he asked curiously. While walking he already started to open his pants.

"You might want to wait with that," Izo said smiling, his hand placed on the doorknob of the door to the living room.

"Why?" the freckled man asked, getting ready to take off his pants entirely.

His answer came soon enough. Izo threw open the door and he was met with a room full of people. On the ceiling there was a banner, saying: 'Welcome back, Ace', ironically decorated with flames.

Hastily Ace zipped up his pants again. Really, Marco should be the first to see his family jewels – after Izo then.

Thatch walked up to them laughing. "You really were surprised, weren't you?"

"Did you actually thought we would let an excuse to party pass?" Izo piped in, chuckling.

The freckled man still couldn't believe all this. He recognized the brothers that had been at the poker night, but there were more than fourteen people here.

"They're all here for you," Thatch said smiling. "Well, and for the booze, but you catch the drift."

Finally Ace woke from his trance and burst into laughter. "Wow, thanks guys. A few seconds later and you would have caught me with my pants around my ankles."

The brown haired man looked from Ace to Izo confused. The latter started to snicker. "Oh, I lured him here by telling him I needed to make a new drawing of him. Apparently it is very believable that you are an idiot."

Ace laughed at the other man pouting, before entering the room. He was met with a lot of people happy to see him. He shook hands, was pulled in hugs and slapped on the back. He lost track of who were brothers and who weren't, but it didn't really matter. He soon learned that the people who didn't belong to the 'family' were orphans from other orphanages Whitebeard owned.

While he was being congratulated by everyone, he looked for Marco in the crowd. He found the arson inspector, sitting in the windowsill holding a beer. With his eyes he followed Ace. The freckled man grinned at him. He smiled back.

Marco's family really knew how to party. There was booze, food, laughter and loud – and off key – singing of sailor songs. Ace got along with everybody very well. They had made it into a drinking game for Ace to guess who were the brothers. Some time and several beers later, he finally knew all fourteen. The ones he met last time were easy – Marco, Izo, Thatch, Vista, Jozu, Rakuyo, Namur and Curiel – and now he got to know the others: Blamenco, Blenheim, Kingdew, Haruta, Atmos, Jiru – nicknamed Speed Jiru – and Fossa.

Around one in the morning he decided it would be a good idea to give his drunken brain some air, so he strolled into the garden. The cold air did him good.

He turned around when he heard footsteps approach. "Hi, guys."

Thatch grinned at him. "Y'having fun?"

"I do. Thank you for doing this for me."

"Don't worry about it," Izo said. "The guys all wanted to meet you. And like I said, we never let a chance to party go by."

Ace laughed, but the smile disappeared when he saw the serious faces of the other two. He couldn't remember either of them ever looking like this, especially Thatch. "Everything alright?"

"We need to talk."

"We do?"

Izo exchanged a look with Thatch. "Tell us again how you got acquitted. It was because at the last moment, you did have an alibi, didn't you?"

The freckled man fiddled with his glass awkwardly. He wasn't sure why the guys were interrogating him, and he certainly wasn't comfortable discussing Smoker with them. "Yeah, kinda. I just promised the guy I wouldn't say anything about him."

"What's your relationship with him?"

Ace stared at the ground. "Occasionally we have sex. That's all."

Izo and Thatch looked at each other again. "We hope those aren't your plans with Marco."

Surprised the fireman looked up. That was what all this was about? He almost laughed at how adorable that was. They were only trying to protect their brother.

"No, I like him. We're going on a date," he said smiling.

"Good. You better be serious about him," Thatch said a little threateningly.

"Don't forget to tell him to have me home by eleven."

All three turned around. Marco stood behind them, holding a beer. He didn't look mad, rather amused.

Ace laughed. The blonde was right, Thatch and Izo's behaviour resembled that of parents of a teenage girl who would go on her first date.

The other brothers were less amused. "We were only trying…" Izo started to protest, but Marco lifted up his hand to stop him.

"I know. Why don't you go inside again? The beer seems to be running low."

Without further argument, both Thatch and Izo made their way back inside. Marco walked up to Ace and stood next to him. "Sorry about that. I hope they didn't scare you off."

The fireman laughed. "Nah, it was rather adorable. I just didn't think I would meet you parents this soon."

Marco smiled, brushing some hair out of the freckled man's face. "Let's see how our date goes, before you meet my real Pops." Ace's hand caressed the shirt covering the blonde's chest, biting his lips when he felt the well defined abs. Marco grabbed the younger man's chin and brought their faces close together. He blamed the alcohol for his own forwardness.

Their lips hadn't even touched, when Ace's body suddenly went limp, falling flat against the arson inspector. The raven haired head rolled against his shoulder. A soft snoring arose.

~ To be continued

So... how many of you want to kill me right now? XD