Ace was starving. Yes, he did just wake up, but that's not the point. While he was in Impel Down he hardly got any food and now, all healed up, he was starving. Famished even. All those big words Sabo spoke of like they were another language all together, Ace knew the shit little did it on purpose because he knew Ace wouldn't understand. Ugggghhhhh. He's hungry.

Breaking the nice staring contest he and Pops were having he politely asked for some food. Because he's nice like that. "Um if you don't mind, could I have some food please?" Ace rubbed the side of his waist as a coping mechanism. Bay didn't even flinch at the request, like she knew he was going to ask.

"Sure kiddo, any allergies?"

"Nope!" Ace happily chirped, FOOD.

"Gurararara," the room shook a little bit by Pop's usage of his fruit, "well brat-"

"Pops," Bay leveled him with a strong glare, and nodded her head in Ace's direction, "what's his name?"

"What does it matter, hes my son! Gurarararara."

Bay was now extremely irritated, "you asked him to join the crew without even knowing his fucking name."

Pops looked over to Ace, "name."

Ace, being the asshole that he is, said, "guess." because fuck him, Ace doesn't want to be on Bay's bad side already. Pops was now sweating from the intense glare that was coming from Bay.

"Well?" Irritatingly tapping her foot on the ground. Looking away from Bay and the beaming, happy Ace he answered.

"I don't know."

"Hmmmm? Really I couldn't tell." Ace was fascinated, when he had first been on the ship Bay was already on her own crew so the only times he ever saw her like this with Pops was one or two times. It was hilarious. It reminded him of when Marco would scold Thatch for sending him postcards asking how the weather was after he had 'migrated' to warmer climates.

Ace, finally deciding that he was now extremely hungry, spoke, "it's Ace."

Pops looked up meeting Ace's gaze, "hmmmm, Ace? Nice name, brat. See Bay I do know his name."

Bay scoffed and left the room to get Ace some food.

Marco was watching his father and Bay fight about what the man's name was. Marco didn't really care about that, he was too far in a daze. But snapped out of it the moment the man spoke. Smooth and soft he said his name 'Ace'. Sitting on his fathers leg still looking at Ace even after Bay had left he suddenly made eye contact with Ace. But before he looked away Ace spoke again. "My full name is Portgas-Andres D Ace."

"D eh?" He'd never seen his Pops so intrigued by someone so quickly.

Andres. It was Marco's last name. Ace still remembers the day he found out.

"Ace," Marco croaked. They had been lying down on the bed pressed close together for what seemed like hours.

"Hm?"

"I," Marco stopped, "I found out what my biological fathers name was."

Ace felt the breath leave his lungs. He knew that Marco had been searching for his father after finding out where he had come from after being recognised from one the islands they visited. Lucas. Marco's father was an explorer. Traveled the West blue for fun. After getting Marco's mother pregnant he stopped moving around. But after the town was raided he took Marco before he could get harmed. And set out for the sea. His father didn't make it and Marco was later found by Pops.

He knew how hard it was to tell Ace this, since he knew Ace didn't like his father and that it was hard for him to talk about the past like that. He was only 10.

"Andres, Andres Lucas. That was my father's name."

"Portgas-Andres Marco. I like it." Ace could feel Macro melt at those words. They never did get to make it official. And they never would. He missed his Marco, but whenever he thought back to him all he could think about was the horrifying scream in desperation for him. His name yelled at the top of his lungs would be the last thing he would ever hear from his lover.

So Ace decided that would be his name. And he would carry that weight of the five letter word through all the adventures and life he would live. Even though it hurt like the invisible hole through his chest.

He was bored out of his mind. Mind you it has only been five minutes since Bay left. And being hungry and bored was a bad combination. Groaning Ace flopped onto his back dramatically. Pops, Izou, and Marco were all playing cards in front of his bed. Half on the bed and half on the floor, he pointed to the other occupants of the room, "why the hell are you guys still in here."

Clearly surprised to see Ace basically slipping off the bed, Marco released a squawk on accident. Ha, Ace thought, looks like I'm the cooler one now Marco. Calmly Izou answered, "we got hurt during a spar and aren't allowed to leave yet."

Humming, Ace slipped completely off the bed and made his way over to the game. "Can I play?"

Beaming Pops yelled, "SURE!"

Moving swiftly over to an open spot he sat down and grabbed a hand.

Update. It has been only 20 minutes. 20 FUCKING MINUTES. Bay was astounded, Pops was clearly drunk, which by itself is impressive, Marco was on the floor most likely passed out, and Izou was yelling at Ace about something. The small playing cards that they had been playing with are now five times bigger, the size of fucking posters, where did they get those, and Ace was fanning himself with the cards in his hand cackling like he just won over the devil.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

All eyes snapped up to hers, "I promise you Marcos not dead." Ace quickly stated.

"WHAT HELL HAPPENED!?"

Suddenly Pops slammed his hand on the table, shaking it, "THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW!" His eyes narrowed at Ace, "HOW'D YOU DO IT BRAT!"

"You just suck old man."

Pops grumbled clearly mad. "Are you saying this all happened because of the game?" Bay was furious, a dark, murderous aura surrounded her. Everyone in the room yelled, even Marco, at Ace, "YES!"

Sigh, "why?"

"IT SHOULDN'T BE FUCKING POSSIBLE TO WIN EVERY GOD DAMNED TIME!"

Ace was just sitting there, "hey at least we didn't play strip poker." At the look of horror and fear that went across Pops, Izou, and Marcos faces, it seemed they agreed.

Little did Bay know, Pops and Izou were very close to mutiny in those few short minutes. Although Pops would argue that it wouldn't be mutiny because he was the captain.