A/N: Hello~! I hope you will enjoy what I have for you this time! Don't think this emotional train is over, far from it!

Warning:: Contains physical and verbal abuse, though I think I mentioned that in the beginning? Here it is again just in case!

Enjoy!

After getting home, they had ordered some takeout food and nuzzled me into oblivion into the cushions and when in the nest. They reassured me multiple times that I did nothing wrong and there would be plenty of family dinners later. Time lingered, another yule passing before there was someone at the door. Being in the kitchen helping Marco with dishes, Sabo answered with an unsure gaze, but continued to answer.

Voices fill the air, the crackling of laughter familiar and I press to Marco while shifting to wearily look towards the door. "It's only Thatch and Izo, yoi." He tells me reassuringly and I flicker my gaze up to him as he paused in the dishes to dry hands. My eyes move back as Thatch walks in first with that glowing grin and moving with a flaming hand as he waves, the other hand holding a basket.

"Hey, Ace! I brought some snacks! Promise they are the best on this side of Grand Line!" A crackling laughter follows as his hair flows in a wave and I soon notice someone enter from behind. Assuming by what Marco said, I assume this is Izo that has a type of robe on that is a soft peach color. What is exposed is mainly their green skin, reminding me of plants as their hair is like vines coiling up in a bun. Sharp purple eyes linger towards me, a coiling of vines is there up with a sleeve and them lingering out makes up their hands. A paper fan is lifted to usher at their face, a lining of their jaw is there but you can tell by the peach coloring that they have signified where their lips are—or mouth at least.

"Oh, look at this sweetie." The voice comes out, Izo coming in with a smile as those lips shift up a bit. They waste no time coming over to me, their robe—or dress I am not sure—stays flowing with them and the long sleeve billowing to not restrict them as they look used to the clothing. Vines got closer and soon pinching my cheeks, making me give soft complaints.

"Izo, can you not?" Marco asks in exasperation, making me assume this was a normal thing with the other.

"Oh, hush now." Izo waves their fan at Marco before I am pulled from my hiding place and moved to be ensnared by arms. My body stiffens, but the smell of plants fills me with the scent of dirt and it somehow brings comfort. "I am only going to plant him for safe keeping." They mention, confusing me but pay no mind as Marco or Sabo would have pulled me away. Plus, the hold is not actually trapping me, noticing I could easily slip away or reach an arm out if I am too unsure.

"No," Marco says sternly while I tilt my head at noticing the attributes of the creature before me. My toes feel roots and can only assume that was Izo's feet. They wiggle while Izo shifts slightly and I wonder if the flower I see lingering on the side of their head was something they could do.

"I like your flower…" I comment softly, interrupting their chatter that I was in no way focusing on. Izo pauses and gives a noise of questioning while I settle against them and staring to the flower that somewhat resembles a tiger lily. "Can you grow them? It's really pretty…" I am almost mumbling as I was curious, but still a little unsure.

"Marco… he likes my flowers." Izo mentions and I feel like I did something wrong before arms are winding around me. "I'm keeping him, too precious."

"Izo, you can't keep Ace." Marco says with a sigh and I hear Thatch laughing. A relief goes through me as Izo is swaying with me in their hold, mentioning how precious I was and would fit in their garden. After Marco gets me pried away, Izo easily put a crown of flowers on my head, letting me watch them make it themselves.

"How about we have snacks? I made the best mini lava pies!" Thatch mentions with crackling as Marco starts moving his brothers towards the porch as he mentions how its nice out, maybe to even lower the deck—which has me curious on that. Sabo comes up with tail winding around my waist to bring me closer with mixed eyes flickering to check over me.

"Are you okay?" The concern shows as the others are outside now and I give a smile.

"Yeah… They're nice." I mention softly while enjoying him give a soft growl and nuzzles to my cheek.

"Izo can be overwhelming with her affection and her wanting to plant you means that she really likes you, she has already tried to do that to me when Marco first introduced me to everyone." Sabo comments and I give a chuckle at the thought of Izo trying to put him in the dirt. "Plus, you complimented her flowers and that is the best thing you can do."

"Really? I was just mentioning what was on my mind…" I tell him, seeing a fond look while he nuzzles me more. A giggle leaves me while gripping to him and returning the nuzzling with a grin. There is a cooing and I stop to notice Marco standing by the door with his head tilted.

"Are you okay, Ace?" Marco speaks in concern and I nod while Sabo pulls away to begin tugging me along with his tail.

"We were coming, I was making sure he knew Izo wouldn't really plant him." A giggle leaves me at remembering the comment of Izo trying to do that with Sabo and he gives a soft growl with a grin to me.

"Ah, are the pies really…?" I start to ask in thought as Thatch mentioned lava pies and that sounds dangerous. A chortle leaves Marco as he holds a hand out for Sabo grasp to give a nuzzle before I was next onto the deck.

"Ask him what they are, Thatch loves talking about his cooking, yoi." Marco tells me after the nuzzle and stayed close to mention lightly.

"Can we be closer to the ground now? I am dying!" Izo complains as Marco is pulling away and I notice Izo sitting with roots showing as the dress rides up a little to show.

"Yes, once Ace is seated properly." Marco comments with a smile, seeming amused and Sabo is leading me on to a seat.

"Hey, Thatch?" I speak up after sitting and seeing mentioned man giving a crackling hum and facing my direction. "What… what kind of pies are these again? I've never heard of them…" The words leave me, showing I was curious and cautious not to make a comment that could offend him.

"Oh? So glad you asked! These are my famous mini lava pies! The filling from the Sweet Gem Berry*, so gooey in your mouth that it feels like you are melting!" Thatch shoots off as the deck is lowered to the ground and I start to smile at the telling of the pies and some stories of everyone's reaction in the family, though not literally everyone as Izo directs the conversation about something else.

The day goes by with Izo resting to the ground to root for a while and bathe in the sun. Tasting the pies, they really were mouth melting and were sweet, but not too sweet to overrun you. Thatch expressed joy when I told him I loved them a lot and was given two more as they were small. While lingering along, I even asked the story about Izo almost planting Sabo, who gave a growl and grimace while she happily told it. Marco and Sabo ended up with a flower crown as well by the end of their visit and when they had to leave, they departed from the deck as it was easier to go under the house. Of course, Izo did try to snatch me again with mentioning of being good with the other flowers and I could only laugh that she liked me that much.

We settled back into the home with Marco holding onto me, Sabo flickering around as he needs to do a few things since Koala messaged him. Talons have my calves as I lounge along his body and he has claws grasping to me, but not hurting as I am used to them. Cooing leaving him as I nuzzle into his chest with giggles in enjoyment of the attention. When Sabo walks through again, he gives soft growls in jealousy of wanting to cuddle with us and I can only grin to him with mentioning of being here when he is done. That calms him with a smile as he settles enough to do what he needs to with paws going along the room to grab something else.

-o-o-o-o-

I had met Curiel and Vista next with a delayed Blenheim to come along to the mix. They were all nice, Curiel profusely trying to apologize for Rakuyou—being with the other—and I had to say I was fine, knowing things happen. Haruta had been right, Vista did a fancy introduction of himself and had me smiling all the while. Blenheim had not been as tall as Pops, but we had to go outside to talk since he wouldn't fit in the house.

Passing of days, I am ever close to the two and enjoy initiating nuzzles like no tomorrow. They enjoy every bit of it as I press into them to give nuzzles, making them smile and return them with ease. Though after Marco got his phone call, he came back with a small lingering fear and worry in his blue-grey eyes. Nothing can leave him as I am on the cushion and Sabo standing near as he is using his hologram bracelet to make notes.

"Marco?" I ask in confusion as he stays still. Sabo turns before stopping what he is doing to close it all and trailing over in concern.

"What happened?"

"It was the association…" Marco's eyes met Sabo and I see him now tensing, having me feel a twist in me as I shift to the edge of the cushion as Sabo is moving arms.

"Why? What do they want?" Sabo is expressing aggression and I kind of wilt, like maybe I did something wrong.

"It's because he was on the Alter list, they want us to bring him down to be reexamined…" A choking lingers with the cooing from Marco and they are both looking to me as I frown with shifting back more into the cushion. They both fester, coming over on each side as I give a whimper at the thought of the ones I have had before and tremble. "It's okay, love. I don't want to, yoi…"

"I would never want that…" Sabo tries to feather in reassurance and I know the but was coming and never wanted to hear it.

"But we have to, so they don't take you away…" Marco speaks with a soft cooing of hurt and Sabo gives a huffed whine while they hold me tightly.

"I-I don't like examinations…" I try to say with small whimpers at the painful reminders of what they do, and I always finished early because of aggression.

"We know, love… Just this once to get you off the list and nothing more, okay? We don't want to do it… We really don't…" Sabo gives airy whines and huffing as he clings to me with tail snug tight to my waist. "But they will take you if we don't…" I give a nod in understanding while hands cling to them both and they are sure to smash against me for comfort.

-o-o-o-o-

The collar itches, but the bandana beneath with the family seal helps to keep it off my skin. I didn't have much choice but to wear it while going to the department, one that specializes in judging if the pet—or slave—is on the Alter list or not. It's intimidating going into the building by leash—times before dragged or in a cage—keeping behind the other two that had peppered with comfort they would cuddle me when this is over—feeling sorry for even having to do this, but it's not their fault. There are others in the lobby that Sabo takes me to as Marco signs us in and I reluctantly kneel to the floor next to Sabo. I notice a couple other humans lingering, one with a muzzle as it flickers eyes with a growl and another that presses to his owner in fear.

I hated seeing something like this, but no choice in the manner as it is so popular and done. The owners are high class, the one with the timid one being gentler in appearance and the other showing to be a snob. It would be almost suiting if he was trying to get his pet turned into a fighter as the muzzle is also accompanied by a harness with wrists to a collar—secured tight. I made sure to drag eyes back down and away as the nobles can be very finnicky by the gaze of a pet on them. Marco comes back and sits next to Sabo, having me in the middle and I am snug to rest between them for a final reassurance.

The timid one is called back before they say Newgate sharply and has me tensing, not wanting to go back as I wish I could back out on this. There is no turning back as someone else comes to take my leash, and I am looking to both—taking in the reassuring gazes as I trail along behind the worker. Keeping eyes down and head bowed a little, I want to show to be submissive to them as I need off the Alter list. The person is purely professional in getting me led on and not bothering to glance back to me, having known this is a test.

We get to a door where she enters, and I trail after. I notice another creature inside taking my leash with a hum. The woman reports my profile and the man raises a brow while glancing to me, having me stiffen while looking back down, keeping myself lowered to be submissive to him as well. It was not something I was looking forward to, them doing anything that could set you off and before it hardly took anything—just the room had me lashing out.

"Thank you, I will take things from here." The man mentions while the escort excuses herself before leaving with the door closed. "For this short amount of time, I expect you to call me Sir." The words are strict, and I swallow thickly while nodding before he smacks to the back of my head, having me tremble.

"Y-Yes, Sir." I say, making sure to remind myself that this is to stay with Marco and Sabo—to never be pulled away again.

"Good, on your knees." I am quick to move to get down like he orders, ignoring the digging of the leash in my throat, and he hums. "From being mere minutes of being carried off to the fighting ring, someone tamed you…" The mentioning brings another swallow at the thought of almost being taken off and would have been if it wasn't for Marco taking me in. "Are you a slave or pet?"

"Pet, Sir." I answer honestly, jolting as some type of stick starts pressing into my calf. It digs more, and I tremble at the pain it starts to bring with the twists in my pants and then it moves away.

"A luxury pet, hm?" The stick of sorts smacks along my back, having me jerk with a whimper. "I don't think they instilled much punishment in you, human." The stick whips along my back again, stinging to the place and I whimper more with eyes watering. "Tell me, do you help around the house?"

"Yes, Sir." I answer while looking to the ground before he shifts to raise my head with the stick under my chin. Then I notice two others standing by a wall with eyes inspecting.

"Are you punished when making a mistake?" A small whine leaves me as the stick moves to press at my throat before moving the stick to smack me across the face. I had been startled, throwing me to the ground, quivering at how much I haven't felt in a long while. I start gathering myself to get back up on knees, but he snaps another smack across my face, having me stumble with tears forming. The feeling to protest lingers but is shoved away at the thought of Sabo and Marco. "Too soft," the creature states as I try to gather myself, but a foot pushes me forward to have my face pushed to the ground.

I notice one of the men have moved to sit as he has the hologram up in a different language I don't know and taking notes. They were following every action I do and recording my reactions to all, any retaliation or aggression would be noted. It could, and mostly likely would, fail me on the spot and I didn't want to lose them. My eyes water as I yelp at the stinging from the stick smack along my butt. I put hands to the side, fingers gripping into the ground as I feel my insides twisting from the pain and having to deal with this all.

"Pants down," the mentioning has me stiffening and giving whimpers with small wiggles as someone pulls my pants down—me still on knees. Nails nip into skin as they are checking my backside and I notice one move to grip at my ball sack harshly. I jerk with more whimpers and not liking the touching, but only quiver to it all.

"He's not fixed, sir." The words have my eyes widen and flickering as I hear a humming before the hand is gone.

"Then let's change that…" My lips open with trembles and eyes begin to water as I can't move away. The feeling of shifting and the foot adjusting on my head have me give soft whimpers. A scream leaves at the sensation, spiking through my body, but I am stilled in place with something pressing to my hips and the pain heightens between my legs. Another howl leaves me with tears shedding as I want them to stop but can't say anything or to be hit even more or make it hurt worse.

"Finished," the other mentions as I notice a cool type of cream in place, but also burning left in its wake. I tremble with small sobs leaving me, trying to calm. It is futile as the stick strikes along butt cheeks and I jolt with more trembles and small sobs.

"Now pull them back up, disgusting sight." The man in charge is followed with pants up and removes his foot. "Back up, trash." Arms are shaky as I rise again with small whimpers and keep eyes down. Appendages go through my hair before griping to pull it back, so I am faced with the creature that has four eyes and a netted mouth, but not resembling an insect by any means. "Tamed, huh? What a shame, you would have made a good fighter." The creature comments before shifting, keeping the grip, and harshly smacks to my face, repeatedly. He doesn't stop until I know it is bruised and numb from the experience, tears building up in the corners after he lets go of my hair to let my head hang once more. "Give me the switch for the last minutes." Hearing those words have me stiffen and fingers moving to dig into my pants as tears shed to the grey of them, soaking more with them.

The last minutes are a blur of me whimpering, hollering in pain, and accepting the harsh words said to me. It was a reminder, a wake-up call that I could always be returned to that or even be dragged to something more. I had been a withering mess by the end of it, bruising everywhere and trembling with whimpers—just wanting Sabo and Marco's embrace, to remind me that not everyone was the same… that not everyone wanted to hurt me.

"He's released and approved to be off the Alter list." The man who tormented me claims to the woman who came back, my form lower than it was to begin with. She accepts it happily, chirping involved, and pulls me along back to the lobby.

"Mr. Newgate," the words bring a tension in me as I don't want them to see me like this and keep my head down to try and hide my face as they both approach. "Congratulations, your pet is no longer on the Alter list. Thank you for your patronage and have a pleasant day." She responds while handing over my leash and I was lead along after Marco accepts whatever she had. Getting to the car, I carefully get in the back while sitting as much as I can, and they get in with the route set before both turning to me.

"Oh, Ace… love," Sabo's tone is shaking as he moves closer and I flinch with whimpers as I am in pain everywhere. Hands come up to cup my face and I whimper as I meet his gaze. Sabo is stressed over what he sees. I cringe with small whimpers as I want to be held, but not at the same time now as I hurt. Huffing whines leave him as he wants to grasp me, but afraid to hurt me with hands touching along my upper body. I instead shift to reach hands hesitantly to his chest and he is directing them closer with small growls he does for comfort. "Marco, Marco… he's hurt everywhere…" Soft whines linger as Sabo is unsure on how to hold me and I only lean with trembles, tears prickling my eyes.

"I-I know, yoi…" Marco's voice is quiet as he seems afraid to approach on how I am. Movement along my neck behind me shows of the collar and bandana undone to get it off. I breath in relief and can hear a small chattering from Marco as my hair is shifted to view my neck more. "I will call Izou to get more cream…"

After arriving to the home, Sabo is careful to help get me into the home and up to the bathroom on their floor. Once settled to more along my side against the tub, Sabo is conflicted as he wants to hurt them and also comfort me without hurting me further. They first state for a bath and trying to figure out why I won't sit as it would be easier.

"F-fixed…" I squeak lightly and notice as they both freeze and look to each other with worry lingering.

"Let me look at it… To see if they sealed it, yoi." I tremble at the fact Marco would be viewing there and how it hurts to even think on them doing it. "We don't want it infected." More rolling chatters of worry are there as he shifts, talons scrapping the ground nervously. I reach for Sabo, him quick to help me as I am moved to help Marco see the area better. When my pants are pulled on, I whimper but don't stop him as he gets them down more. Shifting my legs and somewhat of my butt cheeks, a light shudder of breath lingers. "They sealed it, he can shower, but not soak because its still…" Marco trails while Sabo rubs a hand softly along my arm.

"We will bathe you, Ace… Then apply cream to every wound they put on you…" Sabo growls in reassurance as I knew he wanted nothing more than to erase what they have done.

The shower is brought with Sabo cleaning me while Marco goes to greet his brother and getting the cream. When I am brought to the nest. Marco rests with cooing and I am easily laid along him with no pants on to reach all places. I am comforted with cream rubbed carefully to my wounds and given a soothing atmosphere that has me begin to doze off.

-o-o-o-o-

* Can you guess where this comes from without looking it up? XD (I would offer a small fic, but I don't know lol)