Ta-da!

Wow, it's been more than half a year... Damn... Way, way too long. I'll try not to take six months to update from now on but I make no promises XD This should have been posted yesterday but Internet decided to abandon me, so now I'm stealing my friend's internet to post this :D

Huge thanks to lunarshores for fixing this chapter :D

Disclaimer: I think I'll stop putting those in - it's obvious I don't own anything and that won't change anytime soon. This one is valid for the rest of the chapters of this fic.

Song of the chapter: Dangerous by Arctic Island (David Guetta cover, though the original would also do it)

It was definitely Marco's fault, Ace finally decided. Not entirely, of course, to some extent it was Ace's own stupidity that got him where he was now, but everything else was definitely Marco's fault. He woke something inside Ace, and that something craved only one thing. So far he could control it, but he couldn't deny that he wanted to grab his sempai and continue what they started during lunch break. If Sabo was going to make them wait for another five minutes, Acemight actually go through with that.

"What are we waiting for again?" Marco asked, turning to look at Ace.

He honestly tried to remember what was it they were waiting for, but he couldn't think straight. His mind was back at the study room, reliving each and every moment. Ace didn't care that at the moment he was in a very crowded school yard. In order to gain some control over himself he bit his lower lip, eyes glued to Marco's frame.

"Fuck, don't look at me like that," the blond hissed, taking a step towards Ace.

"Like what?" he breathed, trying to remember where he was and what was he supposed to be doing.

"Ace!" Another voice joined in, snapping Ace out of his daze as he turned to look at his approaching brother.

"You're late," he said, taking a step back away from his sempai in order to avoid unnecessary complications.

"Oh wow, you have the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen!" Sabo completely ignored Ace, going directly for Marco and grabbing his arm to prevent escape. "Please tell me that he's for me?" His brother turned to him with pleading eyes, holding Marco's arm in a vice-like grip.

Unfortunately Ace knew that look very well – Sabo wasn't about to let sempai go anytime soon. Speaking of the blond sempai, he was trying to free his arm in order to get away from a very suspicious person. While Ace was trying to come up with something that could explain the eccentric behaviour of his brother to Sempai, said brother wasn't wasting any time feeling up the latter. Ace helplessly watched the struggle in front of him where Marco tried to free himself of the tick that was Sabo.

Done with his inspection but still holding the arm, Sabo turned to his brother:

"He is for me, right?"

"Um..." Ace met Marco's eyes that were demanding an answer to why he was assaulted by an unfamiliar person in their school yard. "Sempai, meet my brother Sabo. Sabo, this is Marco-sempai, he's the captain of our judo club. And yes, he is 'for you'."

"Awesome! Can we cut your hair?" Sabo turned to his prey.

"Do you mind explaining this?" Marco looked at Ace with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"You don't need to cut your hair if you don't want to," Ace said, looking between Sempai and his brother. "I am really sorry about him: he tends to get excited easily when he sees someone he would like to photograph."

"So, can we cut your hair?"

"Why would you want to cut my hair?"

"I know just the haircut for you. You'd look awesome." Sabo looked at Marco with conviction.

"Well, I don't really care about my hair..." Sempai said with a slight frown.

"Perfect, let's go!" Sabo bolted to his car, dragging his victim behind him, almost dislocating his arm and making him fall.

"Sorry," Ace mouthed to his sempai, following them.

Sabo opened the passenger door at the back of his car, almost shoved Marco inside and made Ace think that this looked pretty much like kidnapping. He joined Sempai in the back while his brother took the front seat next to the driver. There was another person in the back, namely Koala, who looked at Marco's dumbfound expression with compassion.

"Who did you abduct this time?" she asked with a sigh.

"Hi, Koala! This is Marco-sempai. He's the captain of out judo club," Ace explained.

Koala patted Marco on the back sympathetically. Being Sabo's girlfriend, classmate, and chief make-up artist for the Top Hat Studio, she knew what he was capable of very well.

"Koala, you see it, don't you?" Sabo turned in the front seat to look from his prey to his girlfriend; the driver waited for everyone to fasten their seatbelts and then started driving towards Sabo's place.

"Let me take a closer look," she turned to Marco and regarded him sceptically. After a moment she smiled widely. "Hell yes! Can we cut your hair?"

"What is it with you people and my hair?" Sempai raised his eyebrows.

"Come on, you'll be thanking me when I'm done with you," Koala said with great confidence; Ace nodded in agreement – when both Sabo and Koala agreed on a change of style it meant a major level up for their victim. In their defence, they'd never forced anyone. Yet.

"Whatever." Marco raised his hands in defeat.

"Yes!" Koala exclaimed happily.

For the rest of the road Koala kept poking Sempai's head, turning it this and that way and slightly pulling and shuffling his hair, making the victim of artistic abuse move farther and farther away from her. The only thing that prevented Marco from climbing onto Ace's lap in order to avoid all the poking and prodding was his seatbelt. As a result Ace had very ambivalent feelings about the safety contraption – both hating it and being very thankful for it. He had no idea what he would have done if he got a lap full of Sempai. Probably something very stupid and equally embarrassing. Lucky for him they pulled up in front of Sabo's house just in time before Ace did something as dumb as unbuckling Sempai's seatbelt and helping him avoid Koala.

To be completely honest, Ace didn't like Sabo's house. Of course there was nothing wrong with its architecture – it was built in a Victorian style and was well maintained. He just didn't like the overall feeling of it – the house didn't look like someone was supposed to live in it. The building was more suited to be a museum or a town hall and not a place actual people lived in. Ace said as much many times and each time Sabo completely agreed with it, but neither of them was dumb enough to state that in front of Sabo's parents. Said parents already hated Ace's guts, deeming him not good enough to spend time with their precious son, though lately their behaviour changed a lot for the better. Ace suspected that Sabo had had enough of them insulting his brother and spilled the beans about Ace's parents.

"You actually live here?" The shocked question came from Sempai. "It looks like a museum!"

"If my parents are home, don't ever let them hear anything like that," Sabo warned with Ace and Koala nodding in agreement. "It's one of those things everyone knows but never talks about."

"Sorry, it kind of slipped out..."

"Don't apologise to me – as soon as I'm done with high school I'm out of here." Ace's brother looked at the building with disgust. "I'd much rather live with Dadan than here. Hell, I'd rather join the marines than live here!"

"Don't ever say it in front of the old man," Ace patted Sabo's back. "I do feel for you, but I'd rather live here than join the marines under his command."

"I meant generally. I'd stay as far away from him as possible."

"He'd get you transferred to him as soon as he sees your name amongst other recruits. Just don't."

Marco looked between them with a slightly confused expression on his face, and Ace realised that he wasn't really in on it. He probably heard something from Robin, but Ace wasn't sure if he was aware of how scary the old man could be. While Sabo and Ace were looking all thoughtful and regarded the possible new addition to the agency, Koala took the matter in her own hands:

"Have you met Garp?"

"Um, he almost ran me over this Monday. I think it's a family thing." The blond sempai looked at Ace with a slight smirk.

"Next time I run you over I'll make sure you have a cup of coffee in your hands," Ace grumbled, feeling his face grow warmer. He was dead sure that it didn't go unnoticed by his brother who, unlike his other brother, had the decency to wait with questions until they were alone later.

v(^-^)v

It has already been twenty minutes but Marco still couldn't get over that house. IT WAS ENORMOUS! He had to resist a strong urge to hold somebody's hand or clothes so that he wouldn't get lost because he was sure that he wouldn't be found until winter. Why would people live in something so huge? He would understand if this was a hotel or a royal residence, but come on! Normal people didn't live in houses that big! Especially not when the whole family was made of only three people – the father, the mother and the child, namely Sabo. Marco could have understood it if the family was the size of his family or if they had their extended family living with them, but there were only THREE PEOPLE!

Apparently, he was extremely obvious in his disapproval – Ace kept chuckling and saying that now Sabo couldn't say that it was only him, and the blond brother kept grumbling and saying that Stelly could shove this house where the sun doesn't shine once Sabo graduated and went to university. Since no one elaborated who Stelly was Marco assumed that these were not the people who would tell him that objectively.

"So, last piece of advice – don't go anywhere without your phone," Koala concluded their relatively short tour of the house that included important landmarks as to how to find an exit. As it turned out the house had four exits, big windows on the first floor not included. "Or just go through a window – it's a pretty easy way out and it's not that hard to climb down if you are on the second floor. And if you leave anything behind in the main building you can forget about it."

"The main building?" Marco raised his eyebrows.

"Anything above the ground level is the main building," Ace helpfully explained. "We won't be spending much time here, though."

"We are going to the basement. Anything below the ground territory is off limits for other annoying residents." Koala supplied that piece of information; Sabo looked like he wanted to blow this place up and wasn't saying anything unless forced to.

"What's in the basement?" Marco asked only to have all three look at him like he was an idiot.

"You do know why you're here, right?" Sabo asked with a slight frown.

"Because you want to cut my hair?" he answered, hastily remembering everything he knew about Ace and Sabo. "Pictures?"

At that both Koala and Sabo turned to look at Ace who looked extremely thoughtful.

"Didn't you explain anything to him?" Koala asked accusingly as she crossed her arms on her chest.

"You seriously don't know?" Ace looked him suspiciously, ignoring Koala.

"You just said something about hanging out with friends!" Marco said defensively.

"I should have known..." Sabo sighed. "At least you asked in advance."

Koala and Ace laughed loudly at that – clearly it was some kind of inside joke. After seeing Marco's slightly confused face Ace explained how Zoro became part of the Top Hat agency – simply by being abducted by Luffy. It didn't take a genius then to figure out that this was a trial run for Marco to see if he could be part of the agency. While being led to the basement and listening to Sabo's explanations about why he was here, the blond was trying to figure out how to say that he didn't like it when people took pictures of him. Marco didn't have many pictures of himself, and he liked to keep it that way. He tried not to dwell on the origins of his distaste for taking pictures since words 'evidence' and 'Impel Down' came to mind.

The basement didn't look like a basement at all. The lighting was fixed to match daylight and the walls were coloured in a manner that looked like someone just randomly spilled aquarelle on the wallpapers. Marco wasn't very knowledgeable in the arts, but Izo's love for art and painting with watercolours in particular rubbed off on him so much that he really enjoyed the overall design of the walls. There were also photos on the walls – most likely the ones Sabo was especially proud of. Marco could definitely see why – the models only took one third of the place at best, the rest were breathtaking landscapes, random city motifs that made him look at them a couple of times before he recognised places around the city, and several wild animals like a wolf and an owl.

Marco's companions didn't hurry him, allowing him the time to properly appreciate the skill of the photographer. Sabo indeed was extremely gifted – on several occasions he had turned a dull, everyday thing into something special. The photographer just took in his reaction to the pictures and gave a concise story of how he came to take the pictures. Marco particularly liked the photo of the owl that was taken the moment it pushed off from a branch. What drew him in even more was that the picture was printed in black and white, sharp lines and shadows coming out and making the picture truly amazing. Marco knew that photographers sometimes did their pictures in black and white to improve the picture, but this was the technique at its finest.

"While it is a good shot, I have to admit that I almost lost it," Sabo commented with a smile. "The stupid bird attacked me causing me to fall from the tree and break my arm. Then it almost took off with the camera; it's pure luck the camera got caught in the branches long enough for me to grab it."

"You make it sound like it's dangerous to be a photographer," Marco said, barely holding back his smile.

"You can't possibly think that that one was taken in a petting zoo," Sabo snorted as he pointed towards the photo of the wolf.

"No, that looks more like Mount Corvo," he answered thoughtfully, taking in the picture.

"What makes you say that?" Ace's brother asked curiously.

"That," Marco pointed to the right lower corner of the picture to what looked suspiciously like a part of a metal staff, maybe even the same one Ace had with him on Wednesday.

"Really?" Sabo's eyebrows rose. "You're in on it?"

"On what exactly?" Marco turned away from the picture to look at the blond.

"Our... ahem... extended family..."

"Nice people, very welcoming," he said sarcastically, making Ace snort at the memories.

"Is that so?" Koala asked with a smile; somehow Marco felt like he made a step in a right direction. It was hard to pinpoint what exactly made him feel like he was out of the neutral zone and into the friendly zone, but he was definitely safe for now. As to why he would want Sabo to like him, Marco decided to ponder it later.

v(^-^)v

Ace followed Koala and Sempai to the changing room with a slight smile on his lips. Sabo seemed to like Marco, and Koala was sold the moment Sempai agreed to give up his hair. While the blond was rushed to a chair in front of a mirror by Koala, Ace went to the walk in closet to change into something that wasn't his uniform. In five minutes he walked out in jeans and t-shirt, one step away from kicking his brother's ass. Said brother was standing by Koala in front of the mirror, arguing with Koala about the haircut Sempai should get. Marco was sitting there like a sapling in a storm, pulled in different directions by arguing parties.

"Sabo, where's the belt?" Ace asked, tapping his foot.

"The orange monstrosity?" Sabo specified, not bothering to look at his brother as he pulled sempai towards him. "I threw it away. Now, like I said, cut two centimetres here and here."

"You what?" Ace growled.

"Stop that, we got you a new one; it's with other belts," Koala pulled Marco to her, glaring at her boyfriend. "Which one of us is the stylist? I don't boss you around when you're behind the camera! I know what I'm doing so get out, or tomorrow you'll wake up a dalmatian."

"What, as adorable as one?" Sabo smirked.

"No, as short-haired and as black and white as one. Now get out." She pushed the photographer away, taking her place behind sempai. "What are you still doing here?"

Sabo backed away, his hands raised in defeat.

"Ace, help me set up the camera. Oh, and leave the new monstrosity alone," he said on his way out.

"If you think it's a monstrosity then why did you buy a new one?" Ace retorted, going back to the closet.

"He didn't. I did." Koala answered, moving to get things needed for a haircut.

"You're the best," Ace chuckled, rummaging through belts until he saw it – a neon orange leather belt with his trademark buckle. "How'd you get the buckle on it?"

"Five minutes in the right store could do a lot," Koala smirked. "You can just go out to him. I thought I'd fix you up a bit, but now he'll just have to work extra hard with photoshop."

"Fix me up?" He asked, confused.

Instead of answering, she just tapped her neck with a smile and put on her own belt with her tools. Ace chuckled nervously and escaped to his brother – she probably wouldn't ask Sempai, but Ace himself was a fair game.

"If you make him look bad – the whole school will be after you," Ace warned Koala just in case.

"When did I ever do that?" She snorted. "What, is he on your 'Most Wanted' list?"

"Yeah..." he slowly admitted – the reason for that was a warning glare from Sempai through the mirror.

"Like top twenty?" Koala asked curiously; she'd always had an interest in the list and kind of wished to start a similar one in Mariejois, but the winner was pretty obvious so it was pointless.

"You could say so," Ace said, looking anywhere but at the mirror – the glare from Sempai was getting more intense by the second.

"What, don't tell me he's in top ten? What were you, number six? Is he better or worse?" She looked all excited, and Ace wanted to disappear – the glare was getting stronger by the second.

"Um... I'll go help Sabo," he said hastily and all but ran out of the room.

Sabo was found under the table in front of the white screen, trying to make sense of all the cables. With a sigh Ace got down to all fours to see if he could help.

"If this is the internet and this is the lights then what the hell is this?" Sabo muttered, poking the cables.

"The speakers?" Ace asked with a shrug.

"Speaking of speakers, who's the girlfriend and why don't I know anything?" the blond gave his brother an evil smirk, pulling out the 'speakers' cable and replacing it with the cable he was holding.

"What do speakers have to do with anything?" Ace grumbled, not even trying to fight the embarrassed blush.

"Nothing. So, spill."

"There's nothing to spill!"

"Oh, so you're saying it's a mysterious rash that just appeared one day? Since when you are keeping things from me?"

'Since I kinda asked my male sempai out during a temporary bout of insanity,' Ace thought but said nothing.

"Do I know her?" Sabo continued the interrogation as he got up to check if the camera was now connected to the computer.

'Yeah, now you do. I just introduced him to you,' Ace remained sitting under the table, refusing to answer any questions.

"Come on, give me something! Is she hot? Or smart? Or both?" The blond looked under the table to stare at his brother.

'Both and you don't even know the half of it...' Ace crossed his arms defensively and fixed his gaze on the cables.

"Or was it just a fling?"

'Very good question. I'd like an answer to that myself,' he sighed.

"What's with this silent treatment? You think I'm gonna judge you?" Sabo got under the table and sat in front of Ace. "You know I'd never do that."

Ace sighed again – with all that's been going on he didn't even think about what Sabo would think about him if he knew the truth. He was sure that Sabo wasn't going to judge him like that, more like doubt Ace's sanity if he got to know the whole story, but never judge. They may not have been related by blood, but Sabo was family. He would accept Ace regardless of who he was or what he did.

"I know that. It's just..." He started but couldn't find the words. "It's just... I don't know! I just don't know! I'm confused, and I'm freaked out, and I just don't know!"

"Wow... Now I'm even more curious. Who the hell could get under your skin like this?"

Ace was just about to come clean and answer but the door to the changing room opened, and his jaw promptly dropped. There was a reason why Koala was in charge of makeovers and anything to do with style. Who knew a haircut would make a world of a difference! More importantly, how could she see that before it was even made?

"What?" Sabo turned to look what got his brother's attention. "Holy cow..."

"Now you'll know better than to ever talk back at me about this. I told you I knew what I was doing." Koala said smugly.

Ace finally gathered enough brain cells to close his mouth, feeling absolutely and utterly screwed. If he ever had any kind of chance of getting out of this week somewhat unaffected it was gone now. Major level up, his ass! The whole frigging school would go nuts the second they saw Marco-sempai sporting a wide mohawk.

I love sitting under the table - I did it a lot when I was a child - just put a blanket over the table and a nearby chair and you have your own castle XD Maybe that's why I keep putting Ace under a table XD

It was meant to leave the chapter here, in case you are wondering XD

Thanks for the patience, reviews, favs and follows (btw, more than 150 favs and 200 follows? When did that happen? O-o). Also, I'd like to apologise to the people that reviewed and didn't get an answer - I usually answer to every review unless it's from a guest, but I lost track of who I replied to and who didn't and I'm sorry about that. I'll try to answer everyone from now on.

Hope to see you sooner rather than later,

~Rhe.