The next day found the Spades curled around each other, looking positively exhausted. Ace had woken up and was fussing, making sure they were confortable. A knock resounded in the otherwise silent room.

"Come in." Marco opened the door, stepping in. Ace was sitting on the bed where Tion and Denny were snuggling. Gale and Charlie where on another bed and the last one was occupied by Derek and Paul.

"They seem quite affectionate -yoi." Marco noted.

"It's normal, they are a couple."

"Gale and Charlie or-"

"Them and Derek and Paul both."

"Oh."

"You didn't expect that, did you?" He asked with a smirk and Marco couldn't help but notice how gorgeous he was.

"No, I certainly didn't -yoi."

Silence stretched after that.

"So, what do you want?"

"I wanted to apologize. It was unfair to laugh at your condition -yoi. You didn't ask to be like this." Ace looked at him with profound. Grey eyes that sparkled with life.

"Apology accepted. Thank you."

Marco smiled and nodded, going out again.

A loud bang startled Thatch, that let the pen he was holding fall on the table, yelping loudly.

"God, it's been almost 50 days and you still startle every time the brat gets thrown away." Izo teased, looking smug.

"Well, it always happen at different time of the day! Besides, I always hope that he will stop attacking Pops..." He was about to relax again when another bang made him jump out of the chair. Standing on the doorway was a completely pink Marco. Thatch put a hand on his mouth, clearly trying not to laugh.

"Run." An hysterical laugh escaped Thatch as he run out of the kitchen.

"I'm going to roast you alive as slowly as possible -yoi!" The chef run out on the deck, almost running over his siblings.

"Hello Ace!" Thatch greeted, sprinting next to him as he talked to Derek.

"What the fuck?!" He squealed, moving aside to accommodate the run. Marco was actually grateful for the paint that hid his blush. He didn't like the idea of being ridiculed in front of the ex Captain. With a jump he half-transformed, grabbing the chef with his claws. With a quick movement he threw him in the ocean. Huffing, he returned inside to clean himself up. The little scene only promped laugher by every pirate on deck. Beside Ace, that looked quite confused.

"Come on, Ace, laugh!" Haruta said, smiling, "You need to relax!"

"If you say so..."

"Tion?" Denny asked, looking concerned.

"Yes, dear?"

"...I can't find the Cap." Tion turned towards him, panic in her face.

"Search the kitchens, I'll go get the others. No mater what, we need to find him." She said, getting out of the room they were occupying. She found the rest of the Spades on the other room assigned to them.

"Boys, Cap disappeared." She declared loudly. "Search everywhere, ten time if you need to, but find him." She barked, before moving down the corridor, her movements frantic.

Marco was calmly moving towards his room, returning from the bathroom, toweling his damp hair. In the quiet of the corridor, a giggle made him stop. Turning, he found Ace standing there. His eyes were shining with innocence and a smile made his face look softer and younger.

"Ace?"

"Let's play!" He said, voice sounding cheery.

"...play -yoi?"

"Yup! Come on, what do you want to play?"

"Ehm...I have work to do..." Ace's face crumpled.

"You won't play with me?" His eyes started to get wet, making Marco panic.

"I-" But fat tears were already falling from his eyes, wailing loudly.

"Ace?!" Derek came from the end of the corridor, stopping a few feet from his Captain. "What happened?" He asked Marco.

"He- he asked me to play with him..."

"Oh. Another one, then?" He asked, hand massaging lightly his arm.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY" Derek moved quickly, letting Tion, hurricane mode, crash on Ace. She hugged him tightly.

"Shhhh, it's alright dear." She cooed. Marco looked at Derek, confused. He shrugged.

"Uh, motherly instinct."

As soon as Ace calmed down, Tion smiled at him. "That's it dear. Now, how old are you darling?" Ace sniffed.

"Seven."

"Oh, my, you are a big boy. Did the others give you a name?" He nodded. "Can you tell me?"

"Joker."

"Good. Now Jocker, someone told me you want to play a game." A nod. "What about puzzle?"

"Ok." He sniffed.

"Good. Let's go?" She held her hand that he grabbed immediately. "I'm sorry for disturbing you." She said towards Marco, litterally glowing.

"Maternity suits her." Derek chuckled. Marco looked at him.

"I must apologize -yoi. You really have it rough." Derek chuckled humourlessly.

"You have no idea."

It was later that night that Marco woke by some movement in his room. He started when something heavy got to his bed. Without a second though he lit his hand on fire. There, looking positively breathtaking, was Ace, eyes shining with lust.

"Hello there." He said, voice rough and deep. He looked ethereal in the blue glow of his flames, shirtless. Marco couldn't help but notice how his muscles danced below the skin.

"Ace -yoi? What are you doing here?"

"My name is Jack, darling. Nice to meet you." He smirked, hand moving to trace the tattoo on his bare skin.

"What are you-?!"

"Aww, don't be shy. I totally won't be." He chuckled as he straddled the blond.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

"Oh, come on, I know you like me, you always look at me. And I like you. Well, we like you. Even Ace finds you gorgeous" Jack caressed his face. "Don't tell him I told you this, but I know that ye fancies you." Marco was stunned, completely speechless. "Consider this as a thank you." He said, hands moving south. "You are stressing the host and the protectors so much that I can finally break free for the first time in almost fifteen years."

SBAM.

"Portgas D Jack, put your hands where I can see them!" Charlie said, looking angry. Behind him there were two snorts.

"Oh God, that was priceless." Denny laughed, hands holding his stomach.

"Ma-Master, please- that was un-unnecessary." Tion wheezed between laughs.

"Shut up both of you! That one is dangerous."

"Dangerous to your virginity, darling." Gale said, looking unimpressed. That seemed to snap Jack back into Ace.

"What?! Charlie, I thought that you and Gale had done it ages ago!" Then he blinked, taking in the position he was in, straddling the First Son, hands dangerously near the man's privates. "GHIAAAA!" He jumped back, ending with his butt on the floor. Marco glanced at him, noting how red his cheeks were. His mouth opened and closed a few times. "Oh God, I'm terribly sorry."

"Don't worry, it wasn't you -yoi."

Ace nodded, grabbing the shirt that was next to him and practically ran from his door, where Tion hugged him for comfort.

"We apologize for waking you up. Good night." Derek said, smiling and waving his hand. Marco had trouble sleeping that night.