Hi guys! Here is the next chapter!
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Ace moved into his house, Marco just having brought him to his home on the surface, and the first thing Ace did was to send a message to Eustass he was home, before he went and watched some Tv.
After that, it was just half an hour before Ace moved to the door when the bell rang and opened it to see Eustass, and Ace smiled. "Eustass!" Eustass smiled and moved to hug him. "Where have you been!" Ace hummed as they let go. "Oh, I was a bit busy and I got a new friend in Hell." Eustass nodded. "Cool. Is he more awesome than me?" Ace gave a hum as if he was thinking. "Maybe he is? He does have red hair too. But also a scar on his face." Eustass blinked. "Hey! I am not above hitting you with this!" He said as he showed his wrench, and Ace chuckled. "Eustass, no one can even begin to compare to you." Eustass gave a fake relieved breath. "Oh thank the Lord!" Ace first chuckled, then he remembered the thing with Marco and his smile fell a bit.
That made Eustass blink. "What? What is it? Who needs to die?" Ace blinked. "Die?" Eustass nodded. "Yeah! Something made you look sad! So someone is dying!" Ace gave a weak chuckle, before he sighed. "Come inside. We can sit down and then I will tell you." Eustass nodded. "Must be serious then." Ace hummed. "More embarrassing than serious." Eustass nodded and they sat down on the couch and Eustass looked at him. "Now, who dies?" Ace chuckled. "You can't kill someone who is already dead. Or… I think they are dead…" Eustass blinked. "No, don't tell me Marco or his family messed up again?" Ace blinked. "Oh… I think I am the one to blame this time…" Eustass blinked, before he shook his head. "Doubt it. Now spill! And I am getting prepared to kill the devil." Ace chuckled. He liked Eustass.
Ace then sighed. "Marco and I… we haven't really gotten that far in the sense of intimacy." Eustass blinked. "You mean sex?" Ace blinked, before he gave a breath. "Yes, I mean sex." Eustass chuckled. "I love to embarrass you. Did he go too fast for you? I can certainly kill a prince." Ace blinked. "Stop with the killing talk!" Eustass shrugged. "Nope. Now, what happened?" Ace sighed. "He did something that felt like really good. And then I said… 'Oh God, yes'. And I think I offended him."
Eustass blinked. "That is it? Like, you just said that? And he got offended?" Ace shrugged. "I mean, he is a demon. He doesn't like God, like at all. And I basically yelled his name when Marco was trying to make me feel good." Eustass blinked. "Maybe you're right. But still. You weren't thinking about God, right?" Ace blinked, before he swatted Eustass on the shoulder. "No! I wasn't! I don't even know what he looks like!" Eustass nodded. "And there you go. You didn't mean it in a mean way. We say that when we feel good. Marco needs to get off his high horse." Ace nodded slowly. "Maybe…" Eustass nodded. "He does. What did he do that felt good?" Ace felt embarrassed again. "He like… kissed my neck… and-"
Ace was on his way to continue when Eustass got that evil shine in his eyes, before he pounced on him as he said "Like this?" Before they play fought some and Ace tried to fend of Eustass playfully and they had fun, before they were suddenly on the floor laughing, before they calmed down, and Eustass hummed. "How long are you with us living?" Ace blinked. "That… sounds ominous. But until tomorrow. And oh! I found a flower you will love! It is from Hell!" Eustass blinked. "What is your obsession with flowers?" Ace shrugged. "I dunno. They're pretty."
Eustass blinked. "Well, can't argue with that. Is it like a rose? Or daisy? Or something?" Ace hummed. "No, it is a really special one and you will love it!" Eustass nodded. "What shape and color?" Ace hummed. "No, I won't tell. You need to see it and I don't want to ruin it. I can bring it next time." Eustass hummed. "When will I be able to visit you down there? I wanna see how it is there." Ace nodded. "I know, and I will ask Marco when it fits. I think you will like it." Eustass nodded. "Cool." Eustass then nudged him. "Also, I am very glad you are happy, Ace." Ace nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I am happy. It has… been a while since I've been happy." Eustass nodded. "I feel bad I ignored you…" Ace shook his head. "No, you thought I needed space. It's fine. I mean, you're here now." Eustass nodded. "Yeah. You're my best friend, Ace." Ace smiled. "Same."
They then spent the entire night just talking and having fun. When morning came, Marco came and got him, as Ace didn't know how to teleport yet, but Marco said that would take some time. He then said goodbye to Eustass and said he would call him later, before they were back in Hell. As he was back, he asked Marco when Eustass could visit him here, in Hell, and Marco said Curiel was working on it, as they needed something to keep from being crushed, and that was fine. It took the time it took and he could visit Eustass on the surface now and then as he wanted to keep contact with him.
Ace then went to lie down in the bed, and Marco looked at him. "Are you tired, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, we were up all night." Marco nodded and moved over and gave him a kiss on the head. "Then you need sleep, yoi. I have some duties now, see you later." Ace nodded and closed his eyes, already falling asleep. "Yeah… Love you." And then Ace was wide awake as he sat up shocked. Did he just? Based on the look Marco had, yes he had.
Ace opened his mouth, but no words came out, before Marco smiled and leaned in and kissed him. "I love you too, Ace." Ace blinked, before he smiled, and Marco gave a smile too. "Now, sleep, yoi. You need to rest as well." Ace nodded and laid down again, but this time he didn't start to fall asleep instantly. Ace had never told anyone he loved anyone. Besides to Luffy and Sabo of course, and Eustass. But that was his brothers and best friend, Ace never had had feelings for anyone. And Marco was so kind. Even though he was a demon and the prince of Hell. Ace felt… really happy.
When he woke up later, he found out he had slept for almost 3 hours, before Ace got up and went on with his day, and after walking around in the house and helping Thatch with some food, he went outside to the ocean and Shanks appeared and Ace went into the boat, and the two of them spoke as they sailed to another small island with a lone tree. This one had leaves that were black, white, and light green. The flowers looked like a lotus flower and they were 3 different colors, which were blue, orange, and purple, still translucent like the others and had a glow and glitter like lights on them.
Ace picked one of each, before he went back to the boat and they started to head back. As they were on the way back to the shore, Ace looked at Shanks. "Would you like to come for dinner once?" Shanks hummed. "That is very kind of you Ace, but I am not allowed inside the king's home." Ace blinked. "Why not?" Shanks hummed again. "I do not know. But I have been told to stay away and keep to myself and just do my job." Ace blinked. "Are you… being shunned?" Shanks frowned a bit. "I do not know what being shunned means." Ace blinked. "Oh. Like, ignored and hated, and just rejected by everyone." Shanks hummed. "Yes."
Ace blinked. "Why are they shunning you?" Shanks hummed. "I do not know." Ace blinked. "But, it is like really mean to shun someone. And you are so nice as well." Shanks shook his head. "It is just how it is, Ace." Ace blinked. "Well, I don't agree. I don't think you deserved to be shunned. Like, at all." Shanks gave a weak smile. "I am glad you think that, Ace. You truly are a kind soul." Ace felt bad for Shanks, and would try and find out why he was shunned.
When they got to the shore and Ace left, he gave a goodbye and promised to come back later, making Shanks nod and give a small smile, before he went on. And then Ace headed back to the home and relaxed a bit in his room, before Marco came, and asked how he had had it, making Ace hum. "I had a really fun day with Shanks." Marco nodded. "That is good, yoi." Marco also didn't seem to deny Ace visiting Shanks, so this was odd. "Marco," Marco hummed, making him continue. "Why do you hate Shanks?" Marco blinked and turned to him. "What do you mean, yoi. I don't hate Shanks." Ace blinked. "What?" Marco looked at him. "Ace, who told you I hate Shanks? I don't hate him, yoi." Ace was very confused now.
"But, Shanks said you are shunning him? He isn't allowed in here or close to the house?" Marco looked confused as well. "What. No, he can come here. But he prefers not to. He has always kept to himself, yoi." Ace blinked. "So… would it be fine if I invited him for dinner?" Marco nodded. "Of course you can, yoi. I don't know why he thinks we hate him, because we don't. No one of us does. But he never speaks with us either." Ace was confused. "Weird." Marco nodded. "It is. But I have nothing against Shanks, yoi. I also don't know him." Ace nodded. "Okay. I will tell him this. Because I want him to feel included as well." Marco gave a smile and moved a hand to his cheek. "You are so kind and inclusive, yoi." Ace smiled. "I try. I know what it is like to feel excluded." Marco nodded. "I know. And I hope you never will feel that here, yoi." Marco said as he kissed him on the head, and Ace smiled. He didn't feel like he would as he felt included here.
Ace then went on with his day, and a bit later, when he was relaxing, there was a knock on the door and he opened it to see Curiel, making him blink. "Hi?" Curiel smiled. "Hi. I just heard from Marco you went to something called a soul tree? And their flowers sing?" Ace nodded and moved to grab a flower close to the door. "Yeah! Look! And hear!" He said as he moved it back and forth and it hummed. This was the one of the first ones he had picked. Curiel blinked. "That is amazing." Ace nodded. "I know! Why do you wonder?"
Curiel hummed. "Would it be okay if I borrowed it? I have never seen or heard about them. I would like to learn about them." Ace blinked. And at first, he wanted to say no, as it was his. But he didn't want to be rude. So Ace nodded and handed it to Curiel. "Okay. Here." Curiel smiled and took it. "Thank you, Ace." He knew Curiel liked to research things, and this was something none knew about either apparently. He then spoke a bit more, before he closed the door and looked back at the flowers he had, and he knew one was missing, which he didn't like at all. But he didn't want to keep them from everyone either.
The next days, he waited for Curiel to give the flower back, but he never did and Ace wanted it back, but again, didn't want to be rude. So, the next day, he went to the ocean and Shanks appeared after a bit, and Ace smiled as he boarded the boat and said hi, Shanks also seemed glad to see him again. Which made Ace feel glad as well.
As Shanks was about to start rowing, Ace looked at Shanks. "Also… um… that tree we first visited, can we visit that one again?" Shanks nodded. "Of course we can, Ace. Why do you want to visit it again?" Ace gave a small sound. "Um… the flowers I got, Curiel wanted to check it out as it sang and I don't want to ask for it back, so I need a new one." Shanks nodded. "Of course, Ace. We can get new ones from that one." Ace smiled. "Thank you." Shanks shook his head. "It is no issue, Ace. Let us get on our way." Ace nodded and sat down and they started the trip. They then chatted as they headed to the island and then Ace plucked a few more flowers, before they started to head back.
And as they were rowing, Ace looked at Shanks when he remembered something. "Also, I spoke with Marco, and he says he doesn't hate you or shuns you. So you are hereby invited to dinner tomorrow." Shanks blinked. "But the king does not like me." Ace blinked. "Then I need to speak with him as well. Please come for dinner!" Shanks hummed. "I do not think that will be wise, Ace." Ace gave a small pout, before he got an idea. "How about a picnic then!" Shanks blinked. "What is… a picnic?" Ace hummed. "It is where you bring some food and drinks and eat outside! And I won't invite everyone, but I am sure no one hates you. Please come!" Shanks seemed to think for a bit, before he nodded. "Okay, I can join a picnic." Ace smiled. "Yes! Thank you! Uh… how about we meet… close to the Hell tree by that one pit… next to level 9. Do you know where that is?" Shanks nodded. "I do. Who will come?"
Ace hummed. "I mean, I will tell everyone you're coming, and you will be like the guest of honor. And if they don't want to meet you or see you, I don't want them there either. Because you are a really good guy." Shanks nodded. "Okay, I will meet you there. Hopefully they will be okay with me." Ace nodded. "And if they aren't, they aren't invited. And if they show up and act obnoxiously, I will tell them to leave. Meet at 4?" Shanks nodded. "Okay. I will see you then, Ace." Ace smiled. "Yeah! We will! I am excited!" Ace was, as he really liked Shanks. They then got to the shore and Ace left with a smile and a goodbye, before he headed on.
-x-
Shanks watched as Ace walked away. Ace was a really interesting person. When Shanks said the king didn't like him, he did expect Ace would follow that. But no, instead, he was now invited to a picnic. That was interesting. He hoped this would go fine, but Shanks would be prepared to leave at once. Shanks knew he wasn't liked, and that was fine for him. No one had really liked him anyhow. Shanks then moved the oar to the water and started to row away to get on with his job.
-x-
Whitebeard sat in his office, doing some work, when there was a knock at his door and he gave a come in, and smiled when he saw it was Ace. "Ace, how are you?" Ace gave a small hum as he sat down. "I'm fine. But I wonder… I invited Shanks to a picnic tomorrow." Whitebeard blinked, "What is a picnic?" Ace blinked. "Oh. It is when you bring some light food and drinks and eat outside." Whitebeard nodded. "Then why not invite him to a real dinner instead?"
Ace blinked. "I did. But Shanks said no, since he isn't allowed to be close or inside the home, since you hate him. Why do you hate Shanks? What has he done?" Whitebeard blinked, before he frowned. "I do not hate him. I have barely spoken with him, Ace. He keeps to himself and seems like he does not wish to be with us. So, I have gone with his wishes to be let alone." Ace blinked. "Shanks said you hated him and disliked him, and shuns him. That he is not allowed near here because of that." Whitebeard felt very confused. "I don't dislike him or shun him. I don't even know him." Ace blinked. "Oh… That's weird. He really thinks you hate him." That was odd. Whitebeard nodded. "When is the… picnic you called it?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, picnic. It will be tomorrow at 4, by the Hell tree next to level 9."
Whitebeard blinked. "Are you okay with that? Level 9 is a place many avoid." Ace blinked. "Why? The tree is so large and amazing!" Whitebeard nodded. "Yes, but the pit is a gruesome place, and many can't bear to see it." Ace blinked. "Oh. Anyhow, the picnic will be there. You can come if you want to. But not if you are going to be mean to Shanks." Whitebeard nodded. "I would very much like to come. I wonder why Shanks thinks I dislike him." Ace nodded. "I do too. But I think it will be very nice!" Whitebeard nodded. "I do too." Ace then smiled, before he went to inform Thatch so Thatch and Ace could mix up some light food.
As the door closed, Whitebeard still felt confused. Why did Shanks think he disliked him and shunned him? Whitebeard was open for everyone. Yes, he hadn't interacted much with Shanks, but that was since he kept to himself. Very odd. He would do his best to welcome Shanks with open arms. If memory serves right, Shanks is one of the oldest ones around, maybe the oldest one left. He had been a lot around Roger, before the huge battle.
Whitebeard sighed. He missed Roger.
And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!
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