Hi guys! Here is the next chapter! I am glad you want more of this

I know this one took a bit of time, but I had some issues getting the words down.

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace moved to the living room, where he saw Namur sitting on the couch and looking at the Tv, and he moved to sit on the other couch, and Namur gave a smile to him. "Hey." Ace gave a smile back. "Hi." Namur hummed. "What's your favorite animal?" Ace blinked. "I… don't know." Namur blinked. "Oh, okay. That's fine. Mine are sharks!" He said as he pointed at the Tv, and Ace looked at it and saw a Shark on the screen and someone speaking and telling facts about them.

He then looked back at Namur when he spoke. "What are your hobbies?" Ace blinked again. "I… don't know." Namur looked confused. "I mean, what do you like to do for fun?" Ace gave a small shrug. "I don't know. I don't think… I have any hobbies." Namur blinked. "Oh… You should get one. It is really fun to have a hobby!" Ace nodded. "What should I choose?" Namur shrugged. "I can't choose for you. You need to choose. You need to figure out what you like. I like sea life, especially sharks!" Ace blinked. He hadn't been allowed to have a hobby before. Was he allowed now? He didn't know.

He sat and watched a bit with Namur, finding it interesting. When there was a break, he decided to head to his room and play. As he was playing, Thatch came and joined him, and they had some fun together. It was Friday and school had ended early today. It was fun to play with Thatch, he was nice.

After a bit, Ace looked at Thatch. "Um… how does… punishment work when it comes to Marco and Whitebeard?" Thatch hummed. "I mean… reasonable. I have some friends who get more unreasonable ones. Not that I agree with the punishment they give most times. I hate it when I get grounded and can't head outside." Ace blinked. "Grounded?" Thatch nodded. "Yeah. They call it house arrest, but it is being grounded. You can't leave the house, beside school or events that are planned. I think the one I hate the most is time out, as it is boring. When I have house arrest or room arrest, I can at least do stuff and play."

Ace gave a small nod. "Does any of the punishment… hurt?" Thatch blinked, before he looked confused. "Hurt? Why would it hurt?" Ace gave a small shrug. "I mean… what if they… hit you?" Thatch blinked. "But that's illegal. You're not allowed to hit your kids. That's corporal punishment, and that's a no go." Thatch then looked at him. "Have… your previous place, did they hit you? Or used corporal punishment?" Ace wasn't entirely sure what corporal meant, but he nodded, which had Thatch look horrified, before Thatch suddenly hugged him.

Ace blinked, feeling confused. Thatch then spoke. "Never is anyone, even the ones that should care for you, allowed to hurt you in any way! Marco and Pops would never do that! I'm sorry you went through that." Ace blinked, feeling confused, and felt more confused when he felt emotional. He felt like he wanted to cry, and he didn't know why. When Thatch did let go and looked at him, Thatch looked confused and unsure. "Did I upset you?" Ace shook his head, on his way to say no, when all that left him was a sob.

Thatch looked worried with that. "I'm sorry I upset you! Please don't cry!" Ace tried to stop, he really did, but he couldn't. The sobs kept leaving him. Thatch looked like he didn't know what to do, before he turned his head towards his door and yelled "Pops!" That had Ace feel more upset and scared, as he knew he wasn't allowed to cry or make a scene. Thatch then gave out some comforting words, and Ace did his best to try and stop crying, before Whitebeard came into the room and looked confused when he saw him crying, which made Ace feel even more scared. Whitebeard gave a comforting look. "What is it, Ace?" Ace tried to speak, but once again, didn't manage, he just sobbed harder.

Thatch then spoke. "I think it's my fault…" Ace's eyes went big. No no, Thatch hadn't done anything! They shouldn't punish him! Ace tried to speak up, and managed half a syllable before he just sobbed on, but did manage to shake his head. Whitebeard looked worried and confused as he looked at Thatch. "What do you mean? What happened?" Thatch took a breath. "He asked me about how you do punishment, and I said how, and that it don't hurt when he asked if it did, and I asked if his previous ones hurt him, and he nodded so I gave him a hug and said it wouldn't happen here… I didn't mean to make him cry."

Whitebeard blinked, before he gave a smile to Thatch. "You're a good brother, Thatch. Could you give us a minute?" Thatch nodded and left the room, and when he did, Ace felt even more fearful. Whitebeard then crouched down in front of him with a sincere look. "I hope you know that Thatch spoke the truth, Ace. Marco and I would never lay a hand on you as punishment. And never would we ask for sexual favors or to force ourselves on you." Ace felt very confused and scared, and Whitebeard gave a comforting look. "I know this all must be so confusing for you. To get new rules. But never should you fear Marco and I ever lying a hand on you in anger or as punishment here. This is your home, and here, you are safe."

Ace did his best to dry his tears, and Whitebeard moved his hands to his cheeks and helped him dry them with a comforting look. When he felt more composed, one of Whitebeard's hands moved to his shoulder. "And never be afraid to be emotional. Don't suppress your emotions. That's not good for you. If you feel sad, be sad. If you're scared, be scared. But don't be afraid to come to either me or Marco for comfort, because we will always comfort you, no matter what." Ace didn't know what to think right now. He didn't know if he could believe these words or not. Maybe it was all just fake and lies, a false comfort, which he had been through many times before.

Whitebeard gave a comforting and reassuring look to him, hand moving to his cheek. "I think you may need to relax a bit. You look a bit tired. Which is normal after being emotional. if you want, I can stay with you a bit." Ace blinked. He could choose to be alone? He wasn't being punished for crying? Ace didn't know what to say, and Whitebeard smiled at him. "And if you don't want to relax, that's fine as well. It was just a suggestion." Ace blinked. He didn't know he could choose. He felt like he wanted to relax. "I want to… relax." Whitebeard nodded. "That is fine. Want me to stay with you?" Ace thought for a second. He didn't want to be rude, and he didn't want to be punished for being rude, but he wanted to be alone, so he looked a bit down. "I want to… be alone." Ace closed his eyes, ready to be hit or punished.

But as nothing happened, he dared to open his eyes a bit and half lift his head, but enough so he saw a kind smile on Whitebeard's face. "And that is fine. This is your room, and if you don't want anyone in here, that is fine. That is your choice." Ace blinked, but nodded. Whitebeard then gave a comforting look, before he left the room, closing the door after him. Ace felt confused, not really sure what was happening. But it also felt… nice. He was allowed to be alone if he wanted to. That was new.

-x-

Marco hummed to himself as he was making dinner. Thatch, Ace, Namur, and Haruta sat at the table, all of them drawing. Whitebeard had told him what happened yesterday with Ace and Thatch, and Marco also felt really proud of Thatch, for doing his best to comfort Ace and say that here, Whitebeard and Marco would never lay a hand on him in punishment. Which was the truth. He got Ace had a lot of issues, many trust issues as well, and he hoped with time, that Ace would grow to trust them. And he knew that trust wouldn't come out of the blue, so Marco would do everything he could to make Ace trust him, but not force it. And that would take time.

It was Saturday today, and it had been a calm day up until now, and he wanted to be able to make dinner without needing to watch the children as they at times had the tendency to do things they weren't allowed to do when he did, especially when Whitebeard was away, and the other man had some meetings today. The worst one was Haruta, but she often made the others join her. As everything was almost done, just needing to boil and heat up, which meant he could take his attention away for a small bit, he went to the table and looked at his children with a smile. "How is it going, yoi?" Haruta looked up at him with a huge smile. "It's fun! And I feel I am getting better!" Marco nodded and smiled. "That's good, yoi."

He then sent a small look at the drawings, and they looked good, but when he looked over at Ace's, he blinked a bit. He didn't get a full view, as Ace had his hand sort of shielding it, but it looked like a drawing of a tree with birds, with a treehouse, but it looked really good, and Ace seemed to be really concentrating on it. But as he looked at it, Thatch did as well and he gave a small gasp, before Thatch moved his hand and took it, before he showed it to him. "Look, Marco! This looks amazing!" Marco now got a better look at it, and it really did. Ace must have talent with drawing. Ace also looked shocked that his drawing was gone. And while he got Thatch wanted him to see, this wasn't okay.

He gave a look to Thatch. "It is a nice drawing, Thatch. But you can't just snatch it like that, yoi. I don't think Ace is done either. You know you need to ask, and if Ace wants to show it, he can. But you can't show it for him. Maybe Ace didn't want to show it." Thatch blinked, before he nodded and gave the drawing back to Ace with a guilty look. "I'm sorry, Ace. I got excited since it looks really good." Ace gave a small nod as he put the drawing back on the table in front of him. "It's okay." Thatch nodded and it looked like Thatch didn't believe it was okay, and based on the tone Ace used, it wasn't okay. Ace sounded defeated, and Marco had a feeling that might be since he felt he couldn't say anything else. Hopefully, Ace would get more sure of himself.

The kids then went back to drawing, Ace a bit more carefully this time. And Marco went back to making dinner. After a bit, he told the kids to clear the table, as dinner was almost done, which they did. He did see Ace hiding his drawing close to his chest, before he left the room, and he could hear Ace going to his room, before he came back without the drawing. And that was fine. Then just as he had put everything on the table, Whitebeard came home, perfect timing. Then they ate dinner as they spoke about random things.

As they were enjoying dinner and each other's company, Whitebeard hummed. "Also, I just spoke with Izou. He's coming over tomorrow." Marco nodded, that was good. Izou was at college, he got a scholarship in the town over and lived at the student dorms there. He was trying to become a fashion designer, and Marco felt Izou was so amazing with clothing styles and everything and could make the most amazing clothes possible. He had told that Izou could stay here while he studied and they would arrange everything, but Izou said that while he loved them all with all his heart, he wanted to try and get more independent, and wanted to try out being at the student dorms and living by himself kind of. And Marco supported that. He knew, even if he didn't agree all the time, that they did need to move out eventually.

Haruta gave a small gasp. "He is?!" Whitebeard nodded and looked at the girl. "He is. And, he got some clothes for you to try." Haruta gave an excited sound, as she loved to try on clothes. Whitebeard then looked at Ace. "And Ace, he even has some for you, if you want to try them. Izou designs and makes clothes for school and wants to do it for a living as well." Ace nodded and said he could try. Whitebeard did add that Ace didn't need to if he didn't want to, but Ace said he wanted to. And that was okay.

The dinner then went on fine, before evening came and everyone headed to their rooms. When the next morning came, Izou came when the clock was 8am, having a bunch of bags with him, probably full of clothes. Izou went to put them in his room, as while Izou didn't live here full time anymore, he still had a room that was his and they didn't touch. It was a larger room and had a connecting bathroom, which they were allowed to use in an emergency, but they tried not to. It was Izou's, and everyone deserves privacy. Izou had said they could give his room to one of the younger ones, as it was one of the largest ones they had when you added in the bathroom, but they said it was his until he was fully moved out.

When the kids got up, as they were allowed to sleep as long as they wanted on the weekend, Haruta ran and hugged Izou, being so excited to see him again. Haruta then asked how Izou was and Izou quickly got to talking about his classes and all. A bit later, Ace came down, the clock 9am. He had noticed Ace always came out of his room exactly at 9am when there was no school, and Marco wasn't sure if this was since he slept so long, or if he was scared to come out. But he didn't know how to bring it up, and would try to speak with Whitebeard about it, as well as Ace's psychiatrist, to see if there was a reason if he was scared. Ace had an appointment on Tuesday. But Marco wasn't sure if he should bring it up then, he maybe wanted to wait a bit.

But as Ace came into the living room, where they were, Izou gave a smile and said hello and said who he was, as they hadn't met yet, and Ace said hello back. Haruta then asked if they could try on the clothes Izou had, which Izou nodded too, and said they could, before he looked at Ace. "Would you want to join? Or do you want to wait? You can also not join if you don't want to." Ace blinked, before he nodded and said he could. They then headed up to his room, Haruta running ahead and Ace following after.

He knew Ace would be fine, Izou was a kind and caring person. And while they hadn't told things in detail to Izou, he knew of what Ace had been through and what to do if certain things happened. And, if he felt he didn't know how to handle it, to get Marco or Whitebeard. But he had full faith in Izou.

-x-

Ace walked after Izou into his room, which seemed to be a large room that was full of drawings of clothes, as well as clothes and mannequins around, some had clothes on them, while others didn't. Izou went to a bag he had and took a smaller bag out and handed it to Haruta and told to try the clothes inside on, and to pick which ones she liked the best, before she went to try them on in the bathroom.

Izou then hummed and grabbed some clothes from a closet, before he looked at him. "Here, Ace. I think these might fit you. Could you try them? So I can get to know your size." Ace blinked, but nodded and took the clothes Izou offered, before he put them on a chair and was on his way to undress, when Izou held a hand out to stop him. "No, please don't undress in front of me." Ace blinked. How would he try on the clothes then? Izou then hummed. "Haruta is in the bathroom… Oh! Here!" Said the older man as he moved to another closet and took out a sort of screen thing.

Izou then moved to a corner and put it a bit away from it, before he looked at him with a smile. "This is a screen room divider. You can change behind it for privacy. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable changing in front of me. And even if you were comfortable with it, I wouldn't be as you shouldn't expose yourself in front of others." Ace felt so very confused right now. Every time he needed to change, he needed to do it in front of others. Why not now? Ace felt very unsure and scared this might be a trap of sorts.

As he didn't know what to do, Izou went to the other closet and moved clothes around. "While you try those, I will see if I can find some other ones I want you to try, okay? Just head behind the screen and change, and come out when you feel ready." Ace gave a small nod, before he went behind the screen and then changed as fast as he could, when he was done, he slowly walked out from it and Izou then moved to turn to him as he had some new clothes in his arms. "Ah, that seems like it fits. Does it feel okay? Not too tight? Or too loose?" Ace gave a small sound. "Um… it feels… okay." Izou nodded. "Okay. Then I have your size. Do you have any types of clothes or fabrics you like more than others?" Ace shook his head. "I don't know." Izou nodded. "That is fine. Let me grab a few different ones so you can feel them." Ace nodded, that sounded good.

Ace then got a bunch of clothes to try and feel, and every time he needed to change, he was always allowed to be behind the screen, which felt odd, but also… nice. As he was touching different fabrics, Haruta came out of the bathroom, and held a bunch of clothes, and said she liked these the best, and the ones she didn't, she had put back in the bag, which was inside the bathroom. Izou nodded and said to put the ones she liked in her closet in her room, which she went and did.

But as she left, Ace felt a bit of fear inside him, as he didn't like to be alone around strangers. He had heard a lot about Izou, but never met him. But Izou didn't change at all, and after he had touched the rest of the fabrics, he was told he was allowed to leave, while Izou put everything back. Ace did say he could help clean up, but Izou looked at him with a smile and said. "That's very kind of you, Ace. But I have a certain system I like. Go have fun." Ace nodded and did.

The rest of the day went by fine, and Izou seemed very nice, before Izou left when evening came, just before bedtime. Then Monday came, which went fine, nothing special happening. When Tuesday came, Whitebeard drove the other kids to school, while Marco drove him to the doctor, as he had a session with him this morning. The doctor asked how he was, and he said fine. The doctor then asked if he had anything he wanted to bring up.

Ace looked at the doctor, feeling he needed to ask someone about this, and he didn't know who, but he felt the doctor wouldn't lie to him, he had been very calm and truthful up until now and always answered his questions. "Um… I was with Izou the other day. One of Whitebeard and Marco's sons, he's older though, I think 18. He goes to college and visited. And he wanted me to try on some clothes, and told me to change into them. And when I started to, he said to not do it in front of him and head to somewhere he couldn't see for privacy…" The doctor nodded. "Okay. Is there anything about that you find confusing?" Ace nodded. "Yes… Why did I get privacy?" The doctor gave a small hum. "Didn't you want it?" Ace blinked. "I… don't know. I'm just used to that I always need to change in front of others. But… I think I liked it."

The doctor nodded and smiled. "And that's good. Because undressing means exposing your body, and that's not for people to see. The only time that is okay, is when it is needed. Like if you are hurt or are at the doctors. Everyone needs privacy and to feel secure when undressing, not fear being watched or touched. And, you are a child, Ace. That means you're even more allowed privacy, and know you can always say 'no'." Ace blinked. "I can… say no?" The doctor nodded. "Yes. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, tell your guardians. You should feel secure and not uncomfortable. It is your guardians job to make you feel secure. I know that will take some time, but Marco and Whitebeard only want what is best for you. And to make that happen, you need to be open and honest with them." Ace nodded, he would try.

They then spoke a bit more, before the session ended and Ace walked back out to Marco, who gave him a smile. "How did it go, yoi?" Ace gave a small sound. "It went okay." Marco nodded. "Want to grab some ice cream on the way to school, yoi?" Ace blinked. "Do we have the time?" Marco nodded. "Yes. You are excused from the entire first class, so we have time, unless traffic is very bad, which I doubt, yoi." Ace gave a small nod. "Could we..?" Marco smiled and nodded. "Of course we can, yoi. Let's head to the car."

They then went to the car and headed to the ice cream shop, where he got an ice cream that looked good, which it also was. He and Marco spoke a bit about random things, which he found a bit odd. As they got back in the car, Ace needed to ask. "Don't you… want to know what I spoke with the doctor about?" Marco gave a small hum. "Only if you feel comfortable to share it, yoi. You are allowed to have conversations with him without me knowing what you two spoke about. if you want to tell me, you can." Ace blinked. He had never really been allowed to have private conversations with others.

Marco gave a supporting look to him. "Is there anything you two spoke about you want to tell me, yoi? And if you don't want to, that is fine as well." Ace didn't really know what to say at first, before he gave a small sound. "I… was a bit confused when I was with Izou on Sunday." Marco nodded. "Confused about what, yoi?" Ace didn't know how the man would react to this. "Um… He wanted me to try some clothes he had, to see what I liked and to get my size. And when I went to start to change, he stopped me and told me to change somewhere he couldn't see me, for privacy he said." Marco nodded. "That's good. What is it about that you find confusing, yoi? You should change in privacy, Ace. You undressing is not for people to see." Ace blinked, feeling even more confused now.

Marco sent a small look at him, before he looked back at the road as he was driving. "Ace, I know this might seem confusing to you, yoi. But no one is allowed to see you nude. The few times that is okay is when it is necessary, like when we visit a doctor who needs to examine you. And that don't mean all doctors automatically are allowed to see you nude or touch you, only when there is a reason for it. No one is allowed to tell you to undress for them just because or to touch you. That is not okay, yoi." Ace still felt very confused about this. Marco gave a small breath. "I know a lot that you've learned is not what we say, yoi. And that is since your previous guardian was very wrong. Everyone needs privacy and to feel secure. If Izou hadn't given you privacy, I would have been upset at him, yoi. You, like everyone, need privacy."

Ace nodded, still feeling confused. Marco hummed. "What did you feel when you got privacy, yoi?" Ace gave a small sound. "It felt… nice. But weird. I felt it might have been a trap, but it wasn't." Marco nodded. "I know it will take time getting used to, but you deserve privacy like everyone does, yoi." Ace nodded, and felt himself smile a bit. It felt… nice.

And that's the chapter, I hope you enjoyed!

I know this got a bit late out, but I had a small writer's block on this, and hopefully the next won't be so long until it is out. My usual schedule is once a month

If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to share them!

I hope you enjoyed, and if you want to, I do love feedback, so don't be afraid to leave a review, or send a PM!

If you also want to, I have a Twitter, my name is Azuruko, and I have a discord, my tag/username is just azuruko, as well as a server (Instant invite: discord . gg / 6hzMhbR) where everyone is welcomed! Updates is also posted there, both on discord and on twitter