Hello everyone, here is another chapter
Well have some more bonding and hurt/comfort and slow build up and such
And just a small spoiler of sorts, even though it looks like it, there is no smut in this chapter
And do you remember in the last chapter, how I said this chapter most likely would be longer? As you might have realised, this is not true, really sorry for that. More will be at the end as too why
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Ace gave a hum as he read the request he held. It would be one of the more lengthy ones, helping to lead a small revolution always did. And it was a sizable island in the east blue that wanted help, it would take time to gather everyone and overthrown the ones who held the island under their steel hand, as well as he knew he had to lure them out, that always took a few days. ¨Something wrong, yoi?¨ Ace looked over to Marco, who stood beside him, having a frown.
Ace gave a smile as he shook his head, ¨No, just a more lengthy one.¨ Marco nodded. Before Marco could ask, another voice did. ¨Son,¨ Ace looked over to Whitebeard, who had heard their conversation. ¨How long?¨ Ace looked at the parchment again, he was a bit unsure, but had a general idea. He looked at the captain again.
¨At least 3 days, I think about 4-5. Hopefully only 4.¨
The captain gave a nod, ¨Do you need to leave right away?¨ Ace shook his head, folding the note and putting it away. ¨No. I don't need to leave before around 10 tonight.¨ Ace could see the captain give a nod at that, giving a smile. ¨That's good, son. Think it will go fine?¨ Ace nodded. He knew this island could fend for themselves, they just needed a push and someone to be their leader for a small while. ¨It will most likely go fine, only take some time.¨ Ace saw the most who heard it give a smile at that, the captain nodded. ¨That's good to hear.¨ Ace gave a nod himself, leaning back on the railing. He wouldn't need to leave until after supper, he could relax for now.
It was a calm day, a bit windy at some times, creating waves, but it was still calm. Ace spent some time out on deck and a small bit in his room, doing paper work, before he needed leave, being sure to tell he would leave after he left supper, getting the usual ¨Be safe.¨ From the captain.
He could feel himself getting used to this.
-x-
After Ace had left three days ago, nothing special happened, at least not yet. They weren't in familiar areas, so the captain was careful and had people on the lookout for any ships, people or anything notice worthy. One could come across a lot of people and things in the New World. He wondered what Ace could be doing, since the newspaper didn't mention the assassin at all. He had to be doing something when he left for this long ones, he would like to ask one time, he was interested in it.
As the day went on, a ship was spotted, a ship that had a flag they had never seen.
The captain had everyone out on deck and ready if something happened, but if they could about conflict, they would do that. They went in luck, as the ship and the crew seemed ready to fight and was charging them. They were a big crew, not nearly as big as them, but a somewhat large one. The captain got his crew ready and told them to be careful, as he didn't know how experienced or good fighters the other ship were.
When the ship was close enough, a battle started.
Whitebeard was a bit relieved to see that the other crew weren't a too good crew, they had no communication and just attack wildly, making it much easier to get the upper hand. It was still a battle that took time, but it could have been a lot worse. And it was good to have a battle now and then, to make sure they still could win and battle good together. They weren't the strongest crew for nothing. He could see his children using tactics and working their way around the enemy crew, taking out person after person. It was going fine and he was glad to see many of his children had gotten better in fighting techniques. Some did get injured and got help to leave the battle, some other crew members taking over, Marco flying above and viewing the battle from the sky.
As the battle was coming to an end, they winning over the enemy crew with some small hardship, the few who was fine decided to run away, which they let them do. They were on the New World, and they might as well let some go to tell the tale, that they still could fight and was the strongest crew in the world, the title helped a lot in many situations, and it was true, as well as Whitebeard was the strongest man, at least when it came to pirates. As the battle was over, they helped the ones who were injured to the infirmary, which were a decent amount, but it didn't seem to be anything life threatening, which was good. There were a few serious injuries, but that was it.
But as almost everyone was in the infirmary, Marco suddenly stopped, leaning on the railing. When Izou asked if he was fine, walking towards him, Marco fell to the floor before he could get close.
And just like that, everyone panicked, Izou yelling Marco was down, which made many halt and shocked, Marco never got injured. He was a phoenix, the only dangerous thing was the sea or seastone. It didn't take long before Jozu was there and lifted the first commander, who was still unconscious, and carried him to the infirmary too, almost running. The only thing they could think off that could be wrong, was that he may have been hit by something poisonous. Poison still affected Marco, not as bad or fatal as it would have been, but he would still have a reaction from it. He was flying over the battle, he could have been hit by something.
As soon as Jozu got the first commander to the infirmary, he was quickly thrown out, Bay telling him to leave and let her and her nurses work in peace, she would update them later. Jozu told that they needed to wait to the rest, which made them worry. If it was poison, it could mean more were also poisoned. They told everyone to keep a watch, telling that the moment they felt odd, to go to the infirmary. They didn't want to lose any of the family members. Now they only needed to wait for an update from Bay. Hoping it wasn't anything dangerous, not with Marco it the other injured ones.
It took almost 5 hours before they got any news from the doctor.
When she did come to the meeting room, where the commanders and captain now had gone too, she gave an update on everyone that had been injured in the battle. There thankfully weren't anything too serious, the worst being a bullet wound that was close to the kidney. Aside from that, there were only minor and not as serious ones, like slashes and graces by bullets. When she was done with that, Bay gave a sigh.
¨Then there's commander Marco.¨ Everyone looked at her, waiting to hear if it was anything serious with him. ¨He is not injured, poisoned or anything, but he is exhausted.¨ Everyone gave a small relieved breath at that. It wasn't really good he was exhausted, but it was better than anything else. Whitebeard looked at the doctor. ¨How is he? Will he be put for long?¨ It wasn't the first time this had happened, Marco sometimes worked himself so hard he did pass out from exhaustion. It was rare, most likely because of his phoenix, but it happened. He had been out from everywhere to a few hours and days, the latter being rare.
The doctor gave a small annoyed sigh, probably because she always got mad when he did this. ¨If he were a normal person, meaning no devil fruit, he would have been put for at least a week, maybe two. Because of it, I think it will be a couple of days, maybe 3 or 4, but it's unlikely.¨ The ones in the room nodded. It was good to know it wasn't anything serious, that he only needed rest. The first commander did have issues sleeping and had probably been slowly overworking himself. It wasn't anything good, but he wouldn't listen to them and cut down on working. Which they understood, he would only roam if they did, and he did have sleeping issues.
The doctor shook her head, closing a folder she had. ¨I have moved him too the his own room, since we need the space in the infirmary.¨ The captain nodded, ¨Should we watch him? Too see if he wakes up?¨ They did sometimes do that, to make sure he slept and when he did wake, or if he did get worse. The doctor gave a nod, ¨It's nothing you have to do, but I would like to know when he wakes up.¨ The captain nodded again, he could spare a commander for that, knowing Marco wouldn't be happy if they let other people do it, he didn't like to be watched.
The doctor clicked her tongue, looking at the captain. ¨I know tomorrow is the day you are supposed to get the files to the injured ones, as we do every other week. But I would like to ask if it would be okay if you got the file in a week, so everything can be finished since we have new injuries now.¨ Whitebeard nodded, ¨I can get it next week, finish what we have now.¨ The doctor nodded. It did happen that this happened and she asked for a small extension on when to give the folder on the injuries they had. But if she would give the files to him tomorrow, it would have a lot of inconsistencies since many still was going through treatment and such.
The doctor gave a last nod, before she left, returning to her patients. When she had left, the captain started to talk to his commanders on what they should do now and who should do what. They needed to check on the rest, telling they didn't need to worry about poisoning, which was good, and they needed to do a count on their resources and equipment, while one hopefully could be with Marco. They quickly decided the assignments, Izou being the one to be with Marco for now. As they left to do their duties, the captain thought Ace might be with Marco if he had the time. He might not, he did have a lot to do, but he had had less than usual the last few days, just as he had said himself. He would see when the kid returned. He would hopefully be back later today, if not, he should return by tomorrow at the latest.
It was a few hours later, that Ace returned.
When he walked out on deck, he looked like he had taken a shower, his hair still was wet. When he got out on deck and close to the captain, he got Aces attention and gave him an update. Ace listened to it and seemed to be thinking over some things. When the captain told him that they were watching over Marco, too see when he would wake up, Ace offered to stay with him, saying he most likely wouldn't get any new assignment for a while. It made the captain smile, seeing Ace caring for the first commander. Before Ace left, most likely heading to Marcos room, he said that if he got any work, to get Izou, and that if Marco woke up, to call Bay. Ace had nodded and left, heading towards the commander's quarters. It wasn't long before Izou came out, heading to the kitchen most likely, to be with Thatch.
It was good to know his family was happy.
-x-
Ace sat and read a book next to the first commander's bed. Marco was still asleep and had made a small twitch now and then, signaling he might wake up soon. It could be everything from a few minutes to a day, but he would wake up in not too long. He might be able to handle stress and exhaustion better than a normal person because of his devil fruit, but he would still feel the effects after too long. Instead of feeling the effects after a day or two, as a normal person, he would manage to keep going for days, even weeks sometimes. He remembers Marco also sleeping a lot when he was in the infirmary, he guessed the first commander had been tired for a while now, but kept pushing on. A lot like himself in some way. It wasn't good to do it, but he understood it.
After half an hour, Dust appeared with an envelope.
Ace took it and looked it over, seeing it was a request for an easy information run. Ace looked it over, before sending a look at the sleeping man. Ace grabbed a pen and wrote something on the envelope, before handing it to Dust, telling him to go to Daisuke and see if he could cover this one. He didn't want to leave if he could avoid it. Marco had stayed by his bed when he was injured, and Ace did care about him, more than he would like to admit himself. It didn't take long before Dust said that Daisuke could cover and asked to borrow Dust, which he said yes to. If he could cover, he would lend him Dust to make it easier for him. He would make sure to repay it later, he did owe the man a lot.
It was a couple of hours later that there came a low groan from the bed and blue eyes opened. As soon as eyes opened, they closed as Marco have a groan, using a hand to massage his head. Ace gave a small chuckle as he closed a curtain in front of the widow, making the room darker. When blue eyes opened again, Marco used the hand that wasn't on his head to slowly sit up. When he was up and looked around, seeing Ace who lifted an eyebrow, he gave a small sound. ¨How long was I out, yoi?¨ Ace shook his head as he placed his book down, ¨About 2 days.¨ Marco looked at him shocked for a second, before massaging his head like that. ¨2 days, yoi?¨
Ace nodded, ¨2 days.¨ Marco gave a nod, and Ace took the glass of water from the desk and handed it to the first commander. Marco took it with a smile and drank from it, before giving it back to Ace, who placed it on the desk again. Marco sent Ace a look when he looked back at him. ¨How long have you been back, yoi?¨ Ace gave a small hum as he looked at the clock. ¨About a day and half.¨ The first commander gave him a look. ¨Have you been here the whole time, yoi?¨ Ace gave a nod, making Marco give a smile. ¨You didn't need to do that, yoi.¨ Ace gave small chuckle, ¨I wanted to.¨
Marco smiled more at that and sat more up, back leaning against the wall. When he was comfortably placed, he looked at Ace again, ¨I'm guessing I'm not allowed to leave the room for today, yoi.¨ Ace gave a small laugh, this had probably happened before. ¨Maybe, but Bay said she did want to check you over when you woke up.¨ Marco nodded, looking at him. ¨Are you going to get her?¨ Ace lifted an eyebrow, ¨Do you want me to get her?¨ Marco gave him a look, making him chuckle. ¨You're fine. You're not going to kneel over if I don't get her. She'll come by when she have the time.¨
Marco smiled at him. ¨That sounds fine by me, yoi. Anything special happen while I was out?¨ Ace started to tell what he knew had happened the last two days, which weren't much. He had guessed Marco wouldn't want the doctor here right away, to just relax and don't get lectured. And this was nice, just sitting in peace and talking with the first commander.
It was an hour later that Bay came by, and was mad at seeing Marco awake and that she hadn't been notified, even madder when she found out he had been awake for hours. She gave Axe a glare, before she sent him out of the room. Ace could hear her starting the lecture before he closed the door, making him chuckle. And he had a feeling Marco would need to relax for a bit, most likely the rest of the day. Hopefully Ace wouldn't get any assignments he really needed to leave for, so he could stay here.
He was starting to really enjoy being around Marco.
-x-
And as some deities didn't like Ace, he got another assignment and had to leave. He had spent some hours with Marco, who was forced to stay in his room for the remainder of the day. He was glad he at least got to spend time with him, he did like that, but he still had to work. Ace quickly threw a knife when he heard some movement to his right, hitting a guard in the middle of the eyes, killing him. Ace was going to get some information and it was from a sort of though place, a noble's mansion, and Daisuke couldn't cover this one. Ace hadn't asked, but he knew he would have a hard time covering this one.
Ace got to a hallway and opened some doors, checking to see if he might find the room he was looking for. No alarms had been sounded yet, which was good. Ace tried to be stealthy, but didn't hesitate in killing those he met, this one noble wasn't an important one, he wasn't as bad as many, but he had information. As Ace opened a door and saw cabinets, he was glad to know he found the filing room and went inside, closing the door. He went over to one of the cabinets and started to look through the field there.
He was going to get some information on some other nobles and knew this noble didn't even think people would try to sneak inside to get information since he wasn't high up and had a lot of security.
As he found the file he was after, the door burst open and he heard some yelling, hearing a gunfire and seeing some knives being thrown.
Ace didn't have any issues avoiding the knives or bullets, and quickly threw two of his own knives, killing two who decided to try to attack. He quickly looked over the file, just to be completely sure it was the right one, when he hears some alarms starting to ring, almost making him roll his eyes. The two who decided to be 'heroes' and attack him, apparently decided to not sound the alarm, a stupid decision on their part. Not that it would have made any difference.
As he was sure the file was right, he disappeared in black smoke, reappearing in his room, having had Dust stay behind. He knew he would be able to make this without having Dust with him, only needing him to get to and from the island. He sat down and wrote a quick summary on how to went, before giving it to Dust, who flew off to deliver it with the information he got. As the raven disappeared, Ace stretched and took his mask off. It had taken a few hours, since he had to get past some sort of heavy security at the start, but nothing too great.
But as he took his cape off, he felt his mind slow down as he saw it had a gigantic tear in the middle of the back.
Ace touched the tear, feeling mixed as it was the cape he got from Azuruko. He knew it would get tear and wear, and it had a lot on the end. But this was a big tear in the middle of the back, rendering the cape unfit for more use right now. The tear was big enough so he could get his entire hand though, it had most likely been hit by a knife or something. He wasn't ready to part with it. Ace felt somber as he traced the tear, he couldn't fix this, he wasn't good with clothing. He could fix some things, like small and easy tears, but nothing like this. It was big and uneven, seeming to maybe even getting ripped at some point.
Ace turned to look at the door, getting an idea. It was worth a shot. Ace quickly changed into normal clothing, before he headed out of his room, carrying his cape.
-x-
Izou sat in his room, Thatch was preparing supper and Izou wanted to try to do some paperwork. He hadn't had the chance to do a lot the last days, having a lot of watches and doing other things, as well as being with Thatch and enjoying himself. As he was thinking of taking a break, a knock came at his door. Izou gave a small frown, not knowing who it could be. He gave a come in as he stacked some papers. When the door opened and he turned to see who it was, he was a bit surprised to see it was Ace. He remembers Ace was on an assignment and was supposed to return about now. ¨Ace, did you need anything?¨ He couldn't think of any reason Ace would need to speak to him.
Ace took a step inside the room and closed the door behind him, before turning to Izou. The sixteenth commander could now see some sort clothing or fabric in his arms, looking to be his assassin's cape as he remembers the colors. Ace gave a small smile. ¨I wondered if you had the time, if you could look at my cape, it got a tear in it. I know it might be a big thing to ask since it doesn't have anything to do with you or the crew.¨ Izou shook his head as he stood up. ¨It's not too much. I can take a look.¨ Ace looked glad and relieved by that, making him think the cape meant a lot to Ace.
We he was in front of Ace, he looked at the cape. ¨What is wrong with it?¨ Ace gave a small somber look as he opened it and showed a big tear at the back. ¨I think it got hit by a knife and made a tear, and it got worse as I moved around.¨ Izou gave a nod, taking the cape and looking more closely at the tear, or hole rather. It was big and uneven, a really bad tear actually. He felt the fabric was a special kind, and he thought he might have some of it. If he didn't, he could use something close to it to make it look good again, but not as perfect. He looked at Ace. ¨I think I'll be able to fix it. It might take some time, but I think I'll manage.¨ Ace gave a nod, looking more relieved. ¨Thank you, Izou.¨ Izou gave a smile, and was about to fold the cape again, when Ace got this sombre, almost woeful look.
¨If you think you can't fix it, don't, okay?¨
Izou looked at Ace, understanding there was something special about this cape, and Ace didn't want him to try and possibly not be able to fix it and maybe make it not look good or damage it more. He gave a nod, giving a truthful look. ¨I'll look at it more and see what I maybe can do.¨ Had it been anyone else, he might have joked and said he could fix anything. But he could see from the look Ace had that that wouldn't be a wise thing to do right now. This cape apparently had some emotional value to Ace, maybe a lot. Ace gave a nod, looking glad. Izou felt the cape a bit more, trying to completely place the fabric and realised it wasn't just a special fabric, it was a really rare one, and really well made. He looked at Ace before he could turn around or leave. ¨Where did you get this fabric? It's really rare and hard to work with.¨
He could see some emotion shining in Aces eyes for a second, ¨I'm not sure. I got it from Azuruko.¨
And Izou now understood why it seemed to mean a lot to Ace. If it was from Azuruko, maybe even the man had made it himself, it would mean a lotto Ace. The fact it got a tear like this, was probably something that he didn't like and wanted to fix it. The small wear on the end was different, it came with use. But this could potentially ruin the entire cape if he continued to use it. He felt like the fact Ace trusted him to fix it, or try to fix it rather, meant he trusted him to not mess this up and not try if he was unsure. He gave a smile to Ace. ¨It feels amazing. I'll see what I can do and tell if I think it'll be too hard.¨ Ace gave a smile, still somber look, but smiled, giving a nod. ¨Thank you, Izou.¨ Izou nodded, completely sure it would mean alot if he could fix it, and he would make sure he could do it without making it worse.
When Ace left, he placed the cape on his tailoring desk and went to the fabric closet, seeing if he could find the fabric the cape was made off. He thought he might have a small roll off it. He gave a small relieved breath when he found it, and noticed he had a somewhat decent amount, meaning he could try it out and feel how the fabric was to work with.
He would do his best to fix this cape.
-x-
Everything was calm for a day, nothing really happening. As they were relaxing out on deck, the weather being really nice as it was sunny, no clouds to be seen, Izou walked up to Whitebeard, looking at Stefan that was lying beside him and relaxing. When he was closer, he sent a look at the wolf, before looking at the captain with a small frown. ¨Pops,¨ Started the sixteenth commander, getting his attention. ¨We're closing in on the island where Stefano is from, Palmido I think it was.¨ The captain nodded, they would get there in about 3 or 4 days, depending on the wind. He looked at Izou, wondering where he was going with that. He gave a look to the wolf again.
¨When we get there, will Stefan stay or come back with us?¨
The captain looked at the sixteenth commander for a second, thinking. He hadn't thought about that actually. Thinking they would visit and leave, nothing more. But it was Stefan's island, and according to Ace, there was other wolves there. Not many, since they were hunted down years ago. And wolves where flock animals, he knew that. It wouldn't surprise him if Stefan wanted to stay on the island with his kind.
Whitebeard moved a hand to pet the wolf, the Wolf leaning into his touch. Maybe he should prepare to say goodbye to the wolf.
He looked at Izou, shaking his head. ¨I don't know, son. We need to see what happens. Maybe Stefan will stay behind, they are flock animals.¨ The sixteenth commander nodded, sending a look to the wolf. Stefan might not be friendly to many, mostly letting him, Marco and Ace close to him, sometimes, although rare, some of the others were allowed to pet him. And even though they rarely were allowed close to the wolf, him mostly being somewhat hostile, never biting or such, only growling or just leaving, everyone still liked the wolf.
Even though he liked the wolf, he was a part of the family, he would keep Stefan away from his family. If Stefan wanted to stay, the captain would let him do that. The captain petted Stefan again, he would miss Stefan if he didn't come back with them. If that happened, they would try to visit the island now and then, just to see how he were, and maybe the island needed someone to protect it. He could do that, he would like to keep the wolves that were left safe.
He would do the best for the wolf, even if that meant to let him stay behind on the island.
-x-
The next day, Ace got an assignment in the morning, and it would take until the evening. It wasn't anything too bad, just a small request to free some people from a mansion, and Ace knew those people in that mansion weren't too bad, meaning the prisoners would have injuries and such, but nothing too bad. They were mostly used as slaves to clean, make food and such, but Ace should release them, they should be with their family. It wasn't hard and it only took time since he had to walk and be stealthy, not needing to take anyone out. He liked small things like things, when he needed to help people who weren't terribly injured or tortured and too see them leave happy. It was small things like this that helped make his work bearable.
When he got back to the boat, appearing on the deck, he was met by the first commander, who gave a smile when he saw him.
¨How did it go, yoi?¨ Ace gave a smile back, ¨Everything went fine.¨ He could see the first commander giving a smile and soft look, looking glad by that. It was a bit weird at seeing others being relieved and glad that the assignments went well, not used to people being as okay with his work as this. But it was nice, just something he weren't used too.
They walked to his room together, speaking about random things. When they did get to Aces room, he placed his bag away and stretching a bit, turning back to the first commander, ¨Anything happen while I was gone?¨ Asked Ace as he walked towards the door again. He didn't plan on being here for too long, the reason he hadn't put on any lights either. Marco gave a smile, ¨Nothing special happened, yoi. Just the usual.¨ Ace gave a nod. When he was close to the first commander again, a hand on his arm stopped him, and he looked at Marco. But before he could react, Marco had pulled him into a kiss, a hand coming to his back.
Ace tensed a bit on instinct, before he relaxed, moving a hand to Marcos shoulder, deepening the kiss. Ace acutely did like that Marco was doing small things like this, he was starting to get more used to it.
As the kiss got more heated, Ace moving his other hand to Marcos chest, Marcos hands moving lower on his back, he felt his body reacting to the kissing and touching, giving a moan when one of Marcos hands lowered even more, coming to his butt. When the other hand also lowered to his butt, giving a small squeeze, he gave a moan and a small arch. When Aces body relaxed again, Marco leaned back and looked at him, his hands doing a small thug, making him get closer to Marco. ¨Is it okay, yoi?¨ Ace looked at Marco, panting as he understood what Marco wanted, asking permission to most likely lift him, taking what he had said last time seriously, which made him glad.
Ace gave a nod and Marco tightened the hands on his butt, lifting him up and keeping him lifted, making him place his legs around his waist to keep himself up and making do Marco didn't need to hold all his weight with his hands. As he tightened his legs, their members brush lightly through their clothing, making both give a moan. Marco moved one hand from his butt to his thigh, the other coming to the back of his head as Marco moved him to have his back against the wall, making it easier to keep him up.
As they continued to slowly rock their hips, pleasure spiking in their veins, Marcos hand on his thigh tighten, almost clutching at his skin through the pants, the hand on his head moving to his neck as Marco moved to kiss his neck. As Ace felt the lips on his throat and hand on his thigh and neck somewhat clutching, and the wall behind him, he started to feel unsure, and was on his way to slow Marco down. But just as he was on his way to speak, Marcos lips moved to a sensitive spot at his collarbone, making him give a moan as he gave an arch. When he opened his eyes again, seeing the poorly lit and dark room, not able to make anything distinctive out, he felt his mind starting to slowly reel. When he felt a hand tighten on his thigh and lips, teeth, on his neck and him being pushed against something, he did the only thing he could think of in this situation.
He leaned his head backwards, before throwing it forward, hitting whoever was pushing him down and grabbing at him.
As the hands and mouth was removed, Ace was startled when he fell down. Wasn't he laying down with someone on top? The shock of suddenly falling, landing hard on his hip, had him confused as he used a few seconds to gather his mind again, not sure what was happening right now, which made him mildly panic. He hated not knowing what was going on. But as he heard a groan, a familiar groan, and eyes saw the familiar shape in the dark that was clutching at a nose, bleeding nose, he somewhat understood what happened.
He had attacked Marco, thinking he was in a completely different situation. Thinking Marco was an enemy or someone that would hurt him. How had he managed to think that? Aces mind was still reeling and he had issues figuring it out, making him unable to calm down. He really hated not knowing what was happening.
-x-
When Marco felt Ace suddenly tensing up when he was licking on his neck, he was on his way to lean back, but was shocked when he felt Ace give a lurch, even more shocked when a face hit him, hitting his nose dead on, really hard. He could feel his nose and cheekbone cracking. Startled, Marco let go off Ace and heard the body falling to the ground with a 'thump', followed by a confused noise. Marco put a hand on his nose and cheek, feeling the nose bleeding, his healing ability already setting in and healing the broken nose and cheekbone. When he looked over to Ace, no idea what happened, he felt his heart do a small skip when he saw confused and scared eyes looking at him. It was then he realised it.
He had pushed Ace against the wall, holding him in place as he thought to try something different, to lick and slowly suck the neck. He had scared Ace.
He knew Ace didn't like to be on his back, that probably also went with having his back at the wall too. And he was holding him in place, he knew Ace didn't like that, he should have known better. But he was caught in the moment. And he was a bit bold since Ace had been sort of okay with his other sudden advantages, like dragging him I'm for a kiss or lifting him. Marco cursed himself as he leaned to slowly sit up, but not standing, holding his right hand out towards Ace. ¨Ace, yoi.¨ Started Marco, going with the same approach as when he had turned up when the assignment had gone foul. ¨Are you okay, yoi?¨
Ace was panting, if it was from the startle, fear or something else, he wasn't sure, but he would take any chances. He had never seen Ace like this, and it was his fault. Ace took a breath, ¨I'm sorry.¨ Ace really looked like he wasn't sure what happened, and Marco wasn't entirely sure himself. He shook his head, moving closer to Ace while still sitting. ¨No, yoi. It wasn't your fault, yoi. I'm sorry.¨ Marco saw Ace trying to catch his breath, eyes shifting to look at him and the room, body shaking a tiny a bit. He really messed up.
When he was close enough, he carefully placed his hand over Aces. ¨Ace, yoi. It's fine, you're fine, yoi.¨ Marco hope this would work. It looked like Ace was confused at where he were, making it look like he might have had a… flashback or that he thought he was somewhere else. Marco felt his brain almost halt as it came up with a reason for everything, why Ace didn't like touch, lying on his back, not being underneath or not have control during anything intimate or sexual. He worked with taking out awful and sick people, and they had managed to catch Ace, he had brands. What else had Ace gone through? Marco quickly placed the thought in the back of his mind for now. Right now he needed to fix his mistake.
When his hand touched Aces, the assassin turned to look at him, still looking somewhat startled and confused, an underlying look of fear in his eyes. Marco slowly gave a small squeeze with his hand, ¨It's fine, yoi. It's me, yoi. You're safe, yoi.¨ Ace gave a nod, trying to catch his breath, leaning against the wall. Marco slowly moved to sit beside Ace and also lean on the wall, keeping his hand over Aces.
When he felt Ace calm down a bit, managing to somewhat catch his breath, still panting, but not as bad, Marco slowly moved his left hand to lay over Aces. Using his thumb to stroke it, his right one carefully coming to Aces head, threading through his hair carefully, hoping it would help calm Ace down. It did seem to work as he felt Aces body slowly relaxing, his breathing getting more controlled. Marco slowly leaned his head against Aces, feeling awful for making Ace like this. He knew Ace didn't like to have his back to things like that or being pushed, and he shouldn't have tried to suddenly go for the neck like that.
Marco closed his eyes as he listened to Ace slowly calm down. He would do everything to make this up to Ace, he should-, he knew better.
-x-OUTTAKE-x-
Law stood in one of the inns at an island they had docked at. They needed to stock up on some things and many of his crew had annoyed him about stopping so they could have fun. He had said no at first, but they had been persistent, even getting Corazon on their side, the thing that made him reluctantly agree, mostly to keep them from annoying him even more. They still had two weeks of travel before they arrived at their destination, and Law would be sure to push them extra hard during those two weeks, payback for annoying him to no end the last days.
Just as he was about to leave the inn, only coming to see how much it would cost to stay, but none being in sight, a voice had his eye twitch.
¨Trafaguy!¨ Law turned around and came face to face with the brat again.
Law gave an annoyed sigh, ¨It's Trafalgar.¨ He said annoyed. The kid gave a small whine, ¨It's hard to say!¨ Law wanted to pinch his nose, having to deal with this brat again. As he looked around, he couldn't see anyone still, not Rayleigh or that blond boy, Sabo. He looked at Luffy, ¨You here alone, brat?¨ The kid pouted, ¨I'm not a brat.¨ Law rolled his eyes, ¨Luffy-ya.¨ The kid smiled at him, nodding. ¨I am, the others are doing boring stuff.¨ The brat tilted his head, ¨Why do you say 'ya'?¨ At that, Law did pinch his nose, knowing the kid would only laugh, but he might leave him alone. ¨Because I can't help it.¨ The kid tilted his head the other way, before smiling. ¨I like it! It's like how Birdy Blue Breast says 'yoi' all the time.¨
Law stared at the kid for a second, before he gaped. Did he just call Marco the Phoenix, first commander on Whitebeards ship 'Birdy Blue Breast'?
He wondered how he knew that trait of the man, before he remembered his other brother was a part of the crew. Then his mind caught up and he stared dumbfounded, ¨You like it?¨ The kid nodded, smiling. ¨Yeah! It's awesome!¨ He said with a gigantic smile. Law had never met anyone who liked the way he spoke, especially the 'ya' part. As he looked at the kid, he saw that there was something wrong with his smile, it didn't reach his eyes, which looked sad. ¨What's wrong, you look sad.¨ The kid only tilted his head again, before giving the half smile, acting happy. ¨Nothing! I'm happy.¨ Law wanted to snort at that. He had worked with enough people to see he went happy. It looked like Luffy wanted to cry.
Law got an idea and grabbed Luffys hand. Before the kid could react, Law brought the hand to his mouth, biting a finger, hard.
¨OUCH!¨ Yelled the kid, taking the hand back and cradling it. ¨Why did you do that?!¨ Law looked at the kid, grabbing his hand again. ¨Cry now.¨ Luffy looked at him on question. ¨W-what? I'm not sad.¨ Law shook his head, dragging the hand over Luffys head, pushing him against the wall, taking his escape away. ¨Stop pretending, Luffy-ya. You don't need to be happy.¨ The brat looked at him confused and troubled, ¨But who's going to be happy then? If I'm not happy, others won't be happy.¨
Law could only stare dumbfounded again. The brat was sacrificing his own happiness to make others happy? Before he could say anything, the kid tilted his head again. ¨You're a good guy, but you're bad at cheering people up, aren't you? Even though you're a doctor.¨ The kid tilted his head again, giving a much more genuine and happy smile. ¨It has nothing to do with that I guess!¨ The fluttering in his stomach was back again. How did he make him feel like this? And why?
When he looked at the smiling face again, not seeming to have a care in the world.
Law suddenly, unintentionally, leaned in and placed his lips over Luffys.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
And as I said, this didn't get so long. Mostly because I wouldn't be able to fit the pirates visiting Stefans island into this without making it way too long. And I didn't want to put a lot of unnecessary fill work that most likely would turn up boring. The next chapter will have them arrive at Stefans island and that chapter will be longer, this time I promise
And maybe we'll even see more of what happens between Luffy and Law
If you like this story, please check out Ace of Spades One Shots, which contains one shots and different events from this story.
If you have any requests, questions or if you're wondering about something in the story, feel free to ask. And if you liked the chapter, feel free to leave a review/comment