Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
This is a collection of various things, and has some torture in it
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Whitebeard watched as Mike was helping Ace with his stance, which was unusual. Ace was the one to help them, not the other way around. But Mike was an amazingly skilled man. He was obviously more skilled than Ace, that was how he had beaten Ace in a duel. He was an experienced man, and his age told as much. But age didn't say much on how strong one was. While many thought older people were weaker, Whitebeard himself was closing in on his 70's, and he was still the strongest man in the world, or known as it. Ace was clearly stronger than him, same with Mike, he was sure of that. Ace had beaten him without using his devil fruit, if he had used it, he was sure their duel would have been over way before it was. He would see if he could duel Ace again, maybe he had some tips for him, he had never trained with Ace before, and those who had says he was the best, and he had even watched a few of his children train with Ace and he gave good tips on showed how to do stances and fighting techniques. Maybe he could even ask Mike.
So it was an hour later, when Mike seemed to just be relaxing, Whitebeard slowly brought the idea up, if Mike had any ideas for him. As he had asked, Ace chuckled. "If I was your size, I would have used that. I could have grabbed someone by their leg and fucking disintegrate them by smashing them to the ground." Mike let out a breath. "This is why you're under me. You're young, rash, and brash." Ace gave a huff. "I am not." Mike nodded. "You are. Why else am I above you?" Ace shrugged. "Because you are older, just wait until I am older." Mike chuckled. "You need to grow more judicious." Ace gave another huff. "You just love to use words I don't know." Mike nodded. "I do. I find it amusing. Or jocular." Ace chucked, moving a hand up. "Does anyone know what judicious means? A show of hands please." Most were out, and it was only 3 hands that went up, and all of those were above the age of 50. Ace nodded. "See? Only 3 knows. Stop trying to be so placid." Mike hummed. "No, I will not. You need to grow up soon." Ace huffed. "I will when I feel ready. I still want to be young." He had never heard Ace say that, that he wanted to be young. But compared to Mike, Ace seemed young. Mike was the epitome of calmness and conscientious. Mike shook his head, looking at him. "But to answer your question. Don't be afraid to use your size and the power that comes with it. Try to never crouch, use your height, even if your opponent is my size. Try getting used to using your war scythe more, level it, not yourself. If you need to crouch, keep your legs a part to cover more ground and be more steady."
Whitebeard nodded, taking that in. It made sense. He had tried to level with his opponent at times, and it didn't always go as smooth as he wanted. He would try out the tips when he could. Mike then held a hand out to Ace. "Ace is a good opponent, he knows most fighting styles." Ace snorted. "So now I am a good opponent?" Mike chuckled. "I never said you weren't. I just said you're young." Ace rolled his eyes, which had Mike chuckle. "No eye rolling. It's a bad habit." Ace blinked. "It's not. It just shows you're bored. Like a yawn." Mike moved a hand to his nose. "Please don't tell me you yawn at meetings?" Ace shrugged. "At times. Some are so boring." Mike shook his head. "You need to grow more up. I know you have issues with going to meetings with the Green Horns, which is childish." Ace groaned. "Come on, let me hate them." Mike shook his head. "You shouldn't hate them just because they annoy you. You need to be above that." Ace hummed. "No, I won't. I will hate them." Mike shook his head. "Fine. But know as long as you are a child, you will never surpass me." Ace hummed. "I am actually okay with that. I don't mind being below you. I don't want all your responsibilities." Mike nodded. "Which is good. You're not ready for it." Ace nodded. "I know. I would maybe have been with you some months ago. I got on drugs again." Mike shook his head. "Of course you did. But you seem good now." Ace nodded. "I am, I feel better." "Woah," Started Thatch. "You've been on drugs before?" Ace nodded. "Since I was 15, Eldritch got me hooked." Thatch nodded. "How does Mike know?" Ace chuckled. "When we need to detox, we sometimes stay with Mike, he's good at handling us. I've been with him 2 times I believe." Mike nodded. "Twice, yes. Same with Trevor, and Mika has been 3 times."
Thatch blinked. "You all been on drugs?" Ace nodded. "Have you ever tried a drug? A real drug?" Thatch shook his head. "No!" Ace chucked. "Then don't judge us. Come back if you ever try. It feels amazing. Until you get addicted and you're just horrible." Thatch nodded. "I think I'll keep my distance." Trevor nodded. "Smart move." Whitebeard agreed with Trevor. They should keep their distance, drugs were never the answer. Mike sounded like a good person to be around, especially if one needed to detox as he was as calm. The next 3 days went by fine, Mike showing them different techniques with Ace, as both were incredibly skilled, Mike even more than Ace. Ace and Mike had had a couple more duels, but Mike won both of them. Quite easily actually. It was amazing to see that someone was stronger than Ace. Ace was still stronger than any of them, so it said how strong Mike was. And compared to Mike, Ace seemed childish at times. But Mike was calmer than any person he had met. They then docked at a neutral island, Mike parting with them, telling he would grab a boat to head on, Ace offering to help if he needed it, but Mike wanted to try and get around himself, get more affiliated with crews, which was understandable. He still was thankful for Ace's help and would tell if he needed it to get around. He was needed back at his island in a months time and might use Ace when the time got closer. Which Ace accepted.
They then stayed docked for a day, before they headed on. They were in familiar waters, so it was fine to be relaxed, usually having a party each night. They then headed towards another neutral island, close to an island they controlled, and they had docked on a few times. It was a nice island. They sometimes had issues on the island with each other, but it hadn't been anything bad. As they docked, there was a woman who was quick to get on the boat, a woman the captain had never seen before. As he was about to ask why the woman was on his ship, she was suddenly down on her knees with her hands up, as if begging, facing Ace. "Please! Help me get my son back! They- they took him!" What was going on? Ace moved a hand out to calm the distraught woman. "Okay, okay. Stand up, and tell me again. Who took your son?" The woman was quick to stand up and started to tell how she and her son had been ambushed and her son had been taken away by some troublemakers, telling they were north of the city. "Okay," Started Ace. "I will help you. Stay here, okay." The woman nodded, tears in her eyes, as she moved to lean on the railing, hands moving to her face to hide her tears. As she was leaning on the railing, Ace was quick in taking his cape off, before he handed it to Trevor and walked off the boat. "Wh- where is he heading? Why take his cape off?" Asked Izou, making Trevor hum. "He's off to do a job, and he's not doing it as a pirate." Trevor then looked at the woman, who seemed somewhat better. "You heard about him being a mercenary?" The woman nodded. "I did. I read it, I don't remember where, but I was just so happy to see you as I hoped you would help. I don't have much, bu-" Trevor held a hand up. "No, don't worry about the pay, that should be the least of your concern. Ace will help you." The woman gave a thankful nod. They then waited for Ace to return.
-x-
Ace hummed as Dust was flying above the city, finding 4 guys that fit the description of those who had taken the woman's son. He then had Dust circling the place they were at, finding a few guards. There were probably more than just her son that was taken, there were probably a group of people. No one took people one by one, they took in groups. Ace then had Dust fly over the guards, dust falling off his wings and putting the guards under his trance. Before Ace just walked into the base, checking each room through the keyhole and putting the rest under his trance. He then easily found the children they had taken, finding 6 children, between the age of 6 years and 10 years old. He then released them from the cell they were in, before they just walked out. When they were all in safety, away from the building, Ace snapped his fingers, making everyone under his trance just disappear in shadows, gone from this world. It took some of his energy, as it was 26 guards, but he would just take it easy the rest of the day. He then told the children to head with him to the boat, and they would then help them find their way home. Everyone nodded and followed him. When they were in sight of the boat, it wasn't long before the woman from before hugged her child, being a boy that looked 8 years old. She then asked if she knew about anyone else losing their child, and she said yes, that she knew 2, and she got the responsibility to help the children home, taking every one of them. She lived on the island, so she would manage. The children gave a thankful look to him, a few bowing, but it was all fine.
-x-
Whitebeard was glad when Ace came back on the boat, a group of children in tow, the woman who had come taking care of them, heading back onto the island. Ace took no pay from the woman, which was good as she didn't seem to have much. But as they were gone, Izou got a frown. "I don't get that. Why did we have to pay when we asked for help?" Ace chuckled. "Easy. You are pirates, you know marines are after you and accept that. Of course you need to pay me for me to do something that is in a way already your fault. All pirates need to pay me, same with marines when I help those. Children I help for free, same with those who have nothing and have done nothing." Izou nodded. "Okay, I get it. It makes sense." Ace nodded. "Course it does. I know what I am doing. I am an assassin, but you can't always buy me; I have a code." That Whitebeard knew. Ace had a code and he was good at following it. Which was good. They needed good assassins. The rest of the day went by fine, nothing special happening.
-x-
Marco woke up when he felt the bed move, moving his head to see Ace sitting up, breathing hard, a hand on his chest, eyes closed. Marco moved to sit up, a hand moving to Ace's leg, making the other jolt a bit before he looked at him. "Are you okay, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, yeah I am." Marco nodded, he didn't completely believe that. Ace didn't look fine. "Want to talk about it?" Ace shook his head, and before he could talk, Marco moved a hand to Ace's. "Please tell me about it. I want to take some of your burdens. It's not good handling everything alone, yoi." Ace sighed, moving his hands to his face, shaking it. "I don't know what to say." Marco nodded, hand moving to stroke Ace on his back. "The truth. I want the truth, yoi. How are you?" Ace sighed again. "I'm okay now, but I feel upset."
Okay, that was something, Marco could work with that. "Upset about what?" Ace let out a breath. "This whole ordeal with Quinn brings back some memories." Marco nodded. "How do you know Quinn, yoi?" Ace took a breath. "She was captured for almost 10 months by some really detestable people. I was the leader in the group that got her out. We just spoke about it. How she thinks I think of her like she is weak, which I don't. And just that I admire her for what she's been through. It was hell for her." Marco nodded. He knew Quinn was wary and had avoided Ace in the start, but they seemed to get along now. They must have worked out their issues "But it reminded you of your own hell." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I've never been captured for so long. The longest was 3 weeks." Marco nodded. "That is still a long time, yoi." Ace nodded. "It felt like years. I can't imagine what almost 10 months feel like." That Marco got, it was way too long, but he wanted to concentrate on Ace right now. "What does this remind you the most of, yoi?" Ace sighed, giving a tired look to him. "You really want to hear this?" Marco nodded. "Yes, yoi." Ace sighed. "It reminds me of deplorable situations." Marco nodded. "The rape?" Ace sighed. "That's one of the things." Marco nodded. "What are the other things?" Ace sighed. "Being beaten around, torture, and being imprisoned." Marco nodded, stroking Ace's back. "Could I get something specific, yoi?" Marco didn't hope for much, but he needed to ask. Ace shook his head a bit, before he sighed. "I don't know why, but it reminds me of my first kill." Marco nodded. "Your first kill, how was it?"
Ace sighed. "I was 13, and I was going on a mission with a few others, and I was barely let out of sight, as I was still… well, 13. And I was allowed to check a room, which was empty, and I did. But I knocked over a candle, and the noise reached the bathroom, which no one had checked. And suddenly this man was lifting me up, hand over my mouth as I couldn't scream. He then threw me on the bed, before he advanced on me, hand back over my mouth, the other ripping my clothes, before he went to unwind his belt, and I panicked. I did. But then, I remembered my dagger, and I somehow managed to bite his hand, making him move it away so I could move a bit, and I grabbed my dagger and slit his throat, being covered in blood before I rolled off the bed. And I remember I just stared at the convulsing body, panic still filling my mind. I know it was just a slit throat, but I remember I just thought I did wrong, that I shouldn't have killed him. I messed up. I was panicking, both since he almost got advantage of me, and since I killed someone. Azuruko came then and calmed me down and fixed everything, as he did. And I remember it dawned on me. I had killed, and I didn't regret it. It took me a while before I was okay with that, really okay with that." Ace shook his head. "I don't know why this made me think of that." Marco shook his head. "No, it's understandable. It was your first time almost being taken advantage of, yoi. This was probably Quinn's first imprisonment, it is normal for you to think of that, it must have been traumatic. How do you feel about it now?" Ace took a breath. "I think I feel fine. I don't know why it has me so bothered." Marco shook his head. "No, don't think like that. Anyone would be bothered if they are almost taken advantage of. How long was it between that and your first time being taken advantage of?" Ace sighed. "Some months. It's another bad memory."
Marco nodded. "Want to talk about that, yoi?" Ace sighed. "Honestly, no." Marco nodded, a hand moving to Ace's. "Are you sure? It can maybe help, yoi." Ace sighed. "Fine. I can try." Marco nodded, that was all he asked. "I was still 13, and I was going on an assignment with Daisuke, and I checked a room by myself, and when I found nothing, I headed on, and I soon found a knocked out Daisuke. And as I was about to head over, someone grabbed me by my waist and threw me on a bed, and his hands ripped my clothes off." Ace shook his head, moving his head into his hands, Marco moving his hand to Ace's back. "It's okay. You don't need to continue." Ace shook his head, giving a sniffle. "I don't want to talk about this." Marco nodded, moving his arms to be around Ace and letting Ace rest against his chest, giving another sniffle, hands still over his face. He wanted Ace to open up, and Marco was glad he had gotten something. It was obvious this was still a lot on Ace's mind, and he got it. It was a lot of trauma, and he wanted Ace to open up about it.
He sat with Ace against his chest for about a quarter, before Ace sat up, hands moving to dry his eyes. He got that this was emotional for Ace, and he was glad Ace was showing emotions to it, not being unemotional as he had before at times. He wanted Ace to process this in a good way, and speaking about it could help. He hoped this helped. He moved a hand to Ace's back. "How do you feel?" Ace gave a laugh mixed with a small sob. "Awful." Marco got it. "Did you feel it helping? Speaking about it, yoi?" Ace shook his head, hands moving away from his eyes, which were somewhat red. "I don't know." Marco nodded. "I hope it will help someday, yoi. I want to help you through this." Ace nodded. "I get it, I do. I say the same to others. Easier to help others than yourself." Marco nodded. "That's true. But maybe speaking about it with others, even though it's not about you, maybe it can help, yoi." Ace nodded. "Maybe." Marco moved his head against Ace's. "Thank you for telling me." Ace gave a small chuckle. "Thank me for telling you horrors. Not something I usually hear." Marco chuckled. "I get it, but I am glad you told me. I'm glad you're opening up. I am." Ace nodded, not saying anything. Marco moved his head to give Ace a kiss. "Also, no matter what you say will make me turn away. I will always be here, yoi." Ace nodded, sending a thankful look to him. "I know, It means a lot."
Marco then looked at a clock, seeing it was 4 in the morning. "How about we relax a bit more, yoi. It's just past 4." Ace sighed. "It's not more? I hoped it would be 6. So we could wake up and head out." Marco nodded. "I get it, and we can head to the galley. The ones on watch will go off soon, and the ones taking over stay in the galley relaxing, playing cards and such. We can join them, yoi." Ace nodded. "Maybe. I would like that, better than just lying in bed." Marco nodded, and they headed out to the galley, joining a game of cards, just relaxing before the day started.
As the day started, Ace was approached by Haruta. "Hey Ace, I got these from a friend. Patches that help against stress. You want some?" Ace hummed as he nodded. "Sounds interesting. I can try." Haruta gave a smile and handed 10 patches over to Ace, who took them with a 'thanks'. Haruta had given some to all of them, having gotten a huge bunch of them from a friend on the island. A few had even tried them, just for fun, and they said it helped and they felt calmer. They then continued the day as normal, Ace saying he was heading to a meeting on the island, just because he was here and the meeting was a common one, just some information, not assassin business. And Marco asked if they should maybe send someone, but Ace said no, telling him he could bring any useful information back to them, and that was fine.
-x-
Ace moved to the house the meeting would be on. He normally wouldn't have joined, but since they were here, he saw no reason not to. The reason the meeting was held here was since one of the ones who held the meeting resided on this island. But as he got to the meeting and it was about to start, he frowned when a man came into the room. A man he knew and didn't really tolerate. And the worst was how he took the word often, piping in when he shouldn't. Ace felt his eye twitch, moving to put one of the patches he had gotten from Haruta on his arm, under his shirt, hoping it might help. After 5 more minutes, another patch followed, before another and another. When he had reached 10 patches, it started to feel better. He managed to get through the meeting. When it was over and he was heading back to the boat, he had to blink as he felt the world tilting. He tried to make sense as to why, but nothing made sense on to why he felt like it. The world continued to tilt until it was moving the wrong way, and Ace found a tree to hold onto, sliding down as he held onto it, before things faded to black, something Ace felt was good. The world was moving the wrong way.
-x-
Whitebeard sat on his chair outside on deck, relaxing as it was a good day. The island they were on was also a calm one, one of the reasons they docked here. It was an island they protected and stopped at now and then. But as he was relaxing, a man came on the boat. And when the captain asked who it was, he gave a friendly bow. "Sorry to interrupt. I'm Frink. I don't mean to interrupt, but one of your crewmembers is at the hospital." That had the captain blink. "Who?" The man hummed. "We believe it is Portgas D 'Death' Ace, from the wanted posters." That had the captain frown, why was Ace in the hospital? "Do you know why?" The man nodded. "What I know is that he was walking funny and spoke of how the earth was moving too fast as he held onto a tree, before he just slid down unconscious." Trevor moved a hand to his face, nodding. "Okay, we'll get someone to get him. Thank you." As the man left, Trevor sighed. "If, if, Ace is on drugs again, I will murder him. I need at least a year or three between relapses, not just months." Whitebeard got Trevor, it did sound like drugs, as Ace handled alcohol well, so this was just uncharacteristic of Ace. Trevor then grabbed a few of them and headed to the hospital, including the captain and Marco who looked worried too. When they found Ace's room, Ace was still asleep, or unconscious. Trevor did ask a nurse for a doctor, to hear what was wrong with Ace, Trevor sounding and looking serious. Whitebeard really hoped Ace was fine and that he wasn't on drugs. It was just a minute later that a groan was heard from the bed and Ace woke up. "Trevor?" Trevor nodded, moving over to Ace's side. "Yeah, I'm here. What's wrong with you?" Ace shook his head. "I don't know. The world just started moving backwards." Trevor gave a serious look to Ace. "Are you back on drugs?" Ace blinked, before he shook his head. "No! I am not. I don't know what happened."
Trevor was about to speak again when a doctor came through the door, seeming glad to see Ace up. "You're awake, good." The doctor then looked at his papers. "You are free to go, you're fine now." Ace nodded. "What happened to me?" Trevor nodded. "Yeah what happened to him. Drugs?" The doctor hummed. "Not quite. We found these patches on you." The doctor then held a patch out, and Ace nodded. "Yeah. Haruta gave it to me, saying it helped against stress." The doctor nodded. "And that is probably true, when you take one patch, but you took 10. They are full of toxins. Next time, stick with one." Ace nodded. "I will." The doctor then left, and when he was out, Ace looked at Trevor. "Did you really think I was on drugs again? It was just months ago." Trevor nodded. "I know, but it fit. Why did you take so many?" Ace sighed. "Meeting with Christopher." That had Trevor nod. "Got it. Next time, stick with one." Ace shrugged. "Haruta didn't say how many. so I thought 'hey how bad can it be'. Now I know." Trevor nodded. "Now you know. Let's get you back on the boat."
Ace nodded and got up from bed and they headed back to the boat, Trevor now finding this whole ordeal funny. When they got to the boat, Ace told Haruta to tell people to only take one patch, telling why, and it had the woman shocked. "I didn't know that they were dangerous." Ace shook his head. "It's only dangerous in large quantities, I took all 10." That had the woman blink. "Why so many?" Ace shrugged. "I was stressed. It worked a bit before it just got too much. Should probably have waited for more than 10 seconds between patches." Haruta blinked. "You took one each 10 seconds? Was it so bad?" Ace nodded. "It was. I really don't handle that man well." Haruta frowned. "Who?" Ace sighed. "This man who held a meeting. I detest him. If I could, he would have been dead long ago." Trevor nodded. "I agree with Ace. He is really annoying." Haruta nodded. "I will remember they are dangerous in large quantities." Ace nodded. "You should, But, now we know that. We learned something new." They had, and Ace at least seemed to take this lightly, which was sort of good. And Ace seemed fine now, the toxins must have made their way through his system. They then stayed at the island for about a day, before they left, heading on.
A week later, they docked at an island they hadn't been on in a while. They rarely docked here since they were a bit too religious for their liking, but it was bearable, and they had a lot of good materials, the reason they wanted to dock there. So after they had docked and told what they wanted, they were going to have a meeting about how it would be done, and as it was nearing its end. Everyone of his commanders were there including Mika and Trevor. And it had been a chance Ace wouldn't have made it since he was training today, but he had barely made it. But as the meeting was nearing its end, Whitebeard saw Ace suddenly moving to look at Adon, moving to give a sort of shocked look as his eyes were big, making Adon frown as he looked at Ace, and before Adon could speak, Ace did. "Hail satan." Ace said calmly, making all of them frown, and a second later, blood started trickling from Ace's eye and down his cheek, making Adon scurry backwards and almost fall off his chair, moving a hand to his heart. "I- I need to leave." He said before he left. And as the man started walking towards the door, almost running, Ace started laughing, moving a hand to wipe the blood away, Trevor following soon after. When Adon was out, Ace gave a laugh as he used his sleeve to dry the blood. "I might be going to hell, but I am going laughing." Trevor laughed. "Holy cow, yes! I can't believe you did that! My god! I need to tell this to Daisuke! And Hanzo! They will fucking die laughing." Ace nodded at it, the two assassins laughing.
"Did-" Started Izou. "Did you just do that?!" Ace nodded. "I did. He's not coming back, at least not with me here. Damn that was amazing." Whitebeard felt speechless for a few seconds. "How did you do that?" Ace shrugged. "Felt it coming, wanted to have a bit of fun. I hope you don't mind." Whitebeard shook his head. "I don't. That was funny to watch. Just a bit shocking. You haven't done this before." Ace shrugged. "Well, I wasn't allowed to prank before. And I still don't like extremists." Whitebeard nodded. They didn't like the extremist themselves, but they hadn't done anything like this before. He knew this would spread like wildfire on the island, and no one would be close to Ace, which was sort of good, since Ace didn't like them. It was still shocking to see Ace doing a prank of sorts. "I still can't believe you did that." Said Thatch with a chuckle. Whitebeard agreed with Thatch, it was a shock.
They then wrapped the meeting up, before they headed out on deck. There were a few from the island out on deck, checking what they wanted done over. And when they saw Ace, they all gave him wary looks and backed away from him when he was walking past them. Ace didn't seem to mind it. He was a bit unsure if they would still be welcomed at the island, but if they aren't, it wasn't the end of the world. They had many other places that had good materials. He would see what would happen.
The rest of the day went by fine, most of the island kept their distance, and they were quick in giving them their materials and placing it where it should be, before they were sort of told to leave as fast as they could. Which they did. When they were back out on sea, they headed more towards islands they controlled. They were a few days away, maybe about a week. Ace also was on the boat most of it, barely getting any work. He said things were calm, and most was easy work, so he sent Soul, so he could feel how it was to be level 2. It was good Ace was as much with them, which was rare, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The next few days were filled with different kinds of weather, everything from harsh winter to warm summer, as it was in the New World. But, after 6 days, when they were sitting in the galley, Ace let out a breath, looking at Trevor. "I feel off." Trevor lifted an eyebrow. "Off? Off how?" Ace shrugged. "I don't know. Just… off." Trevor frowned, which had the captain feeling a bit worried. It was rare for Ace to say he was anything but fine. Trevor gave a look to Ace, seeming to look him over. "You seem fine, Bunny. You haven't been off the boat for like 5 days either." Ace shrugged. "I don't know, but I feel off, and I don't like it."
Trevor made a small sound, frown still on his face. "I get that, but I don't know what to look after, you- woah!" Trevor cut off as he had moved his hand to Ace's head, moving some of his hair away from his forehead, but his hand moved to be against Ace's forehead with the exclamation. Trevor's frown didn't let up and the silver-haired man even got a worried look, turning his hand so the back was against Ace's forehead. "Eh, Bunny? You have a fever. Like, really, a fever." Ace blinked, before he frowned, moving Trevor's hand away as he felt his own forehead. "What are you on? I don't get fevers, Trevor." Trevor had a shocked look as he moved his hand back to Ace's forehead. "I know! But you clearly have a fever! Izou! Back me up! He has a fever, won't you agree?" Izou sat shocked for a few seconds, obviously not thinking he would be brought into this, but managed to gather himself, carefully moving a hand to Ace's forehead too, the crossdresser frowning as he did. "No, Ace, you have a fever. Trevor is right. It's not that high, but it's a fever." Ace frowned himself, moving to feel his forehead again. "No, you can't be right. I don't get fevers like this. I'm either fine or way sick, not just a fever." Trevor made some movements with his hands. "And yet here you are, with a fever! Just a fever!" Ace didn't look happy with that. "No, I don't agree." Trevor shrugged. "Disagree all you want, it won't take the fever away." Ace gave an annoyed look to Trevor. "Why do I have a fever!" Trevor shrugged. "I don't know. We have met different weather, maybe you're actually reacting to it like a normal person." That might be the case, even though Ace didn't seem to agree as he shook his head. "I have never reacted before. Why now?" Trevor shrugged. "I don't know. Ask Moira. Maybe she has a theory. Or Daisuke." Ace nodded a bit. "Maybe, but I'll give this a bit of time. Maybe it will pass fast." Trevor nodded. "Do that."
Things were calm after Ace, seeming to be fine in his opinion, and it was after an hour, Ace gave a breath, looking at the table. "I want hot cocoa." Trevor snorted. "Too bad." Ace gave a small annoyed look to Trevor, before Ace moved to stand and head towards the kitchen, making Trevor look at the other. "Where are you going?" Ace shrugged. "Making cocoa, I want it." Trevor chuckled. "Make me some too!" Ace stopped in the door opening. "Why? I'm the one who's sick! You should be making me cocoa!" Trevor huffed. "Well, you are the best at making it! I can help, if that makes it better." Ace nodded. "I would like the help." Trevor nodded and stood up, heading after Ace. He got why Ace wanted some hot cocoa. Always good with some warm drink when one felt a bit under the weather. They came out again a bit later, both having a cup of cocoa, sitting down and drinking it, doing some normal conversation. It was cold out today, so most were in the galley. Ace seemed to get a bit worse after a couple hours, seeming to be half shivering, and a bit after he noticed it, Ace looked at Trevor. "I feel cold." Trevor nodded, a hand moving to Ace's forehead. "Your fever is still high for you. Chills are normal." Ace gave a frown. "I don't like being cold." Trevor shrugged. "I know, but we can't do much. I can get you a blanket?" Ace hummed, before he nodded. "I would like that." Trevor then stood up and got a blanket for Ace, Ace moving it around himself. "If I start sweating, I will be so annoyed." Trevor chuckled as he sat down again. "That usually comes after the chills." Ace gave a groan. "I hate this." Whitebeard gave a worried look to Ace. "How about some antipyretic, son?" Ace shook his head. "Doesn't work on me." The captain nodded, that made sense. Ace healed fast, so the weak drug would probably go through his system fast, the reason it didn't work. He hoped Ace would get well soon, and he wasn't the only one sick, a few others were as they had gone through a lot of changing weather, between hot and cold. But Ace was never sick usually, so it felt a bit weird. But still, Ace was still just human, and they got sick. After a bit, Ace shrugged. "Maybe I should just head to my room and stay there until I feel better." Trevor half-nodded. "You can. I will miss you though." Ace gave a look to Trevor. "Tough luck. I'm heading to my room."
Ace then left, taking the blanket with him. When he was gone, Ace chuckled. "Ace with just a fever. Wow, never thought I would see that." Whitebeard sent a look at Trevor. "Has this never happened before?" Trevor shook hi shead. "No. As Ace said, he is either fine or way sick. So this is new." Whitebeard nodded. "Do you think Ace will be fine?" Trevor nodded. "It's just a fever. Maybe he will get more sick as the day passes, but even so, he will be fine." That was good to know. Marco then came inside the galley a bit later, having been out on watch, and when the news Ace was sick reached him, he was quick in heading out again, probably to check on Ace. Ace would probably be fine, as Trevor said. Things continued to be calm after that, many starting up a card game and having small fun.
-x-
Marco knocked on Ace's door, when he heard nothing, he walked in, finding Ace lying in his bed, half curled up. When he had opened the door, Ace sat a bit up, looking at him. "I feel cold." Marco nodded, moving over to the bed, sitting down on it and bringing a hand to Ace's head. "You have a fever. Not as high as last time, though." Ace nodded. "I was really sick then. Now I'm just… sick. Normal sick, for some reason." Marco nodded, moving to take his shoes off, before he moved to lie down in bed with Ace, moving under the covers with Ace, hand moving to be over Ace's side. "Maybe I can help warm you up, yoi." Ace nodded and as Marco was lying down, Ace moved closer to him, so Marco could hold around Ace, blanket over them. Ace seemed to like it, giving a breath. Ace was almost lying against him, a hand having moved out to hold his vest. He knew Ace was much more clingy when sick, but he still enjoyed having Ace this close. It felt good. He also hoped Ace wouldn't be sick for long.
Ace seemed to fall asleep quickly, breathing slow. Marco laid awake, lying still for about half an hour, before he slowly moved so he was sitting up, moving to have Ace's head in his lap, moving one hand to grab a book and starting to read, the other being on Ace's head, threading through his hair. He sat and read his book for about an hour, before Ace woke up, sitting up, a hand rubbing his eye. "How do you feel, yoi?" Ace sighed. "Not better. I feel like I'm going to sweat, but I'm still cold." Marco nodded. "Cold sweating often comes with a fever, yoi." Ace sighed. "Two things I hate at the same time." Marco nodded. "I get it. It sucks being sick. Not that I have for a log while." Ace took a breath. "Good for you." Marco gave a sympathetic look to Ace. "You're at least not as sick as last time, yoi. You were really sick then." Ace nodded. "I am more used to that than this. I just feel… off. Not sick." Marco nodded. "I understand. I hope you get well soon." Ace nodded. "I hope so too. I don't like this." Marco nodded. "How long do you think you'll be sick?" Ace hummed. "I don't know, I've never felt like this. I think a couple days at the most. Or I hope so." Marco nodded. "Relaxing usually helps, same with sleep. So just try your best, yoi." Ace nodded. "I will. I want to feel myself again. This sucks." Marco understood Ace, being sick was never fun, or good. But he was sure Ace would be fine quickly.
He sat with Ace for the next hours, talking about this and that while Ace relaxed. When it was time for dinner, they headed out to the galley, Ace taking the blanket with himself, feeling cold still. When they got to the galley. Trevor moved to look at Ace. "Still cold?" Ace nodded as he sat down next to the man, who moved a hand to his forehead. "Still a fever. It seems higher." Ace sighed. "Don't say that." Trevor shrugged. "Just saying the truth. You should probably be in bed." Ace hummed. "I will head back after eating. I want food too. And just lying in bed is boring." Ace chuckled. "That's life. Boring. But you should do it to get well as fast as you can." Ace nodded. "I know, and I will. I want to feel fine again. I feel off." When dinner was over, Ace headed back to his room, and Marco wanted to join, but he had watch duty again. But as he was about to head to get ready, Trevor spoke up. "Go to Ace. I can do your watch." Marco blinked. "Are you sure?" Trevor nodded. "Yes. Go relax with Ace, so he's not alone." Marco gave a 'thank you' before he headed to Ace's room, Ace having laid back down in bed, reading a book as he was lying down. Marco moved over and grabbed a book of his own, before he moved to sit down in bed.
When he was seated, Ace moved closer, sitting a bit up so he could rest his head on Marco's shoulder, blanket over both of them, reaching a bit up to their chests. Marco moved a hand to be around Ace's back, resting on his hip. Ace reading his book. It was about half an hour later that Ace was asleep. It was clear he was sick as he slept a lot, something Ace usually didn't do. Ace was asleep for about an hour and half, before he woke up, going back to reading his book. They spoke a bit now and then, just about normal things, relaxing together. When the clock was nearing supper, and Marco asked if they should head to eat, Ace hummed. "I don't feel like eating. But you can go." Marco shook his head. "No, I can stay. I can eat later." Ace chuckled. "I would like you here. I feel better with you here." That had Marco smile. "Makes me glad to hear, yoi." Ace smiled himself, head still on his shoulder, and they relaxed for the reminder of the evening, before Ace fell asleep again. As Ace was sleeping, he seemed to get clammy, which had Marco moving the covers a bit up, to give Ace some air. He had moved Ace so he was lying down in bed, head on pillow. Marco then moved to lie down himself, arm moving to be over Ace, wanting to keep Ace close. And it didn't take long before Marco was asleep himself.
When he woke up the next day, Ace was still asleep next to him. When Marco looked at a clock, he saw it was barely past 5 in the morning, it was still early. Marco then sat a bit up, moving to grab his book again, starting to read where he had left off. It was an hour later Ace woke up, and when he did, Marco moved a hand to Ace's forehead. "You still feel a bit warm yoi." Ace nodded. "But I feel better." Marco nodded. That was good. "Do you want to stay in bed longer, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Maybe a bit longer, maybe it will make me feel better." Marco hoped so. They then stayed in bed until breakfast, and they headed to the galley to eat. When they sat down, it wasn't long before Trevor also came in, and he moved over to Ace, a hand moving to Ace's forehead. "You feel better. But still a fever." Ace nodded. "I know. But I at least feel better."
The next day went the same fashion, Ace still having the fever and relaxing a lot. But when the next day started, Ace felt back to himself, and he was back to feeling normal, which was good.
-x-
They then docked a day later, and Marco walked with Izou, them going to check if the meeting room was ready for them. He knew Ace had borrowed it yesterday evening, to do some large paper work with Quinn, and they might not be done as no one had seen the pair. He had offered to help, but Ace said no, he wanted Quinn to help so she could get the feel back, which he understood. As they were walking, someone got his attention and wanted to speak about something, making Izou head on first. It only took a minute, before he could continue. When he was nearing the meeting room, Izou opened the door. But Marco frowned when Izou froze as he opened the door, something obviously shocking him. No one should be in the room, aside from Ace and Quinn maybe. The two apparently had something to look at as Ace wanted some help with it. When Izou sent an unsure look at him, Marco was sure it was something that had to do with him. Izou actually looked horrified and somewhat guilty. Marco decided he needed to see what ever it was that had the other commander like this. As he moved, Izou tried to get something out, Marco having a feeling it was for him to not look, making him more curious. Nothing much shocked the sixteenth commander.
When Marco got to the door and looked inside, he felt himself get a smile at what he saw. Ace and Quinn was inside the room, and it was obvious they had been there a long time as different papers laid around, and the two occupants was asleep on the couch, Ace lying closest to the back of it, on his side, and in front of him laid Quinn, Ace having and arm draped over her. Marco was still glad Quinn had become comfortable with Ace, her past obviously weighing down on her and Ace was the best to help with certain things connected to that. "Guess they needed a break from the work, yoi." Said Marco as he walked into the room. Izou still stood by the door shocked, Marco not really sure why. As he was closer to the couch, it seemed like the sound from it woke Ace as he slowly moved a hand to his face, which woke Quinn, and both of them sat up, both seeming sort of groggy. "Good day to you two, yoi."
Ace gave a breath as he moved the hand away from his face, seeming to just realise they had fallen asleep. "Did we even get somewhere?" Quinn shook her head, blinking as she tried to wake up. "No idea. Did we actually fall asleep?" Ace nodded, moving to lift some of the papers that were on the floor. "We did. Been a while since I had a case like this." Quinn nodded, moving to look at some papers herself. "Can't believe this is your job. Or that's it just so much work. I think I get why it took 9 months to get me out, if this is how it is." Ace nodded. "Yup. Welcome to life on the other end." Ace then looked at him as he pointed to the table. "What do those say?" Ace said as he looked at other papers, Marco moving to look at the papers on the table, which had him frown as he showed it to Ace. "I don't think this is a language, yoi." The paper seemed to just be a mess of lines and the occasional letter. Ace sighed as he took the paper. "We should have stopped earlier. I was sure we were on to something." Quinn nodded, looking through papers still. "I agree. Something here must be usable." Ace sighed as he looked at the papers everywhere. "I still don't get why this place looks trashed." Quinn sighed. "It may have been me. I got frustrated. Sorry." Ace waved his hand. "No, it's fine. It happens. You get used to it after a while." Quinn nodded. "I hope so. This is hard." Marco chuckled. "We'll let you be so you can sort this out. We need the meeting room in a few hours, yoi. Ace nodded. "I know. We need just an hour, maybe just a half hour." Marco nodded. "Good. We'll let you be."
Marco then headed out of the meeting room, and when he was, Izou quickly grabbed his hand and dragged him to an empty room. "What's wrong with you!?" Marco blinked. "What? They fell asleep after working, yoi. It happens." Izou blinked at him, before seeming more shocked. "They just fell asleep!? Didn't you see the same I saw?! Place trashed and sleeping basically in each other arms?!" Marco shrugged. "So what?" Izou looked dumbfounded. "So what? So what?! So what!? Any person can see they might have done something else than just working!" Marco blinked, not sure at first what the crossdresser meant, but got it after a couple seconds. "I know Ace isn't cheating, Izou." Izou waved his arms some, looking almost livid. "How?! How can you possibly know?! They hated each other! Or she hated him! And now this?! Nah, I don't buy it!" Marco blinked, before he remembered that Quinn's past wasn't general knowledge, which was why she had avoided Ace at the start, or even how it was impossible for Ace to have participated in an act like that with Quinn.
Marco sighed, trying to figure out how to explain. "Listen, Izou, there are things here you don't know, yoi." Izou shook his head. "Like what!? I certainly don't get how you're so calm!" Marco didn't know how to respond or what to even say, so when the door opened and a familiar silver-haired man stood in the opening, Marco felt relieved. "Trevor, I need your help here, yoi. I don't know how to even explain." Trevor just shrugged as he walked inside. "Sure. With what?" Marco was going to try and explain, but just motioned to Izou. "Why don't you tell, yoi." Izou gave a nod, still looking shocked and mad, explaining what they had seen, which had Trevor pipe in. "Aw! Did you get a picture? Sounds so cute." Izou blinked. "Cute?! No! You're like Marco! Didn't you hear? Room a mess, sleeping together on the couch, suddenly being friends. What does that sound like?!" Trevor blinked. "Like they tried to figure something out and it didn't work. I don't get what you're hinting at." Izou looked flabbergasted and just at a loss for words, which had Marco sigh. "Izou thinks Ace and Quinn had sex, yoi. And that Ace is cheating on me." Trevor blinked at him, before he burst out laughing, looking at Izou. "What?! That's not even possible! My God! Best thing I heard today!" Izou just looked more stunned at that, which had Trevor stop laughing. "Oh my God. You're serious? You seriously think that?"
Izou waved his arms. "Well yeah! How can you explain it then?! It is certainly possible! Ace has the equipment! They are suddenly besties! That's suspicious!" Trevor sighed, before looking at Marco. "You know? Both about Quinn and that part of Ace?" Marco nodded. "Yes, Ace told, yoi." Trevor nodded. "Good." And then looked back at Izou before the crossdresser could speak. "I am going to tell you some things, which can not leave this room, okay?" Izou nodded slowly. "Okay. Explain how you take this so calm." Izou had at least calmed down, understanding there was something here. Trevor took a breath. "Okay, Quinn first. She was held hostage for 9 months, and tortured the entire time, them thinking she had information she didn't have. After a while, someone caught on and a rescue mission was launched, and got her out. She was the sole survivor, her 4 other teammates got killed slowly in front of her. Ace was the leader in that rescue mission and got her out. Seeing Ace here made her remember that time, as well as think Ace viewed her as weak, which Ace didn't. Ace gave her the space she needed until she was ready to speak with him. They worked it out."
Izou nodded, taking this information in. "Okay. I can accept that. I didn't know that. She looks so… strong." Trevor nodded. "Yes. It's been 5 years, she's grown. She's a really strong person." Izou nodded. "Okay. That can explain how they are okay with each other, but why couldn't they still have fucked?" Trevor sighed. "This is even more sensible information, okay? You can't tell anyone. Not Whitebeard, not Thatch, not anyone." Izou nodded slowly. "Okay, I promise I won't." Trevor nodded, giving a breath before he started. "Ace can't have sex with a female. And," Continued Trevor when Izou tried to speak. "He can't always have sex with males. Ace can't, absolutely can not, top, in a sexual manner. It makes him physically and emotionally sick and distressed." Izou blinked. "W-what? Why? Really?" Marco nodded. "Just the thought, just the idea, repulse him, yoi." Izou nodded slowly, trying to take that in. "Why?" Trevor sighed. "That I won't say. But I am sure you can connect it." Izou blinked, before he looked shocked. "You don't mean he wa-!" Trevor moved a hand up. "Don't, we don't speak about it. We just let it be. It happened, and it's okay now." Marco almost spoke up, to say it wasn't, but he was sure Trevor knew it as well, but didn't want to tell Izou that. And he got it. It wasn't something they spoke about usually, and Ace had just opened up about some of it.
They then left the room, heading their own ways, Izou seeming stuck for a few seconds, which he got. This was a lot to take in for the man. But he soon got himself with him again and headed on with his day. When Ace and Quinn came out of the meeting room, the two started their day too, before the meeting. Izou did send looks at Ace, and Marco would be sure to speak with Ace about it. The day went by fine, same with the meeting, nothing special happening. When evening came, they were in Ace's room, Ace having some paperwork to look at, and Marco helped a bit. And as they were working, Marco spoke up. "So, before in the meeting room, with you and Quinn. Izou saw you two sleeping together, yoi." Ace nodded. "Okay. Anything special about it?" Marco nodded. "Yeah. Izou thought you might be cheating on me, and was going to make a whole ordeal out of it, yoi." Ace gave a small hiss. "Oh, that I hadn't thought about. It could look like that." Marco nodded. "Yeah. But Trevor and I spoke with him, and we told you can't top in a relationship. I think he connected the dots as to why." Ace sighed. "I see. But it is better than people believing I'm cheating on you. Only Izou knows?" Marco nodded. "Yes. No one else." Ace nodded. "That's good. I was sure Izou was giving me looks, now I know why." They then headed to bed after a bit. When morning came, they sat and spoke a bit in bed, before they headed out. It was still early, the cock barely past 5. A few were still up, most of those were on duty, and Marco and Ace helped around, before the day stated for full.
-x-
Marco stood with Ace in Marco's room, Marco having asked Ace to look at something, and when he had, just being a small thing,Ace left without saying anything more to him, seeming cold towards him. Marco sighed as Ace went out the door, seeming to head back to his own room. This was how it had been the last days, Ace being distant, not wanting to be around Marco, much less being close to him, seeming to brush off his touches. Marco was worried for his fianceè, Ace had never been this distant. Or he had, after the whole Cesare ordeal, before he got drunk. But then he had been working as a leader for long and had issues going back. What has happened now? He decided to wait and see what the next days would bring, and what had him more worried, was how the next day, Trevor approached him, asking if Ace was fine, which had Marco swallow. "Why, are you worried for him, yoi?" Trevor nodded. "He has seemed distant to me. Has he to you?" Marco let out a defeated breath. "Yes. He barely wants touch. Or I think he wants none, he just brushes it off. He barely wants to talk, yoi." Trevor sighed. "I hoped for better words. I don't know why he's so distant, maybe I should ask Daisuke if he knows." Marco nodded. Trevor should maybe do that. Trevor then said he would wait a few days, see if it got better or not. Marco then headed back to his room, meeting Ace halfway, who said he was heading for a meeting that would take a couple to three hours. Marco nodded and had tried for a kiss, but no, Ace moved away from it. Ace had been working with paperwork up until now, and he was always worse after it. He was also sometimes worse after working, and he had been working every now and then. Marco then headed to his room with a sigh, and as he brought out his paperwork, he remembered something that had happened months prior, while Sabo and Luffy were here. Sabo had mentioned going through Ace's things, to learn about Ace. Maybe he should? He was legitimately worried for Ace now.
Marco took a breath. Should he do it? He was the only one who had the key to his room. Marco having a key to every door on the boat, a perk of being first commander. But was he this desperate? Marco sighed. Yes, yes he was. Marco put his paperwork away, before he made his way out of his room, being sure no one was around as he moved to Ace's door, finding it locked. Marco sighed, he had a feeling he would betray Ace's trust if he locked himself into Ace's room. "So," Started a voice to his left, startling him, seeing Trevor there. "You gonna go through his stuff?" Marco was on his way to answer when Trevor shook his head. "I don't mind. Go do it, I'm worried myself. Come find me when you're done, I have a feeling you're going to need it. It's going to be rough, I am sure." Marco nodded. "Why not join me, yoi?" Trevor shook his head. "I have strict orders to not touch his stuff. And I won't go against orders to Ace." Marco nodded. Ace had never said that to him, but it might be because it was an unspoken trust. Trevor then moved a hand to his shoulder. "Listen. You're worried too. I know. Go check, see what you find. And if you can, tell me about it. I need to know Ace is fine." Marco nodded. Trevor made him more sure of himself. With a nod to himself and a deep breath, Marco unlocked Ace's door. As he was about to head inside, Trevor clapped him on his back. "I'll wait in your room. Check his closet, the back." Marco nodded and closed the door behind him, now being inside Ace's room.
Marco sighed, before he moved to Ace's desk first, where he saw some papers, checking the papers there over, finding nothing of interest, so he opened the drawers and checked them, still finding nothing. Marco then sighed as he headed to Ace's closet as Trevor had said, and moved over to it, opening it to check, and at first, he saw nothing but a normal closet with clothes, even when he checked the back. Maybe Trevor was wrong. But as he knocked against a clothes hanger, it bumped into the back of the closet, and the panel to open. It was a fake back. Marco moved the clothes away and opened the back, finding shelves with boxes and papers. He took one box out, and went to Ace's desk, opening it and going through it. He found reports Ace had made, all dated some months back. That wasn't interesting, Marco wanted the new ones, and put the box back, searching for the newer reports. He found some boxes with items in it, but he ignored those. He wanted just paperwork. It took a few minutes, but he soon found reports from last week, and took that box out. He then sat down by Ace's desk, opening the box and taking reports out. At first, it was small work, the usual. Killing people and helping prisoners. As he read on, he soon felt his eyes go open. "Oh my God." It was a report about prisoners Ace had helped, but they were in bad state, and it was described what state they were in.
Not only were they badly beaten, but each of their limbs had been cut off, or ripped off, them being strung up by the bone of their arms to a ceiling, being done as a sick fetish. Marco felt himself grow sick to his stomach as he read it, and he couldn't imagine what seeing it must be like. He then moved to grab another report from another day, finding out it held prisoners in the same state, that their limbs had been amputated from each join, arms by the elbow and legs by the knee, and how they were forced to walk, or crawl, on the amputated limbs, how the edge of the limbs were badly discoloured, and how their private parts were damaged by a torch and- Marco had to put the paper down, not able to read more. He didn't want to read more. He took a deep breath, before he read the next report, putting the one he just red back, not wanting to even look at it. It was sickening. He found out the next report was of the same, but this one also spoke of how there were a ring of Blue Blooded Patricians that had these women as 'pets', Ace calling them 'amputees', even had them fight each other like dogs, and Ace had just found himself in the middle of this, discovering about the ring and how every of the BBP- an abbreviation for Blue Blooded Patrician he guessed- had these 'pets'. It was just horrid, how they were forced to fight with amputated limbs and the bones sticking out- Marco skipped a few paragraphs, reading the conclusion of it, which had him close his eyes. This was information no one knew about, as Ace wanted to eliminate the entire ring before he told anyone, including Daisuke. Not only had Ace been close to these horrid people and their absolute sickening fetishes, but he couldn't tell anyone about it. He had to carry the burden all alone. Marco then looked a few more reports over, finding 8 in all reports with these people and their 'pets,' and the last report spoke of how there were maybe 5 left. Ace needed to do this 5 more times, at least, before he could tell anyone. Ace was all alone in this, he was all alone in this horrible ring of sick and twisted people. No wonder Ace was distant, it was probably a lot on his mind, every time he touched Ace, his thoughts must go back to this. Marco felt he didn't want to be touched for a while after just reading it. Seeing it and experiencing it must be over ten times worse.
Marco placed the reports back into the box, before he moved his face into his hands. This was horrible, and Ace stood alone in it. He completely understood why Ace wanted to keep his distance to everyone for a while, these images must be imprinted in his brian. Hell, Marco felt he could never forget about this and the images that popped into his mind, and he just read about it. Marco sat with his head in his hands for a few minutes, before he put the box back where it belonged, before he left the room, heading back to his room. Where Trevor was, which he had forgotten about. "Was it bad?" Asked the silver-haired man, and Marco had no words. Should he even tell? Ace didn't want to tell anyone about this for a reason. But then again, Marco felt he needed to tell someone, and he wanted to tell Pops, that was the man that popped into his mind, but he couldn't. Not only because Ace wanted to keep this as low as possible, but because he didn't want to put these images into Pops' mind. But Marco felt he needed to tell someone. "It was bad." Trevor nodded. "How bad? Can you tell?" Marco took a breath. "Ace wants to keep it as low as he can, yoi. He's taking a ring out." Trevor nodded. "Mika has done that before, and she was in a bad state, she handled children. It is all a horrible memory for her. Was this it? If you tell, I won't tell anyone, I won't even tell Ace I know, not until he can tell." Marco nodded, he trusted Trevor on his word. "Ace called them amputees-" Marco didn't get to continue as Trevor did. "Oh fuck, no. Not amputees, please not them. There's a ring with them?" Marco nodded, which had Trevor swear again. "I've never seen one, just read about it, and it's just so sick and twisted and just nauseating. Oh God, Ace is handling it alone. No wonder he is distant." Marco nodded. He got it himself. But it felt good to tell someone, he needed to tell someone.
Marco was on his way to speak again when Trevor cut him off. "Don't tell me more. I want to know, I do, so I can help Ace, but he wants to keep this low for a reason. I won't tell anyone, even though I want to help Ace, or have Daisuke help him, but he wants to keep this calm." Marco nodded. "Yeah. I think I'll go wait for Ace in his room, yoi." Trevor nodded. "Do that. I'll go about my day normally. No one must know we know about this. Taking out rings is hard, especially the last ones, as they know someone is hunting them." Marco got that, and he wouldn't speak about this to anyone but Ace. He wouldn't even speak about it, just mention it as low as he could, so Ace knew he knew. He then headed to Ace's room, sitting down on his bed, waiting for him to return. He sat and waited for two hours, before the door opened, Ace seeming shocked to find the door unlocked. When Ace stood in the door opening, he gave a shocked look to him. "Marco?" Ace then closed the door behind him, and Marco decided he didn't care if he was going to break a small boundary as he just stood up and hugged Ace, holding him tightly. Ace seemed shocked, hands slowly moving to be on his back. "...Marco?" Marco shook his head. "I'm so sorry you're alone in this, yoi." Ace was silent for a few seconds. "You know." It sounded a bit strained, and Marco nodded. "I am so sorry, but I needed to know, so I checked your paperwork. I am so so sorry, yoi." Marco was, both since he had checked his things and since Ace was alone in this.
He felt Ace's hands move a bit, before he heard a sniffle, and after it a sob sounded, before another, and he felt Ace leaning on him. Marco wanted to go sit on the bed, but Ace didn't seem to want to move, so Marco moved to ease down to the floor, still holding around Ace, as Ace sobbed. He was not surprised about the reaction, Ace must feel horrible, this was horrible. He sat with Ace sobbing for about 10 minutes, before the other calmed down, stopping his sobs. He then held around Ace for a bit more, before he slowly leaned back, looking at Ace, who had tear marks down his face. Ace was about to speak, when Marco did. "No, you don't need to tell me anything, not now. Keep this low, but know I am here. I am here for you." Ace nodded, head moving to be against his shoulder as he gave a sniffle, not wanting to move away just yet. They then sat like that for half an hour, before Ace moved back, hands moving to dry his eyes. Ace then moved to stand up, and Marco did too. "Only we know, same with Trevor. He won't tell anyone, he won't." Ace nodded. "I know." His voice was a bit rough from crying, but not by much. Ace then gave another sniffle. "I wished I could speak to someone about it. Speak to Daisuke or Benn." Marco nodded. "I know, but just know I am here, you don't need to speak, but I am here." Ace nodded. "It means a lot." Marco nodded, glad Ace felt so. They then stayed in the room for a bit more, Ace gathering himself, before they left, continuing their day normally.
As evening came, Marco was out on watch, and as he was passing the main deck, he noticed Pops out and gave a sigh. He should be sleeping. "Pops, why are you up, yoi?" Pops hummed. "It's not that late, son." That was true, Pops could probably be out a bit longer. Before he could speak and say that, Pops spoke. "How is Ace, son? He has seemed… distant lately." Marco sighed. "He will be fine. I promise. I can't tell why, but he will be fine, yoi." Pops nodded. "Okay, son. I trust you." Marco nodded, that was good. He would update Pops when this was all over. He then continued his watch, speaking with Pops every now and then, before he sent him to his room when it was 2am.
And for the next week, things were calm, Ace was still distant, especially to the others, but he had taken his support and comfort at times, just holding around him for some minutes, needing that comfort. And when two weeks had passed, Ace took a shuddering breath as he was hugging him. "It's over. I took them all." Marco nodded, closing his eyes. He was glad it was over. Ace took a shaky breath. "And I think I'll head to Benn or Daisuke for a bit, or maybe both. After I do my final report." Marco nodded, clapping Ace on his back. "Do that. Go speak with them, you need it. Can I speak with Pops and Trevor, yoi?" Ace nodded. "You can now. It's over. The ring is gone." That had Marco glad, knowing those people, or monsters, were gone. He then held around Ace for a bit more, before he left, heading to Trevor first, knowing he could tell the most gore to him. When he told it was over, they were dead, Trevor gave a relieved breath. "Good. Need to talk about it?" Marco nodded. "I would like that. Then I'll head to Pops after. I just need to talk to someone who can get all the details, yoi." Trevor nodded, moving to sit down on his chair, offering the other to him. "Go on, tell me anything, everything, what you need to say." Marco nodded and took a breath before he did, explaining what he had read, how horrible it was and how he couldn't even finish some of the reports. Trevor listened to it all before he responded, saying the perfect words for him to feel better, just being there for him. When he was done, Marco felt better, and he gave a goodbye to Trevor for now, who said he would head to Mika, while he headed to Pops.
When he got to Pops, who was in his room as it was early, Izou was there, and Marco waited for the other to leave, before Marco sat down in a chair, and told Pops about the last weeks. How he had checked Ace's paperwork, and told the gist of what he had found. He didn't want to tell the details, and it seemed just the gist of it made the man sick-looking. Pops then was the pillar he needed right now, and also asked if this was why Ace had been distant, and Marco said yes, but it would be better now, Ace would speak with Daiuske or Benn, or both. Which Ace needed. Whitebeard got it and also understood why they had kept this silent, but he also understood why Marco needed his comfort now. It was horrible things he had read about, and he said he would speak with Ace too, to know if he was fine. Which Marco said was fine. He then sat with Pops for an hour more, before they went out to start their day.
When evening came, Ace returned, and when they headed in for bed for the evening, Marco sat on the edge of bed, Ace preparing himself for bed. "How are you doing, yoi?" Ace sighed. "Okay. I'm doing okay. It helped being with Benn." Marco nodded, Ace moving to sit down beside him, and Marco moved a hand to Ace's leg. "Want to talk more about it, yoi?" Ace sighed, hand moving to his face. "I just… I feel I was too late in this. No matter what I do now, their lives will be awful. This isn't just like a scar or a broken bone. This isn't just a brand. They have no limbs. Even if I put them in the closest thing to heaven, they still have no limbs. They will always be dependent on help. Always remember what they have been through. They can't even walk, they would need to be carried everywhere." Marco nodded, hand moving on his leg. "Don't think like that, that you got there too late. You got there before they were dead, you saved them, yoi." Ace gave a small nod. "And yet, I am unsure if they are happy about it. Maybe they would be better dead, not have to live this life without limbs."
Marco moved his hands to Ace's head, making Ace look at him. "No, Ace. You did the right thing. You saved them. They're going to be happy now, they're not just pets anymore, they're human and will be treated as such. I am sure you placed them in the best place, yoi." Ace gave a nod. "I tried my best." Marco nodded. "And that's all that matters. Think of the positive here." Ace nodded. "I will try." Marco nodded, moving to give Ace a quick hug. "I'm sorry you were alone in this for so long, yoi." Ace nodded. "I'm sorry I was distant and worried you." Marco shook his head. "It's okay. I'm sorry I looked through your things." Ace shook his head. "No, I get it. You were worried. Surprised you found the fake back, but I get it." Marco chuckled. "I found it by accident. I knocked a hanger." Ace nodded. "Makes sense." Ace then sighed. "I still feel bad." Marco nodded. "I get it. But how about, you go visit them in a month's time? See how they are fairing. Take me, or Trevor, or Benn, take someone with you, and just check, as Ace." Ace nodded. "Maybe I should. Let me think about it." Marco nodded, he hoped Ace would and that it would go fine. They then headed to bed. As the next day started, Ace was still a bit distant to everyone for a week, but it was going better each day, until it was back to normal. Everyone seemed to have noticed, and was glad Ace was back to himself. And Marco was glad Ace didn't hold anything to him for having gone through his stuff. Which was good.
Things were calm after that, and 2 weeks later, as Marco was out on watch with Ace, Thatch came out of the quarters laughing, and Marco got a bad feeling, so he headed to his room, Ace right behind. When he got to his room, he had to blink. He would murder Thatch for this prank.
-x-
Whitebeard sat in the galley with all of his children, or most of them, a few missing as it was still early. As they were eating, Thatch came inside with a laugh and smile, and when Izou asked why he was in such a jolly mood. "I did a prank on Birdy. I changed his bed with a nest with eggs. A huge one, so he now sleeps in a nest. Found it on the island." Trevor blinked at Thatch. "You messed with Bunny's bed?" Thatch shook his head. "No, I messed with Marco's." Trevor snorted. "That's Ace's bed too. He likes Marco's bed more than his own, since it's larger." That had Thatch blink, before he looked unsure and scared. "R-really?" Trevor nodded. "Really. Ace told me one time. He likes Marco's since it's softer and larger. He has nothing against his own bed, but he likes Marco's better." It had Thatch swallow, and the captain got it. Ace wasn't someone you messed with, and this would be the first prank Thatch did that would affect Ace. It was clear Thatch was trying to figure out what to do now, if he could manage to revert what he had done, and was on his way to stand up when Marco came into the galley, sitting down by their table. Thatch swallowed again, looking at Marco. "So, birdy, how are you?" Marco hummed. "Not allowed to be mad, yoi." That had Thatch frown, while Trevor blinked, the latter speaking. "Ace liked it?!" Marco nodded. "Apparently. He likes the eggs and how the nest is soft, the eggs like huge pillows, yoi." Trevor nodded. "True, he likes pillows. I was sure he would be mad." Marco nodded. "I wish I could be mad. I don't like it, at least not yet. Ace said it would grow on me, yoi." Trevor nodded. "It probably will. I need to see this." Trevor then stood up and headed out, probably to see this egg bed. As Trevor was gone, Marco looked at Thatch. "Also, Ace wants my bed in his room, yoi. And you can do whatever with his bed." Thatch nodded, seeming shocked. "Okay, I can do that. I'll get to it when breakfast is over." Marco nodded, starting to eat his own food. It was a few minutes later Trevor came inside, looking at Thatch as he sat down. "It is amazing! It really is soft and just amazing! Ace loves it." Marco sighed, looking at Thatch. "You lucked out, yoi. If it had been up to me, you would have been in the sea." Thatch nodded, looking shocked. "I didn't know Ace would like it." Trevor shrugged. "Ace is weird. And he's a kid at times." That was true, Aec was still just a child, and the captain was glad Ace acted like the kid he was at times.
The rest of the breakfast went by normally. When Thatch was done, he went to fix the beds, changing Ace's with Marco's. When breakfast was over, Whitebeard headed out to deck, to enjoy the day. He had noticed Ace hadn't come out yet, which was a bit uncharacteristic of Ace. He did notice Marco heading back towards his room, probably to check on Ace. He hadn't left for work as he would have been notified. He was sure Ace was fine, Trevor had just checked on Ace to see the new bed, and he hadn't said anything special.
-x-
Marco moved into his room, seeing Ace lying in the nest, holding around a pillow and seeming to be relaxing. Marco moved over. "Missed you at breakfast, yoi." Ace hummed. "Don't feel like getting up yet. Come join me." Marco looked at the nest bed. "I don't know how." Ace chuckled, moving to shuffle some egg pillows around, before he patted the place beside him, Marco moving to lie down. He was lying on the nest and an egg behind his back, like a pillow, a few eggs on his side where his right hand was, Ace on his left side. "Well, it is soft, yoi." Ace nodded, moving to lie towards him, still holding around an egg. "Yeah, it is. I like it." Marco nodded. "I get it. I think maybe I need time, yoi." Ace nodded. "You do. It will grow on you. And with your bed in my room, we still have a normal bed too. I don't mind sharing one bed. We don't need two beds." That was true, they didn't need two beds anymore. One was enough. They had usually slept in one bed, the only times when they weren't was when Ace returned from an assignment in the night, but he guessed it would change now. Marco didn't mind it, he wanted to share a bed with Ace.
Marco laid with Ace for about half an hour, before Ace moved to sit up. "Maybe we should head out." Marco chuckled. "We can. Thatch is also taking my bed to your room, yoi." Ace hummed. "Nice, I look forward to that." Marco chuckled. "How often will we use this bed?" Ace hummed. "Now and then. I like to relax in it." Marco nodded. "I noticed. How about we try it now and then, maybe it will grow on me, yoi." Ace nodded. "I hope it will. I really like it. If you still hate it in a week, we can change back." Marco blinked. "Really?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. If you really hate it, we will change back." Marco nodded. "Good to know, I'll tell you how I feel when the week is over."
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
What do you think should happen with the egg bed? Should they keep it or not?
This story is also not finished. I know it is marked finished, but that is since the main part I had planned is over and now it is just the rest as well as ideas that I have. We still have some loose ends, like the wedding and other things
Also, come check out the one shot series to this story! It contains one shots of missing scenes, past events, and alternative scenarios, etc.
If you have any scenes you would like to see, don't be afraid to leave a comment, or send a PM
And I love feedback too; it is what keeps me going!
If you want to, come follow me on Twitter, where updates will be posted, and if I'm late. My twitter is Azuruko You can leave comments, requests, ideas, or just say hi (a link is also on my profile).
Or, you can join my Discord server, Azuruko's fiction, for the same reasons as my twitter. Instant invite: discord . gg / 6hzMhbR