It is known far and wide that Ace is a tanned and freckled hot mess.
Everyone would notice when the freckles would go missing... Right?
Or no one does... and now it's all up to Marco to find the missing freckles and place them back onto his lover's skin where they belong.

"Ace!"

At the call of his name, Ace swung around with a flaming fist, ready to hit whoever had snuck up behind him.

But it was too late, amidst the raging battle around him, he couldn't pinpoint the person gunning for him until his cheek was touched.

With fiery speed he swung in the direction, a slender woman dodging his attack with giggles/

"Got you~! Got you~!"

The girl giggled as she jumped away, her own crewmembers looking over and cheering for her.

Before Ace could growl and run after her, Izou and Thatch pulled him back.

"Go to the infirmary, Ace."

"What?! NO! I'm going to-"

"Ace-dear, she clearly did something, we got this covered here. Now go."

With grumbles the Raven left the battle between pirate crews to go inside to the infirmary. Making his way down and in, sitting on a bed and crossing his arms.

"Well, hello Commander." Bay walked up to the angry teen, "What got your butt lit up?"

"Shut up."

"Alright, 5 weeks no commander duties-"

Ace's eyes widened and he hurried to uncross his arms and waved to the doctor, "W-wait! I'm sorry, I swear nothing is wrong!"

Bay laughed and laughed more as their fiery commander pouted before her. "I'll decide that, now, what happened?"

"I don't know." Ace scratched the back of his head, "I was fighting of those low-life pirates when suddenly there was this woman, their captain I think. She hit... or well, it wasn't even a hit. She just tapped me and then she backed away. Giggling and singing that she got me."

The doctor hummed, "so she did something. Anything known of her devilfruit?"

"No, we didn't even know she had one."

"Alright, I'll be doing all-around tests then."

"Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~"

"Unless you can tell me something that feels off?"

"..."

"All-around tests it is then. You already feel up for peeing in a cup?"

"... Can I get some water."

"Sure, spitfire." Bay rolled her eyes and walked away for a moment before retuning with a big cup filled with water. "Let me know when you need to go and I'll halt the other tests. And I'll put the cup with a little duck ready for you to pee in."

"B-bay!"

Chuckling she just took her stethoscope, not minding the sparks flying of Ace's cheeks. "Everyone loves the ducky cup, Ace. No need to be ashamed."

The raven just looked away, ignoring the statement. To get it all going, Bay also didn't joke at it anymore and just did all the tests. Listening to his heart, his breathing, testing reflexes, checking temperature, getting bloodwork done, getting the results from the duck cup, and so on and so on.

It took over an hour before the last tests finished and only they were only waiting for the bloodwork and the results from the tests on the pee to come back. When it did and Bay checked over the papers she hummed.

"Is something wrong?" Ace asked a little bit worried. He didn't like being sick.

"... No. Nothing is wrong?"

"Huh?- I TOLD YOU SO! HAHA!"

Immediately Ace was up and cheering, back to his old self.

"But it's strange, if she really chanted that she got you... yet you're the example of a perfectly healthy teen."

Looking proud Ace swiped under his nose, "Maybe I defended without knowing. My fire maybe burned it!"

"Could be... depending on what she does, it's possible the heat made it not able to activate..."

"I'm so awesome!"

"Yes, yes, greatest bon-fire we have."

"Boooo you're jealous!"

"Jealous?" Bay asked as she put the papers away, "Of being a living torch?"

"Yea!"

She snorted and got to cleaning the bed Ace had sat on. "Anyway, you're free to leave. But should you feel weird or get sick in the next days, come to me. Who knows if whatever she does takes some time to activate... on that note. Even if you're feeling fine, come back in two days."

"Wha- whyy!"

"I know you, and you're not coming back, so I'll do another round of testing then. No complaints. I'll see you in two days."

"Fiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeee~ Can I go back now? Maybe the fight is still-"

"It's over, son."

Ace looked over to the door, seeing his Pops entering, carrying one of his brother. The raven frowned at it but Pops gave a gently smile while depositing him on a bed.

"He fell while cheering for our victory, hit his head on a barrel."

The doctor sighed, why did these doofuses always get hurt after the fight? "Thank you, Pops, I'll take care of him."

"Thank you, daughter. Now, how are you son?" Pops asked his youngest, picking him up in his hand when arms where held out for him. He may love it when his kids asked to be picked up.

The raven quickly got comfy on the big hand, "I'm great! I am awesome!"

"Oh?" Pops spoke as he left the infirmary, Bay not stopping him already a clear sign that Ace was okay, "And how's that? I thought you were already awesome before?"

"I was- Yea! I was!" Ace grinned, "But now I'm awesommer!"

"Haha, alright, son."

"So, that captain tapped me and then chanted 'I got you!' all the while giggling like a creep. So Bay did a lot of tests on me, but I'm okay! My awesome fire destroyed whatever she did!"

There was a small frown on the elder's face hearing the first part. "Do you need to go back?"

Arms were crossed and there was a pout, "Yea. In two days I need to do all those tests again! I even needed to pee in a cup Pops!"

"Ducky cup?"

"Y-yea."

"It's a cute one." The elder chuckled and patted the flaming head of his youngest. "I'm happy you're so awesome, my son. You wouldn't let an enemy get you down, would you?"

"Never!"

"Let your old man know how the tests go in two days, alright?"

"Alright Pops, don't worry! Nothing will be wrong! Because I'm awesome!"

"Very awesome." Pops smiled and moved to put Ace on his shoulder when they reached the deck, going to sit on his chair while his youngest got to rambling about the previous fight and the moves he pulled out the enemies. Aaaah to be young!

Two days later Ace had his second check-up and everyone was more worried than the boy himself. Because how could nothing been wrong when the captain had been so sure she got Ace?

And if something was wrong, Marco was going to kill them when he got back from his mission. One thing he asked was to make sure his baby didn't get in trouble, yet he was touched by an unknown devil fruit user.

Hours later Ace came out of the infirmary and the teen looked sad. Worry in their eyes, his closest friends ran up. Deuce, Izou and Thatch all crowding him.

"Cap! What's wrong? Why did it take so long?"

"God, my lil brother! You're so pale!"

"Dear, shouldn't you sit down? Let's go back inside."

"It's no use." Ace spoke softly, waving them off, "It's already too late." he walked passed stunned faces, "Just- let me see the sun once more."

"W-what?!" All three called after him and followed, "Are you dying!?"-"Ace?!"-"What's going on?!"

As Ace was reaching the deck, he slowed down, holding onto the wall, looking to the door that had light shining through, "Just- one- more- ti-"

Ace didn't finish before he started to fall.

The others scrambled to catch him but he passed through all their arms in a whisp of flames.

"O-oh he's gone." Thatch fell to the floor.

Izou hid his face and Deuce looked shocked and on the verge of tears, "Ace-"

"Hahahahhahahahaha! Look at those faces!"

Three heads shot up, looking to the voice to see freaking Ace holding himself up in the corner above the door like a creepy spider-human. Laughing his ass off.

"Wha- A-ace?!"

"Hahahahahha, you look like you've seen a ghost! Hahahahahha"

"What are you-" - "Why are you up there?!" - "You're not dead?!"

"Ofcourse, I'm not dead ahah" the raven jumped down, patting down his shorts before standing up, slapping his own naked chest, "Do I look dead to you?"

"You're okay?" Deuce asked softly.

"Perfectly fine, I told you that there was nothing wrong with me."

"Why- why did it take so long."

"Meh, had a sleep attack. Bay said the results wouldn't be correct if she did them while I was passed out. But yea, did the usual, nothing was wrong. Took a nap again after."

"You-" Knuckles were cracked and Ace swallowed.

"C-cmon guys, it was a joke!" He tried to smile at his fellow commanders. About to take a step back but Deuce stopped him by barreling into his chest. He was already screaming for Merci before he realised that Deuce wasn't actually doing something. Just hugging him.

"Deuce?"

"Don't- Don't do that again, Ace."

"... I'm sorry, I won't." Carefully Ace wrapped his arms around his first mate, squeezing him. "I thought-"

WHAM

"Deuce?!"

"You deserve that! You stupid captain! We thought you were going to die!"

With Deuce releasing the emotional hug and moving to hit Ace over the head. Another fist and fan quickly followed. Leaving the raven with three neat bumps on his head. Grumbling and whining while he crouched on the floor holding them.

Yet, the three had a soft smile on their lips. Their youngest was so-... they loved him anyways.

Almost a month had passed and the encounter with the unknown devil fruit user was already long out of anyone's mind when they were waving at the blue fire in the distance. Their first commander returning from a long mission home.

"Grab the barrels! Get the tables out here! We're having a party!"

It was unknown who called for it, pretty sure it wasn't a commander's call, but for this instance it didn't matter and people sprung to get the deck ready. Any excuse for a party was welcomed and what better to celebrate then the return of their own Phoenix?

As food was being put out and tankards were already being lined up and filled, ready to take, did blue talons land onto the railing. Morphing with grace into sandaled feet as the Phoenix stepped down onto deck into human form.

"Yoi."

"Commander!" - "Commander Marco!" - "Welcome back!"

Plenty of greetings were around and Marco returned them all with a smile feathering over his lips while he started to walk to the big seat on deck.

"I'm back-yoi."

"Welcome home, son." Pops smiled down, "Took care of it?"

"Ofcourse, another island is now under our protection. They're prepping a bottle of sake worthy for you for when we visit."

"Gurararararaa!" the whole ship shook under the laughter, "now that's my boy! That's what I call a successful mission!"

Even if his face was stoic, his heart warmth under the praise of his Pops and he leaned his head down as a big finger came down to pat him. A small coo leaving his lips at the gesture.

"Now go enjoy your party, son. The report can wait for later."

Marco nodded and turned the party, walking slowly over deck while looking around. He thanked and greeted all his brothers that patted him on the shoulder or clapped his back. But he was actually looking for a very specific person.

A beautiful freckled hot mess of a-

"Mrrrrwwwooo!"

The butchered form of his name was called, tearing his eyes to the entrance to the mess hall, and ofcourse, there the love of his life was, munching on a chicken leg while his eyes sparkled to see him.

"Ace-yoi." Marco smiled and walked just a tad faster towards the other's location. Eye filled with love as the raven swallowed the chicken leg whole and skipped towards him.

"Marco!" Ace called again now his mouth was empty, skipping and opening his arms wide. "I missed yoooooouuuuuu~!" He sung as he got close. Jumping in the air as he knew Marco would catch him.

But, that's not what happened. At the last second, Marco's face filled with love changed to a sneer and a loud crash echoed as a talon pinned Ace to the ground.

"Gah-!"

"Who are you."

It wasn't a question from the first commander, but a command as blue eyes pierced the raven. The party had gone quiet, commanders going towards the disruption.

Ace coughed from the pressure on his chest, blinking to find his situation before looking confused to Marco. "M-Marco? It's me. Ace."

"Do not-" the talon around Ace got a stronger grip, "lie to me."

Ace choked, scrambling to take hold around the blue on top of him.

Thatch and Izou going to Marco's side.

"Oi oi birdy! Don't smoosh your boyfriend!" Thatch was next to the blond while Izou went to kneel next to Ace.

"Ace-dear, you okay? Shit, Marco, let up a little, Ace can barely beath."

"That is not Ace."

"What are you saying?" Thatch asked immensly confused, waving to Ace on the floor. "That's Ace! Ace c'mon, give a lil fire!" at the request, Ace did let some sparks off him, making Thatch wave even more. "See! Ace! Our local bonfire!"

But the glare did let up and neither did the talon holding the second commander down. Even Pops had come towards them, "What is wrong, Marco?"

"This is not Ace. Where is Ace? The real Ace-yoi." Marco spoke, no emotion in his voice as he regarded the one under him.

"I-I'm Ace!"

With a swift motion, Ace was up and instead being held up by a hand around his throat, his face inches from Marco's. Screams at Marco to let Ace go echoing.

"You think you can fool me? I am amazed you're able to copy Ace's haki-signature and I must say that your disguise is impressive. But... You're lacking some details."

Ace tried to croak out a confused what, but the pressure on his throat was inches away from bruising.

"Son, what do you mean."

Without taking his eyes off the imposter, Marco spoke. "This guy has no freckles."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Ace has freckles-yoi." Marco continued. "If you had done that, you would have been identical, you may have even fooled me. Wel, you would have needed to place the freckles into the exact spots they normally were, even the hidden ones, so Goodluck with that. Congratulations though, I am impressed. But-" the looked darkened and the hand clenched, "Where is my baby."

The stunned onlooking hurried over, "Marco! Let him go. He can't even speak if you hold him like that!"

After a minute of deliberation, Marco let go, throwing the fake raven into the chef's arms.

"Speak. Where is he. What have you done with him-yoi."

Coughing came from the raven, light tears in his eyes as he caught his breath, "I- I'm Ace." He repeated. "I d-do have freckles. Thatch-" Ace looked over to the one holding him up, "Tell Marco to get his eyes checked out. I am obviously covered."

"…"

"? Thatch ?"

"Well…" the chef started looking Ace over, "… There… There's no freckles…"

"WHAT?! Give me a mirror- no I can just-" Ace held up his arms so he could see them, eyes widening as his arms were only tanned. Not tanned and lathered in small darker spots. "Where-" he kept turning his arms and looking around his torse, "WHERE'S MY FRECKLES?!"

The crew watched as Ace was turning around like a dog, trying to see his own back, asking others to check the area.

At the whole Act, Marco calmed down, seeing the genuine confusion in the fake raven.

A mirror was brought up and when Ace looked in he was almost in tears as he touched his cheeks, "My freckles- where- how? But- I got them- my mom-"

At the last word Marco knew he had been wrong. This was Ace. No one knew of Ace's parents. They wouldn't know what Ace's parents looked like, that it was his mom he got his freckles from.

"Ace." Marco spoke getting closer, moving the mirror away to put a hand on a not freckled cheek. Rubbing a thumb over the area that were usually covered. "Ace?"

"Y-yea."

"What happened?"

"I- I don't know!"

Knowing this was really his love, he pulled the other into his chest, letting healing flames run over the other's body to sooth the bruises he had made himself. Kissing the other's head gently before looking sternly to everyone.

"How long have they been gone?"

"Ehm…."

"They were here when I left for my mission, not a single spot was out of place, so what happened-yoi."

The crew was silent, all trying to think of when the freckles disappeared.

"Hasn't commander Ace been looking a little pale since-" – "Yea, he has been looking pale, maybe it was because the freckles where gone?" – "they would make him a tad darker yea." – "but Bay did tests, wouldn't she have noticed?"

"You-" Marco pointed to one of the crew-members that were whispering together nearby, "What was all of that you're saying?"

Swallowing the one pointed to stepped close, "E-ehm we ehm- we think Ace- Commander Ace has been looking a bit sick… pale… since a while ago. But Bay did tests, twice, ehm he was okay so… we didn't think anything about it…"

"Since when does he look sick? And why did Bay do tests? No one called in to tell me about something being wrong."

"Nothing was wrong." Haruta who oversaw the communication with the Blond while on a mission spoke, "it wasn't worth telling to make you worry."

"Well it seems like it was."

"Bay saw nothing wrong." Haruta sighed at the look, "Just about a month ago, a enemy crew attacked is. The captain touched Ace and was all giggly after. So we send Ace to get checked out with Bay. She did all the tests she could and nothing was wrong. Ace even went again two days later and nothing came out of the tests."

"I'm going to speak to Bay." Marco said and swooped Ace off his feet, "I can't believe none of you noticed that Ace's freckled were gone." He spoke while going inside.

The conversation with Bay had brought up nothing, the woman not sure if Ace had had freckles back then or not. She had scoffed at first, saying that ofcourse Ace had freckles! But when it was pointed out that right in this moment Ace didn't have freckles, her eyes were almost out of her sockets as she hadn't noticed.

She even suggested it was maybe because it wasn't summer. That whole thing was brushed of by Marco immediately. Yes, Ace got more freckles in the summer, and no matter how much he hated it that they disappeared after the hot months, Ace's freckles never fully disappeared.

When they returned to their room, Ace started bawling.

"W-what if they're g-gone forever!"

Marco frowned, sitting on the bed with Ace in his lap, stroking over the empty cheeks. "I- they'll come back."

"W-what if they d-doooooooon't! They- they're my m-mooms!"

"I know-yoi." Marco whispered, getting his hand of the cheek and taking Ace's arms. Stroking over the flesh. Pressing down on it to make the area lighter, even the smallest freckles would become visible this way but… nothing popped up.

Marco was close to tears himself. His freckles. He loved these freckles so much. Loved counting them, loved touching them, loved pressing kisses over each and every one of them. And now-

"M-Marco- d-don't cry!"

Tears were falling from blue eyes as he held the not freckled hand, bringing it up to kiss it. But it wasn't the same. Where were the spots!

His resolution hardened and he dried his eyes, looking straight at Ace. "I'm getting your freckles back."

"H-how?"

"That woman obviously took them. So I'm getting them back-yoi. They're my baby's precious freckles. No one takes my baby's freckles."

Ace sniffed, "do you still love me?"

The blond was quiet for a second before pressing his lips to the other, "always my firefly."

A soft giggled was there as Ace hugged the other. Marco there to wrap his arms around Ace, pressing him close and able to look over his back. Frowning as the mark of his Pops wasn't framed by small spots. No one will get away with taking what was his!

Not even two hours later was Marco back on deck, not having drunk from a single tankard to celebrate his return.

"Son, are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm going right now-yoi. I can't let them get away further then they are."

"Won't you take a backpack with some food."

"It would make my flight heavier."

Pops sighed, knowing he couldn't stop his eldest if he had his mind set on something. And a specially not if that somewhere were Ace's freckles. His eldest was obsessed with them. Whenever he and Ace were cuddled up, you could always find him stroking or kissing some spots.

There has been a running joke that Marco was only with Ace for his freckles, and some painted freckles on themselves to try and woo Marco. But they were promptly thrown in the sea for trying to compare themselves to Ace's beautiful freckles. So at least it seemed that it was only Ace's freckles that Marco was infatuated by.

"Atleast eat when you reach their ship."

"…"

"Son."

"Fine."

"Thank you. Be safe."

Marco nodded and held his arms open for Ace nearby, the raven sprinting to be in the hold. Gently Marco pressed his lips on top of the other's head, "I will get them back, I promise. Love you Ace-yoi."

"Love you to! I believe in you!"

Smiling at each other they pulled away before Marco transformed and he was off. Disappearing into the distance with a determined look on his face.