Author's Notes: This chapter is dedicated to Jamari17. Thank you for being a new supporter of this story. Even though it's mostly clips now, I appreciate the love for Ace and his trainwreck adventures with the Spades. I think everything's good on the romance end of things, so I won't post anymore Ace/Nesi(Ace/OC) moments. Just random adventures with our beloved, ragtag group of pirates. This clip will be another one with Shanks, however. Enjoy the "naughty" game night king and his shenanigans. XD

~ ... The Uptight Privateer ... ~

"Must we do this now? There are people out and about," Nesi complained from the captain's cabin.

Benn Beckham was honestly surprised that Shanks wanted to keep Nesi onboard the Red Force for a little while longer. She was an interesting girl. He'd give him that, but she wasn't dancing much. Benn thought that was why Shanks wanted her around. After all, she did agree to be his "showgirl" for big parties he hosted, and the first mate didn't mind that since she managed to somewhat control Shanks's excessive drinking during those functions with cuddle time as a substitution. Benn was sure that was just Shanks's secret code for something sexual, but Nesi explained quite calmly that his captain and leader was fairly civil. He only wanted to hold her in his arms and talk. So, the cuddling thing was literal. It was just the way he went about asking for it or doing it that made it sexual, which was when Shanks came into the picture to clarify. The redheaded emperor discovered early on that Nesi was fairly protective of her body and how others treated it. When she danced for him on his island, Shanks took note to her costumes covering a large portion of her body but fitting to her body's curvy shape. She almost never dressed inappropriately. She just danced provocatively to make the imagination run wild. When they cuddle, Shanks is usually blocked off by some metal armor on her upper torso, so he actually can't feel anything. He found that out when he found her aboard the Bloody Doubloon.

When they found her stranded on some rocks, Roo mentioned that her armor was smaller now, but he also guessed that her armor was meant to disguise her feminine body to appear more manly. The way she dresses is more akin to a soldier when she wears her coat and a gentleman when the coat is removed. At night, probably feeling safe enough, she wore more casual linens and no armor. That... is when Shanks proceeds to pounce and demand almost hourly cuddles. Benn could remember clearly when Nesi almost ripped the boards off the deck to escape Shanks and his unruly cuddling. The nails hadn't been replaced until this morning when Nesi noticed that they were poking up and out. After that, she proceeded to do her studies. A town that they were visiting on their way to her training camp actually had people asking about Nesi. Apparently, she was part of a farming and fishery project, and they wanted to give them food for her to have. Her relationships with the townspeople interested Shanks.

"Fine... I'll just have to extend the foreplay time," Shanks threatened with a purr in his voice.

"Okay, okay! I give!" Nesi pleaded. "Will you please find some restraint, man?"

"We could be done with this if you'd just let it happen naturally," Shanks replied with his sexy voice.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT, YOU SKINK!" Nesi replied. Benn could hear movement, so the privateer was obviously trying to escape again. "I am a still a lady! Show some acknowledgement and respect to that! Ugh!"

Yeah, he's got her in a snare trap hold. Entering the cabin, Benn almost wanted to blush at the scene. Almost. They were fully dressed. It was just the decorations in the cabin that made it look like a lovemaking room. Candles were lit, some kind of perfume lingered in the air, the cabin was surprisingly cool from the autumn chill of the sea air, Shanks's shirt was practically fully open so his body was exposed, Nesi was fully clothed per usual but she had on lipstick that she probably didn't have time to take off, wine and charcuterie snacks were next to the bed, and, with the captain's sheets being washed and dried this morning, the captain's cot was quite clean. It was really the position they were in. Poor Nesi was clinging to the edge of the bed like her life depended on it and Shanks... looked like he was getting it in from the back. He was grabbing at Nesi by her thigh, not budging from his spot and merely watching her with hunting eyes and a fang-like grin. Red tiger mode was activated. Shanks looked up at him calmly and smiled warmly to greet his first mate.

"Oh, hey, Benn!"

"I don't wanna know," Benn said quickly, holding up a hand and closing his eyes in response. He then lowered his hand and opened his eyes to say, "This course we're taking. Is it in the direction of bounty hunter territory? While I'm not worried about us, the dancer there might get unwanted attention."

"I don't - mm! Have - ugh! A bounty - heh! Anymore!" Nesi replied. She was almost in escape range. Too bad Shanks was holding on like a cuff and chain.

"What about that guy in the last town? The one who knew you and started that fight?" Benn asked.

"I knew him as a Spade pirate. We just have unsettled beef," Nesi replied, catching her breath. "Whoa!"

She was yanked back into Shanks's loving hold and mushed down into the bouncy cot with his body. He purred, "Oh? What beef are we talking about?"

"I used to be in street fights for money. It's how I practiced. When I became a privateer, my fighting style was refined. That's why I asked you to teach me a fighting move when we met. Now, will you please GET OFF MY BUTT?"

"No," Shanks said, lowering his eyelids.

"I'll leave you to that. What do you wanna do about the bounty hunters if they show?" Benn asked.

"We'll deal with them when we cross that bridge. They interrupted my scheduled cuddle time," Shanks said, nuzzling against Nesi with his stubbled cheek.

"I thought it was game night!" Nesi argued, teeth sharp at the potential lie.

"It's both!" Shanks replied cheerfully.

"I'm outta here," Benn grumbled.

"Now, where was I? Right! Gone commando," Shanks said with a card in his hand now.

"Couple of times in the summer," Nesi admitted, sighing. The game started.

"Llandala," Shanks reprimanded.

"Do I have to?" Nesi asked, crying at having to use the sexy voice Shanks liked. When the emperor frowned, Nesi flopped down on the cot and grumbled, "Fine... Yes, lover."

"Better!" Shanks replied, popping up to get another card. "Never have I ever... wanted to take a bath together."

"Does it count if I wanted to sit in my personal tub and you just take the showers?" Nesi asked.

Shanks's eyes widened exaggeratedly before he spanked Nesi's butt. "You dirty thing!"