Sorry about the late update :( Between getting sick excessively(Don't ask me how) and preparing and doing tests for school it took me awhile for this one. Anyway I hope you enjoy! :D

"Marco you going to check up ahead again?"

They had been sailing for a few days, letting the time past them bye as they wanted to see some land. Marco would sometimes turn into his phoenix form and fly ahead while high as well to check if there was either an island ahead or just rival pirate groups that would try to challenge them. With just the two of them, they had been able to do some real damage to other small time pirates like themselves.

"Yeah, just looking for the usual island to go to. I'll be right back yoi."

Ace nodded as he watched the man fly upward turning into the beautiful mythical creature he loved to see. The world really is a strange place, Ace wondered if there was a fruit that could turn you into a dragon? Ace watched as Marco soon became a blue speck until he was out of sight for Ace, Ace continued to check on his surroundings along with the ship to make sure everything was ok.

Ace smiled as he thought on some of the luck that Marco and him had so far. They had only run into a few Marines so far along with the weather being great so far. Ace frowned at the thought of entering the weather that the Grand Line had to offer, the thought of being on that sea without a navigator was going to be a headache for sure.

Ace had been alone for what he thought had been an hour and he was bored! But what could you do on a small boat by yourself….

Fishing!

He grabbed a rope, unraveling it to get a string finding himself a hook. He had all he needed, but what was he going to use as bait? He went in the stores to tear a little piece of bread they had for such a situation(Not exactly) and put it on the hook.

He went and sat on the edge of the boat with his legs crossed before he started to sit and wait. At least by doing this he could catch some fresh meat since they ate it all. He had been what had been forever in his thoughts before he was soon pulled from his thoughts as he heard cannon fire….?

He looked around him before spotting another pirate ship. Ace knew these guys thought that they would get a push over but they didn't know him! Ace smiled before putting his fishing rod waving his arms, if he did this right, he could get him and Marco a new ship to cruise around in without having to worry about the strange storms that the Grand Line usually sported.

He had a frown on his face, looking concerned as he saw the pirates pulling up.

For show of course.

The pirates pulled up, some of the crew was already on the side of the ship and they didn't have friendly faces to say the least. They threw a hook onto the side of his boat before they came down by hanging of it with their swords….Not the best idea in his opinion but ok.

The, what Ace assumed to be the captain, came forward in his face to say the least.

"So tell me little fisherman, do you have any treasure on this boat?"

Ace could either lie or he could tell the truth….Well he was raised with manners.

"Yeah I do actually! Wanna see?"

"Lead the way."

Ace made his way to his and Marco's stores of the food, treasure variety. When he got to the door, he opened it for the captain to see the small pile that they had piled up over the few islands they have been to. He even saw the captain drooling over the pile,ew….

"Alright men, take everything this ship has to offer!"

"Wait you're not going to save me anything?"

"You must be naive boy if you think that! Hahahaha!"

"I guess I the act is up then. I guess I won't be the worst pirate their is then.~"

Ace punched the man in the face, knocking him out almost instantly….The monsters on were more stronger then this guy! He cracked his knuckles stepping over the unconscious captain moving toward the crew, who jaws were dropped at their captain being knocked out.

"No how bout you boys give me that ship and put all my treasure on it,hm? You'd be a big help!"

A few moments later he was sailing off with a new boat and all the food he could ask for their trip!. He saw the phoenix flying by probably going to the old ship he had ditched for the time being until they could get a new one. Where

"Hey Marco! Down here!"

The phoenix reared it's head toward Ace, him waving his arms to get his attention. He watched as Marco landed on the deck before he jogged up to the man.

"So what did you see?"

"There is an island not very far away from here if you keep going straight but it looks a bit foggy so there's that. Also it seems there are no towns there as well….How did you get this ship yoi?"

"Don't worry Marco, I robbed some pirates!"

"..."

"Don't look at me like that! It was technically self-defense! They wanted to rob me first!"

"I wasn't judging you yoi, what you did was impressive. What did they have?"

"I didn't get to check yet, want to help?"

Ace watched as Marco walked around looking in the rooms that the ship had, not that Ace looked around. Now that Marco was here it gave Ace the chance to explore as well. They had kept it very clean that's for sure, either that or they had just got the boat….That almost made Ace feel bad.

Almost.

Ace went back out on the deck as Marco kept exploring the ship. Ace saw the horizon watching as the sun was about to set, they would have to weigh anchor soon if they wanted to get to sleep. He started on the anchor pulling it up was easier since he was super strong but it was still difficult to do. *pout*

He yawned as he stretched his arms his head, he started down the hall looking for a room he could take. He saw one ajar already so he went to the door slowly pushing it open to see Marco getting undressed, his head turning as Ace stared. Ace practically felt his face burst into flames as he quickly gave an apology before slamming the door closed running down the hall, holding his heart.

Ace went in a random room before he stomped his foot. Why was he acting like this! He was acting like a girl with her first crush! Well that wasn't really far from the truth was it….No! Stop he didn't….He deeply breathed in and out before he jumped in the air as he heard a knock on the door.

Ok now he was being ridiculous….

"Yeah?"

"Are you ok Ace? You ran out so suddenly yoi…."

Like you don't know….

"No, I'm ok! I just didn't to walk in on you undressing that was all!"

Way to go nerd! Why don't you just tell him you were-

"That's ok yoi. You going to join me for dinner?"

"But we don't have anything to cook…."

"Hm that's a problem we can easily fix now can't we? We can look to see if the pirates had anything left and if not we can still fish."

That's true….He came out seeing the man smiling as usual before they went to check the rest of the ship before they started to fish. Ace poked his head into a room before he checked room after room but no luck. He looked in another slightly jumping as he felt skin against his shirt, he blushed as he looked back to see Marco looking in the room too.

"No luck huh?"

"Yeah, unfortunately nothing! What did they do eat all the food….?! Actually that might have been the reason they tried to rob me….We can always fish I suppose…."

"Ok, what are we waiting for? I know you have quite the appetite Ace."

Ace nodded as he quickly made his way to why the pirates kept a lot of materials and lucky for them they had fishing rods, at least a few of them. Made him really wonder if they even knew how to, he let a chuckle leave him as he went back to Marco. He went to the railing jumping on it squatting down, going crossed legged.

He watched as Marco jumped up feet landing on the railing before hopping down and catching himself on it before sitting down with his rod. They sat there for a while enjoying each other's company, waiting for a fish to bite on one of their reels. Ace was whistling as he waited for a bite obvious to the eyes roaming his body.

He screamed in excitement as his reel finally pulled him forward, pulling back hard to get the food he was determined to get! He jumped up and off onto the deck as he soon found this fish was playing either. He was smiling as trying to reel in the fish when he felt himself being pulled, his stomach touching the railing of the ship.

He squealed when he also felt arms wrap around his torso, causing him to blush like the setting sun. He looked up, the top of his head hitting the very firm chest behind him, revealing Marco's smiling face. He also smiled back to the man but that was cut short when they were both pulled, Ace's backside meeting Marco's front side.

"Marco let go of the poll I got this!"

"You clearly need help yoi! Just accept it!"

It wasn't that at all! Memories or not, you don't forgot that being this close to someone, and you're pressed against them isn't appropriate! His face got ten times hotter when, he was forced to bend over the railing to keep the poll in his hands Marco bending a little with him. Ace's hormones can't take this any more longer before he was going to react, and by this time it was a god sent that he didn't.

Ace mouth dropped when he realized that Marco was no longer behind him but in front of him practically drop kicking the poor fish into the deck. Ace ran over to the huge fish on their deck, before poking it to see if it would come alive after that.

Poke.

Poke

Poke….

Nope it was definitely dead or unconscious but all the same! Ace smiled while going to the get the kitchen ready for to put this sucker on the grill but was topped when Marco landed in front of him. He smiled before wrapping his arms around the man.

"Thanks a ton Marco! Now let's cook this and eat!"

"Sure yoi, let's go to the kitchen….Actually we might have to cook it out here."

Ace smiled before going into the kitchen to try to find some useful tools that could help cut, and cook the fish. He did in fact did find some knifes but how to light it on fire was a whole different story….He usual cooked the food before he ate it but he might have to make an exception this time.

"Alright Marco! I found some knifes but I-How did you do that?"

Ace saw that Marco had gotten a fire started and on the deck.

"Oh, since the fish was so big, I thought we could roast it out here yoi….Is that ok?"

Ace nodded going to the man, not going to question him, only thankful that he was going to eat something. Ace went back digging through the fridge in the kitchen, finding no food but a lot of sake. He came back out, giving some to the phoenix getting a smile that melted his heart. They ate and drank the night away, going to bed only at the dawn of the morning.

Ace woke in the morning, pushing himself up the bed under him warm and hard….Warm, and hard? He looked down seeing the phoenix under him still asleep but his arms were around Ace. Ace almost groaned but stopped when he realized Marco was under him and had no desire to give the man, the wrong idea. He got on his knees, practically straddling the man, trying to unwrap himself from the phoenix.

Except Marco opened his eyes….this really needs to stop happening to Ace.

Marco gave a small smile, seemly unaffected before his arms went loose around Ace. Ace ignored the butterflies in his stomach as he gave a bright smile back, removing himself from Marco's lap. Ace gave himself a stretch before yawning, making his way to the shower unaware of the eyes on him.

Ace didn't really have anything for the shower much less a towel but he really did need a shower. He got in the shower washing himself, looking at the shower head, sighing as the warm water hit his body. He think being with Marco was affecting him more than he wanted to admit, this wasn't just a simple crush anymore and he was beginning to realize this. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing his frustration at the fact that Marco might not feel the same way.

The fact that Ace would be left alone.

The fact that he might not want Ace around, when his family is found.

The fact that his heart was going to completely shatter at that-

"Ace!"

Ace jumped at the sound of Marco's voice coming through.

"Ace, are you okay? You've been in the shower for quite some time yoi."

"Yeah, I was just finishing up!"

"Alright."

Ace smiled at the fading footsteps, he turned off the water jumping out the shower and putting his shorts on only to try to find some clothes. Coming out the shower, he walked to the bedroom Marco and him shared going through the drawer thinking….

"I'm content for now. Until the time comes when he doesn't need me, I'll stay and I'm going to make it last."

Oh I forgot to tell you this but the way I write this story won't just be down to the point. What I mean is that I will show some of Ace and Marco on and off the island while they look for Whitebeard or else it wouldn't be much of an adventure would it? Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter ;D and I will C you later!

Sapphire~