Hello everyone, here is the next chapter

Thank you everyone for the reviews on the last chapter and thinking this to be an interesting plot. Things will be moving along for now as the two get to know each other more

Things are a bit fast-paced and I hope it's not terrible to read

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax


Marco gave a small sigh, just finishing a bit of small things in Hell, and now had a few hours or so off. Marco could be busy at days, but thankfully had calm days too, which happened a bit more often than not.

Marco was the prince of Hell; he had things to do, but often had other people do things for him. That, and it was Hell; there was a limit in how much there was to do at a general basis. The other High Lords could do a lot themselves, they could handle their jobs. It still happened Thatch bothered him about having too much to do, but he had wanted to rule the level 4 of hell, which had the ones who went after everything and died a sinful death with ruining other lives. Thatch could be annoying, but it was doable.

But, as Marco had time to spare, he thought he could uphold his part of his newest deal for a soul. This had to be one of the easier ones he had done; getting a soul from just being around and speaking to someone on boring days. Marco wondered if the kid might be insane, but even if he was, he had managed to summon him. It took will and desperation to do that. If the kid didn't have that, he would have gotten no result, or at best gotten a regular demon.

It was rare for him to be called out to summonings. It took way too much and one had to be close to 'pure,' and the kid was young and probably hadn't done anything too bad. Marco was sure he would get more questions as to things he could do for the kid, when he got greedy; everyone did. Humans were greedy beings that never got enough; that was why Hell existed.

After taking a quick shower, Marco enjoying his cleanliness, he disappeared in a burst of flames, appearing in the house he had been in yesterday, the kid on the couch, who looked shocked at him suddenly appearing, giving a startled sound and almost jumping in his seat.

The kid looked at him. ¨Oh my-. It was real! I thought I dreamed!¨ Marco was sure this would turn into one of those 'I regret doing it, please give me my soul back' things, the kid now understanding this was real. But, instead of trying to look pleading, the kid gave a smile. ¨I'm so happy it was real! Thank you for coming!¨

Marco was almost stunned on how happy the kid sounded. The kid gave a smile and invited to sit down next to him on the couch, Marco carefully doing so, a bit unsure about all of this. Marco had never met any human so happy to see him before. He was the Prince of Hell, a demon. When he was sitting, Ace looked at him. ¨So um. Do you have a name?¨ Marco gave a nod. ¨Yes. It's Marco. You?¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨Nice name. I'm Ace. How old are you?¨

Marco answered carefully, telling he was around 900 or so now, losing count a few decades ago. But, Marco was sure someone had count of it in Hell. Marco found out Ace was only 17, a really young kid. Marco tried to ask for any family, but Ace said no to that, asking if they could speak about something different, which Marco accepted, seeing it was a sore topic.

Marco stayed there for a few hours, and learned a bit about Ace. What he noticed first was that Ace continued to ask what Marco wanted, never what he himself wanted. When Marco had mentioned the room being a bit bright and a bit cold, his demon form not used to it, Ace almost jumped up immediately and turned the lights down, turning the heat up, saying he was warm himself and usually didn't use a lot of heating. When Marco said Ace didn't need to do that, Ace shook his head. ¨No. You should be comfortable. You are coming out of your way to come here.¨

Marco frowned a bit at that, seeing Ace really wanting him to feel comfortable since Marco chose to come here, which was a bit wrong. If Marco didn't, he would break his side of the deal, meaning the mark on Ace's soul would go away. But, Marco chose to not tell that to Ace.

When Marco left after being there almost 4 hours, he had to say it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. This might even turn out enjoyable. Ace seemed like a good kid.

-x-

Ace gave a smile as he walked to his room to put on some clothes after showering, knowing Marco would most likely show up soon.

Ace couldn't be happier, he had someone to speak with and be with, someone he could call his friend, even though it was a demon, actually being the prince of Hell. When Ace found out he had managed to summon someone so high up, he had been shocked, but still happy. He found Marco to be a good friend. He had made the deal almost a month ago now, and enjoyed every minute of the other's presence. It was better than being lonely.

He had found out Marco had a sort of 'family' in Hell, which was made out of him and many other high lords and such, the leader being the King of Hell, a man called Whitebeard or something, which was a weird name for a person in Hell, but Ace was glad Marco had someone he could call his family. Ace had first thought it was a stupid question when he asked it, seeing as Marco was the Prince of Hell, but Marco had answered it. And, the prince looked cool, Ace liked the red skin and horns and everything. It fitted the man.

Ace gave a smile as he was in his room, seeing a picture at his desk, carefully lifting it and stroking a hand over it, seeing himself so happy back then, Luffy and Sabo, his brothers at his side. Everyone was smiling. Marco was so lucky to have someone he could call family, and Ace hoped he wouldn't lose then as Ace had.

Luffy and Sabo had died in a bad fire half a year ago, Ace being out that day doing stuff to get money, making him feel really bad for them dying without him, or Ace not being the one inside instead, Luffy and Sabo out and working. They didn't deserve to die. The fire came from the apartment next door and had spread quick, Ace seeing the flames when he got home but unable to get inside the house, then getting the news his brothers were dead, devastating him.

Ace had been alone ever since then.

Ace weren't good at making friends, the ones he had been with being friends to Sabo and Luffy. Once they died, Ace had absolutely no one and was desperate not to be alone, the reason he had tried to call for a demon. He had at first thought to ask for someone human to be his friend, but he didn't want to force anyone, and knew the one he called could choose. Ace was really happy Marco had said yes. Always good to have him here in the house he lived in, which was way too empty. Ace had gotten a lot of money after the fire, but money could never fix what had happened. He didn't want to work, not feeling he could, and he didn't need to since he still had money for life.

Had the summoning not worked, Ace would have killed himself. He had planned that.

That way he might be able to be with Luffy and Sabo, but knew they were in heaven. People who committed suicide go to Hell. But, even that might be better than being alive and lonely, knowing he had failed his brothers. When Ace heard a small crack in his living room, having heard that a bunch of times the last month, Ace quickly placed the picture down and took on some clothes, yelling to the door he was coming soon.

Ace had also found out, after a few weeks, that Marco had this weird speech thing, where he said 'yoi' at the end of a sentence. It was a weird small thing and the demon didn't seem to like it too much, but Ace found it nice. He liked it.

Right now, he was glad he had Marco to be with, not being all alone. Ace would make sure Marco felt comfortable when he was here, not wanting to mess this up. Marco was the only one Ace had. The only one he could call him his friend was a demon, and Ace didn't mind it. Ace was always happy to see Marco.

-x-

Marco gave a small smile as he had a few hours off again, knowing he could go and visit Ace. Being with the kid was much better than sitting around and doing nothing.

They usually spoke a bit about random stuff, or watched a series or documentary, which Marco enjoyed. He wasn't up with the humans often, so there was a lot he learned from the documentaries; even Ace seemed to like it a bit. Marco had tried to ask what the kid liked to do, but the kid didn't look to have much of hobbies, so they just stayed inside. Marco found it weird that someone that strived so much to please him didn't have any friends, or people to be with. But, Ace never wanted to talk about that so he never prodded.

When Marco disappeared and appeared in the living room to Ace, he heard a small yell to his left and looked over, seeing a naked Ace trying to cover himself.

Marco quickly looked the other way, seeing Ace looking really embarrassed. Marco heard a bit of fumbling as Ace tried to get out of sight. ¨I- I'm sorry! Just let me get dressed!¨ Then Ace was gone, having run out of the living room. As Ace was gone, Marco gave a frown. Did Ace just apologize for Marco appearing and shocking him? If anything, Marco should apologize. He was the one to intrude in Ace's house.

When Ace came back out again, having clothes on this time, which were a pair of pants and black shirt, Marco apologized for startling Ace and seeing him naked. Ace shook his head at that. ¨No, don't apologize. I shouldn't have walked naked to my room to get clothes. It was my fault.¨ Marco wondered how Ace could think it was his fault, that it wasn't Marco's fault. Why did he think so lowly of himself? Ace was a good kind, he just wanted to please others. And, from what Marco had seen before and just now, Ace had a good body, so how didn't he have girls running after him?

He would need to try and get to know Ace better, he was still a big mystery. That, and Marco would be more careful when he appeared, now realizing he was always appearing unannounced in the middle of the living room. He knew Ace owned a house which had a big outside area with bushes to hide most, so no one would see Marco if he appeared there.

They enjoyed watching a couple of documentaries before Marco had to leave, Izou needing him for some reason. When he left, giving a goodbye to Ace, he decided to try appearing different next time.

The next day, Marco appeared outside of Ace's door, ringing the doorbell and waited for Ace to come and open, being sure no one could see him.

Ace was shocked at first and asked why, and Marco said it was to respect it was Ace's house, which it was. Ace was trying really hard to make him comfortable, and this was the least he could do for Ace, no matter if it felt weird to actually ring a doorbell. Ace did say he didn't need to, but Marco said it was fine, he wanted to do it so he wasn't intruding, Ace then saying he would never intrude; he was always welcomed here.

Marco still wondered why Ace didn't mind having a demon visiting, why he thought so lowly of himself and always blamed himself and did his best to make Marco feel comfortable. Ace was a curious person.

-x-

Marco gave a small sigh, walking up to Ace's door to his house, ringing the bell. This still felt weird, needing to ring a doorbell. But, the accident of Marco walking on Ace just coming out of the shower and really making the other feel uncomfortable had him decide this was still a good solution, no matter how weird it felt.

Marco moved a hand through his short blond hair, being in his human form for once, having needed to do a bit of business in the human world, and he couldn't do it in his 'demon form.' He saw no reason to change it back now. It made it easier to walk to this place, and Marco was usually in his human form in Hell too, as long as he was around the other High Lords or the King.

After a minute, the door was opened and Ace stood there, having a smile as he looked at him. But, the smile quickly changed to a somber and sad look.

Marco gave a small frown. Ace had always been happy to see him, why was he suddenly looking down? Before he could ask, Ace spoke up. ¨Um hi? Do you need anything? I'm kind of waiting for someone.¨ Marco was confused for a second, before he realized Ace hadn't seen his human form, Ace didn't even know he had a human form. Marco gave a look to Ace. ¨It's me, yoi. Marco.¨ Ace blinked, before half-lighting up. ¨R-really?¨ Marco gave a nod, and to show he was speaking the truth, had a bit of fire appear in his hand.

As Ace looked at it, smile coming back full force, looking really happy. ¨Marco! I'm so glad you could come today too. You look nice.¨ Marco felt happy at seeing Ace glad. He had been worried why Ace wasn't happy to see him.

The thought had Marco halt for a second. When did he start to want the kid to smile? He knew he was starting to enjoy this; it was something to do, and everything was better than sitting in Hell and being bored. Marco looked at Ace. ¨This is my human form, yoi. So I can walk up here. I use it in Hell at times too.¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨You look good; you look like a leader and someone high up. It suits you.¨ Marco gave a nod. ¨Thank you, yoi.¨ Ace gave a smile. ¨So what do you want to do today? We can watch some series again? I've already turned the light off and heat up.¨

Marco gave a nod; they could do that today. Ace always prepared for him to come. Marco thought since Ace now knew about his human form, they could maybe go a bit out of the house, Marco sure Ace felt locked up. Ace hadn't left the home the last two months, being home in case Marco appeared. Marco never understood why Ace went such long lengths for him; Ace should have a friend or someone he spoke with. He couldn't be all alone. He had a house, he must have a job.

As Marco walked inside the house, he decided he would ask if Ace wanted to go out tomorrow, to just do something new. His human form could handle the sun and light better than his demon one.


And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

So things are moving along, Marco starting to half-like being around Ace, Ace still really enjoying it. Things will happen more in the next chapter

And the chapters will get longer; the first one was really short, which was just as a small introduction. They are still a bit short, but will be around 3-6000 each chapter

If you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback