Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
Stuff will happen in this, and it is a bit fast-paced too, hopefully not too bad
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Marco gave a small hum as he rang the doorbell to Ace, waiting for a few seconds for the door to open and Ace stand there, smiling. ¨Marco!¨ Marco couldn't help a smile himself, seeing Ace so happy to see him.
¨Hi, yoi,¨ Marco said back, Ace moving a bit to the side to invite him in. ¨Come in!¨ Marco gave a look to Ace, not moving. ¨Actually,¨ He started, making Ace look at him. ¨I thought we maybe could go out today, yoi. Just to get some fresh air.¨ Ace blinked, looking a bit unsure. ¨Um. I… can we maybe not today..? Maybe next time instead, so I can prepare…?¨ Marco blinked. Prepare? Prepare for what? ¨Of course, yoi. But prepare for what?¨ Why did Ace look so uncomfortable and nervous about this? Ace gave a small fidged. ¨I- I haven't gone out in… a long while. I- it's just a bit… intimidating.¨
Marco gave a nod, understanding that. If one had been inside long, it could be intimidating to go outside. Did Ace really stay inside everyday? How did he get money or food? As Marco didn't answer right away, Ace gave a nervous and half-desperate look. ¨B-but we can if you want to. I just need to get a few things.¨ Marco shook his head, stopping Ace from moving. Ace clearly didn't want to go out today, and Marco wouldn't force him, they could take it later. ¨No, yoi. It's fine; we can take it next time.¨
Ace gave a nod, smile coming back. ¨Y-yeah. We can do that.¨ Marco gave a nod and walked in the house, walking to the living room as usual, the light turned down and heat a bit up as usual. Ace couldn't be comfortable in this, it had to be way too warm for the kid, Marco could see the fact he sweated at times, looking a bit uncomfortable at times. As they sat down, Marco looked at Ace. ¨You know, you don't need to turn up the heat when I'm in my human form, yoi. Same with the lights.¨ Ace blinked. ¨You sure? I don't mind.¨ How Ace could say that was a mystery. ¨I'm sure, you can turn the heat down again; it is a bit warm.¨
Ace gave a nod and went and did, but didn't touch the light. But, they would watch the tv, meaning it wasn't so bad to have the light down. As they were watching a documentary, which was their third one now, about the second world war, Marco knew he would leave when it was finished, needing to fix some things in Hell, he looked at Ace. ¨Ace,¨ He started, making the other look at him. ¨We don't need to go out tomorrow, or the day after that; we can stay inside too.¨ Ace shook his head. ¨No. We can. I should probably go out again. And, I won't be alone.¨ It was ended with a smile, even though the smile looked nervous.
Marco gave a nod, he would make sure to keep an eye on Ace, in case it got too bad for Ace out. If he hadn't left the house for long, Marco got if it was a bit scary. But, Ace should go out a bit too. Marco would make sure to arrive early so they didn't have a lot of people around.
When the documentary was over, Marco bid his goodbye, and said he would come tomorrow or the day after, also telling that they might would go out, so Ace had time to prepare. Marco had a feeling Ace was going to prepare himself more mentally than anything else.
Maybe they should go to a calm restaurant as a start? That sounded like a good idea.
-x-
Marco got to Ace's door, ringing the bell the next day, glad to know he had almost the rest of the day off, meaning he could spend it with Ace. Marco had to say he was starting to like the kid, he could see them getting to become friends of sort. As Ace came to the door, he looked nervous, but was ready to head out, having a thin jacket on as it was a cloudy day.
As they were walking around, just to hopefully help calm Ace down a bit, Marco seeing he was really nervous and uncomfortable, Marco tried to ask Ace small questions on what Ace liked to do in his spare time. Ace had thought for a bit, before he said he didn't have much hobbies or anything, just staying home and watching tv or other stuff during the day. Marco found it a bit weird that a 17 year old didn't go out much, that he just stayed at home all day. He was a kid and should go and have fun.
Marco decided to not ask much about it now, while they were out and walking, Marco thought they maybe should head somewhere they could sit down. ¨How about we go and eat somewhere, yoi? If you're hungry.¨ Ace gave a small nod. ¨Yeah. I know if a calm place close by.¨ Marco gave a nod, letting Ace lead the way there, glad to know Ace had a place he thought was calm, hopefully making it easier for Ace.
When they got to the restaurant, which looked to be a bit of a fancy one, Marco was surprised at what happened when they got inside. The woman behind the counter inside gave a smile as she walked around to them. ¨Mr Portgas, long time no see. Would you, and your gentleman here, have your usual table?¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨Please.¨ The woman nodded and followed them to a table, Marco still amazed that the woman seemed to know who Ace was, Ace having been here before. But, from what the woman said, Ace hadn't been here for a while.
When they were seated, the woman looked at them with a smile. ¨Would you like your usual, Mr Portgas?¨ Ace gave a nod at that, and the woman looked over at him. ¨How about you, mister?¨ Marco gave a smile. ¨I'll take the same, yoi. And, it's Marco Fishback.¨ The woman nodded. ¨Of course, Mr Fishback. Drinks?¨ Ace ordered some kind of sparkly water, and Marco was offered a wine, which sounded good. As the woman left, having taken their order, Marco looked at Ace.
¨Been here before, yoi?¨ Ace have a nod. ¨Yeah. I went here a bit half a year ago, but haven't for a long time. I'm surprised they remember me.¨ Marco gave a nod. ¨Why did you stop?¨ Ace gave a small shrug. ¨I just didn't feel like going out...¨ Marco gave a nod, not going to prod more now, and looked around instead. ¨It looks to be a good and calm place, yoi.¨ Ace gave a nod at that. ¨Yeah. Not many go here, and you have a bit of privacy here, and the staff is really nice.¨ Marco gave a nod, he had to agree to that. It looked like a calm place, the kind he liked himself. Not much of anything and just a calm atmosphere.
As they waited for the food, Marco started up some conversation with Ace. ¨Have you traveled before, yoi?¨ Ace gave a nod at that. ¨Yeah, a bit. I've been to Korea once, London, Paris, and a bit around America. But, that's it. You?¨ Marco gave a nod, telling he had been basically everywhere, seeing as he could appear where he wanted to, and has had business around. They then spoke around that, at where they had been and what they liked about the place, Marco telling more of the places he had been but not Ace, Ace telling that he had heard or thought, telling he might would travel later and liked Marco could tell him things like this.
Marco really enjoyed their conversations, Ace was someone who thought around the same as him, and if not, was willing to listen to what he thought and say what he thought. Marco had to admit he was starting to enjoy more and more being around Ace. He was different than those humans Marco had met, not asking for much and just tried to do his best. He was a curious person.
When their food came, Marco was a bit surprised to see it was Sushi. That wasn't something young people usually ate.
Marco had to say it had been awhile since he had eaten sushi and wasn't sure what everything was, Ace helping him telling what things were. Marco also having to say the wine was really good too, tasting full and matching the food well. As they ate, they spoke about different things they came up with. Speaking about animals, Marco finding out Ace liked them, but had never had any, people that were in the media, and just anything they came up with. Marco had to say it was really nice to just relax and speak about things and have fun, Ace seeming to enjoy himself too.
When they were finished with the food and the woman came back, asking if they wanted anything more, they declined, asking for the bill. When the woman came with it, Marco thinking he should pay for it, seeing the outing was his idea, he was shocked when he saw how much it was. It was almost 400$, costing 357$. Was sushi really that expensive? Or was it the place? As Marco was on his way to take his card out, Ace had moved and took a wallet out, opening it and paying in cash, Marco seeing much more in it. How much money did Ace have? He must have a lot to not think the bill was high, seeming to expect it to be as high, even giving a high tip as he gave an even $400.
As they had payed, they left, giving a goodbye and the woman giving one back, hoping to see them again soon. That was probably why there weren't too many in the restaurant, seeing as it was so expensive. As they were out of the restaurant, they started walking and Marco looked at Ace. ¨Ace, yoi.¨ He started, getting the attention of the other. ¨You have a lot of money?¨ Ace gave a small nod. ¨Yeah. I… I got a settlement 8 months ago.¨
Marco gave a nod. ¨Why?¨ Something must have happened, and seeing Ace's age and that he was fine, it was probably a case or something he won. Ace gave a small sound and looked a bit uncomfortable. ¨I...I just did. I don't want to talk about it.¨ Marco gave a nod, thinking Ace didn't want to tell how, it might being something that would give out information Ace didn't want to give. Ace did have enough for the big house and to eat at expensive places, so it must have been a lot.
¨You must have been lucky to get so much money at such a young age, yoi.¨
As Marco said that, Ace slowed down a bit, looking sad, before shaking his head. ¨Y-yeah.¨ Ace looked at him, having a smile Marco could see was really forced. Had he done anything wrong? ¨I had really fun, Marco. You can leave now. Goodbye.¨ And then Ace left before Marco could say anything more, even say a goodbye.
As Marco stood there, he couldn't help but see Ace look down as he walked, walking slow, before he rounded a corner. Marco was sure he had done something wrong, but what? Humans liked to get money, so why did Ace look so sad and down when Marco said he was lucky to have gotten it? Marco wanted to go and ask, but clearly understood he had done something wrong, but not sure what.
As Marco tried to figure out what he did wrong, sure he needed to apologize but not sure what to apologize to, he headed back home, understanding Ace wanted to be alone for today, Marco would go back tomorrow.
As Marco gave a few papers to Whitebeard, the King of Hell, the man looked at him. ¨Marco, why do you look so down? You usually look glad after going off in your spare time the last months.¨ Marco hadn't told what exactly he was doing, only that it was connected to a deal he made with someone. ¨It's nothing, yoi. I just said something I shouldn't have said and need to apologize to someone.¨ The man gave a nod, looking a bit concerned. ¨I am sure it will be fixed then; you just did a small mistake. Although, it is not like you to say anything you shouldn't say.¨
Marco gave a small sigh. ¨It's a bit complicated. I don't think I understand humans as well as I used to.¨ Whitebeard gave a chuckle. ¨They are mysterious, yes. But, I am sure you will fix your mistake. You have looked happy the last few months, more relaxed too.¨ Marco gave a nod and bid goodbye for now, heading back to his room. He didn't know he had acted more relaxed than he used to, or that people noticed he was happier. Did he really enjoy being around Ace this much? Marco wasn't sure, but he knew he was starting to enjoy it more and more. He really needed to fix what he did wrong.
As Marco got to his room, he gave a sigh, glad he had a lot of time off tomorrow, Whitebeard being nice and giving him a lot of time off, maybe because he wanted him to be with Ace since it made him look glad and more relaxed. A thought then hit him, which had him frown. Whitebeard was sort of his father, the leader and king, but they viewed him as a father often, Marco and all the High Lords. Marco had heard than in the human world, if someone died, like a parent, in an accident, the children the person had would get the money the parent had, and maybe a settlement if it was a bad accident that wasn't the parent's fault.
Was that how Ace had gotten his money? Had he lost one, or both, parents? Marco knew family was a sore topic or Ace, so he had never asked much.
Marco now felt extremely guilty, knowing he might have called Ace lucky to have lost his family. Marco valued his family a lot, or what he called his family, and could not imagine losing anyone. It would be even worse for someone to say he would be lucky to lose someone in his family, if it gave him something in return. Marco felt like a horrible person.
He would make sure to apologize to Ace tomorrow and never bring this up again.
-x-
When Marco had said what he had said, about Ace being lucky to get his money, Ace felt his heart clench and throat constrict. Was he lucky to get money? For losing his brothers and getting money? Money could never bring anything close to what he had lost back.
Ace had just said yeah, before telling Marco he could go home, saying he had had fun, which he had. But, what Marco had said wanted Ace to be alone for a bit, not wanting to be around Marco, feeling sad. He knew it was a bit rude to just leave like that, not even letting Marco say a goodbye, but Ace barely made it past a corner before he started crying, not understanding how Marco could say something like that. Ace would rather be poor if he could have his brothers back; he would give anything to have them back. But, they would never come back, Ace would never see them again.
When Ace got home, he just laid down in his bed, holding the picture of him and his brothers to his chest as he cried, the only picture he had as the rest had burned away in the fire. Ace missed them a lot, and what Marco said just made it worse. Ace stayed in his bed the rest of the day and night, going on with his day the next day, watching tv in the dark and alone, which he was used to do.
When the clock was almost 12, his doorbell rang and Ace walked and opened his door, seeing Marco there.
Before Ace could say anything, Marco spoke. ¨Ace, yoi. I'm really sorry for what I said yesterday; it was wrong of me to assume anything. I didn't mean to make you sad or anything. I won't mention it again. I really didn't mean to say it.¨ Ace gave a small nod. Marco did look and sound like he was really sorry for saying what he did. He must have said it without thinking or something, not that it hurt any less, but Marco didn't mean it. Marco didn't know; Ace hadn't told him. Not that Ace would either, not yet at least; maybe when and if he trusted the man for that.
Ace gave a small smile to Marco, glad he had apologized. ¨Thank you, Marco. For apologizing.¨ Marco shook his head. ¨No, yoi. I did wrong; I shouldn't have assumed.¨ Ace agreed that he shouldn't have assumed, but Marco did at least apologize. ¨Would you like to come in?¨ Marco gave a smile at that. ¨If it would be fine, yes.¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨It's fine.¨ Marco then came inside, and they just stayed inside for the day, Marco staying for a few hours, watching a series and talking about random things, never bringing the money or anything around that up, which Ace was thankful for.
Ace was still glad he had Marco as a friend.
They continued meeting almost everyday, at least every other day, sometimes going out, mostly going to the restaurant and having dinner, or going to the park and just walking around. Ace really enjoyed it, enjoyed every second of it, to just not be all alone.
Ace hoped this would last forever; hoped it would last until the day he died.
-x-
Marco felt a pull on his body, recognizing it as he was called to take someone who had sold his soul to Hell. Which was a bit weird, seeing as today weren't a day for that, but accidents still happened and the person had most likely died early. Marco just needed to go and harvest the rest of the soul and take it to hell, easy work. The person wasn't dead yet, though. Marco needed to harvest the soul before the person died. But, the person would die.
When Marco disappeared and appeared in a burst of flames, landing in a living room where the obviously had been a fight, he felt dread fill him when he recognized the place.
It was Ace's living room.
Marco felt a small panic fill him as he looked around, trying to find Ace, to find where he was. As he looked around, he heard a small cough to his left, and Marco walked behind the couch there, seeing Ace lying there, a stab wound on his chest, another one in his abdomen, him coughing up blood.
Marco moved over to Ace, crouching down beside him, looking at the stab wounds, it was bad; Ace was dying.
Marco looked at Ace. ¨Hey, stay awake, yoi. Just a bit longer.¨ Marco needed to try and do something. He had some power; he could do something. He didn't want Ace to die and be forgotten in level 7 of Hell. Not now, he should have almost 10 years with Ace, no just the few months they had had.
Ace moved eyes to him, moving a hand to his face, stroking it, taking a shuddering and wet and half gurgling. ¨I'm so- so glad- I got- a few- ha- happy- months, b-before I-I die.¨ Ace gave a cough, more blood coming from his lungs, taking another shuddering and wet breath. ¨T-thank you.¨ When Ace's hand moved down from his face, strength going away, falling limp to the ground, Ace looking at him with happy eyes, which were losing their life, Marco felt small panic fill him. No no, Ace couldn't die now.
When Marco saw Ace's mouth opening a bit, white starting to half-come out, Ace's soul starting to leave the body, Marco panicked and spoke before he knew completely what he did.
¨Ego sicut adsumam vos coniugi!¨
As the words came out of his mouth, Marco's hand glowed red, Ace's chest starting to glow red too, the soul, which was white, turning black, moving back into the body. Ace's body stopped glowing and Ace's back arched, eyes opening and gasping for breath, but unable to, before he fell limp at the ground, wounds healed, unconscious. Marco then realized what he had done.
He made Ace his spouse. They were bound together now.
Marco didn't mean to do this, he didn't mean to make Ace his spouse, he just didn't want Ace to die, he acted in the moment. But, now at least, Ace would be by his side. They wouldn't do anything, they would stay as friends, Marco hoping Ace wouldn't be mad at him.
Marco moved a hand to Ace's cheek, feeling he was colder than normal now. Marco had turned Ace into a Cambion, a half-demon type of human since Ace was still alive and had a soul when Marco bound them. Marco might have ruined Ace's life.
Marco moved and lifted Ace into his arms, Ace still unconscious, before he disappeared in flame, knowing it wouldn't hurt Ace, the one he had accidentally made his spouse.
When Marco got to his place in Hell, in the house there, he placed Ace in his bed. When Ace was there safe, Marco called for a servant and told him to guard his room, not look inside. When he was sure Ace was safe for now, Marco went to tell The King Of Hell, Whitebeard, or Pops as they called him.
How would Marco tell him this?
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
So stuff is now moving along and Ace is a half-demon and in Hell with Marco. And Ace is really ooc, but this is because he got really depressed and bad after the death of his brothers. And, I do know this is a bit sad story until now, but it will get better, just not yet or too much in the next chapter as some people are unsure about Ace
If you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback
Ego sicut adsumam vos coniugi! = I choose you as the spouse!
