Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

I hope you enjoyed the last one and are excited for this!

Read and relax

Ace walked with Shanks and Shanks didn't really speak as they walked, which she liked. And when he did speak, it wasn't about anything special. She still felt worried and had so for a small while now. Shanks led them to a sort of restaurant bar, and asked for a VIP table. When they were led to one and as she sat down, she felt a bit amazed. They had been led to a sort of connected room where there was only this table that was even more a sort of large booth. As Shanks sat down as well he quickly ordered a milkshake for her and a beer for himself. The waiter nodded and soon returned with their order. When he put it down and Shanks said to be left alone while they figured out what to eat or if they would just drink, the waiter left just as fast as he had come.

As he was gone, Shanks looked at her as she slightly pushed the milkshake away as she didn't want it right now. Shanks looked at her worriedly. "Now, what is up? What has happened?" Ace blinked. "How do you know anything has happened?" Shanks looked at her. "For all the time I have known you, you have never wanted to go with me when I show, and now, you asked if we could head out together. Something must be really bothering you." Ace gave a breath. "There is… and I don't know what to do… And I am… really scared." She already felt emotional and could even feel slight tears in her eyes. Shanks looked worried. "What has happened? Did that thing show up? Or contact you?" Ace shook her head. "No. But…" Shanks looked at her worriedly. "But what?"

Ace took a breath. "I read it, and then I panicked. Thatch was with me until I felt better. But that night, I had a really bad night and this terrible nightmare. I woke up and just… cried and I felt like I couldn't breathe. So I headed out to get some air, and it helped a bit. I was at least no longer crying my eyes out. But then a hand touched my shoulder and I jumped, it… it was just Marco. He helped me calm down and followed me to my room so I could calm more down and he stayed with me. And when I somehow felt more calm, I don't know why, but I suddenly felt so extremely tired, and… Marco said I should lie down, and I saw no reason not to as I was suddenly so tired." Ace saw Shanks look worried and a bit angry, but Ace needed to get this off her chest as she didn't know what to do.

Ace took a breath as she continued. "So, I laid down but even then I felt like I couldn't sleep truly and I was scared of more nightmares. Marco also helped calm me as I dreamt that… he came for me and Marco comforted me and said that would never happen. They would protect me. But still, I didn't want to have more nightmares. And as I just was about to sit up again, Marco started to… hum. And I don't know why, but I felt so calm and relaxed, and I saw so many happy memories with Luffy and Sabo, and Deuce, and even one with you. And I was actually about to fall asleep. But… but then.. then I half woke up again as I felt someone touch my face and it felt like Marco wiped away my tear tracks. I realized Marco dried my tears and moved some hair out of my face, and I felt so tired so I didn't open my eyes, and Marco left. But… just before he left, he said something like … 'I think I'm falling for you, and I don't know how to tell you'... and… I'm not sure if he knew I was awake or not… and now…"

Ace took a breath and felt her eyes water more. "And now I am scared. Because, what if this is all a play? What if this was all a very elaborate scheme to trick me? To make me lower my guard and trust them, for them to just play with me. And- and I feel like I can't speak with Deuce." The tears Ace held back started to fall. "What if they have played him as well? Brainwashed him and they knew I would go to him as I was unsure, and since he is brainwashed, he would tell me that he meant it and I shouldn't worry, but I should! This is a huge conspiracy to make me trust them and they even tricked Deuce and they laid the trap and now I just need to walk into it. And I don't know what to do and I- I- I-" Ace cut off as she was now outright sobbing and felt she couldn't breathe as she was so scared as she had put words on it and now it felt so real.

Shanks looked shocked. The worried and angry look on his face vanished when she started to cry, and Shanks carefully shifted to be closer to her and moved his hand to her back to give her some comfort. "No, Ace. Why do you think this? Why do you think Deuce wouldn't support you?" Ace did her best to breathe so she could speak. "Because he seems to really like it there. And I am scared he is brainwashed and that they are…" Ace didn't know if she could say it. Shanks nodded. "That it is Dolus all over again." Ace nodded. "Yes. And- and I don't know what to do right now… I am so scared. I don't want to think this, I want to trust them, but I am also scared to trust them. I don't want to get hurt like that again. And I am scared that if I tell Deuce about this, he will tell me it is all fine, but that might be since he is brainwashed. And I don't know how to handle this."

-x-

Shanks blinked. He felt shocked now. He had no idea all this had happened. He had been furious inside at first, sure Marco had tried to come on to Ace, but that wasn't the case. The fact Marco had started to fall for Ace felt more right than him trying to use her, he was a kind man and he didn't lie to make someone feel better or to trick them. One of the reasons Shanks had to say he really liked the first commander.

Shanks kept his hand on Ace's back to still comfort her. "I get you are scared, Ace. But you can't go around like this. Deuce would never do that. He loves you so much. I know you got hurt so bad by that monster, and you're scared that it would happen again. Because you got hurt so bad. But Deuce would never betray you, and do you know why?" Ace shook her head, which had Shanks give a comforting look. "Because he got hurt as well. He almost lost his best friend; you. No matter if someone did brainwash him, he would never betray you. And… this might not mean much, but I know the Whitebeards a bit, and that includes the first commander. He would never lie or willingly hurt someone by lying. He is a kind man, but I get that these words are hard for you to believe. So, can I call Deuce over? So you can see that I speak the truth about him? And if, if, you are right, I will take you with me right away. And I will gladly declare war on them to keep you safe." Ace carefully nodded a bit, hot tears still streaming down her face. "Okay, yeah... he can come here."

Shanks nodded and moved his hand away from her and to his pocket as he took out a small Den Den he had that was to Benn, he always had one on him, and called his first mate. Benn picked up rather fast and Shanks hummed. "Benn, please go get Deuce here to the restaurant. We're at Barbossa Lounge, VIP room 2. Also, I need you to stay by the door as a guard." The Den Den nodded. "Got it." Then the Den Den went back to sleep and Shanks went back to comforting Ace, who was still crying, but not sobbing too much, just now and then.

After he had hung up, Ace looked up at him. "Why does Benn need to stand guard?" Shanks looked at Ace, a weak smile on his lips. "Because the moment Deuce sees you like this and asks what happened and I mention Marco is the source… well before I can say more or even try to explain, he will march out of here and not stop until the first commander is dead for making you cry. I know Deuce that well." Ace sniffled and didn't look to truly believe him, which honestly made him sad and mad. Sad because Ace felt this doubtful and paranoid about what Marco had said and that everything was a huge scheme and conspiracy. And mad at Dolus for making her think this, for being this paranoid. He once again went back to comforting Ace and hoped she would get more collected before Deuce came, as Deuce was very protective of Ace, and might think this was Shanks' fault.

-x-

Deuce stood on the deck and tried to relax, to not think that Ace had asked Shanks to join her for a drink so they could talk. Just what had happened while he had been gone? Had Dolus been close? And if yes, how had no one seen him? And who had made her look that scared and upset, because she had since he came back. He didn't like it, and he hoped Ace would tell Shanks what was on her mind and that maybe Shanks could make Ace tell him, as Deuce really needed to know what was going on. To know who had hurt Ace, so Deuce could make them pay.

As he was thinking, he blinked when he heard his name being called and looked over to the plank and towards the island to see Benn there. And as Deuce looked at him, Benn made a motion for him to follow him. "Shanks wants you, Deuce. I'll show you where they are." Deuce nodded and now felt even more worried. This meant Shanks wanted him off the boat, making him much more sure someone on this boat had hurt Ace. He promptly walked off with Benn and tried to ask if he knew anything, but Benn just acted as calm and collected as he always did and said he didn't know.

They then got to a restaurant bar and headed in. Deuce looked around, but saw no Ace or Shanks. But before he could voice that out, Benn made a motion to someone and they then walked to a room that was labeled VIP room 2. Benn opened the door so Deuce could go inside, before he followed suit and stood by the door. As Deuce looked in the room, he blinked and felt his worry spike as he saw a crying Ace sitting by the booth in the room, Shanks trying to comfort her. She looked as if she had been crying badly and actually had calmed down already, but still looking upset, scared, while still crying. He moved over and hugged and comforted her as he spoke. "What is it? What has happened? Who hurt you?" He asked as he stroked her back. Ace started to cry harder and sob, which had him very worried and mad, needing to know who was to blame.

He just hugged her tight for a while, before he leaned back and moved his hands to her face now looking into emotional, upset, and scared eyes. "Who made you feel like this?" Ace did her best to breathe through her tears and sobs, before she managed to speak. "It- it was M-Marco, he-" Deuce felt so much rage inside him, flooding his entire system and carefully letting go of Ace as he got up and started to walk towards the door, going to kill the first commander. But as he got close to the door, Benn stopped him, making him glare at Benn. "Move." He said, and Benn shook his head. "Not until they tell you everything." Deuce felt he was seething with anger. How dare Marco hurt Ace? And now he wasn't able to kill him?! Was Ace protecting him? If yes, why!

Shanks gave a breath. "He didn't mean to hurt Ace, Deuce." Deuce turned to look at Shanks, who was trying to comfort Ace by stroking her back, and Deuce felt like he was seeing red. "He made her cry! What more can you say to not make me be sure today's dinner will be turkey! He upset her! She has been on edge since I came back! And if he is the reason, he needs to pay." Ace looked at him and seemed more emotional, and he didn't get why, but he was so mad, furious with the first commander. He was on his way to fight Benn, when Shanks spoke. "Let me tell you everything, and if you still want to make turkey, as you've been around them more than me, we will help make turkey." Deuce looked at Shanks, who looked sincere, before he looked at Benn, who also nodded, which had Deuce try and take a deep calming breath, before he sat down next to Ace, and Ace instantly leaned her head into his chest as she cried and he held and comforted her.

After Ace seemed to calm slightly down, Deuce looked at Shanks, who gave a breath. "When she read in the news about that thing," Deuce nodded, he knew Shanks called that bastard a thing and Deuce did as well. He wasn't human. Shanks continued. "She was upset and scared, righteously so. Add nightmares and a bad night, she went out on deck to get some air and hopefully calm down, she felt like she couldn't breathe. Marco found her and led her to her room to calm down without having anyone see her upset. And Ace suddenly felt very tired after speaking a bit with the first commander, and Marco said to lie down, which she did as she didn't know why she felt so exhausted, and did, even though that felt out of character for her." Deuce nodded, he agreed. Had Marco tried to come on to her? If yes, then turkey was on the menu.

Shanks hummed. "Ace didn't fall asleep and was just about to sit up as she didn't like to lay down as Marco was there, but before she could, the first commander started to hum for her, and it calmed her for some reason." Deuce nodded. "Whitebeard told me about that. A phoenix thing, a phoenix song hummed will make the listener calm down and remember and see happy memories." Shanks nodded. "Ah, makes sense. Anyhow, Ace did fall asleep, but woke when Marco dried her tears and moved some hair out of her face, but Ace didn't open her eyes as she felt tired and exhausted and felt Marco would leave." Deuce nodded, now feeling worried the humming calmed her down and made her unable to fight. Shanks gave a breath. "Just before he left, he said something along the lines of 'I think I'm falling for you, and I don't know how to tell you'. Ace isn't sure if Marco knew she was awake for that or not. And Ace is scared that all that has happened up to now was all a big scheme to make her trust them, just to turn on her like that thing did. And she felt she couldn't tell you, as she was worried you had been brainwashed and would tell he meant it, just so she would believe you and trust them. She has been so worried and scared, and upset. She is scared to be burned again."

Deuce blinked, and looked down at Ace, who nodded, proving it was true. Deuce hugged Ace close. "I would never. I could never betray you. No matter how brainwashed I would have been, I would have still protected you and helped you. I love you so much." Ace nodded and cried more and he got she had been upset about this for a while. Deuce blinked. "Wait, Marco confessed his feelings for you? He has feelings for you?" Ace sniffled. "I don't know. He hasn't said anything since. And I've been so scared this was a scheme to… hurt me, use me. And I didn't know if I could tell you or if you were brainwashed, you seem to like it there so much." The last part was said somewhat strained, before Ace gave a sob.

Deuce moved his head down to Ace's, hugging her close. "No, no no. Yes, I do like it there, but even if it was Heaven, I could never be there if you didn't want to be there. I will always be with you, I would leave Heaven for Hell for you. Never doubt that." Deuce moved a hand to stroke Ace's hair a bit. "I had no idea he confessed his feelings, or that he even had feelings for you. I am so sorry I was gone and didn't catch on to this. I'm sorry you've been upset and scared." He felt so bad for this.

Ace shook her head a bit. "You didn't mean to. But… I don't know if he is sincere or not…" Deuce gave a breath. "I don't know for sure, but he might. He seems to care for you, and he does send smiles and maybe a type of adoring look at you at times. Do you… like him back?" Ace sniffled. "I… don't know. I do like him, but I don't know if I like like him… and… and I am… scared. What if he doesn't really mean it?" Deuce nodded. "I know, and I don't know either, but he seems like a good man. But that does not mean I won't kill him if he messes up. You are my most precious treasure, Ace. If they say the sky is blue and you say green, I will also say green." Ace nodded and gave a sob and Deuce hugged Ace close again. He felt so bad right now.

Deuce looked at Shanks. "Could you get Marco here? We need to figure this out now. If not, we're coming with you." Shanks nodded and looked at Benn, who gave a nod and left. Deuce then went back to comforting Ace, feeling bad as he hadn't caught on to this thing with Marco.

-x-

Marco blinked when Benn came towards the boat again, and there was no Ace, Deuce, or Shanks with him. He felt something was up, and he didn't know what. He felt Pops knew something as Deuce had said something to him earlier. And the fact Ace wanted to go with Shanks, which had never happened before. When Benn was on the plank, he looked at him. "Commander Marco, if you could join me." Marco blinked, but nodded and headed after, sending a look at Pops, who looked a bit worried himself.

They then walked to a restaurant bar and were led inside and to a VIP room, and when he walked inside, he blinked as he saw Ace half lying on Deuce, head in his chest as she was crying and Deuce trying to comfort her. What happened? Marco then looked at Deuce. "Has anything happened, yoi?" Deuce looked at him and seemed to be assessing him. Marco felt he had done something wrong. When Deuce spoke he felt like it had a hint of anger. "Did you know she was awake that night after reading about the thing in the news?" Marco blinked, feeling confused. Deuce knew he knew, as he had told about it. "Yes, yoi. I told you about it, Deuce. She woke up from a nightmare and I felt she could use some help in calming down. She seemed very upset when I found her out by the railing, yoi." Deuce shook his head a bit and looked at him in a serious way. "No. After you hummed and had moved some hair out of her face, did you know she was awake?"

Marco blinked, before it dawned on him and he felt his stomach drop. Ace had been awake when he said he was falling for her? Marco gave a breath. "I didn't know, yoi. I don't know why I said it, but something inside me said I needed to say it. I didn't mean to upset Ace, yoi." Deuce looked at him and didn't look too happy. "Well, too late for that. Ever since you said that, Ace has been on edge and scared. Scared since she is worried that everything since she came here was all a huge scheme and plot, a scheme to make her trust you, so you could stab her in the back, like that monster did. And she felt she couldn't tell me, as you might have brainwashed me to tell her you meant it so she would lower her guard some more, just so you could easier take advantage of her, since I seem to like it here. She has felt so scared and upset since that night, felt trapped."

Marco moved a hand to his face, feeling horrible for this. This was one of the reasons he hadn't openly confessed to Ace, as he had been, and still was, worried she would be scared as she did have a past with being betrayed by those she trusted. And still, he managed to terrify her. He gave an apologetic look to Deuce. "I am very sorry for that, yoi. I have not said anything to her, as I was worried about making her unsure and scared. And even then, I managed to scare her.I apologize for that." Deuce nodded and looked at him. "So, you meant it? What you said that night?" Marco nodded, sending a careful glance towards the person who all of this was about. "Yes. Ace is such an amazing person, a caring person, but I've held back as I know she has been burned badly before, yoi. I promise I did not know she was awake when I spoke, and I did not mean to scare or upset her." Deuce nodded. "Okay, but do know, I am not at all scared to make sure turkey is on the menu should you ever hurt her on purpose." Marco nodded. "I would not have it any other way, yoi."

Deuce nodded and gave a breath, before he made a motion to the other side of the booth. "Sit down. I think we need to have an open conversation about this." Marco nodded, he agreed but.. "Ace? Would you be okay if we talk about this now?" When Ace actually responded to that, giving a slight nod, Marco smiled a bit and finally moved to sit down with them. Deuce then asked what he was after, and Marco took a breath. "All I want, is to be close with Ace, yoi. And I would never rush this, I would never do anything to scare or upset her on purpose, to make her feel pressured. I don't mind if nothing changes, all I want is to get to know her more and be around her, yoi." Deuce assessed him, before he spoke. "What if she never wants to kiss you, or be with you intimately?" Marco looked at Deuce and quirked an eyebrow at that. "That won't change what I feel about her, yoi. I am not looking for something that is just sexual, I want someone to speak with, to be with, that I admire. I don't care if we never end up in bed naked, yoi. That's not what I want. I want a girlfriend I can be with, and I want to be able to speak with her, but I also need her to trust me as well, yoi. Which is why I would take this in the pace Ace is comfortable with."

Deuce looked at him and looked him directly in his eyes, and Marco didn't mind, he spoke the truth. He didn't want someone just to keep his bed warm, to tend to all his needs. He wanted someone he liked to be with and speak with and feel comfortable with, and he hoped Ace would as well. Deuce nodded. "You know, you're making me feel worse and worse about making turkey for dinner." Marco shrugged a bit and looked down at the still slightly sobbing form of Ace who had actually moved a bit during their conversation and was now hugging Deuces chest "I like Ace for her person, yoi. Her personality. She is such a caring and amazing person, and I admire that a lot. Even if she just held my hand, I would be the luckiest person in the world. And even if she won't, if that is too much, that's okay. Her smile brightens my day, her voice is so amazing, yoi. I am not looking for something physical. I am looking for Ace." Deuce looked at him with a glare, before he gave a breath and looked at Shanks. "I get why you like him. But Goddamn! I am still mad at him for making Ace feel and be like this!" Shanks hummed. "I get that. Now, let us try and work out what to do and how to do it." "Sounds good, but how about we wait until Ace is more collected, yoi? I want her to join in on this and not be ignored"

Deuce gave another annoyed breath at that, most likely not liking how considerate Marco already was of Ace, and how his own previous anger seemed a bit uncalled for by now. But Deuce was sure he would react the same if this would happen again. No. He would react worse. Because Marco had his fair warning now. The three of them nodded, and Benn went to order some water for Ace and drinks for the others, which sounded good. And he could see a milkshake that was melted as well, Ace should get another later, he knew Ace liked them.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed it!

This was maybe the start of Ace/Marco, and the next will work more around this and how it will go forward and a certain blond haired brother to Ace stops by and isn't that… happy with Marco, just fun

If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to share them!

I hope you enjoyed, and if you want to, I do love feedback, so don't be afraid to leave a review, or send a PM!

If you also want to, I have a Twitter, my name is Azuruko, and I have a discord, my tag/username is just azuruko, as well as a server (Instant invite: discord . gg / 6hzMhbR) where everyone is welcomed! Updates is also posted there, both on discord and on twitter