Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter!

This one got a bit long, so enjoy!

Read and relax

Marco and Haruta finished the movie, before the day was over and then next one, he went and spoke with Pops, telling that Ace had paid for Haruta, which had him shocked, before he thought it over. "Well, he did buy you a suit for over a million. Did he give a reason?" Marco sighed. "He said her scores were amazing and she didn't get the scholarship because of favoritism, yoi. And he doesn't like that. Sabo did mention that Ace can go overboard, and I guess this was what he meant." Pops nodded. "I see. Does Haruta know?" Marco nodded. "She does, overheard me talking to Ace, yoi. Was very thankful." Pops nodded. "I can imagine. Sabo is coming by tomorrow to sign some papers, Luffy and Ace were busy." Marco nodded, it was still a few days until he had his date with Ace and he wanted to come with something special, but didn't know what. He spoke a bit more with Pops, before they went on with their day, Marco texting Ace now and then, which was nice.

The next day, after signing the papers, they went out of the meeting room and Marco asked to have a chat with Sabo, and when they were in Marco's office, Sabo looked at him. "You need anything?" Marco gave a small breath. "I have a date with Ace in 2 days, and I want to do something nice for him." Marco looked at Sabo, giving a sigh. "But I don't know what to do for him, yoi. I want to do something he wants to do. Someplace he likes. But I feel it is hard as he can go wherever he wants to any time, yoi. He has a private plane he can fly on his own. And so many cars." Sabo hummed. "I know every person who has money says this, which really annoys everyone else as it seems false, but it is a bit true."

Sabo looked at him. "Money can't buy happiness. Ace can get whatever he wants, when he wants to. But money can't buy happiness, especially love. You can't buy it. You can buy artificial love or gold digger love, but nothing else. As you saw Ace react when you said to not buy him too much or expensive things, Ace isn't used to that. He is used to that everyone he dates wants the most expensive things. Want to use his cars, use his planes. Get cars as presents. Be paid for when they go out and add a lot of things that cost money. Ace has a thing where they split the bill on dates, and even when it was the other one's turn to pay, they would buy the least expensive thing, complain they don't have money for something more so Ace would pay out of guilt that they tried, and then ask for a lot of expensive things for making them feel less, which makes no sense."

Sabo smiled at him. "Ace is used to being used for his money. If you want my advice, give him a date he never had before. No expensive restaurant. No concert. Nothing too much. Invite him over, tell him to put on something comfortable. But also have a set of comfort clothes he can wear. You know, sweatpants and a hoodie or something. Order pizza, nothing extravagant, and watch a movie while you cuddle. Never has someone done that. And while he would never say he wants that, trust me, I know he wants this. You seem like a very good guy, and Ace seems to like you a lot. And I do too. And you seem to like him, not his money."

Marco nodded. "I do like him, yoi. This sounds like a good idea. I didn't think of that." Sabo nodded. "Most don't, as you think Ace would want you to buy a country to make him happy. But no. He wants to show you like him, not his money. Not to show off. That you want to order pizza and watch a movie while you cuddle on the couch. And he will fight you on this, so you need to stand your ground, as Ace has never had one who has tried this. He might think you also just want to do him, stand your ground on that as well. I don't know if you have had sex yet, and I don't want to know. But if you haven't, he will think you are just trying to do him. Or if you have already, he will think you want to do it more. Just be you. You seem like a very good guy, Marco." Marco nodded, that sounded perfect.

Marco then used a bit of time to think what to do, he got an idea, asked the others to leave for the day, or more like had Pops take everyone but him out for a night, which he said he would, so he sent a message to Ace, which said 'For Friday, come by my place at 7pm, wear something comfortable'. And he got a response back Ace would be there, and they chatted on.

When Friday came, and the clock was almost 7pm, Marco opened the door and Ace gave a smile as Marco let him in. "How are you, yoi?" Ace hummed. "I am fine. I wasn't sure what you wanted me to exactly wear, comfortable is a lot. I hope this fits for where we are going." Marco looked at Ace, and he had on blue jeans and a dark blue shirt. It looked like formal informal clothes. Marco hummed. "I was thinking more like sweatpants and a hoodie, yoi. I got a second set if you want." Ace blinked. "Isn't that a bit too casual and laid-back for a restaurant?" Marco nodded. "It is. But I was thinking of staying here for the date, yoi. And I want you to be comfortable." Ace blinked. "If money is tight right now, I can pay, Marco."

Marco shook his head. "No, I have the money to pay. But," Marco smiled at Ace. "I was thinking that we stay here as I got the place for myself until midnight. And we order a pizza and watch a movie or three while we cuddle on the couch, yoi?" Ace blinked. "Where will we order from?" Marco hummed. "Already done. It will be here at 8:30pm, yoi. I ordered two large pizzas, one with pineapple, and one with pepper beef, onion, and double cheese. So what do you say, do you want the comfy clothes, yoi?" Ace blinked. "I might want that." Marco chuckled and got them, and then let Ace change while he went to the living room and turned on the Tv.

When Ace came, he looked comfortable, and as Ace sat down, Marco handed the remote to Ace. "Look for something you like, yoi. And I will get us something to drink and some snacks." Ace nodded and started to go through the different streaming services they had. When Marco came back, Ace seemed to be looking at a movie and Marco sat down as he put the drink and snacks down. "Elemental, yoi?" Ace nodded. "I haven't been able to watch it yet. I can find something else if you don't want to watch a Disney movie. I tend to like them as they are fun and easy and often have deeper meanings." Marco sat down and smiled. "I am up for it. I watch them now and then with Haruta, she likes the ones with singing best though, yoi." Ace nodded. "I like those as well. And Luffy loves them. We watched Sing 2 on opening night."

Marco nodded and sat down and Ace started the movie. As the movie went on, they ended up cuddling, Ace lying on Marco's lap, it was very nice, Marco stroking Ace's arm as they watched the movie.

As the movie was almost over and it was a very nice movie, Ace spoke. "What should we do after this movie?" Marco hummed. "You choose, yoi. We can watch another movie, watch a series, play a game, or something else. You choose." Ace blinked and looked up at him. "Don't you want to head to the bedroom maybe? I mean, we have gotten the pizza and we have the place to ourselves." Marco hummed. "We can, yoi. But I will be honest. We had some glasses of wine. I don't like the first time to be when we have drunk alcohol. We might be just tipsy, but still. Never liked to have sex while intoxicated." Marco wanted to take Sabo's words to heart and make Ace feel loved for who he was, not just for his body or money.

Ace blinked and sat up. "Wait, what? You don't want to go to a fancy place, you don't want to have sex. What do you want?" Marco felt a bit sad at that, feeling that Ace had never had someone who loved Ace for being himself and not his money or body. Marco smiled at Ace. "I wanted a romantic date where we just relax, yoi. Where we are in comfortable clothing, good food and something to drink, watch a movie and just cuddle. No big thing. Just enjoying each other's company without needing to look fancy or use a lot of money. I don't like you for your money, or just because you have a stunning body. I like you for you, yoi. I like your humor, your personality, I like you."

Ace blinked. "Can I ask a question?" Marco nodded. "Of course, yoi." Ace looked at him. "What about me do you like that's not my body or money? Because I am not sure that makes sense for me." Marco blinked and looked at Ace. "Why do you like me then, yoi? Yes, I got some money and a large business, and have to say I feel I look handsome. Why are you with me, if it is not for my money, company, or my looks, yoi?" Ace blinked. "Because you're an amazing guy that is very kind and down to earth." Marco nodded. "Why can't I like you for the same reason, yoi? You're easy to talk with. You know a lot about a lot of things. You as a person are amazing." Ace blinked. "Because no one has before, that's why. I mean, Luffy and Sabo do, but they are my brothers."

Marco moved a hand to Ace's. "Ace, they don't just like you since you are their brother, yoi. They like you since you are kind, rational, and generous. You care about others that deserve it. You would never bat an eye to help them out, the same they would for you. You don't judge based on looks, you don't flaunt your money or body. You are a great person, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise, yoi." Marco moved a hand to Ace's cheek. "I don't want to get to know your money or how much you would spend on me. I don't want to get to know your body. Or I kinda do. But I want this to last, and I don't want to rush into anything. I want to know what you like, what you dislike. What makes you laugh and makes you frown. I want to get to know you, yoi."

Ace seemed a bit confused, but also happy, smiling with a bit of blank eyes. "Thank you." Marco shook his head, stroking Ace's cheek. "I care for you, not your money or status. Not just because you have a stunning body, but because you are an amazing person with a stunning personality, yoi." Ace nodded, moving a hand to his on his cheek, squeezing it a bit. Marco smiled and leaned in and kissed Ace, before they got comfortable on the couch again, starting another movie.

When it was over, Ace looked at him. "So, the next date is your last chance to guess my middle name. You got any ideas?" Marco didn't, but he had been thinking about it. "Danger?" Ace chuckled. "No, but I like that one. Should have picked that one." Okay, so it was something Ace had picked. "I don't know, yoi. Can I get any hints?" Ace hummed. "As I've said once, you have gotten a hint, you just don't know it yet." Marco would be sure to try and guess this, to find what it was, he had one more date, and Marco would think of every conversation they had had. Ace hummed. "Let us say, next date, we can use the first 5 minutes for you to guess, and then I will put you out of your misery. Sounds good?" Marco nodded. "Sounds good, and I will give it an honest try, yoi." Ace chuckled "I know. I am excited for this." Marco hoped he would manage.

They then said goodbye to each other and Ace left after giving him a kiss. Then Marco cleaned up, before he went to bed. The next day, he spent some hours trying to find out Ace's middle name, and he found nothing, which he did kind of expected, but he had hoped. He checked everywhere he could think of, but nothing. He wished he could get one lead. But nothing. It could be a lot, but he would do his best. Some hours later, he decided to give up for now, and try more later.

-x-

Whitebeard sat in the living room, watching Tv as it was Saturday and he had the day off today, when Namur came into the living room, and Namur looked extremely worried and upset, but before Whitebeard could speak, Namur did, looking at Jozu, who was there as well. "I just got a call from Lorenz, Trisha is missing… No one knows where she is." That wasn't good. He knew who she was, and her father had a lot of money and fortune, which she would inherit. This could be a hostage situation. Before he could voice this, Jozu spoke. "Have he contacted the cops?" Namur nodded. "They have, but could you also maybe look? You're so good." Jozu nodded. "Of course I can." Then Jozu got his phone up and called someone as he left the room.

Whitebeard moved over to Namur, moving a hand to his back. "I am sure it will go fine, son." Namur nodded, looking worried. "I hope so…" Namur and Trisha had been friends since both were 4 years old, being inseparable at times. He hoped the cops could figure this out. After a couple hours, Jozu came back and said they had nothing. They found her home in a mess, but no leads yet, and no one had contacted about a ransom. Namur took this hard, and Whitebeard wished he could help. Then he remembered something and excused himself, going to his office and took his phone up, calling Ace, who answered fast. "Whitebeard, do you need anything?" Whitebeard nodded. "I do. Maybe. A friend of Namur, Trisha, has been kidnapped it looks like. The police have nothing. Could you maybe help? I can pay you if-" Ace spoke with a hum, cutting him off. "I will give it a quick look, and will drop by your place in about two hours if I have something or nothing. We will take the rest then." Whitebeard nodded, on his way to speak when Ace just hung up. He hoped Ace could figure something out.

He then went back to trying to make Namur feel better, but it didn't really help as he was so worried for his friend. Which Whitebeard got. Jozu had left again, and after an hour and half, Jozu came back, but got no news, and Whitebeard decided now was the time, and asked both of them to sit down, which they did. Jozu spoke first. "Pops, what is this? We need to work on this case." Whitebeard nodded. "Yes, but first, I need to tell you about something very important, and it is also important that you tell no one." Both blinked, but nodded, so Whitebeard took a breath. "Months ago, someone put out a hit on my head, wanting me dead." Namu and Jozu blinked, looking shocked. "What!" Said Jozu, hand moving towards his phone, so Whitebeard spoke on. "But this hitman didn't just go for it since he was being paid, he did a search and found nothing, and came and informed me about this and to watch my back. It was Teach who hired him. Then, Teach betrayed us, and this man helped us get it all back. Same man who helped with Cillian."

Both looked stunned, Jozu speaking. "Why are you telling us this?" Whitebeard took a breath, looking at Namur. "I know you care a lot about Trisha, so I asked him to help. He is a good man." Jozu blinked. "He is a murderer! Right!? Cillian was killed!" Whitebeard nodded. "Yes, but I feel he works for the right side. Cillian was a bad man, he had a deal with him, and he broke it. And the one Teach allegedly killed, was with the mafia, also a bad man. He is the smartest person I know, he works for the right cause, even if that means breaking the rules." Jozu blinked. "We're not talking about just breaking a rule! We are talking about murder! Hitmen are money hungry!" Whitebeard looked at Jozu. "Had he been money hungry, I would have been dead, son. He doesn't just do it for the money, he does it to help." Jozu didn't look to believe that.

Whitebeard gave a breath. "I know you have a lot of pride in your badge, son. Which you should. You're amazing and such a good cop. But this is more in the gray zone, just let him prove that." Jozu still looked disbelieving, before he blinked. "Do you know him well? Have I met him?" Whitebeard nodded. "You have, and he will be here in about half an hour. Give him a chance, please." Jozu didn't look to believe his words, but still nodded.

Then they waited, and after a bit, the door opened suddenly and he heard Ace's voice. "Whitebeard, got an update." Jozu looked at him. "It's Ace?!" Whitebeard nodded, on his way to speak, when from around the corner, he saw Trisha walking, when she saw Namur, ran to him, hugging him and seeming on edge. Namur hugged back fast and Jozu looked shocked. "H-how?" Ace then came and smiled. "All good. And oh, Jozu. Good, you're here. So. Here is the story you will tell." Jozu blinked "Wha-" Ace held a finger up. "No. Let me speak. You got a call from an unknown number, it was the ones who kidnapped Trisha, since you are Namur's brother, who is Trisha's best friend. You heard the sounds of a car alarm in the background, which you also heard from here," Ace moved his hand and pressed a button, making a car alarm sound, before Ace continued. "Then you walked out to see a blue van that looked sketchy, you went over and found the perpetrators, who tried to attack you, but you had your baton on you, and got the upper hand and they gave up, and they had Trisha in the back." Jozu blinked. "But no one called me, I can't just lie lik-" Ace moved a phone out and pressed a button, making Jozu's phone ring, and Ace said. "Answer it."

Jozu blinked, but did, speaking. "But I have a trace on my ph-" Ace shook his head. "No, the trace and the recorder suddenly malfunctioned, it will be back and up in half an hour. So no one can hear this." The car alarm still went off, before Ace pushed a button, stopping the alarm, before he waited a few seconds and hung up the phone and looked at Jozu. "Now, I got them in the van outside, you come with me and you handcuff them, and you make the call to your superior, saying you got them and relay this story." Jozu blinked. "But they won't say the sa-" Ace hummed. "They will. If not, their lives will be ruined. They may or may not have been working against a known mafia, if those files get out, they will be killed by the mafia. They know the story I just told and you will say the same." Jozu blinked. "Why should I?" Ace hummed. "You don't need to. If you don't want to lie, fine. I have someone else who can do this then." Ace then started to walk out, and Jozu spoke. "Wait! I will do it. Just, is there a body? Did anyone die?" Ace hummed and shook his head, looking at Jozu. "No, they worked very well with me, but there is a broken nose and cheekbone, and some bruises, the reason you say you used your baton. You did not see a reason to use your gun, as they had none. They were after money, being stupid, but they cooperated. Ready to head out?"

Jozu nodded and Ace walked out, and Whitebeard followed to see Ace went over to a blue van and opened the side, to show 3 guys who were bound with zip ties, and Ace spoke. "Change the zip ties to your handcuffs, and make the call." Jozu nodded and did that, before he took up his phone and made a call, before he spoke. "It's Jozu Newgate, I got Trisha safe." The other line spoke and Jozu relayed the story Ace just told, which had Ace nod, which was then came inside and Whitebeard looked at him and spoke. "How did you do this that fast?" Ace hummed. "I worked my own way. Found some breadcrumbs and followed them. I am very good at my job." That much was obvious. Ace truly was amazing.

Ace then went in and looked at Trisha. "Now, you remember the story I told you?" Trisha nodded, which had Ace smile. "Good. The cops should be here soon, relay it to them, and I will leave now." Whitebeard blinked. "But payment?" Ace hummed. "No. Not this time. You are a good friend, I wanted to help, and it went by fast, and kidnapping is wrong, so no payment." Whitebeard was on his way to speak when Jozu did, coming inside. "You don't want money?" Ace hummed, looking at him. "No. As I said, Whitebeard, and you, are good friends. I don't charge those unless it is something unnecessary. This was a serious situation, and they were going to sell Trisha on the market. No blackmailing, it would have been bad. I might be a man for hire and informant, but that doesn't mean I am money hungry. I like to help where I can." Ace then smiled at them. "Now, excuse me, I need to go. It is soon dinner and Sabo made salmon." Whitebeard nodded and gave a goodbye, same with Namur who also added a thank you, and Jozu just said a shocked goodbye.

When he was gone, Jozu looked at him. "Okay, I believe you more, that was… okay, I think. I just need some time." Whitebeard nodded. "No issue. Are the perpetrators alone?" Jozu shook his head. "No, there was a patrol nearby, they are being watched and taken care of." That was good. Jozu then looked at him. "The FBI raid, was that because of Ace?" Whitebeard shook his head. "No, from what I have been told, it might be from 'The Green Interface', they were mad we said no, which Ace told us to do as they are huge scammers." Jozu blinked. "They are?" Whitebeard nodded. "They are." Jozu nodded. "They hide it well then. I just need to think about this." Whitebeard nodded. "I get that. Just, Ace is a good man." Jozu nodded a bit. "It looks like it, but still…" A voice then spoke. "Detective Newgate!" Jozu went out and spoke with someone, and Whitebeard hoped all would go well. Ace would also come for dinner on Saturday, and hopefully the cops wouldn't be ready to arrest Ace then.

Namur seemed glad about this as Trisha was safe, and she was soon gotten by the cops to tell her side as well, which matched with what Ace had said. Ace truly was amazing. The cops then wrapped it up, feeling they had all they needed, which was good. Jozu did go to the station to help with the paperwork, before he came back and they had a conversation, which helped calm Jozu and make him understand it more. Whitebead also went into some details, like how he had paid Ace the first time, which was a bit of an amount, but since then, he hadn't and Ace had helped with Cillian, also telling about the deal, and who knew about Ace being an informant and such. Jozu did say Ace seemed very good at his job, which Whitebeard felt as well. Whitebeard was glad it had all gone fine.

-x-

Jozu was at his desk, and logged in to the search database where they could search up names and information, and put in Ace's full name, and nothing too much came in, just that he had been a witness here and there, but nothing incriminating. He then searched his phone number and checked what he could without raising a flag, and found nothing bad. Ace was very good at hiding his tracks, and Jozu would keep an eye and ear out. Ace would come to dinner on Saturday, which gave him some time to search more and get to terms with this. He would try and search more until then, but Ace did seem like a good man, and Jozu would do his best to come to terms with this. He felt Pops spoke the truth, Ace wasn't just a bad man, but in the gray zone.

When Ace came for dinner, it went by fine, and he didn't act off and didn't mention it at all. Ace did excuse himself for the bathroom once, and Jozu was tempted to follow and confront him, but decided against it, for now.

When the dinner was over, the three brothers on their way to leave, Jozu walked to his room, as he needed to look at the file one more time. He had gotten a file from the higher ups, to see if he could prove himself to be as good as they had heard. Especially after the Trisha case. He was stuck, but would do his best. Once he had opened the door, he always locked it with a key as he stored not only files with sensitive information but also some weapons there. Not that he didn't trust his family, but it was all in case, and the more dangerous weapons were in a safe. As he got into his room, he walked to his desk, going to sit down, when he saw the file was open, which had him shocked. He was sure he had closed it.

But before he could think more about that, he saw a bunch of post-it notes on it, like someone had taken 10 off at once and put them there, and there were some words on it that said 'fingerprint is not in police database' and it had a small doodle at the edge, before a small arrow, so he looked at the post-it beneath it, which said 'but it is in the FBI database', and one more doodle and arrow, and Jozu checked the rest and it said how he should check with someone who had access and search for the name 'Otis Grayson Cooper', as well as a printout of a fingerprint that seemed to match the one he had with the identifications. There also was a picture of this Otis there and his rap sheet. It was signed with 'Ace', then it said 'Ps, look at the doodles as you flip'. Jozu blinked, before he did and he felt even more surprised. When he flipped, the doodles showed a stickman smiling, pointing at him, doing a thumbs up, before he gave the peace sign. This was amazing. He needed to thank Ace.

Jozu then went back out and asked if Ace was still here, to which Pops said no, that he just left, but he might reach him. And before Pops could ask why, Jozu ran for the door, opening it to see Ace who was getting into his car. When Ace saw him, he gave a smile, before pointing at him, thumbs up, and then giving a peace sign. He then got in the car and drove off. Jozu blinked, before he chuckled and smiled. Pops then was by him and asked what this was about, and Jozu hummed. "You know the case I got that I was stuck on?" Pops nodded so Jozu continued. "I think Ace just solved it for me and gave me tips on how to solve it." Pops blinked, before he smiled. "That's good." Jozu nodded. "Yes. He really is a good one." Pops smiled, seeming glad he felt that. Jozu did truly feel Ace was a good one, why else help him? He needed to ask Ace about this.

-x-

On Monday, Marco sat by his desk, when there was a knock on the door and he gave a come in to show it was Benn, he was probably here to help someone with an IT question. "Hi, Benn, do you need anything, yoi?" Benn hummed as he closed the door. "No, but you might." Marco blinkked. "I do?" Benn hummed. "I heard from Ace you have a little bet. So, when you go for the next date, when you sit down, you say 'Dragonfly'." Marco blinked. "Why would I do that, yoi?" Benn smiled at him. "Trust me, okay?" Marco nodded, he would. He was meeting Ace tomorrow, and he would remember this. But he didn't get why he would say dragonfly.

When he got to the restaurant the next day, Ace was already there, and smiled at him. "Hi, Marco, how are you?" Marco wanted to answer that, but Benn had said to just say it. "Dragonfly, yoi." Ace blinked, before he looked shocked. "How did you do that?" Marco blinked. "What do you mean, yoi?" Ace looked a thim. "Figure out my middle name! Is there something you're not telling me? Do you have some skills I don't know about?" Marco blinked, before it made sense. 'Dragonfly' was Ace's middle name, and he knew Ace liked them from the piece Aveil had made.

Marco was on his way to speak, when Ace spoke, seeming to have realized something. "Who told you? Was it Benn?" Marco was on his way to deny it, when he nodded. "Yeah, it was Benn." Ace laughed. "Well, you passed the test." Marco blinked. "I did, yoi? But someone told me the answer?" Ace nodded. "Yes. But being an informant and finding out information also means speaking with others. Getting information from others. You did well." Ace said the last part with a smile, and Marco felt so glad. Ace hummed. "So, when we leave, we can head for my place. Sabo and Luffy are away. And you will get your reward." Marco nodded and felt he couldn't wait. So then they ate, and when they were done, Ace spoke. "So, how about we skip dessert from here? I got some at home." Marco nodded. "Sounds good, yoi. You lead the way." Ace chuckled and got up, and Marco followed Ace out to his car.

They then drove to Ace's house, parking in the driveway, before heading inside. Ace said a bit about the house and how it was. before they moved to sit on the couch as Ace needed to do something on his phone. Ace had a very nice home, a large house. Ace said it was a 5 bedroom house, two floors and a basement. He wasn't surprised, but he had to say he had imagined it would be bigger. As they were sitting on the couch, Marco looked at Ace. "I have to be honest, I imagined you would be living in a mansion, yoi." Ace laughed. "I probably could have, but I don't want to cause too much attention to myself. I, we, love it here. This is perfect. One bedroom for each, although it happens we share as Luffy likes that, we also have a hobby room, video room, basement with a food storage, small workshop, and all we could want. A nice garden and we even live close to everything we need without a car, although we have cars and such." Marco nodded. "Yeah, where are they?" Ace hummed and stood up, motioning him to follow as he put his phone away for now.

As he was, Ace spoke. "I don't show this to everyone, but I trust you." They then walked out of the house and over to the neighboring house, which was also very large. Surprisingly, Ace also had a key, and they walked down some stairs, before they ended up in a large garage basement, which had many cars, motorcycles, trikes, scooters, and even a medium bus and small bus. Marco blinked. "This is…. amazing, yoi." Ace nodded. "Yeah, I own almost the entire street, but kind of off the books. I rent it out for cheap for the right person or family. I have more garages here for my vehicles. But this is the main one, and I sometimes let others borrow them if needed." This showed once more that Ace was very kind and amazing. He was so glad he got to know Ace, and was given the honors of dating him.

They then walked back to Ace's house and Ace locked the door after him, which he had done before as well. It got Marco curious so he asked him about it, to which Ace said "I like to lock it in case someone comes by. If my door is locked, they need to ring the bell, send a message, or call." Marco nodded, that made sense. Ace then looked at him. "What do you want to do now?" Marco hummed. "I got a couple ideas." Ace smiled, before he leaned in and they kissed, which quickly got more intense. But after a few seconds, Marco heard a sound, sounding like footsteps, which had Ace lean back and sigh. Marco was sure it was Luffy or Sabo, when the woman from the galla/auction appeared, who held a vase. "Ace! I got you a- oh, you got a visitor. I saw your lights on. Sorry. I… I will just place it here." She then put a blue, red, and green vase down, which was sort of large and looked very nice. "Am I interrupting something?" Ace gave a look. "What do you think, Cioup?" Cioup smiled. "I will leave then. Byeeee!" Then she left.

As she was gone, Ace sighed. "Sorry about that." Marco shook his head a bit. "It is nothing. Does she live here? Why does she have a key, yoi?" Ace sighed. "She has no key and doesn't live here." Marco blinked. "Then how did she get inside?" Ace hummed. "Okay. 2 years ago, I was on vacation with my brothers, when one of my cameras detected movement. I was surprised as no alarm had gone off. I looked at it, it being one of my best hidden ones and part of my most secure system, only to see Cioup there, who I didn't know back then, making herself at home after she had successfully disabled almost all my security. She didn't break anything, on the other hand, she just did some laundry, brought her own food and tidied up after herself, only taking some of the cash that was on a shelf when she snooped around, before she watched some TV. I called a friend who went to check, he lived close by, while I made sure to watch it all over my tablet."

Ace gave a chuckle. "When he entered with his key, she seemed to panic, cursed a lot, grabbed her bag from which she pulled what looked like a gun and hid around a corner. The mic picked up something like 'they aren't supposed to be home for 2 weeks…' and mind you, barely anyone knew about this trip. When Trevor came around said corner she fired it, no worries, it was just a glitter gun." Marco blinked. "Is that a new type, yoi?" Ace shook his head. "No. It is for children. It shoots glitter, it was just a distraction. She then ran out and disappeared. Trevor checked it all, only thing she took was a small statue and about 200 dollars. And I mean, I had a lot she could have taken that she didn't. So I went to try and find her, as she disabled all my good security, which was not connected to anyone. It took some time, but since she has very special hair as you've seen, I had something to look after, before I got a hit at a store and went and spoke to the clerk, someone I know, who said she bought all the glitter and mumbled something about a mountain stay, and back then I happened to know about a mountain villa close by which should be empty."

Ace chuckled again. "When I went and checked I found her, she had once again disabled all security and was making herself at home. I just asked how she did all this, and she told me she didn't have a home, that she jumped homes like this, targeting rich people who were gone on vacation or were simply not using their holiday mansion at the time. How she just had to clean up after herself, did her laundry as it was needed, took some small things to give to charity and such, before she would do it all over again, never really taking things for herself. And according to my research she never caused a mess, she did steal, but only from those who had more than enough. So, I kind of hired her afterwards. Her way of getting into homes, disabling security, is amazing and one of the best, and she never harms anyone, just shoots glitter at them if someone surprises her. She felt bad for leaving a mess at my place and scheduled my cleaning service to come 3 days after she left. Turns out she did that every time. Because 'the rich idiots don't notice the extra charge going off their accounts and the cleaning staff would never complain about it being messy'." Marco blinked. "I've never heard about that before, yoi. But it makes sense in a way. Most millionaires have multiple houses, and no-one would notice them being used by someone else in their absence. And most of the time cleaning staff would show up at unused property and clean it either way." Ace nodded. "Yeah, that's what she does." Marco blinked. "So she is a modern Robin Hood basically?" Ace shook his head a bit. "Not truly. She just feels they have more than enough. So why not take a small bit. Robin Hood took it all and gave it all to the poor. Cioup can do that, but she doesn't. But she does help orphanages and such."

Marco felt that that sounded like she really was special. "Does she live here? On this street, yoi?" Ace shook his head. "No, I tried to give her a home, but she refused. So I gave her a credit card to pay for hotels, clothes, food, and such. But she only used it to buy things for charity and orphans, not that I'd complain but that's not what the money was for, so I lowered the allowance and gave her a platinum membership with the hotels so she gets free stays with all included, so she has a place to sleep. Before that, she literally slept on the streets when there was no high-end house nearby to break into. But she is the best, and I am so proud of her for how amazing she is. I have helped her a bit, now and then but she stands her ground." Marco nodded, as that really was amazing, but before he could say that, he heard the door open and some running steps before Cioup came and threw herself on Ace as she hugged him while she was crying. "You're proud of me! I am so happy!" Marco blinked, but Ace seemed to have expected it, just pointing to a security camera, and Marco got it. She was spying on them.

Marco was then pulled into the hug, Cioup sobbing something like. "I knew you were a good hugger." Before she moved back and said "I will leave you two alone now, promise." Then she started to leave, and just as she was about to exit the living room, Cioup spoke with a sly grin. "Also, Ace, you're doing it wrong. Marco still has his shirt on." Ace spoke. "Cioup, don't you have more plushies to buy and give to charity?" Cioup nodded. "I do!" And with that, she ran out. Ace then took up his phone. "Let me just disable all my security cameras and such, then we can head to the movie room maybe, it is on the second floor, and we have all we need there and no cameras." Marco nodded and smiled. "I would like that, yoi. But didn't she buy this huge teddy bear?" Ace chucked, before plotting something on his phone, turning it around to show a picture from an orphanage page where they had gotten a secret gigantic teddy bear, which was the one Cioup had bid on at the auction. She really was nice, and if Ace said she was good, she had to be.

They then went to the movie room, after Ace locked the door again, and when they got there, Marco blinked. It had many movie chairs, a couple couches, mattresses to sit on, and one couch which was a pull out. It was amazing. Ace then went and grabbed a remote, before he moved to sit on the mattress, and Marco joined him. The mattress was really good to sit on. Ace then turned on a large TV, which took almost the entire wall, before Ace said. "What do you want to watch?" Marco hummed. "How about we put on something in the background? And we have some small fun, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Now we're talking." And Ace put on a random series that popped up, before they moved close and started to kiss.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

This one got long, hope it was okay!

I am not sure if I will have any smut in this, what do you think? Do you want the smut? Or nah?

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