Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

I hope you all are enjoying this spin off!

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Marco stretched as he woke up, being in Ace's bed as he had spent the night, turning to see Ace was beside him, on his phone, typing. Marco hummed. "Hey, yoi." Ace looked at him with a smile. "Hey to you. Slept well?" Marco nodded. "I did, you?" Ace nodded. "Yeah." Marco then leaned over and kissed him, which deepened after some seconds, and after a minute, Ace leaned back, breathing a bit hard. "Not that I mind, but Luffy and Sabo are back in an hour." Marco nodded, he got it. They then got up and got dressed, before they started to make some breakfast, and when it was finished, the door opened and Luffy and Sabo came in, both looking at him, Luffy tilting his head. "Marco? Why are you here?" Marco didn't know what to say, when Ace did. "I invited him over, it has been over 6 dates, I followed the rules."

Sabo chuckled. "You only do it so we will follow them." Ace chuckled as well. "You know what the rules are, and I follow them so do you need to do it as well." Sabo shook his head a bit with a smile. Luffy then moved and hugged Ace. "You should have joined! It was so fun!" Ace hummed as he hugged back. "I had plans with Marco, and it sounds like you still had fun, and Sabo was with you." Luffy nodded. "Yeah, but still. I missed you." Ace nodded. "I missed you too." Then they parted and Ace hugged Sabo as well. They then sat down and ate breakfast, speaking while they did, just about random things. It was nice.

When they were done, Ace drove him home, coming inside for a bit, only a few were home right now. When they got inside and Haruta saw Ace, he moved over and hugged him, thanking him for covering the school fees, to which Ace said it was nothing, he was happy to do it, and Haruta deserved it, she would do great. Ace stayed a bit, and Izou, who was also home, said he had a shirt for Ace he had made, and grabbed a red and black shirt, which Ace seemed to like, it had small details so it looked like small scales on the red. Ace took it with a smile and said he liked it. Which made Izou glad. When Ace asked for the price, Izou said no, it was a gift, Ace seemed to reluctantly accept it. Marco knew Ace liked to pay for things, but this was a gift.

Ace then left after a bit, and they made a date to meet up again in 2 days, which sounded nice. And the time up to it was uneventful, before it came and Ace had on the shirt Izou made, and it looked so good on Ace. They then walked around a bit, heading to the main part of town, and bought some drinks from a stand, before a man moved up to them. "Ace!" Ace turned and smiled at the man. "Alex, how are you?" Alex hummed. "I am well. Now, who is this?" He asked, looking at him. Ace chuckled. "This is Marco." Alex held his hand out. "Why hello, Marco, you must be the one Aveil made the suit for." Marco nodded. "Yes, how did you know, yoi?" Ace chuckled. "This is Alex Torhild, the fashion designer." Marco blinked, he had heard that name before, that was interesting. "Good to meet you, yoi." Alex nodded. "Same to you."

Ace looked at Alex. "Alex, what do you think of my top?" Alex looked at Ace, and Marco was curious as Izou had made this top for Ace, when Alex spoke. "Yes, your top," Marco got a bad feeling and took a sip of his drink, when Alex turned to look at him while he spoke. "He looks very nice." Marco felt himself choke on his drink a bit and Ace blinked, before he moved and hit Alex on the head. "Hey! Don't scare him off!" Alex hummed. "Oh, you care about this one. But to your shirt." Alex moved a hand to the shirt and looked at it and some of the seams. "It is very nice. But not Aveil." Ace nodded. "It is from Marco's brother; Izou. He made it." Alex hummed. "Oh, so Aveil got competition now? Because this is well made."

Ace nodded. "It is, and maybe she does. Now, stay away from Marco!" Alex gave a small pout. "But I love tops!" Ace moved a hand to his face. "No, this is a guy I like, stay away." Alex moved his hands up. "Fine." Alex then moved away and Ace gave a breath, before he looked at him. "I should have seen that one coming. He is like this. I hope it wasn't too bad." Marco blinked. "No, I just didn't expect it, yoi." Ace nodded. "Alex is an odd one." Marco nodded. "Noticed that. But I am glad he said the top was well made, Izou is very skilled, yoi." Ace nodded and smiled. "He is, and it is well made." Marco smiled, Izou was gifted.

They then walked on down the street, looking at some shops and for now, doing window shopping. As they walked, they passed a stand which sold flowers, and Marco got a small idea as Ace was looking at a window, and bought a rose, moved over to Ace, and said his name, which had Ace turn around, and Marco held out the rose. "A rose, for you, yoi." Ace gave a smile, taking it. "Thank you, I love it." Marco smiled, and they shared a kiss, before they walked on, and Marco moved and took Ace's hand, intertwining their fingers, Ace smiling as he gave a small squeeze, smiling, which had Marco smile as well as they walked on, looking at some shops.

-x-

Thatch moved through the store he was in, when he saw Marco on the outside, and Thatch moved towards the outside to say hi to him, wondering what he was doing. He had said he was busy with something important. But then he saw Ace was with him, which had him blink and stop, wondering why. Was Marco in trouble? Maybe the FBI thing? But then, while Ace moved to look into a window, Marco moved to a flower stand, bought a rose, which he gave to Ace. No, this couldn't be! But then, Marco and Ace shared a kiss after Ace took the rose, then they walked on, moving to hold hands. Marco and Ace were together? What! Why had no one told him!

Thatch moved and called Pops, who answered a couple rings. "Thatch, is everything okay?" Thatch spoke, still shocked. "Did you know about Ace and Marco!?" Pops hummed. "Why do you think they are together, son?" Thatch blinked. "Oh my God! You did! How long!" Pops gave a breath. "Some weeks. You can't tell anyone that doesn't know, son." Thatch didn't know what to do, this was huge! Marco had never shown any interest in anyone. But then again, this was Ace… "Is this why the FBI came to our house?" Pops hummed. "No, it was something else. You need to keep this low." Thatch would try. "Okay. I just, wow. Marco and Ace? This is… wow. Are you okay with this? This is Ace." Pops hummed. "I will always support my children, son. If Ace makes Marco happy, then I approve of it. And he is a good man. Might be a bit of a dangerous one, but a good man." Thatch nodded, he would need some time to get used to this, but he would do his best to be supportive. After freaking out some, because if Marco messed this up, they would say goodbye to their lives and company.

When evening came and dinner was done, Thatch found Marco and asked to speak with him in private, which Marco said was fine, and when they were in private, Marco asked what this was about, and Thatch used a second to phrase this. "You're dating Ace? And you didn't tell me!" Well, he could have phrased that better. Marco blinked. "How do you know, yoi?" Thatch moved his hand a bit. "I saw you in town earlier, you bought Ace a rose, then kissed him, then walked away hand in hand, which was cute… but this is Ace!" Marco sighed. "This is why I didn't tell you, Thatch. You would freak out." Thatch blinked. "Marco! He has ki- killed-" Thatch whispered that word. "And he is so powerful! He has to be! This- this- This can be bad!"

Marco gave a breath. "Thatch, I have control, we like each other, yoi. Is that such a crime?" Thatch took a breath. "No, I just, what if you mess this up?" Marco hummed. "I guess you just have to trust me that I won't, yoi." Thatch didn't know what to say, and Marco clapped him on the shoulder. "It will go fine, yoi. You just need to get used to this." Then Marco left and Thatch felt shocked.

He then had a chat with Pops, who helped calm his nerves some, and that helped. He just needed to have faith Marco knew what he was doing. And he knew Ace and the brothers would come by tomorrow for dinner, to speak some business. Pops did say few knew, but not everyone, and to not mention it. And Thatch wouldn't. This wasn't his deal, but he hoped this would go fine. When the brothers came, they spoke some business, did some paperwork, signed stuff, and everything went by fine. As it was done, Thatch went to finish the food, as it mostly had to shimmer and be in the oven. Sabo did come and asked what he was making, which Thatch answered as it was more than one dish, to have variation, and Ace came as well, saying he had a nice kitchen, it was large. Which it was, Thatch agreed to that.

Sabo hummed. "I like the fridge and oven, the dark color is nice." Thatch nodded. "Yeah, this is my sanctuary. I still wished I had newer equipment, but I would like some of the best one, my dream oven cost like 20k, and I wished I had a bigger fridge, we have space, but not the funds. But this kitchen is still very nice, better than most. Love it. But I like to dream of a new one, and a pure wood kitchen bench, maybe cherry, or oak, just something durable." Sabo nodded and sent a weird look at Ace. "And it works, so no need to mess with it." Ace hummed. "Upgrading is expensive, and at times, it is needed." Sabo intensified the look. "But not necessary if it works well already." Ace gave a small look back, and Thatch felt something was going on, but Thatch didn't get what.

Thatch moved and grabbed a couple spoons. "Want to taste the sauce?" That had both brothers nod and stop with the staring at each other, and both tasted it and seemed to like it, Sabo saying to try and might add a little chili powder, which he did, and it was just perfect. Ace chuckled. "Sabo has taken some cooking classes, he is very good." Sabo hummed. "I like to cook, it is nice, and I need to learn how." Thatch nodded. "If you want to, you can learn some here? I am a chef after all. But I don't know every trick in the book, but I know a lot." Sabo looked at him. "That's okay for you? I would love that, if it isn't a bother." Thatch smiled. "It is not. I love to teach! When does it fit for you? I have some time off in 3 days, if you're up to it?" Sabo hummed, taking his phone up. "No, that doesn't work for me, got a meeting that whole day. Maybe next week?" Thatch nodded, thinking. "I can do that Tuesday and Thursday." Sabo nodded. "Thursday is it." Thatch smiled. "This will be amazing, excited now!" Sabo nodded. "Same, you seem very knowledgeable." Thatch hummed. "Not to toot my own horn, but I do know my way around food. But there is still a lot to learn." Sabo nodded. "Yeah, cooking is so much, which is why I like it." Thatch nodded. "Same."

Sabo smiled, then they finished the food, Sabo helping a bit and Thatch teaching small things, his speciality was with meat and pastries, but he knew most to some extent. They then ate, and Thatch did see Marco and Ace sharing some looks and smiles, and this was still new for him, but he had a feeling things would go fine. He would get used to it, and hopefully, Marco wouldn't mess up. Then dinner then ended and the three brothers left, and the week went on.

It was 3 days later, when Thatch has his day off, that Thatch went to the door when it rang and opened it to see a stranger who held a clipboard. Maybe someone had ordered something and it came now. "Yes?" Said Thatch and the guy hummed. "You Thatch Newgate?" Thatch nodded, and the man held out the clipboard. "Sign here." Thatch blinked and took it. "What is it?" Thatch didn't expect anything today. The guy sighed. "It is your new kitchen. Please just sign it so my men can get to work by moving and installing it." Thatch blinked, feeling even more confused. "I haven't ordered a new kitch-" The man spoke, sounding like he didn't have time to argue. "It is all paid for, with installation and removal and disposing of the current kitchen if you wish that. Can you please sign so we can get to work?" Thatch blinked. "Who pai-" The guy moved and lifted the first paper on the clipboard to show an order form, and Thatch read it and blinked. It was paid and ordered by Ace, and the price, with installation, was 668 000. This wasn't just a new oven, this was a brand new kitchen appliance, and high end appliances as well. Both big and small appliances. It had all the best ones Thatch had dreamt about.

As Thatch just stared at it, the guy gave a breath. "Can you please just sign it? Or refuse so we can leave?" That got him out of his shock. "I don't know if-" The guy looked like he didn't care about it as he spoke. "Dude, it is a brand new kitchen, don't you want it? It is paid for." Thatch blinked, before he signed it, and just as he was finished, the guy took the clipboard and yelled. "Hans! Go check the current one and start removing!" A guy came and went to the kitchen and started to turn off and remove appliances with some help from a few others who walked in as well, before the new appliances were put inside.

As it was happening, Thatch took out his phone and called Marco, who answered after a bit. "Yes, Thatch?" Thatch hummed. "Is Ace trying to buy our love? I mean, not entirely against it, but this is… wow." Marco gave a breath, sounding like this wasn't the first time, before he spoke. "What did Ace do this time, yoi?" Thatch hummed. "I got 5 people installing a new kitchen for the price of just over 665k. Like the best equipment there is, is currently being installed into our kitchen." As Thatch had spoken, the man who had the clipboard came to him. "Where do you want the smoker? Backyard?" Thatch blinked. "Marco, hang on." Thatch then looked at the guy. "What?" The guy gave a breath. "The smoker. You know, a smoker. Where do you want it? It can't be inside the house." He said as he handed the order and Thatch saw on the end was a smoker, which Thatch had dreamt about, so Thatch nodded and said. "Backyard, by the grill." The guy nodded and took back the clipboard, before he yelled backyard by the grill to someone.

Thatch then went back to the phone. "Marco! There is a smoker!" Thatch has always wanted a smoker! Marco gave a small groan. "Ace needs to stop this. I will speak with him, yoi." Thatch nodded. "Yeah, this is kinda a lot…" Marco said he would handle it, and then hung up. After some hours, everything being installed and placed, the guy came over to him again and handed him some papers. "Here are the order number, item numbers, date, and warranty. You have a 30 year warranty on everything, even the pure cherry oak kitchen board and dark oak cabinets, paid for. Enjoy." Then they left and Thatch went over everything and was amazed. Thatch then went into the kitchen and he now realized this was real, he had a brand new kitchen, even a smoker. So what does Thatch do? He takes out his phone and takes some pictures to post it to his snapchat, as this was so amazing. If Ace wanted to buy his approval, he got it.

-x-

Marco gave a breath as he hung up the phone with Thatch, before he called Ace, hand on his face. When Ace answered, Marco spoke. "Why did you get us a brand new kitchen, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Thatch said he wanted one. Didn't he like it?" Marco gave a breath. "No, he loved it, not that. Just, you can't do this, Ace. You can't buy everything for me or my family, yoi. You need to stop this." Ace hummed. "I can't stop now. I can't just get stuff for Thatch and Haruta, I need to include everyone, if not, it is unfair, and don't you dare say anything against it." Marco wanted to argue, but knew Ace was sort of right, it would be unfair if only those got it. Marco sighed. "Fine, but don't go overboard, okay?" Ace hummed. "Will try." Marco moved a hand to his face. "You will go overboard, right?" Ace chuckled. "Maybe. I like to spoil! Let me spoil!" Marco sighed. "Fine, but don't go overboard, and don't buy before they know about us, yoi. Okay?" Ace hummed. "That are terms I can agree to, yes." That was good. He then spoke a bit more with Ace, being sure they still were on for tomorrow, before they hung up.

Marco then went and found Pops, and Marco looked at Pops. "Pops, just so I have said it. Ace is on a gift spree and might buy you or give you something, and it might be expensive." Pops blinked. "What?" Marco nodded. "Yeah. He paid for Haruta's education, and the new kitchen for Thatch. And he wants to buy something for everyone, yoi. Even though I am against it, but I can't make him stop, he said, since he can't just buy something for just Haruta and Thatch, he needs to buy something for everyone, and he has started." Pops gave a small nod. "I will be on the lookout. But a new kitchen?" Marco nodded. "Yep, Thatch is shocked, which I get, yoi." Pops blinked. "Well, I will keep an eye out for it." Marco nodded. "Please do, yoi. I will try and make him not go overboard." Pops nodded. "When are you meeting next?" Marco hummed. "Tomorrow, he will come pick me up at 4:30pm, no one should be home then, you're all busy and Curiel leaves at 4pm, yoi." Pops nodded. "Yes, I hope you will have a nice date, son." Marco smiled. "I think I will, yoi. Everyone so far has been amazing. Might spend the night with him, we'll see how late it gets." Pops smiled. "I am glad you're happy, son. And stay the night, you can start late the next day." Marco hummed. "I might do just that, yoi." Whitebeard smiled, he hoped for that. He wanted Marco to be happy, and Ace might manage to make him happy. They then spoke a bit, before they went on with their days.

The next day, he left when Ace came and picked him up, having hired a driver to take them to a restaurant in town, and Ace had a hotel room in case it got late. They then enjoyed dinner and a show, and then decided to watch a movie. When it was done, it was late, almost 9pm, so they decided to head to the hotel. When Marco asked why a hotel and not his place, Ace hummed. "I like to stay in hotels now and then, to support them." Ace was so nice, and Marco was so glad he was dating such a kind man. It was a bit of a small walk to the hotel, but it was fine. Walking and talking with Ace was just perfect.

They were just enjoying the walk together and each other's company, it was nice and calm. As they walked, Ace suddenly stopped. "Fuck. Marco, run!" Marco blinked and turned to Ace, and saw Ace had started to run away, but Marco felt confused. Ace then came a bit back and grabbed his hand as he said "Run! Marco! Just run!" Marco did, running with Ace. Marco looked back and saw 3 large men running after them. Marco did his best to run fast, but had issues keeping fully up with Ace, so Ace slowed a bit down to him, and Marco looked at Ace. "Who are they!?" Ace shook his head. "Just run! I will explain!" Marco nodded and did.

They then ran, and after a while they were on a bridge and he felt this might be their downfall as it was a long stretch that was straight. As they ran, Ace sent a look at him. "You trust me, right?" Marco nodded. "I do, wh-" Marco didn't get to finish as Ace suddenly turned right, where an opening in the bridge's extra tall wall was, before Ace spoke, "Legs straight! Arms straight down! Swim fast backwards! Be under the water as long as you can!" Marco wasn't able to say a response, as he felt scared as the bridge was at least 80 feet, maybe 90, and just as he was about to stop, Ace dragged him over the edge as he jumped, dragging Marco with him. Marco felt like this might be his death. As they fell, Ace let go of his hand and Ace moved his hands to be by his side, close, and legs straight, and Marco did the same, barely able before they hit the cold water.

Marco wasn't able to make anything out in the murky waters, but did his best to swim backwards, before he felt he couldn't hold his breath anymore and swam so he could breathe again, and saw he was now under the bridge and couldn't see the top, which also meant the ones who chased them couldn't see him. Marco looked around and soon saw Ace also come up, and Ace looked at him. "You good?!" Marco nodded. "I think so!" Ace nodded. "Good!" Then Ace started to swim to an i beam supporter that had a small platform as he yelled "Here!" Marco swam after, feeling his heart beating so hard. When he got to it, Ace had already gotten onto the support and helped him up, when he was on his way to speak, Ace moved a hand as he looked up. "Shh, need to make sure they are gone." Marco nodded.

After a minute, Ace spoke as he looked at him. "They probably think we died. So we should be safe, but we should stay put a little bit. You're not too cold?" Marco shook his head, but he was sure he had way too much adrenaline to be able to be cold right now. "Who was that?" Ace gave a breath. "Just some goons who want my head. Don't worry." Marco blinked. "I should not worry that we jumped from a 90 feet tall bridge since someone wants to kill you, yoi?" Ace hummed. "It was 118 feet, done it before. The reason it has that opening in the railing." Marco blinked. "Is this a regular thing?" Ace hummed. "At times." Ace then moved to the ladder that was there and started to climb. "We should go see if they are gone." Marco nodded and climbed after. When Ace got to the top, he slowly checked and saw no one it looked like as he climbed up.

As they were up, Marco started to feel cold, and Ace took his phone up, before he called someone. When it answered, Ace spoke. "Main bridge south of town, need a lift. Yes. Soaking wet. Good. See you soon." Ace then looked at him. "A ride will be here in 5 minutes, max 10. Did your phone survive? Any other electronics that might not have?" Marco took his phone up and it seemed to work, and it was said to be waterproof. Then he checked his clock and saw it had stopped, so Marco sighed. "My clock, yoi." He really liked this one. Ace looked at it. "I will have that paid for. Send me the bill." Marco blinked. "Are you sure?" Ace nodded. "I am. I made you jump from this bridge, so yes. Would you like to go home? I want to, as I want new clothes." Marco nodded. "I think I would like to go home maybe, yoi. I am soaking wet." Ace nodded. "I get it."

They then chatted, before a car came and they got in, and the driver spoke. "The Harkeys?" Ace nodded. "Yep. This is Marco." The driver looked at him and made a small wave with her hand. "Hi, I am Mika. So you're the one Ace speaks of often." Marco gave a small wave back. "Yeah." Mika hummed. "I like him. Where to?" Ace chuckled and gave the address to Marco's house, and they were off. When they got there, Ace looked at him. "Sorry for the abrupt end, hope your evening is good. And send me the bill for that clock." Ace then kissed him, and Marco smiled. "I will. Good evening. Bye. Thanks for the ride, Mika." Mika waved. "No issue." Marco then got out and the car drove off.

Marco then walked into the house and as he walked to his room, he met Pops, who blinked. "You're back early?" It was almost 10pm now. Marco nodded. "Yeah, some issues happened." Pops blinked. "You're… soaking wet, son." That would be odd as it was a clear sky this evening. He had sort of hoped to not meet anyone, but Pops could know. Marco looked down the hallway and saw no one, before he looked at Pops. "We jumped from the South Percy's bridge, yoi." Pops blinked. "Excuse me?" Marco nodded. "Yeah. Someone chased us, wanted Ace dead. We had to, yoi. Now, I need a change of clothes, and a warm shower." Pops blinked. "Son, are you sure of this?" Marco nodded. "I am. I am sure it is a one time thing. Now, I will go for a warm shower and dry clothes." Pops blinked, but nodded. "I don't want you to get sick. But I would like a small chat when you're dry." Marco nodded. "Sure, yoi." Then Marco went to his room for a change of clothes, before he went to the bathroom for a hot shower. As he was in the shower, he couldn't help but think about the fact Benn had said the same as Pops, if he was sure of this. And Marco felt mostly sure. But while it was a lot, it was also fun. And, it had gone by fine.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

A lot happened in this and I hope it was good

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