Hello everyone, here is another chapter!

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Marco hummed and walked into his and Ace's room, seeing Ace sitting on the bed, looking a bit down. He had spent the day so far with Alyssa, who had gotten a room close by, and he guessed she was relaxing right now as she had fallen yesterday and her body was still settling to having fallen.

Marco looked at Ace. "Ace, what is it?" Ace looked to feel down and unsure, so Marco moved to sit down on the bed and moved his hand to Ace's and squeezed it. "You can tell me anything, yoi." Ace gave a breath. "I know it is probably stupid…" Marco shook his head. "I am sure it isn't, yoi. What is it?" Ace used a few seconds, before he spoke. "I have a massive fear that no one actually likes me, rather everyone is just politely tolerating me, hoping I leave them alone. Like if you ignore me once, just one time, I will automatically assume that I annoy you, and instantly force myself into 'don't speak unless spoken to' mode. One moment I am fine, and the next I am convinced I'm unfit for any human relationship."

Marco felt so bad for Ace, that he felt and thought that, and hugged him, before a thought entered his mind, which he hoped would help. "Good thing we aren't humans, we're demons, yoi." Ace gave a small laugh mixed with a half sob. Marco hugged Ace tight. "Never should you be afraid of me ever ignoring you or thinking you to be a bother, yoi. I love you as you are amazing and everything I could ever want." Ace nodded and leaned into the hug. "I try to tell myself that, but I just…" Marco gave a breath. "I know your self confidence and esteem isn't really high, and haven't been for a while. But you are so amazing, Ace. You alone are amazing, yoi." Ace smiled, tears in his eyes. "I am glad I found you, that you answered when I called." Marco smiled, kissing him. "I am as well. You are amazing. And I am so glad we met each other. I know a lot has happened, but I am so glad you're here." Acce nodded. "I am as well. But I just… what if Alyssa finds out she doesn't like me?"

Marco moved a hand to Ace's cheek. "She really likes you, yoi. And why shouldn't she? You're so kind and nice. I am sure she will never dislike you." Ace nodded and gave a small smile. "I hope so." Marco moved and hugged Ace. "I know you feel low at times, and I know you can't help it. But I wish you didn't, yoi." Ace gave a small nod. "I wish as well…" Marco nodded, he got that. He moved and kissed Ace, and when they parted, Marco smiled at Ace. "And remember you can tell me about everything, yoi. I am here for you." Ace nodded. "I know, and I am so glad about that. I am so glad I have you, and everyone. I feel… happy here, but I just have down times." Marco nodded. "I get that. Why don't we relax a bit? I am sure Alyssa is soon ready to run around again, yoi." Ace chuckled. "Yeah, she enjoyed it here it seems like, which makes me glad. I can't believe she gave up Heaven to be here..."

Marco hummed. "Well, you're here. And you are amazing, yoi. And what she said, how everyone should be glad she died young… that is not okay." Ace nodded. "I know, I guess Heaven isn't as… heavenly as I had believed. I am just glad Luffy and Sabo are happy." Marco nodded. "I am as well. I know they mean a lot to you, yoi." Ace nodded. "They really do. Knowing they are happy… makes me very happy." Marco smiled, he would do his best to arrange another meeting with them, but knew it wasn't the easiest as he had before, but he would do his best.

They then relaxed for half an hour, before Alyssa came and knocked on the door, and Ace went with her to show her more trees and flowers. He was just doing Hell trees for now, not soul trees, but he would introduce her to Shanks a bit later. Not wanting to overwhelm her.

-x-

The next day, Ace moved with Azuruko as he was helping him with a soul that had issues moving on. They walked to a park, and the weather wasn't the best today, and it was getting a bit late, the clock was soon 7pm, and it was getting dark. It wasn't raining, but it was a cloudy day. Azuruko had also taught him how to hide from the living so only the dead could see him and how to switch between only the dead or the living also seeing him. Ace could see everyone though. When they got to a park, Ace saw some people here and there, but not many. Before he saw that by one of the chess tables, sat a man alone, people walking past him, not even seeming to see him. He looked to be closing in on his 40s, black hair with some gray, and a blue shirt with black pants on. Ace sent a look at Azuruko, who nodded, and Ace walked over to the table and looked at the man with a smile. "Hi. Would you like a game?" The man seemed shocked that Ace spoke with him, before the man turned to see Azuruko close by, and the man gave a breath. "Move along kid, I am not leaving." Ace blinked. "I didn't ask you to leave, I asked if you wanted a game? I have to warn you though, I am not good at chess." The man blinked, before he nodded and Ace sat down.

Ace then tried to think how chess was played, before he looked at the man. "Who should start?" The man hummed. "White always starts, and you have the white pieces." Ace nodded, he didn't know that, and moved a piece. Then the man did, and they continued to play as Ace spoke. "What's your name?" The man hummed. "None of your business." Ace nodded. "Okay. I'm Ace. You seem very good at this." The man nodded. "Yeah, and you do not. Check." Ace blinked, not seeing the check, before the man pointed to his knight, and Ace saw it now, and moved his king away to safety. The man hummed, and moved his other knight, before he said "Checkmate." Ace blinked, and realized he was right. Ace nodded. "Good game. I am not the best at this." The man nodded. "I noticed. Would you like some tips?" Ace nodded. "Yes."

The man nodded and they put their pieces back, but this time, the man had the white pieces, and he told some moves, what they were called, and how to always have a safety for the pieces. It was very interesting. As he had taught him a lot, Ace nodded. "Should we try another round?" The man nodded. "Sure." Then they started to play, the man having the white pieces. This round went on a bit longer, but Ace still lost. As they were about to start the next round, Azuruko came over and looked at him. "I need to leave for a bit." Ace nodded. "Okay. See you soon." Azuruko nodded and walked away. As he was gone, the man spoke. "You're Death's minion?" Ace hummed. "No. I just join him at times to look around and get to meet people." The man nodded. "So, when does it start?" Ace blinked. "Does what start?" The man sighed. "The speech you have for me to go into the light." Ace shrugged. "I don't have a speech. Also, can the knight jump over my own pieces?" The man blinked. "You don't? And yes, it can." Ace nodded and moved his knight. "I mean, I am not good with speeches. And hey, I get to learn how to play chess." The man gave him a small look, and the game went on.

Ace did lose this game, but Ace still felt he had fun. They then chatted as they played another round, and as they played, the man spoke. "My name is Lance." Ace smiled. "Hi, Lance. How did you get so good at chess?" Lance hummed. "Always liked to play, so I've always played. Been in the world championship a few times." Ace nodded. "Then you must be really good. I've never really played, only with my brothers now and then, Luffy and Sabo. Sabo is very good at chess, at least compared to me." Lance nodded and put him in check again, and Ace got out of it as Lance spoke. "Where are they now? I mean, if you're with Death, are they dead?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, they are. Oh!" Ace moved a piece, before he looked the board over. "Isn't that check?" Lance smiled. "It is. But I have a plan." And then Lance took and put a knight in the path, and Ace blinked, before he took the knight with his queen, and Lance hummed. "Remember, safety." And then Lance took his queen. Ace blinked. "Oh, a trap." Lance chuckled. "Yeah, a trap." They then played on and Ace soon lost to a checkmate.

As he had lost, Ace started to put the pieces back for another round, but Lance didn't, which had Ace stop. "Everything okay?" Lance looked at him. "You're not here to convince me to go through the light door?" Ace shrugged. "Not good at convincing people. If you don't want another round, I can leave." Lance quickly shook his head. "No, I would love one more round. I just, why are you here?" Ace shrugged. "I wanted to go around and I would like to play with you. I am learning a lot." Lance nodded and they started another round. As they played, the clock tower rang 9 times and Ace realized the clock was 9 pm now.

Ace blinked. "Oh, I should leave soon. It is getting late." Lance blinked. "You… you won't try to make me leave?" Ace looked at Lance. "I can't make you do things against your will. But, will you be here tomorrow for another few rounds?" Lance nodded. "I will await your return." Ace smiled. "That sounds nice. See you tomorrow." Lance gave a small nod and Ace left as Azuruko came, and they went to Hell again and Ace told Marco what had happened and Marco wondered how Ace felt that he couldn't make the man move on, to which Ace hummed. "Maybe I have better luck tomorrow? And I get to learn chess!" Marco chuckled. "I am glad you take this positively, yoi." Ace hummed. "I try to look at things with an open mind and make it good. Be positive." Marco smiled. "That's why I love you, yoi. You're amazing." Ace smiled, glad Marco felt that.

They then got ready for bed after getting a snack, before they went to bed. When morning came, he spent it with Alyssa, showing her around, and she seemed to find everything fascinating, kind of how Ace had in the start. Everyone was also kind to Alyssa, which was good, he didn't want her to have the welcome Ace had had, but it was all good now. Everyone also tried to make her happy, which was good. After lunch, Azuruko came and got him and they went back to Earth and he found Lance and they started another round of chess.

As they played the second round, Lance looked to the left when the school bell rang and when a girl came, Lance seemed to follow her with his eyes, she looked to be maybe 15. Ace looked at Lance and spoke. "You know her?" Lance blinked, before he looked back at the chess board. "No." Ace nodded and the game went on, and when they had played a bit, Lance spoke. "You don't wonder why I looked at the girl?" Ace shrugged. "Not my deal. If you don't want to tell, you don't want to tell." Lance seemed a bit shocked, and they played on, before Lance spoke some minutes later. "It's my daughter, the girl. Her name is Lissy." Ace nodded. "She looks sweet and nice." Lance nodded. "She is the kindest there is." Ace nodded. "It's never easy to leave loved ones." Lance sighed. "Yeah, it's not." Then the game went on, before Lance won.

They started another round, and Lance spoke. "My daughter is having some issues at school. Or she did." Ace hummed. "School can be hard, not only because the classes are hard, but because children can be mean." Lance nodded. "Yeah. I am scared that if I go, she will suffer more." Ace nodded. "I get that. I quit school, which I don't recommend people doing. But at times, that is what one needs to do." Lance nodded. "Yeah, but I have no idea how she is now… I don't want to be a creep and go into the school." Ace smiled. "You're a good man and father, you don't want to spy too much. Would it help if I went and had a chat with her?" Lance blinked. "You can… do that?" Ace shrugged. "Why not? I mean, you said she liked to help others, and I can pretend I am a new teacher helper?" Lance nodded. "Yeah. I would like that."

Ace nodded and stood up, took a breath, being sure he could be seen by the living again, before he walked to the girl who sat and read a book on the bench, Lance beside him. When Ace was close, he spoke. "Excuse me, I see you have a bag from that school over there, I have an internship I need to do and am thinking of that school. Is it good?" Lissy seemed shocked Ace spoke to her, but she quickly smiled and nodded. "It is good. I would recommend it." Ace nodded. "No bullying? Was at one where that was a lot and I didn't like that as no one listened to me when I brought it up to the teachers and principal." Lissy hummed. "There are some, but not bad. It was worse a bit ago, much worse, but we got a new principal after my mom gave the old principal a stern lecture and such, before she went to the board of education and got him fired. She was grieving a loss then. The new principal is great and takes us seriously." Ace smiled. "That is very good to know. You look like you enjoy school." Lissy nodded and smiled. "I do now. I hope I will see you again." Ace nodded. "Yeah."

Then Lissy went back to her book and Ace went away and made it so only the dead could see him, and looked at Lance, who had tears in his eyes. "She's happy. I can't believe my wife, who is usually not confrontational, did that." Ace looked at Lance. "Greif does that to you. Make you act like not yourself at times. Or more like yourself and be stronger." Lance nodded, looking at his daughter, before the girl looked at her phone, put her book in her bag, and left for school. Ace then looked at Lance. "Would you like another game?" Lance seemed to think, before he shook his head. "I think I might be ready now." Ace nodded. "That's okay too. If you want a game, ask for Sabo, he is very good. Tell him that Ace sent you." Lance nodded, and Azuruko came then and looked at Lance, gave him a nod, before he used his cane to open a gate. It had Lance take a breath, before he looked at Azuruko. "You got a good kid there." Azuruko nodded. "I know." Then Lance gave a small wave to him, which Ace returned, then Lance went through the light door.

As he was gone and the door closed, Azuruko looked at him. "Thank you, Ace. He has been here for almost a year now." Ace smiled at Azuruko. "No issue, and I got to learn chess!" Azuruko smiled. "I am glad I got you to help me." Ace nodded. "Yeah, and I enjoy it so far, even though I feel bad for him. But I hope he is happy now." Azuruko nodded. "I am sure he is. And I do need you to tell me if this is too much sadness for you." Ace nodded. "I will. It isn't yet. Is there anyone else right now?" Azuruko hummed. "Why don't we call this a day? And if you're up to it, we could head out for lunch tomorrow?" Ace nodded. "That sounds good. I am glad I got to help you." Azuruko smiled. "And I am glad you are here to help me, and I am looking forward to lunch tomorrow." Ace nodded, he did as well.

They then went back to Hell and Ace told Marco how it had gone, and Marco nodded. "You seem very good at making a connection with people, yoi, Which I get as you are amazing." Ace smiled a bit. "Maybe…" Marco moved a hand to Ace's cheek. "You are amazing, and I wish you saw yourself as I see you, yoi." Ace looked at Marco who looked sincere, and Ace gave a small nod. "Yeah… I just… I don't know." Marco stroked his cheek a bit. "I know you're getting better. And you are getting better. One day, you will see yourself as I see you; amazing and strong, yoi." Ace nodded. "I hope so." They then shared a kiss.

As they parted, Marco as if anything else had happened and Ace mentioned he was going out to lunch with Azuruko tomorrow, which had Marco nod. "That sounds nice, yoi." Ace smiled. "Maybe you can join as well? That would be nice. …I hope. I know you might not like him that much…" Marco shook his head. "It's not that I don't like him, yoi. He is… He is Death, he is powerful." Ace nodded. "I get that. Maybe being around him would help? He is very nice." Marco hummed. "I will think about it, yoi." Ace smiled. "Sounds good." Ace hoped Marco would join, it could be very nice he felt.


And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

This one wasn't that long, but the next one will most likely be longer

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