Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter!

This will be a bit of a calm one as well, and stuff happens

Some things are also a bit rushed as it got a bit long and I didn't want it to be too long

I also was going to have other things happen, but will save them for now so this wouldn't get too long

Read and relax

Hope you enjoy

Izou walked into Aveil's office, needing to share this. This was his first day after the weekend and when Ace had visited and done the motorcycle thing with Marco. When Aveil saw him she hummed. "You look extra excited today. Any reason?" Izou nodded. "Yes, there is. Ace visited us this weekend and did this motorcycle thing with Marco. I have a sure feeling they will marry, and you need to make the suits because you are so amazing!" Aveil lifted an eyebrow, before she stood up and used a finger to motion him to follow, before she walked to the closed off room no on was allowed in, opening the door to show a multitude of dresses and suits, and Izou was in awe, before Avil walked over to some mannequins as she spoke. "You think I don't know that? Knew when he told me he wanted me to make a suit for him. The way Ace spoke, I knew. So, I have these-" Aveil then showed 3 mannequins, which had on suits and Izou was in such awe now he was speechless. The suits were so amazing.

Aveil motioned to one of the suits. "This I am thinking for Marco, but not too sure. I don't know him that well… yet." Izou blinked. The suit was… amazing. It was blue with golden markings and golden cuffs and the golden markings were sort of in the shape of feathers, and it had a bird, most likely a phoenix, on his left side that was embroidered on. Aveil turned the suit and the back looked amazing and had another bird on the back and more markings, and it looked so perfect. The pants were dark and plain, but it looked so good and Izou had ideas on what Marco would like and look perfect in, but this was so amazing as well.

Aveil then motioned to the two other suits. "And these are for Ace." They were so amazing as well. One was green with golden markings on the cuffs, shoulders, and end of the coat. It had a vest and a green ascot. It looked more detailed than the one for Marco, but Aveil knew Ace better than Marco. The other one was darker, but had amazing addons. It had large shoulders that looked like bones or spikes, the under shirt was royal blue and it had golden markings on the coat. And the coat also had some metal addons that were like a dragon's head with wings, and it complimented it perfectly. Ace would look so stunning in this.

Aveil then walked a few steps, before she hummed. "I also have this, which I know Ace would love as he loves fall and orange, and he might want to wear a more dress version maybe." Izou blinked and felt so amazed at the 'dress' Aveil showed. She was so skilled. It was an orange dress like coat with long sleeves and a hood, it also looked like it had a cape, but it didn't, just layers on the shoulders. It also had leaves and some branches embroidered into it in also orange, and it was so perfect.

Izou blinked. "Wait, Ace likes dresses?" Aveil hummed. "He does at times. As you learn more about Ace, you will see." Izou nodded. "Can I-" Aveil hummed. "No, you may not tell any of them about this. But," Aveil smiled at him. "You know Marco better, so you could help me make a suit for him, if you wish to, that is." Izou blinked. "Yes. Yes! I would love to! Oh my God! I know what he likes!" Aveil hummed. "Good. Get to designing then." Izou gave a small squeal, this would be amazing!

-x-

Whitebeard sat at the dining table as they were eating dinner, Ace here with them. Ace had been over now and then the last couple weeks. Most were here, beside Vista, as he had to work, and Haruta, who had started school and was now in her dorm, studying for some tests and to get to know people and the school better.

As they were enjoying themselves, Whitebeard moved to stand when he heard the doorbell and went to see who it was. When he opened the door, he blinked as a stranger stood there. The man had silver hair and looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s. "Hello?" Said Whitebeard, and the man gave a small nod to him. "Hi. I am sorry to intrude, but is Ace here? Sabo said he was." Whitebeard blinked. "He is here, do you want me to get him, or do you want to come in?" The man hummed. "Am I allowed to come in?" Whitebeard nodded. "You are." He felt this man didn't want anything bad, so this felt safe. And he mentioned Sabo told Ace was here, might be a friend.

He then walked back with the man in tow, and when they got to the dinner room, where Ace was with the others, Whitebeard spoke as he was in the entryway. "Ace, it was for you." Ace looked over at him as he stood up, and the man was behind him still when Ace spoke. "Who was i-" Ace cut off as the man walked into view, and Ace blinked. The man then spoke. "I'm back, I-" The man didn't get to finish as Ace very quickly got up and launched at him, sucker punching him hard, most likely breaking his nose as it started to bleed and he heard a crunch.

Everyone looked shocked, but no one dared to step in, when Ace hit him again as he yelled. "Where have you been?!" The man took a step back. "Long story. I was chained to a pipe." Ace punched him again. "For over a year?!" The man took one more step back. "For a couple weeks, then I was a slave for a bit on a boat, I escaped before I got sick from malaria, that knocked me out for a couple months, then I was in the Amazonas, before back on the boat, then I was packing cocaine in Amazonas, before the DEA came, and now I am here."

Ace looked at him. "That sounds insane!" It did. The man held his arms out. "Hey, it's me." With a weak chuckle. Ace moved a hand to his face as he said "fuck", while he looked upset, before he lunched again, and Whitebeard was sure Ace would kill this guy, or beat him to a pulp, when Ace moved to hug him and the guy hugged back. Ace then gave a relieved breath. "I've missed you, Trevor. I searched for so long." Trevor nodded as he hugged tight. "I know. The drug ring wasn't prepared for me to start a mutiny." Ace gave a chuckle that sounded happy and upset, before Ace leaned back. "You need to tell me everything. You hungry? Dinner has barely started."

Trevor hummed. "I would love to. And now, what is this I hear about you having a boyfriend?" Ace looked at Trevor. "What was I supposed to do? Sit and knit until you come back to introduce him to you? I thought you were dead!" Was this a previous boyfriend? Trevor hummed. "Hey, I am your best friend! I want to meet him!" Ace looked at him. "And you will, after Curiel, who is a doctor, looks at your nose." Curiel got up and walked over and looked at it, and Trevor spoke. "Yeah, you also made a deal with The Whitebeard company?" Ace hummed. "Also a long story. We can share stories while we eat." Trevor nodded. "Yeah, I would like that. I have a year to catch up." Ace nodded. "Yeah." Curiel then took a step back. "I don't think it is broken actually." Trevor looked at Ace. "You gotten weak?" Ace looked at Trevor. "Hey, I can still break it!" Trevor chuckled. "Joking." Then Trevor got a chair and sat down.

Ace then motioned to Trevor. "This is Trevor. He is a good friend and work buddy." That made sense. Trevor held his hand up. "Hey! I am not 'a good friend'! I am the best friend!" Ace smiled. "Yeah, you sure are." Trevor chuckled. "You sure must have missed me, you hate it when I call you that." Ace then blinked. "Wait, have you been with Mika yet?" Trevor hummed. "Heading there after here, I wi-" Ace moved and swatted Trevor on the shoulder. "No! Head to her now! I don't think you realize how much she has missed you!" Trevor blinked. "That much?" Ace looked at Trevor. "Head there now!" Trevor nodded and got up. "I will then. See you tomorrow?" Ace nodded. "Head to my home, let's say tomorrow at 2pm?" Trevor nodded. "Sounds good. See you then." Then Trevor left.

As he was gone, Thatch looked at Ace. "So… who is that?" Ace hummed. "A friend and work friend. We've known each other for years, but he disappeared a bit over a year ago, and I was sure he was dead and body hidden. This is… good." Ace did look relieved, which was good. The dinner then went on, and when over, Ace said goodbye and left, after asking Marco if they could meet in two days, which would be on Tuesday, after work. Which did seem to fit for Marco. Which was good.

-x-

The next day, Ace sat ready for Trevor, who came a bit before 2pm. Sabo had told yesterday that Trevor had shown up there, and after Sabo and Luffy had hugged him, Sabo told where Ace was and a quick update, and Trevor went to find him. When He saw Trevor, the first thing Ace did was punch him again, before he hugged him, and Trevor hugged back while chuckling. "You have been violent lately." Ace hummed. "You have been missing for over a year!" Trevor sighed. "Yeah, sorry about that." Ace leaned back. "No, it's sort of okay. Who was it?" Trevor hummed. "Someone connected to Doflamingo, but not him as well. it was odd, I am not entirely sure to be honest. You can help me figure it out?" Ace nodded. "Yes, these people need to pay." Trevor nodded. "Oh yeah. What sucked the most was being chained to a pipe and having malaria. But I am well now. They caught it early. They needed me as I was good at what I did. I am sorry, I tried to send messages, but I think they were all stopped." Ace nodded, before he hugged Trevor again. "I've missed you so much."

Trevor chuckled and hugged back. "I know. I missed you too. Now, Marco, tell me about him." Ace chuckled and started to speak.

-x-

Marco went to the restaurant he would meet Ace at, and when he got there, Ace was already there and Marco went over, gave Ace a kiss, and sat down, and asked how he had been. Ace said he had been fine and spent some time with Trevor. Marco nodded. "So, Trevor is a work friend, yoi?" Ace hummed. "And a friend friend. A good friend. We've known each other since I was 15. He's been with me through thick and thin." Ace then moved a hand to his on the table. "And you don't need to worry about him. I like you romantically, not him." Marco blinked. "I didn't mean to imply that, yoi." Ace chuckled. "It is no issue. He has scared off boyfriends before. We are a bit close at times. But I don't like him like that." Marco nodded. "Hope he won't scare me off then, yoi." Ace hummed. "He better not dare." Marco chuckled.

They then spoke and enjoyed dinner, and they decided that on Saturday, they, as in Ace and his brothers, could come to the house and have dinner, to introduce Sabo and Luffy more to his family, as he felt this was getting sort of serious, and Ace agreed. They were official now, and Marco really liked Ace and hoped this would be a very long lasting relationship.

When they were nearing the end of dinner, they decided to meet again on Thursday, before they parted ways as Ace had something he had to do. He did tell Pops about the dinner idea for Saturday, and he liked it and most would join as they tried to all eat together on the weekend. And they should get to know Sabo and Luffy more as well. When Thursday came, they met for a walk and went and walked around in a large park, enjoying some ice cream as well and just being around each other.

-x-

On Saturday, Whitebeard sat and spoke with Ace and his brothers as the food had gotten here. They were here for dinner to get to know each other better, or mostly introducing Luffy and Sabo more to them as it was starting to get serious between Marco and Ace. They had also ordered today, being a mix of pizza, burgers, and kebabs. And everyone knew about Marco and Ace now. While some had had some issues, as Ace was a dangerous man, he was also very kind and caring. He had had some, who knew that Ace wasn't just a PI, being worried about this, but they would see it was fine. Ace wouldn't hurt them or Marco. He could see why Marco liked him. Ace was kind and caring.

As they were enjoying the meal, he heard the front door open, which made him blink as no one was supposed to come now as the ones not here were either working or busy. After a couple seconds, he heard Haruta's voice, saying "Pops." loudly. It was odd as she was supposed to be in her dorm this weekend. She had this large assignment at law school, and they had some tests coming up. Whitebeard was still amazed Ace had paid for her full scholarship and more, making it so she had a dorm to go to if she needed to concentrate. But what had him go to her and not just say he was here, was that she sounded like she was crying.

He went and opened the door to the hallway, as they were currently in the dining room. As he did, he quickly closed it behind him as he was met with a sobbing and crying Haruta. Whitebeard moved over and hugged Haruta, trying to console her, giving out words of comfort. When he saw the door to the dining room open again and Thatch there, he made a small motion for him to stay put, but as he should have known, Thatch never left when he could see a family member hurting and instead rushed to them, and more of his children followed. Everyone came to help comfort her, Marco a bit later as Ace and his brothers were here, but Ace had said something to Marco that made him also come to them, closing the door as Whitebeard saw Ace speaking to his brothers, probably to divert them from this.

They all did their best to comfort Haruta, trying to calm her down as she was sobbing. After a bit, she calmed down enough for Whitebeard to ask what had happened. Haruta sniffled as she was still crying but at least able to talk. "I- I started to hang out with this guy, we had the same law class and he was really cool. We… We started to hang and just help each other with assignments. And while I liked to hang out with him and work with him… I didn't have romantic feelings for him. But he… he tried to come on to me yesterday and I said no, since I didn't like him like that and then he got mad," Whitebeard felt worried now and was on his way to speak, needing to ask a question he didn't want to ask, but had to, when Haruta spoke instead. "He didn't do anything to me, he yelled and left. Called me some names, I didn't care and went on with my day."

Haruta took a breath. "I left for a study group today and when I got back to the dorm as I needed to grab some stuff, my door was open. Not open-open, but unlocked. And I know I locked it. And the place was a mess. So I was sure it was a break-in, but the lock was intact. But then I remembered something and went to my second purse as I have a spare set of keys there and they were gone, and the only one who knew they were there was Ryder, the boy. And then I checked everything. Also my jewelry box that I had hidden, you know, since I was going to bring it back here after I used it last week, the one with my mom's necklace. And it was gone." Haruta looked at him with emotional and sad eyes. A choked whisper escaping her lips. "He took my mom's necklace." Whitebeard hugged Haruta close.

He knew which necklace she spoke off. Haruta's mother had died a month after giving birth to her, and she didn't have much. But she had a necklace that she had given to Haruta. It was a necklace with an aquamarine stone. It was quite valuable as it was a 3 carat stone with a silver plate that had Haruta's mother's name on it. Her mother had died in a car crash and died before they reached the hospital. As she was in the ambulance fighting for her life, she had taken off the necklace and put it around her daughter's neck and told the paramedics to make sure she kept it, so Haruta would know she loved her. It was Haruta's most prized possession. She had had a time she didn't want to use it, scared Whitebeard would be upset as it was from her birth mother, and Whitebeard had sat down and said it was her necklace from her mother, and if she wanted to use it to remember her, to use it, to keep it safe. Whitebeard was Haruta's adoptive father, but no one could take the love her mother had for Haruta away from her. And since then, she has loved and cherished that necklace.

Jozu spoke. "We need to call the cops!" They should, this was theft. Haruta shook her head and spoke upset. "Nothing will happen. I can't prove it. I can't prove he took the keys without me knowing. There is a camera pointing in the hallway, but he has the keys and there is no forced entry. They can't do anything. And I can't get help from the courts as for all they know, I gave my keys to him, that he didn't break in. He will lie. He probably wore a hood. I know the law, he does too. I can't even claim it on the insurance as he had keys to the door. I checked my phone and he said that if I try to go after him, he will lie to the principal that I gave out my keys to a stranger and I am not allowed to do that and I would be expelled. He said this on a snap that I didn't manage to screenshot." Haruta gave a sob and hugged him again. "He took my mom's necklace." Whitebeard hugged her back and tried to comfort her. He felt bad for her, but he knew Haruta knew the law well and she was most likely right. He felt so bad for her.

Everyone did their best in comforting her, but they couldn't do anything. If they broke in to get it back, that was worse as this guy might be prepared for that, and they couldn't call the cops or sue him, as they had no evidence of forced entry. The necklace was lost, the only thing they could do was to keep an eye out at pawnshops and such. They used some time to comfort her, before she managed to collect herself and said she would just go to the bathroom and collect herself a bit more, and then she would join them as she was hungry and wanted to be with them to feel better, and they all got it.

They then went back to the dining room and went back to eating and Ace asked if everything was fine, and Whitebeard said it was nothing he needed to be worried about. When Haruta came a couple minutes later, she looked better and sat down. She did have sadness in her eyes, and he got it. That necklace meant so much to her. That man knew what he did. But they couldn't jeopardize her education, especially if it would just end with her being expelled and not get the necklace back.

The dinner then went on fine, everyone doing their best to cheer Haruta up. He did notice Ace was a lot on his phone now, seeming to mostly message someone or something like that. When they were done with eating dinner, they decided to head out to get some drinks and dessert, going to use the garden patio as the clouds were gone and the sun was shining now, as it had been cloudy earlier. Haruta seemed to be in a bit of a better mood. Which was good.

After an hour of being outside, the sun was now starting to set, which meant it would start to get a bit colder out, and they would either put on the heating lamps or head inside. He didn't know how long Ace and his brothers wanted to stay, but the clock was only 7pm.

It was a few minutes later that he heard some footsteps a bit away, before he heard the distinct sound of his gate being opened, meaning the person was heading here and he didn't know who it was. There were some large bushes that shielded them from the road, but the bushes were only on the half path to the main door, which meant they would soon see who it was. When the person came so far they could see who it was, Whitebeard blinked as he didn't know who this was. It was a man that seemed to be in his late twenties.

He was about to speak when Haruta did, sounding very upset as she stood up. "What are you doing here, Ryder!" Whitebeard blinked, on his way to stand up as well as this was the man who had taken her necklace. As he was on his way to stand up, especially seeing as Haruta sat closest to the path to the door, where the man stood, Ryder spoke, sounding scared as he held out a box. "I am sorry, here is your necklace. I was on drugs, or something. I don't know. Please take it back. Please check and see that it's there. The keys are also in there." Haruta blinked, but did take the box and opened it and gave a gasp, before she moved a hand to check it and he could see it was a necklace which looked exactly like Haruta's. Haruta moved the silver plate and it seemed to be the right one as Haruta looked emotional.

Haruta looked up at Ryder. "Why are you now giving it back to me? You said I was a-" Ryder cut her off as he held some papers out. "I was wrong and I didn't mean it. Here is a signed affidavit by me, it is signed and notarized. It says that should I ever mention your name, either verbally or in writing anywhere in a negative light, you are allowed to take me to court and sue me for 2 million dollars for breaking this affidavit. I am now going to leave and you will never see me again as I quit school and are looking for a better opportunity on another continent. Goodbye." Ryder seemed very scared of something, especially as he seemed to be fleeing, not only the state, but the continent. What had scared him?

As Ryder turned around and on his way to take a step away, Ace gave a loud "Ahem." Which had Ryder turn around again and take out an envelope and a credit card, handing both to Haruta. "I also stole your credit card. Here it is back. I used it to buy dumb things in stores. In the envelope there is the cash to cover what I bought, as well as interest. And 25k for emotional distress. I am sorry and I will never bother you again. Hope you have a good day." Then Ryder bowed, turned around and walked as fast as one could without outright running.

As he was gone, they all were shocked, before Haruta looked at Ace. "How did you do that?" Ace hummed. "No idea what you are talking about. I've never seen him before." Sabo gave a snort. "You're such a bad liar." Ace chuckled. "Maybe I am." Haruta blinked. "What did you have on him? He fled the continent. You need a clean rap sheet to get into the university." Ace hummed. "He comes from big money. While his rap sheet is clean since his parents have money, it doesn't mean they don't exist. Maybe someone told him about things not even his parents knew about? And other things. Based on what they might say, he is smart to flee the continent, and leave to one who does not have an A in it."

Whitebeard blinked. That was amazing. Before he could speak, Luffy did. "What is a continent?" Sabo chuckled. "There are 7 continents on Earth. North America, South America, Antarctica, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia." Luffy blinked. "Oh. So he is going to Europe?" Sabo hummed. "Maybe." Luffy blinked. "Huh. Many people we meet leave for Europe I think. Is it popular?" Ace chuckled. "Only if they have half a brain. And it is. We've been to a few European countries, you know this." Luffy nodded, before he looked excited. "Can we get a cat?!" Whitebeard blinked, how did Luffy skip topics so fast? Ace hummed. "No. We can visit the cat cafe if you want to?" Luffy nodded. "Yes! Can we tomorrow!" Ace nodded. "We can." Ace then looked at his watch. "Maybe we should leave soon. It is getting a bit late." Ace then looked at them. "This has been very fun and I hope we can do it again." Sabo and Luffy nodded, agreeing.

They then left after saying goodbye to all of them and would keep in touch. As they were gone, Haruta looked at Marco. "Marco, never break up with Ace please. Not only since he is amazing, but I would be terrified for your life." Marco nodded. "I would be too, yoi. And I have no plans to do that. Not only since that might endanger my life, but I honestly really like and care for him, yoi. We have another date in two days. He is so amazing, and the first one I am completely sure isn't with me for my money or our company." Izou chuckled. "It is a much higher chance you are with him for his money. And Ace is so nice and cool." Everyone nodded as they agreed. Ace was very kind and amazing. And he felt this would help the others see that as well.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

This was fun to make, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Pictures of the suits and dress will be on my Discord

If you have any scenes you would like to see, don't be afraid to leave a comment, or send a PM!

And I love feedback too; it is what keeps me going!

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And if you just want to add me as a friend on discord, my tag/username is Azuruko#5250, just send a friend request if you want to. Or, you can join my Discord server, Azuruko's fiction, for the same reasons as my twitter. Instant invite: discord . gg / 6hzMhbR