Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

This is mostly one plot in this, as I got this idea and just had to do it

This has smut, as usual, it starts and ends with the (*)

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace blinked as he woke up, feeling the tranquilizer still in his system, but quickly got his bearings, only to see he was sitting on a chair in a room, hands tied behind his back. There also was a woman tied on the floor, and a man standing by a desk. He remembered he was on what was supposed to be a quick assignment, he had gone as Ace for this one to blend in more, when he had felt something in his neck and then not much else as someone had jabbed a needle into his neck and then everything went black.

As he got his bearings more, the man noticed he was awake, and Ace recognized him to be the person he was after, the leader here, Gil. Gil hummed. "You're awake, good. Now, I have some plans for you." Ace expected Gil to say a lot, most in the sense of information and to sell Ace off, when Gil spoke with a grin. "You see, I've been dabbling with some mind games, and hypnotization, and I've gotten a long way. Of course, the cocktail of drugs in your systems helps. So now," Gil moved to crouch in front of him doing some movement with his hand. "I order you to rape this woman. No matter how much she screams, you will continue." Ace blinked, not liking this. Gil then repeated it a few times with some movement with his hand. After it, he felt surprised when Gil moved to untie his hands without a second thought. Ace stood up and moved towards the woman, Gil chuckling as he watched how the woman looked horrified and started to plead, when Ace turned and quickly punched Gil so he fell unconscious.

After he had made sure he was out, Ace freed the woman, who thanked him and they then got out. As they were out and he was sure she was okay and safe, Ace noticed that he felt a bit puzzled. He hadn't even felt a small urge to do what Gil had wanted him to do. He had sounded very sure of himself, but it obviously hadn't worked, either because he hadn't done it on anyone, or he had done it and those he had managed it on had been weak-minded and most likely asked for more easy things. He knew one couldn't hypnotize people to do something against their will, usually, that was close to impossible. He had heard about the few cases of someone getting hypnotized to commit murder or robbery, but Ace wasn't sure he believed those stories. This was very odd, but it all was fine now. The woman was safe.

He then made sure all was handled here, and that everyone who deserved it was dead, the innocent being freed and off to somewhere safe. Ace then went back to the Moby, ready to just relax. He was a bit late, as he had been unconscious for a small bit, but it was fine.

-x-

Marco was glad to see Ace was back and seemed fine, he had been gone for a small bit longer than he had said, but it seemed to be nothing. When evening came and they were in Marco's room, they started to make out. It had just been a kiss at the start, but Ace seemed to want more, and Marco wasn't against that.

(*)

Marco moved a bit backwards so they could get their clothes off each other, before their lips found each other again and hands went to roam the other's bodies. He was about to move them to the bed to get preparations going, as he felt that was easier when not standing. But as he was about to move, Ace suddenly moved first and grabbed his chair, moving it a bit out from the desk, and sitting down on it. It had him blink. How would this work? Ace was too low now for him to do it naturally. It worked when Ace was half seated on his desk, but this wouldn't work. As he was about to voice this, Ace motioned him closer and then for him to sit on his lap, which Marco did. And when he did, Ace went back to kissing him and feeling his body, and Marco did the same. But then Ace's hand went to his back, and then lower and lower, before it reached his hole and started to prod.

That had Marco blinking, feeling a bit confused. He was about to speak up, to ask if Ace was sure about this, when he decided to just remain silent. He knew how huge of an issue Ace had with just imagining himself topping, the thought made him feel sick. But he had tried twice, and maybe he felt the third time was the charm. Marco was scared that if he spoke up and asked if he was sure, it would discourage Ace. If Ace wanted to try this, it was fine for Marco, he didn't mind being top or bottom. Yes, he did enjoy topping a bit more, but it was kinda the same for him. He felt this might be a sign Ace was opening up.

He then started to help Ace out with the prep, not that Marco even needed any, he was a phoenix, but he wanted to do this right, mostly for Ace's sake, and take it slow. He did make sure to keep an eye on Ace's face and expression, to be sure this went fine. And Ace looked to be more than okay, face full of lust, and Marco wasn't sure if it was right or not, but he felt Ace looked much more aroused than normal. But he tried not to think about that now, going to just enjoy this.

When he felt he was ready, or more like how Ace felt he was ready, Marco moved to sit a bit up, lining himself up, and Ace moved his hands to Marco's hips to help him along. When he sat down on the member, Marco couldn't help the groan mixed with a moan which left him. It had been so long since he had bottomed. He had sort of forgotten how it felt. And it felt good. They then continued moving, or mostly Marco moved, but he enjoyed it a lot. Ace didn't say anything or make much of any sound, which was a bit odd, but then again, this was something Ace hadn't done before he felt like. He took it that Ace trusted him enough to try this with him and was just focusing on the feeling.

When Marco felt his finish approaching, he noticed that his movement was becoming more erratic, and based on Ace's face, he was close too. From there on it didn't take long for Marco to reach his finish, Ace followed soon after, before they just rode out their orgasms. When they had and stilled, Marco leaned his head down against Ace's, feeling out of breath, and same did Ace. They then sat like that a bit, before he got up.

(*)

Marco then grabbed a cloth and they cleaned up the best they could, grabbing their boxers, before they went to bed and Ace actually fell asleep fairly quick, which was a bit unusual, but he was probably tired. Marco fell asleep after a bit as well, they would soon get up anyhow for the morning meeting.

When Marco woke up, he smiled as he saw Ace was still asleep, looking relaxed. Marco then sat up and looked at a clock, noticing the meeting was in half an hour, so he moved to sit on the edge of the bed and yawned while he woke more, before he moved to rouse Ace, moving a hand to his back, stroking him. It had Ace give a breath as his eyes opened before he sat up and looked a bit groggy. Marco gave a smile at Ace. "Hey, it's soon 7:30, yoi. The meeting i-" Marco cut off as Ace's eyes got wide with horror as he looked at him, which made him feel worried. What was going on? He was about to speak when Aced moved a hand to his mouth, looking absolutely horror stricken and full of guilt. Did Ace have a nightmare? No, he woke up calmly. He again was about to speak, when Ace disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

Marco felt very confused and extremely worried. What happened? What had made Ace look so horror filled and guilty? Marco quickly got dressed, before he first went to Ace's room, but found it empty. He then decided to maybe see if Dust was here, and if not, it could be that Ace had gotten a word from Dust that made him look like that. When he did get out, he blinked when he saw Dust was asleep in his nest, that was very odd.

He was about to head back to his room, or Ace's room, when someone spoke to his left. "Hey, where is Bunny? The meeting is soon." Marco turned to face Trevor, who looked calm, Marco didn't know what to do or say, when Trevor blinked. "Anything up? You look worried." Marco wasn't surprised Trevor saw that, and asked to speak with him in private, which had the man nod and they headed for Marco's room.

When they got inside, Trevor hummed. "Well, I see you two had fun. Is he showering?" Marco wasn't sure how he knew, but then saw Trevor looking at Ace's clothes, which were still on the floor, and Marco gave a half-nod, before he looked at Trevor. "Ace just left when I woke him up, yoi. And he seemed… horrified?" Trevor blinked. "Nightmare?" Marco gave a breath. "I don't know, but I don't think so, yoi. He was calm when he woke, but suddenly looked horrified and guilty maybe, before he just teleported away, without clothes. I thought maybe Dust had told him something, but he's asleep in his nest, yoi." Trevor blinked, before he looked worried and confused. "What? Take it from the start, how did he wake up." Marco nodded and did, telling everything step by step.

When he had, Trevor still looked confused. "That makes no sense. What did you do before you went to sleep?" Marco shrugged a bit. "Nothing special, yoi. We had sex. It was actually a bit odd as Ace wanted to top." Trevor blinked, before he laughed a bit. "Good one! No, seriously, what did you do?" Marco felt confused. "I just did." Trevor blinked, before he looked confused and something he couldn't decipher. "You're… not joking? Ace topped?" Marco nodded, which had Trevor look more confused. "No, I don't buy that. What did Ace say?" Marco blinked, before he shrugged. "Actually, he didn't say anything, yoi." Trevor blinked. "Okay okay, go back! I don't need all the explicit details, but please tell me how this went about." Marco nodded and did.

When he was done, Trevor blinked. "No, that doesn't sound like Ace, at all." Marco blinked. "Are you sure, yoi? I mean, I thought he maybe just wanted to try it out, and I didn't see any harm. He has before." Trevor blinked. "No. Or yes, he has. Once with a male, and once with a female. First was the female, and as soon as she was naked and said she was ready, he almost puked and had to actually leave. This was very early on. Next was a year later with a male. And just as they were about to get prepared, Ace actually did puke and broke down. So no, I don't believe any of this. Ace really topped? You're not messing with me?" Marco nodded. "I am not, yoi. I promise." Trevor blinked and looked very confused.

After a second, Trevor spoke. "How long ago since you woke and he left?" Marco hummed. "Maybe 5 minutes, yoi." Trevor nodded. "Okay. Let us give him a tiny bit of time, before I try and get to know where he went. I mean, this doesn't sound like Ace, at all. He wouldn't top. He gets sick when he tries, just the thought sickens him." Marco nodded, now feeling very worried. He should have spoken up when Ace wanted to try. He had felt it was out of character for Ace, but reasoned that he just wanted to try. He hadn't known Ace had actually puked when he had tried to before. He hoped Ace was fine.

-x-

Benn sat up when he heard a sound that woke him up. It sounded like someone barged into his room, which none did. They all valued privacy, and last night he had had the night shift and it was common to then let that person sleep until they woke. He felt ready for anything as he looked towards his door, hand somewhat inching towards the dagger he had under his pillow. But as his eyes tried to get accustomed to the darkness, the only light source being the small rays of the morning sun peaking through his curtained window, he heard the door closing again, before his eyes got used to the darkness and he had to blink. On the floor, sat Ace, hands over his mouth and nose, eyes large with horror and guilt, as well as unshed tears. He was breathing fast, almost rocking a bit back and forth. Ace seemed like he was panicking. He was also basically naked, the only thing he had on were his boxers.

Benn got himself up and standing, walking the couple steps towards Ace. "Ace? What is going on? What happened?" He asked while he moved, and when he was close to Ace, he crouched down. Ace swallowed, eyes not looking at him, seeming to just be locked at something on the wall or nothing, before he spoke sounding horrified. "I raped Marco." Benn blinked. Okay, his brain was still asleep. "What did you say? My brain is still not fully on." Ace shook his head a bit as a tear fell down his face, voice sounding horrified but not shaking, more close to stoic. "I raped Marco." Okay, so his mind was awake. But those words did not make sense at all.

Benn tried to think and make this logical, but it still didn't make sense. "How did you rape him? Mind rape?" He knew Ace couldn't top when having sex, just the idea made him feel sick, and to try made him actually sick, and that even when it was a consensual act. This made no sense. Ace shook his head a bit. "No. I raped him." Benn was still confused. "You need to take this from the top. What happened?" Ace did his best to take a breath, but it didn't really work, so Benn decided to help him out and gave him a look. "Look at me." Ace did reluctantly, and Benn moved his hand to be in front of himself and moved it up and down as he breathed calmly and said. "Follow me. In- and out. In- and out." Ace did and that did help a bit, before he again asked Ace to take it from the top.

Ace nodded and swallowed. "I did this assignment yesterday evening. And it went wrong, I got knocked out and when I came to the guy I was after said he would hypnotize me so I would rape this woman in front of him, while he watched. And he sounded so sure of himself. He did the whole thing, but it didn't work, at all. I felt no urge, nothing. So, I killed him and got the woman to safety. When I then returned to the boat, I felt fine. But then… Marco and I started to make out… The hypnosis must have somewhat worked as I… did it to Marco." Benn blinked. Ace had actually topped with Marco? Ace had actually raped him?

Benn looked at Ace, who still looked horrified, before Benn spoke. "How did you make him keep silent? Did you hold him down? He is the first commander, he is strong. I know you're stronger. But he would have fought." That was what he had issues with. Ace swallowed again, before he said how it had gone by. Not going into all the details, but how Ace had sat down in a chair and made Marco come over and sit on his lap, before doing some preparations, and then they did it. And when Ace was done, Benn blinked. "So, Marco rode you?" Ace nodded, looking like he was about to throw up, and Benn gave a breath. "Ace, no. You didn't rape him. He chose to. You didn't hold him down, you didn't force him. He could have said no or left. And he was over you, he moved while you were still. Yes, you might have had your hands on his hip, but no, he chose this."

Ace still looked horrified and guilty and didn't seem to believe him, which had Benn sigh. "Ace. Yes, you wouldn't have normally done that, be the top, and that we can blame on the hypnosis most likely. But even then, you didn't force Marco at all. He wanted to do it based on what you're telling me now." Ace didn't look to believe him at all as he looked shell shocked and just stared at him.

Benn gave a breath. "Okay, first act of business, you need clothes. Then we will leave for a safe and silent place, and there, we will have a chat with Marco." Ace looked at him shocked, already on his way to speak, when Benn did. "No, you will not avoid this. And you didn't rape him. Why in the world would he move with you or by himself if you raped him?" Ace didn't look sure, so Benn just went and got his own clothes and some spare ones he had for Ace, and when both were dressed, Benn left and told Shanks he would be gone for an hour, nothing big, which was fine, before he went back to his room. They left and Ace took him to an uninhabited island, which seemed to be Mara island. When they were there, Benn spoke. "Now, teleport me to the Moby, and I will grab Marco, maybe Trevor as well, and then we all will have a chat." Ace looked to feel dread, obviously not wanting to do this, but this was needed, and Ace nodded, before Dust was on his shoulder, and Benn was on the Moby Dick a second later.

As he appeared there, Whitebeard looked a bit surprised to see him. "Benn? Why are you here?" Benn sighed. "Just, get me Trevor and Marco, I am tired, I would rather sleep, but there is an issue that needs addressing first." Whitebeard nodded, and someone went and got them. When Trevor saw him, coming around a corner with Marco, he gave a small sound. "Ace not good? Marco explained." Benn hummed. "Yeah, we should go, he is panicking." Trevor nodded, before he looked at the captain. "We will explain later, now, we have a stressed Bunny to handle." Whitebeard nodded, seeming confused, and Marco repeated that they would explain when they were back, and to have the meeting without them as this could take some time. Before they left with Dust, Benn did tell Marco and Trevor to not touch Ace, which they nodded to, before they traveled back to Mara island.

When they appeared close to Ace, he still looked upset and horrified, now standing with his hands on his face and face lowered, and Trevor spoke first. "What happened?" Ace spoke, his eyes focused on something on the ground or just nothing. "I.. raped Marco." Trevor blinked, seeming confused, before he spoke. "How?" Ace just shook his head, and Benn looked at Trevor and Marco. "Someone tried to hypnotize Ace to rape a woman, he thought it didn't work, but it might have sort of as he topped with Marco." Trevor blinked. "Hypnotizing? Thought that was a scam." Ace shook his head. "It isn't… It worked… I… forced him…" Marco blinked. "What? No you didn't, yoi." Ace shook his head. "No, I wasn't fully with me, I might have said something I don't remember, meaning you weren't in your full mind… which means you didn't know… If you're not with your full mind, it is rape."

Trevor snorted. "Okay. If, if, I go by your logic now. I raped you as well once." Ace blinked, looking at Trevor confused, it was the first time that Ace lifted his head. "What?" Trevor nodded. "Yeah. You were drunk. Or wait, no, you weren't drunk. You were tipsy. But still, you were intoxicated. And I still did you." Ace blinked. "That's not the same." Trevor gave a dumb look. "How is that not the same?! Tell me how! You were affected by the booze and I still did you! The fact you did this now, doesn't mean you raped him! Marco wasn't opposed to it! What I did was worse! Since I did you!" Ace moved his hands to his face. "Can we get back to the real deal here?! We're not talking about that!" Trevor looked to be on his way to yell back, when he took a breath, and looked at Marco. "Marco, at this moment, are you with your full mind?" Marco looked confused, but nodded, which had Trevor continue. "Good. Now. Do you, in any way, form, or thought, feel raped? Like, at all?" Marco shook his head. "No, I don't, yoi." Trevor nodded and looked back at Ace, who was still hiding behind his hands. "So, no, Ace. You did not rape Marco, since he does not feel raped, as in, at all."

Ace took a shuddering breath, and Trevor was on his way to speak on, when Benn moved a hand, silencing Trevor, and the older man went up to Ace and moved a hand to his shoulder. "Ace. You've been through many horrendous things, some of which is rape, and when you got hypnotized and it didn't work right then- which is good- your mind was still affected by it, even though you didn't know it. But then you let down your guard when you got back home, which made it kick into effect. You're scared that everything you felt is something Marco feels right now, and I promise you, that's not what's happening." Ace moved his hands down a bit, now covering just his nose and mouth, and he was crying, looking to try and not sob, when Benn continued. "I think you're projecting all your awful feelings, how horrible it was for you, and still is, onto Marco. You didn't rape him. But you're scared that you did. Even if you have no reason to be. Listen to Marco, to Trevor, to me. You didn't rape Marco. It was, in his mind, consensual. It wasn't for you. So if you really think about it, in a way, you got raped again. And you're allowed to be upset about that." That was what Benn felt this was about. And it seemed to be right since as he was halfway through with his little speech, Ace started to sob, before he moved to sit down when he was finished, hiding behind his legs and arms.

-x-

Marco felt bad for Ace as Benn explained the situation some more. It made a lot of sense. Halfway through Benn's words, Ace started to sob, and when Benn was done speaking, Ace just sat down on the ground, moved his leg up to his chest, hugged them with his arms and buried his face in his knees as he sobbed. Now, thinking about what Benn just said, it all made sense for Marco, and it seemed it did for Trevor as well. Ace was scared Marco would feel like he felt and that all the horrible emotions and feelings would now affect Marco as well. And Benn was right, on Marco's side, this had been consensual, but on Ace's, it hadn't. So it was like Benn said, in a way, it was Ace who had been raped, and Marco felt bad about that, but wouldn't let it show right now, Ace didn't need that.

Marco moved to sit on his knees beside Ace and hugged him, being sure to just hug him for a bit, before he spoke. "You didn't do anything wrong, yoi. I am very sorry this all happened, but you didn't do anything wrong, yoi." Marco made sure to use his yoi twice there, just in case, and it didn't take long before he found Ace on his lap face in his chest, sobbing. Marco moved a hand to stroke his back, while the other moved to his head and had his fingers move through Ace's hair. He felt glad Ace wanted his comfort. He was worried he might have fucked things up, but it didn't seem like he had. And he now fully got why Ace had been and was so upset as Benn had explained it just right.

After a bit, Ace calmed down somewhat, Marco having moved to sit down on the ground as well. Ace was still crying, but at least not sobbing. Benn then spoke. "I am very glad you seem better, but I have been awake for way too long, had the night shift, and need some sleep. Can you take me back to my boat? Or would you like me here a bit more?" Ace seemed to think a bit, before he sniffled. "You can leave. Trevor as well. I just… I feel I will puke if I move." Trevor hummed. "Stay here as long as you need, I will go back to the boat, have the others calm down, and step in on the meeting." Ace gave a small nod, before Dust landed on Benn's shoulder, and Benn moved a hand to Trevor's arm, before they were gone.

As they were gone, Marco continued to stroke Ace's back and thread his hand through his hair, just comforting Ace. After a bit, he heard a sound and saw from the forest edge two horses that came, which were Stacy and Equinix. Marco guessed they were at Mara island then. The two horses came over to them and laid down, helping to comfort Ace, which was nice.

After a bit, Ace moved to sit up, drying his tears. "Okay, I don't feel like I will puke anymore." Marco smiled. "That's good." Marco then moved his hand to Ace's cheek. "I feel bad I didn't catch on that something was wrong, and I am sorry, yoi. You didn't do anything wrong, it was I that did." Ace gave a sniffle as he nodded. "It's okay… at least now. I just, was so sure I messed up." Marco shook his head and hugged Ace again. "No, you didn't. If anyone did, I did. I felt something was wrong, but I didn't give it more thought than I should have, yoi." Ace gave a small nod. "Maybe. But, you're fine? I didn't… hurt you?" Marco nodded. "I am fine, yoi. And you didn't. I am perfectly fine and I wasn't opposed to it." Ace nodded, but still looked a bit upset, which had Marco cup Ace's cheek. "It's okay if you feel upset still, but know that I am fine, yoi." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I just need to… digest it a bit." Marco nodded. "And that's fine. Would you maybe like to go on a small ride? I mean, Stacy and Equinix are here, yoi." Ace smiled at him. "I would like that a lot." That had Marco smile as well and they got up, walking over and getting on each horse, Ace on his, and Marco on Stacy, before they went for a ride, to calm Ace's mind.

-x-

Whitebeard didn't know what to feel when Benn said he needed Marco and Trevor, something seemed to be wrong. They were supposed to have their meeting now, but Marco and Ace hadn't shown yet, so they postponed it. When they left, no one had an answer or idea about what was up. Ace had seemed fine yesterday, after the assignment. After a bit, Trevor came back with Dust, and Whitebeard looked at the silver-haired man. "Is everything okay?" Trevor nodded. "It is now. Ace and Marco might be away for a small bit, but feel free to still have the meeting and I and Mika will help. Anna and Cioup can as well." Whitebeard nodded a bit, before he shook his head. "No, we can wait. If the meeting is today or tomorrow, it doesn't matter." Trevor nodded. "Sounds good." Whitebeard nodded. "What was the issue? Was it with Ace?" Trevor hummed. "All you need to know is that it is handled now. Nothing is wrong anymore." Whitebeard nodded, that was good. He would still try to speak with Marco later, as he had a feeling this had been something bad. But for now, things were fine. They would also soon dock at an island, which had some surrounding islands that varied in sizes. They just visited the one, as it had a decent size and was a nice island.

When Ace and Marco returned later, they seemed fine, which was good. When evening came, he had a chat with Marco, who told the gist of what had happened, not going into any explicit details, and Whitebeard got it, at least he felt he did. That must have been horrible for Ace, to think he had done that. But Marco said it was all fine, which was good, but he would try and have a chat with Ace as well, but Marco said he was busy right now, and would see if he could manage in the next few days to get Ace on a one on one chat. For now, they would soon dock and stay docked for a day or two.

-x-

Ace hummed as he looked at a neighboring island to the one they were docked at. They had docked a few hours ago. He had heard some of the inhabitants speaking about it being a bad island and had some bad people, and Ace wanted to check. So he went and found Whitebeard, told him about it, who said it was fine. Ace also said he would go alone as it would be a quick thing, which Whitebeard said was fine. Then Ace left for the island, and quickly found a mansion that had a lot of guards and had the general look of a slave mansion with high fences and such. So Ace quickly made his way inside, found a lonesome guard, and interrogated him quickly, before he found out this was a slave mansion, a crazy man wanting free labor to help keep things up and have people to fight for him and for entertainment. Ace then made quick work of everyone, before he went to the basement, it was late so most or everyone should be in their cells.

When Ace got there, he found a kill switch, which means when hit, it would open all the cells, so Ace hit it. He was in his assassin gear after all, so it was fine. As it was done and the cells opened, people tentatively walked out of them, seeming confused and unsure, which Ace got. Ace walked up to a man and told him they were now safe, which had him look doubtful, when he saw a dead man by the stairs, a guard, and knew it was true, and loudly started cheering and yelling they were free. More soon joined in, and Ace loved this, loved to hear cheering, meant they still had hope and energy to live. A woman then asked how they would get home, and Ace told them that he would get them home, he had a Devil Fruit which helped, he just needed the name and area of the island they were from, and that made everyone look thankful.

Ace then looked at the prisoners, before he found a man that stood out. Ace blinked as he looked at the prisoner, before he was sure of who this was. "Daniel?" Said man turned around, and blinked himself. "Ace?" Ace walked over, lowering his mask. "Yes, how are you here?" Daniel gave a breath. "Wrong place, wrong time. Was out by the shore when someone snagged me for free labor. I look strong apparently." Ace felt confused. "How long ago?" Daniel gave a breath. "3 weeks." Ace gave a breath. He had heard nothing from Dadan, and Daniel was one of those who had been with her the longest. Ace looked at Daniel. "Anyone else here I should know about?" Daniel looked around, before he shook his head. "I think everyone is kept here." Ace nodded. "Okay. Let us get you all to safety." Everyone looked happy, so Ace got everyone out and everyone were adults, no one having been there for years, so Ace got them all back to their islands. A few tried to hand what they had a thank you, as in the rare piece of jewelry, a promise of money at their home island, but Ace declined it all. He was just glad they were now safe, no one should be held against their will or be a slave. One did ask how he found out about them, and Ace did tell he heard some speaking and rumors, and went to check. Everyone seemed thankful.

Daniel made sure they all got help, before it was Daniel's turn, Ace got Dust ready and just as they were about to disparer, Daniel spoke. "You don't want to accompany me?" Ace gave a breath. "I can't, I know the rules set in place. I'm just glad you're okay. Don't tell Dadan about this if you can avoid it." Daniel nodded. "I get it, thank you, for your help." Ace nodded "No issue, I am glad you're safe." Daniel nodded, and he was gone with Dust's help.

Ace then went back to the island the pirates were on, before he found the mayor of it, and updated her on the fact that if she wanted, she could use the other island as well as Ace had cleared it out and freed some slaves. The mayor seemed very thankful and said she would. Ace said it was fine, he just wanted to help. They then stayed on it for a bit more, before they set sail again. The next day, he suddenly got a note from Dadan, which had him unsure, but it just said she wanted to see them, and he was sure that means she wanted to see Luffy and Sabo, and sent Dust to tell them Dadan wanted to see them. They hadn't seen her in a while after all, so it made sense. He was glad nothing about Daniel had been mentioned. Both of his brothers wouldn't mind a small break and went the next day. Ace also gave them a hug as he had missed them himself, before he sent them to Dadan.

It was just after it that Ace blinked when Dust came with a note, which was odd as he had just sent Luffy and Sabo to Dadan. When Ace got it and opened it, he felt more confused, before he gave a breath. It was from Dadan, who asked him to come by tomorrow, to be there at noon. Ace didn't like this. If Dadan only did this to tell him Sabo and Luffy weren't welcomed either, Ace didn't know what to think. Luffy really liked her. She had helped raise them.

When evening came, Marco asked if he was okay, and Ace told about the note and how Ace had been banished from the island. Marco listened to it all, before he nodded. "Maybe she wants to amend your ties, yoi." Ace gave a breath. "You don't know Dadan. She has too much pride, and she hates what I am, as in assassin. I am just worried she will banish Luffy and Sabo as well. Luffy really likes her, and Sabo as well, even though Sabo has been mad since I got banished." Marco moved a hand to his leg. "I am sure it will go fine, yoi." Ace smiled at Marco. "I hope so." They then got ready for bed, and Ace felt worried for tomorrow, and the time went by slowly. When it was almost noon, Ace got ready to leave, preparing himself for bad news.

When he got there and to the hideout, he knocked on the door, before Dadan opened the door and looked at him. "We need to talk." Said Dadan, and Ace nodded. "Okay." Ace then walked in and he didn't see his brothers, when Dadan spoke. "Your brothers are out with Daniel." Ace nodded and Dadan motioned to a chair as she herself sat down, but Ace shook his head. "I can stand." Ace didn't want to sit down as he was sure he would soon be out again. Dadan gave a breath. "Daniel told what happened and what you did." Ace gave a breath, he didn't want Dadan to know as he was sure his name alone caused Dadan to be mad. "I see. I did not mean to meddle with your business." He knew Dadan hated his work and occupation and wanted nothing to do with him.

As he had spoken, he saw something shine in Dadan's eyes that looked like regret, but Ace didn't get why. Dadan then spoke. "He explained what you did and how. You told him to not tell me, why?" Ace took a breath. "Because I know my occupation is something you don't like, so I didn't want you to know as I know I am not on your list of good people." Ace knew the judging would start now, as Dadan had a passion for hating his occupation, so Ace moved towards the door. "I will take my leave now." As he took a step, Dadan spoke. "Many years ago, before I got you and your brothers." Ace stopped, looking at her as he listened. "An assassin showed up, named a price to help, then he helped, and then demanded a lot more than first asked, when we didn't give in, he took and robbed us, hurt us, even killed some. Ever since that day, I have hated that kind of person."

Ace didn't know the story on why she hated assassins, and felt confused why Dadan was telling him. Dadan gave a breath. "Daniel said you were just passing by and heard some rumors to help them, helped everyone back to their island and homes, even Daniel. Never did you ask for payment. Never did you ask for something in return. You did it just to help. Which made me realize," Dadan looked at him, Ace now sure it was regret in her eyes. "You are not like him. You don't flaunt. You don't lie. You don't expect payment for helping those who need it. And for that, I need to say thank you. I was wrong. About you." Dadan sighed. "There might not be any bridge to mend after I burned them, but if there is, I would like to try and mend it. If there is nothing to mend, I understand that." Dadan looked ashamed and regretful, which Ace got. Dadan view was from a bad assassin, which existed. Who used others and lied.

Ace looked at Dadan. "That bridge is burned down." Dadan nodded, seeming to get it, when Ace spoke again. "But that doesn't mean we can't rebuild." Dadan looked shocked, and Ace continued. "I don't want to mend a broken bridge, but build a new one. If you're up to it." Dadan nodded. "I am, I am… sorry. I…" Ace shook his head. "It is okay. Many have prejudice against me and my occupation." Dadan nodded, looking to feel bad. "How about you stay for dinner?" Ace thought for a second, it was still early. Dinner was hours away. Ace hummed. "How about, I come for dinner another day? I don't want this to be rushed. Maybe tomorrow? Luffy and Sabo can stay another night." Dadan nodded, smiling at him, which she hadn't done in many years. "Yeah, I would like that." Ace nodded, and then they bid goodbye, before Ace left.

When he got to the boat, he felt better and relieved. Marco did ask how it had gone and Ace said how it had gone, which had Marco smile. "See, I told you it would go fine, yoi." Ace smiled. "Yeah, you did. What would I do without you?" Marco chuckled. "Panicking about stuff you don't need to panic about, yoi." Ace chuckled. "You're my voice of reason then." Marco hummed. "Maybe I am." Then they shared a kiss. This had gone by fine and he was unsure how tomorrow would go, the dinner with Dadan. But he would try and be hopeful it would go fine.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

I hope you found this one interesting and the next one will have more stuff happening

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