Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!
This will be some stuff and progress and setbacks
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Whitebeard sat in his room, it was late now and he didn't feel like sleeping. When the clock was almost midnight, there was a knock on his door, and he gave a come in, to show Ace, which made him smile. "Ace! How are you?" Ace hummed and closed the door as she walked in, sitting down in a chair. "I am good, couldn't sleep, and Deuce was tired and fell asleep at once." Whitebeard nodded. "He has had some things he needed to do today, and plan ahead for a mission." Ace's eyes widened. "He's… leaving for a mission again?" Whitebeard hummed. "It doesn't seem like it, but he might be needed, but for now, he isn't. I believe he doesn't want to tell you before he knows for sure." Ace gave a breath, seeming a bit relieved but that.
Whitebeard looked at Ace. "I also know what happened with Marco, when Benn got him. How do you feel about that?" Ace gave a breath, hands moving around herself. "I… to be honest, I don't know for sure yet. Marco is very… nice, but I just…" Whitebeard gave a compassionate look. "I get you're scared, you've been hurt before." Ace nodded. "And I am scared that if I don't want to pursue anything, it will… go bad." Whitebeard hummed. "If you would like some calming words. We have many who have been in relationships here and then have parted ways, but we all still get along. And Marco is a kind soul, if you don't want to pursue anything, he would respect that, I am sure of it." Ace nodded and seemed a bit more sure, which made him glad. He was glad he could help.
They then spoke for a bit more, about this and that, before Ace left for the evening. They would also dock again tomorrow. They were in a place where some islands were close to each other, as they had set sail yesterday and would dock so soon, as they wanted to restock a few things the previous island didn't have and enjoy another night on an island. He also hoped things would work between Marco and Ace, either in a relationship or as friends, whichever it was. And he knew Marco would respect it if Ace didn't want to pursue anything. Marco was a kind and understanding man.
-x-
Marco sat in a bar, being out with some of his siblings and father, enjoying the night. They had docked some hours ago, and it was a nice island. They had used an hour to restock, and now they could have fun. Marco was enjoying seeing his family having fun, as Marco couldn't get drunk or anything, his fruit made sure of that. But he enjoyed the taste of some drinks still and had one he was drinking.
Thatch then came up to him and held out a cup. "Marco! I got this for you!" Marco hummed as he took the cup from Thatch. "What is it, yoi?" Thatch grinned. "It tastes amazing! The bartender says it is a new drink! It is amazing!" Marco hummed and took a taste, and it tasted good. It was very fruity and sweet, but also had a hint of sourness in it. "It is good, yoi." Thatch nodded. "I know! Imma go order another one for myself!" Marco nodded and took another sip. "Do that, yoi." And Marco finished the drink while he sat with his siblings and father, and after a bit, he felt a bit… off. He couldn't place his finger on it, but something felt a bit off and it only grew. What was this? It made him feel woozy and off. He also felt… a bit irked, and he didn't know why.
-x-
Ace walked around town with Haruta and Namur, enjoying the island. It was late, but this island never really closed, something was always happening. It was nice. They had been in some shops and now headed around, when Namur saw some of the others in a bar and they headed in. Ace always felt a bit unsure around drunk people, but it was okay, she could handle it and those from the boat were bearable to be around and not like some others she had met.
As they walked inside, she felt glad when she saw Marco. She knew that no matter what, Marco was always rational and calm, and would stand up for her, which was nice. It was new, but it was going okay, and while she had issues understanding why Marco liked her, she would try her best and be open with him. But as they walked in and the others saw them, everyone cheered and lifted their glass, even Marco, who had an empty one, and he seemed a bit… off? It was probably in her mind.
As Ace was on her way to sit down on a chair, she felt shocked and unsure when an arm reached around her hip and suddenly she was on Marco's lap, the man dragging her to sit there, and Ace tried to get up with a protest, when Marco spoke. "Don't be a prude, yoi." And moved to make her be seated, which had Ace's mind freaked. She didn't like this, this was too much. She tried to get up, but Marco used some force to keep her on his lap, before the hand moved down towards her rear, him moving in to kiss her, and Ace moved before she knew it herself. She used some force and slapped Marco, making him let go of her so she could stand and Ace bailed, heading out of the bar, feeling her heart racing.
When she got outside, she heard some others yelling her name and saw Haruta following her, and Ace felt she was out of breath and her heart was pounding out of her chest. Haruta looked at her. "Hey, you okay?" Ace tried to speak, she really did, but nothing came out. Haruta then moved an arm out to her and said "Let's get you back to the boat." Ace noddeed, that sounded good. She felt she wanted to cry.
-x-
Whitebeard blinked when Marco reached for Ace and started to drag her to his lap. This was odd and not like Marco, and he was on his way to stop Marco, when Ace tried to, but Marco called her a prude and tried harder, before he leaned in to kiss her. Just as the captain was about to speak, Ace moved and slapped Marco, which had him let go and she escaped, running out and a few yelled after her, shocked, and Haruta followed, which was good. As he looked back at Marco, he blinked. Marco had a small cut on his cheek and the mark from the slap. Which was not normal as Marco always healed instantaneously. Something was wrong. Marco also looked confused and horrified.
Thatch spoke. "What's wrong with you, man!" Marco didn't look to know what to say, when the bartender came over. "Everything good here?" He had probably seen what had happened and came to check, to see if they could stay or not, when the bartender looked at Marco, seeming to concentrate on him, before he sighed.
The bartender then looked at Thatch. "You didn't give one of your drinks to him, did you?" Thatch blinked. "I did… Shouldn't I have?" The bartender made a motion with his hand to the other behind the bar, before he spoke, looking at Thatch. "I said it was for you, and remember how I asked if you had a Devil Fruit and you said no? You didn't think to wonder why?" Thatch blinked. "...why?" The bartender sighed. "It is poisonous for a Devil Fruit user. It won't kill them, but make them a mix of drunk and high." The other bartender came with a shot glass, which was then handed to Marco. "Drink this. I do think the slap sobered you up some, but this will help as well." Marco nodded and took the shot, looking horrified still. "Why would I do that…"
The bartender hummed. "Once had a guy shoot someone since he thought she was after him, and shot a nice woman. He also was a nice man usually. It makes you not yourself. The reason I asked if you had a Devil Fruit and it was specifically for you." The last part was said to Thatch, who looked to feel bad. "I didn't know…" The bartender hummed. "Now you do." Marco got up. "I need to apologize to her, yoi." And Marco was out the door, Namur following. The bartender hummed, looking at Thatch. "For the future, if someone says this is your drink only, heed that." Thatch looked to feel very bad, which he got, and Thatch said he would. After a small bit, the door opened and Marco came in again, looking a bit defeated and definitely had a black eye growing, and Izou asked what had happened.
Marco sighed. "Met Decue, he is mad and told me to stay away from Ace for now, yoi." Marco then sat down and moved his head into his hands. "I fucked up, yoi." Whitebeard moved a hand to his back. "It will be fine, son." Whitebeard at least hoped so. The bartender also came by with a glass of water for Marco, and said his fruit would be back tomorrow, it lasted some hours, but it would pass. The bartender said it would probably go away around noon or 1pm. Which seemed to have Marco glad.
-x-
Deuce walked around on the island, being with a few others, when he saw Marco looking disheveled and a bit horrified, so Deuce asked what it was, and Marco hesitated a bit, before he told what had happened. How he had been given a drunk not meant for Devil Fruit users, and how that drink made him act to Ace. When Marco mentioned what he did, Deuce felt horrified, and then Marco said what Ace had done, slapping him and giving him a cut, which didn't heal, which supported his story. But still.
So Deuce moved and sucked punched him, before Deuce turned on his heel, telling Marco to stay away for now, and ran to the boat and to Ace's room, finding what looked like a panicking Ace with Haruta, who didn't seem to know what to do, when Ace looked up and he saw tears forming in her eyes and Deuce moved and hugged her. "It's okay, it's okay." And gave a look to Haruta and moved his head, ordering her to leave. He knew he had no right to order around a commander, but she wasn't needed here. She did listen and left, which was good.
As she was gone, Ace broke down, Deuce comforting her. When she gathered herself some, Deuce asked her for what happened, and she told the same story Marco had, just without knowing what was wrong. When she had spoken, she sniffled. "I don't know why he did it…" Deuce sighed. "I do. He didn't mean to do it. He got a drink from Thatch that's apparently poisonous to Devil Fruit users, making them high and drunk, not themselves. It is a shit defence, but he didn't mean to, he looked to regret it when I ran into him. Much more when I sucker punched him."
Ace blinked. "You… what?" Deuce hummed. "I punched him. He made you feel bad, and no one is allowed to do that. Pretty sure he has a hefty bruise now. You gave him a cut on his cheek. It was still there, meaning it didn't heal, which does support his story." Ace blinked. "I… hurt him?" Deuce moved his hands to hers. "You did, but don't you dare feel bad, okay? He so deserved it, it also sobered him up it seemed like. Which is good. I also told him to stay away from now." Ace nodded and seemed thankful for that.
-x-
Ace gave a breath as morning came. Deuce had stayed with her all night, which was nice and made her feel better. When the morning came, she felt hesitant about heading out of her room, but Deuce said he would be by her side, and that was good. So they headed out when it was breakfast, going into the galley. And while a few, those who had been in the bar, sent a look at her, they didn't act differently. Which was good. When she saw Marco, he had a small cut on his cheek, where she had slapped him, as well as a black eye from Deuce. Ace felt bad about that, but Deuce moved a hand to hers and squeezed it, which made her feel better.
Then breakfast started, and many did seem shocked to see Marco had a bruise, but Marco just explained he got a bad drink that annulated the fruit he had for a small bit, and ran into something. Everyone seemed to accept that as the answer, which was good. Made her feel a bit better Marco didn't say what had actually happened. Marco also kept some distance from her, which she did appreciate. But she also got he didn't mean to.
When breakfast was over, they went out on deck and Deuce was with her, when Marco came over and the blond commander looked at her. "Ace, would it be okay if we had a word, yoi?" Ace felt unsure, but the way Deuce moved a hand to hers and squeezed it as he nodded, telling he would join, Ace nodded and said okay, so they headed out and to Ace's room, as it was closest. When they got there, the door closing, Marco spoke. "I am extremely sorry about yesterday, yoi. I didn't mean to, I am sure Deuce has already explained what happened." Ace gave a small nod. "He did… I am… sorry? That I hurt you." Deuce nudged her a bit. "No, don't be, he deserved it." Marco nodded. "I did, yoi. What I did was not okay, and I wish I hadn't done it. But done is done, and all I can do now is apologize and prove that was not me, yoi. I am not going to make excuses." Ace nodded a bit, and Marco gave a small smile. "I get it if you need some space away from me now, yoi." Ace nodded a bit, before she gave a breath. "I… know you didn't mean to, I just… need some time, but I would still like to try and be with you, you are a nice man and take responsibility."
Deuce hummed. "I am still mad." Ace chuckled and looked at Deuce. "You're like my bodyguard right now." Deuce hummed. "I am, and I am still mad, but I also do get it." Deuce looked at Marco. "You didn't mean to, it was all because of a stupid drink." Marco nodded. "Yes, I will also have a chat with Thatch, as this was not okay and he was told to not share that drink with anyone, yoi." Deuce nodded. "Sounds like a plan." Ace nodded. "Yeah… He should have listened, but it probably was something he just wanted to share." Marco nodded. "Yes, Thatch likes to share, yoi. He just means well, but this time, it backfired." Ace nodded. "I get that. Just.. don't be too hard on him. I am sure he already feels bad." Deuce looked at her. "You're way too kind, Ace."
Marco gave a smile. "She is, but that's one of the reasons she is amazing, yoi." Deuce chuckled. "And you're a smooth talker." Marco shrugged a bit. "It is true." Deuce hummed. "It is." Deuce looked at her. "You're so kind and amazing. No wonder people like you." Ace smiled at Deuce. "You're too kind to me." Deuce hummed. "Oh, I know." Then Deuce chuckled. "You deserve all the love and kindness in the world, Ace. And no matter what, you'll always have me." Ace smiled at Deuce and they hugged. "I love you too, Deuce." Deuce hugged tight back, and Marco hummed. "I am very glad you have each other, and I'm so sorry for what happened yesterday, yoi."
Ace looked at Marco and gave a small smile. "It is… well, it is not okay, but I get it. I just… need a small bit of space for a few hours." Marco nodded. "I get it, and I will give you the space you need, yoi." Ace nodded. "How… how about we try and head out for dinner?" Before Marco could answer, Deuce spoke. "I am joining." Ace looked at Deuce. "It will go fine, Deuce." Deuce hummed. "Don't care, I am joining, at least for a bit." Marco chuckled. "I don't mind, do what puts your mind at ease, yoi." Ace chuckled. "Deuce can be a bit overprotective." Marco smiled. "He only cares, yoi." Ace smiled at Deuce. "Yeah, he does. And I wouldn't have it any other way." Deuce smiled. "You're way too kind, Ace." Ace shrugged, before she looked at Marco. "So, how about we meet around 5pm? And head off?" Marco nodded. "I would like that very much, yoi. I will see you two then." And Marco gave a goodbye and left.
When he was gone, Deuce looked at her. "You okay?" Ace nodded. "I am. I know he didn't mean to, I was just… shaken, but better now." Deuce nodded. "I will still join a bit, just to make sure you're fine. You're… important to me." Ace smiled. "You are to me as well, Deuce. I don't know where I would be without you." Then the two hugged, before they sat down and spoke about random things, and Ace hoped this would go fine, and if not, she had Deuce with her. Deuce was the best.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed!
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