(Heyo! I'm back again. Thank you so much for all the support it really means a lot. Every time I read a review I'm just so happy. I'm really glad people are enjoying the story so far, enjoy the chapter! I don't/never will own One Piece.

-Axx)

*starting directly off from last chapter's ending.

"TO FAMILY!"

Everyone took a massive sip from their alcoholic beverages. Shanks, still with his arm around Ace's shoulders, sat down next to Benn, bringing Ace with him.

"So Ace, how did you end up here anyway? Did you join the crew?"

Lucky came and sat down next to Ace.

"HELL NO. I'm just here because I lost a fight I guess? We made a deal before we fought and I lost so now I'm kinda paying it? I don't know it's kinda confusing to explain."

Thatch came over to the group and sat down next to Marco.

"Hey Laelaps! You still haven't done that drinking contest yet!"

"Laelaps?" Benn looked questionably at Ace.

"Yeah, uh, Lealaps is the name I work under. Mercenary work. I give it out to people I don't necessarily want to know my real name."

Marco and Thatch looked slightly hurt. Marco more then Thatch, as the orange haired just grabbed another drink and laughed.

"So what is your real name then?"

"...uh."

"It's Ace."

"Shanks!"

"It's alright kid, there not bad people. Most of the time." Shanks laughed , and again rubbed Ace's head affectionately.

"So how's Anchor doing? Have you been in touch with him at all?"

"Luffy? Still the same old. He's suppose to leave the island at 17, but Lu is indecisive in what he wants to do. I swear it changes every week."

Shanks burst out in another fit of laughter.

"Yep that sound like the kid. What about you? What did you do once you left there?"

Ace shrugged.

"I wanted to live a life of no regrets, and after some turn of events and eating my devil fruit I started doing mercenary work."

"Devil fruit? Was it worth giving up swimming, what kind is it?"

Shanks got closer to Ace, something that an irritated Marco clearly didn't like.

"Mythical Zone, I'm not sure about the details. But, the people I got it from said it was the power of Laelaps, the mythical dog that always catches its prey."

Shanks stared at Ace before yet again laughing.

"You're a puppy then? Show me, show me!"

Ace sighed, he really could see how Luffy took after Shanks.

"No."

"Stingy."

After a second of consideration, Ace huffed. Two black dog ears appeared on his head, and a fluffy black tail swooshed under his cloak.

Shanks laughed again.

"You're adorable!"

The red haired pirate moved his one arm to rub the ears, to which Ace swatted him away.

"Hey!"

However Shanks didn't give up, and managed to get past Ace's defenses. He rubbed at one of the ears, and instinctively Ace leaned into the touch and closed his eyes.

[Marco Pov]

His eye twitched. He didn't like how close and affectionate red hair was getting with Laelaps... or Ace should he say. Speaking of that, what the hell? Did the teen really not trust them enough to tell them his real name? He watched with extreme discomfort as Akagami rubbed Ace's head like a dog. It only lasted for a second before the younger pulled back, fixing his messed up hair, and yelling at red hair. He angrily sighed. Ace talked to Akagami not like he would with the Whitebeard crew, he talked like he actually enjoyed the conversation. The teen had a smile on his face as he and Akagami talked about what he assumed was their past together. It was unfair, why did the teen seem so eager to talk to the red haired pirate while he absolutely hated Marco? He didn't realize he was glaring, until Thatch made a drunk remark to him.

"Jealous?"

"Shut up, yoi." His voice had some venom in it, and he would have to apologize to Thatch later. But for now, he had to get out of this situation. Without another word, he got up and left.

[Ace's PoV]

"What the hell is his problem?"

He looked over to Shanks, who had a ridiculous smile on his face.

"Go after him."

"What? Why the hell would I?!"

Shanks nudged the boy to get up.

"Trust me."

"No!"

"Just do it!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Yes."

"Yes!"

"Wait what?"

"Just go!"

"FINE!"

With an angry sigh, Ace got up and went in the direction that the blond commander and went.

"Why the fuck do I have to go after that asshole? The hell is his problem anyway? Fucking hell..."

He mumbled to himself as he trudged along.

"Where the fuck did he go?"

He entered a corridor, still mumbling to himself. When he rounded the corned he saw the blond, sitting in a corner in the hallway, moping. 'Seriously?'

He went and sat a few feet next to him.

"Umm?"

The commander looked up, and seemed slightly surprised to see him.

"What, yoi?"

"No, what's with you? What's your problem?!"

"What's your problem, yoi?"

"Huh?! I don't have one?!"

"Then why were you so cuddly with Akagami, you?"

"Are you seriously jealous?"

Ace had never seen the other this upset, anger was all over the others face and he didn't understand.

"So what if I am, yoi?"

Ace didn't know how to respond, but just as the other was angry, he was getting angry.

"But why?!"

"Because, yoi. I..."

The other sighed, and put his face if his hand. It looked like he was contemplating something, then before Ace knew it, the other made up their decision.

[Marco Pov] slight time skip.

He knew it was a bad idea. He knew it. However, a part of him just urged him to do it. He knows he should regret it, but he just can't bring himself to. He knows that Ace probably hates him now more then anything, and that is what he regrets. Currently, he was lying on his back on his bed. After what he did to Ace, he didn't want to show his face again. He groaned, cursing himself for being so stupid. Unfortunately he had to get up though, he was 1st commander and he couldn't just disappear all day. Hopefully though, Ace isn't too mad. He sighed and got up from his bed, and put on his signature open purple shirt. As he tied his yellow sash on he mentally prepared himself one more time. Taking a deep breath he opened his door, and started to head to the mess hall for breakfast.

(Ace's Pov)

He was confused to say the least.

(Flashback)

Marco looked as if he was having inner turmoil. Then, he looked at Ace with a determined look on his face. Ace was still angry, but it soon turned to confusion. He blinked, registering the situation. He felt a pair of warm lips settled on his own. Marco was kissing him. Once he realized what was going on he quickly pulled back, breathing heavily to regain his breath. He blushed, and wiped his lips.

"W-What the hell are you doing?"

He stared, no glared, at the other. The blond gave no response, only keeping his head down. Ace angrily breathed, and got up. He ran, bolted from the place.

Once he got to an empty corridor far enough from Marco he slid down on the wall. He was still furiously blushing and he kept wiping at his lips. Why the hell did that bastard do that? Not that he didn't like it... Wait what? He mentally cursed himself, reminding himself of what an asshole Marco was. Or at least what an asshole he thought he was...uhhhggg stop that! He kept mentally fighting with himself, his arms over his head covering himself as he buried his head in his knees. He didn't notice when footsteps could be heard.

"Ace?"

He looked up, to see Shanks siting next to him.

"Shanks? Why are you here?"

The red haired man scratched his head and sheepishly grinned.

"I was looking for Whitebeard's alcohol pantry. But more importantly, what are you doing here?"

Ace sighed and rested his head again on his knees. Shanks nudged him.

"C'mon. Is it about Marco?"

Ace immediately turned back to him.

"How did you-"

He was cut off by Shanks softly laughing.

"It's obvious that he likes you, and it looks like his feelings aren't so one-sided."

"Urrgh. This is so fucking confusing, that is not true!"

"Is it?"

His mind flashed back to the kiss.

"Listen, just give the guy a chance. He's not as bad as you might think. Besides you'd look cute together."

Ace looked at Shanks with an annoyed and pissed off glare. Shanks put his hands up in surrender.

"Okay fine, but give it a chance."

Shanks smiled at Ace and got up.

"Alright kid, I'm gonna go look for that pantry. You should get some rest, and since we are gonna be leaving later tonight give me another hug."

Shanks bent down and hugged the teen.

"Good luck with your boyfriend!"

"Hey!"

Shanks laughed, and continued down the corridor. Ace sighed, and got up as well. He headed the other direction, the way he hoped was to the room he was lent.

His luck turned out well, as it didn't take him that long to find the room. He thought that he might have some trouble sleeping due to today's events, but to his surprise he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. For once he thanked his narcolepsy.

(End flashback)

(Back to Marco)

When he got to the mess hall he saw that it was quite filled. Since he took a while to man up, he was somewhat late to breakfast. He made his way over to the kitchen to find Thatch, looking for any sign of Ace on his way. He let out a sigh or relief that he didn't run into Ace, but a part of him felt disappointment. When he got to the kitchen, he saw that not a lot of the chefs were cooking. Since the majority of the crew had already gotten food, some of the chefs had left to go do whatever. He looked around, looking for the familiar orange hair of his friend. However, it was Thatch who found him.

"Hey look who finally showed up? Not an early bird anymore are you?"

Marco sighed.

"Not today, yoi."

Thatch could see his friend was in a bad mood, and moved to start making some food for him.

"What happened?"

Marco sighed.

"I don't want to talk about it yoi."

Thatch handed him a plate of breakfast.

"Well, I'm always here if you want to talk."

Marco took the plate.

"Thanks yoi."

Marco didn't feel like talking much today, as he would rather mope, so he decided today to take his breakfast and eat it in his room.

He spent the rest of the day like that. He stayed in his room for the most part of the day. He was getting ready to go to sleep, when he heard a knock on his door. He got up from his bed, and opened the door.

"Thatch? What's wrong, yoi?"

"Have you seen La-Ace at all today?"

"No why, yoi?"

Thatch rubbed his head and asked if he could come in. Marco nodded and shut the door behind him. He sat down on his bed and Thatch sat down next to him.

"I haven't seen him all day, he didn't come to eat at all, and I asked around and no one seemed to have seen him. I checked his room, and he wasn't there."

Marco's eyes widened, then he buried his head in his hands.

"Oh god this is my fault yoi."

"Why would you say that? What did you do."

Marco sighed.

"Remember when I left during the party? Well, Ace actually came after me. We argued for a while and then, I kind of..."

"What did you do?"

Even though they hadn't known Ace for long, it was already clear that Thatch liked the teen. He showed a protectiveness that any older brother would know, even though Ace hadn't joined.

"I kissed him."

He waited for Thatch to yell at him but it never came. Instead, the other laughed. Marco looked over to Thatch, who couldn't stop laughing, and just blinked.

"What, yoi?"

"That's what your worried about? Listen, even I can tell that he likes you."

"How exactly, yoi?"

"Whenever he insults you, his voice is half hearted. He only somewhat means it."

"How exactly does that mean he likes me, yoi?"

"Trust me."

Thatch slung an arm over Marco's shoulders.

"Just go and find him. Find out for yourself."

Marco sighed and got up. Either way, he had to find Ace. It was his fault the teen disappeared in the first place.

[And that is it for this chapter! Thank you if you stop by to read his story, and thank you to ever favorite, follow, and review. Everything really is nice, and it inspires me to write. I try to take advice that people give me and I read every single review. Alrighty, that's seems like everything.

Bye for now,

-Axx]