A/N:: HELLO LOVELIES~! So today I bring you a chapter story for the pairing MarcoAce! Most of it is already typed out, but I thought I'd do chappies!

Rated M for language, lemons, and trauma!

:D

Hope you enjoy! Reviews always welcomed!

*POOF*

Blackout

"Look, it's about that time of the month!" A shout came from the kitchen as I was on the couch doing last minute homework.

"Yeah, yeah! You about ready, Lu?!" I hollered out to my little brother as I scrawled some answers down that Sabo pointed out page numbers for each question. The text came in late last night and I had already racked out by the time they came in. Thankfully, Marco called me before my alarm so I could write down what I could. I guess Sabo shot a text to Marco when I didn't reply back.

Greatest friends ever.

"Yes! But Ace! It's halfway through October!" Arms were pulling me back so I could pay attention and I felt something click.

"Oh! I have to get a costume!"

"Vivi is throwing a party this year!" He hollered out and it made me push at him to get off.

"My ear!" Laughs left him as I took in that mental note of what he said for later. "You stay out of trouble, got me?" A tongue stuck out as he pulled away and grinned to me.

"You know we stay low most of the time, but hopefully Bellamy doesn't stir stuff up." This thoughtful look was on him as he seemed to be thinking of something. I began shoving my homework away, merely five questions skipped and slung my backpack on.

"Well, you know we will always back you guys up." The body of my brother flung over the couch to pout at me.

"I still wished you had joined us!" A whine left him and I flicked his forehead as I strolled to the door.

"No way! Like I would let my little brother be my leader, plus it took a lot to even let you have your own little group!" Luffy bounced up behind me with his bag and was complaining out.

It was common in our school, Foosha Community College, to be part of a gang or how this community has labeled us as 'pirates'. There are a select few who are not a part of one, but that's usually rare since most groups try to get as many as they can. Luffy was different, picking a few out of other groups and won all of them over with friendship. Hell, he got the Agriculture teacher under his thumb if they are in a bind for a contraption, which in turn helps us. Compared to Luffy's group, I was part of a larger one, which Luffy reluctantly claimed to be a sub-group of it after I prompted it with Pops, who had no problem with it. Of course, how my brother is, I have no doubt he will turn into a large group with his own sub-groups, like that one guy with a Mohawk who is fascinated with him will probably be one of them.

Pops is our boss, our leader, and his real name is Edward Newgate. Of course, in the underworld side he goes by Whitebeard since he kept it separate from his company as much as he could. Most owners of companies, from what I have learned over the past couple years, have some foot within the underworld. Like with our group of pirates, most have sub-groups that are affiliated with the main, but still function on their own. Alliances are not uncommon, but you better make sure either a contract is in place or you need to have full trust in them. Luffy became in an alliance with the Heart Pirates since their leader, Trafalgar Law, was branching away from his main group as it was completely corrupted. That has been a mess for the past three months, which is why he was mentioning Bellamy earlier. The Hyena Pirates are a sub-group of that main group.

Anyhow, the school wasn't far, a mere eight minute walk, which had Luffy chattering on what he wanted to be and was going to partner up with Zoro, his best friend and 'first mate'. My brother had a very interesting group and even though I don't show it, I completely put faith in his actions and decisions. Luffy was a born leader, who just needs help with what he isn't good at.

"Ah, everyone!" Brown hair flopped hectically as he was hopping around and waving happily. "Bye, Ace! See you later!"

"Don't be out too late!" I spoke out, knowing very well on Fridays I couldn't control him.

"I'm staying with Zoro tonight!" He hollered back and I saw his mentioned green haired friend turn.

"Huh?!" It seems Luffy decided on his own and I waved to him. I could go all in detail on calling and such, but he and his friends knew already. My feet curved lightly to go to where I knew my friends awaited as I took in a deep breath. People chattered around and sat along the grass, against trees, and along the half wall of the plaza area I was going through. After rounding the fountain my friends will be ahead, waiting for me.

"Ace." The voice that used my name made my eyebrow twitch as I stopped to turn and see a very familiar man.

"Teach." The bit on the heavier side man stood with hands out as his greeting and this growl left me as I stared into grey eyes.

"Mah, no need for such hostility."

I want to burn him to a crisp.

"You tried killing one of my brothers, of course I'm hostile." I snapped out as I remembered Thatch having to go to the hospital from this man's betrayal. In my group, we claim each other as brothers and to turn traitor to your family is just despicable.

"It was very necessary at the time, but you know if you had just listened to me…" This curse left me at the remembrance of what took place. Teach had asked me to join him if he had left, 'claiming' how he was going to try for a sub-group of ours and I declined. He didn't take to that well and told me to rethink or he would give me a reason to rethink it. Hence why Thatch had been attacked a year ago, but he's still persistent.

"Look, Teach, you betrayed the family, betrayed my brothers! I'm not going to just hop over to your side!" I barked out as I kept gritted teeth and a sharp glare.

"You make it hard on me, Ace. My boss said it was very important to have you with me and it will be of great reward for you." The words made me disgusted as I shook my head and spit to the side.

"As if." I told him before shifting away and was going to make my getaway quickly.

"I'm going to give you one last nice request, join us Ace." I stopped momentarily to look to him.

"Over. My. Dead. Body." The words held venom as I lashed it out and this disappointed look was on him. A sigh left him with a shrug and he turned to leave.

"Very well. Until again. Soon." It wasn't the right place to try and take him out to question him, too public. Plus no doubt his men awaited hiding in case they were needed and almost on cue his first mate jumped down from a tree with a cane swinging as he walked with Teach.

"Tch." The noise left me as I began walking again to notice I didn't have time to converse with my friends, they no doubt were headed to class since there was probably a couple minutes before the bell. The professors don't mind you being late, except a select few, but they also won't catch you up if you are.

The spot was empty as I expected and I let a hand rub the back of my neck with a curse. Marco had to pass along something this morning from Pops since he was the first mate and not in college anymore. The man was only five years older than me, but he was already finished with what was needed to work at the company as a chosen path, not necessary, but he wanted too. Pops was very good to us, letting us follow our dreams and supported our ambitions with frequent questions on the matter, but not too much where you groan and complain, well sometimes. A lot of us who joined under him don't have parents or are trying to get away from them and Pops just fits the role perfectly.

"You're late, yoi." The voice had me stopped as I looked over to a tree to see Marco leaning against it with arms crossed.

"Ah-hahaha… yeah, sorry." The nervous tone came from me as I moved over to him with a grin.

"Pops wanted everyone at the house today at around four since the ones who have classes will be finished by then. But he needed the commanders by two if possible." Blue eyes glistened at me and a breeze caused his unusual cut of blonde hair to sway. Long story short, a bet was placed with him and Thatch and he lost, after that he just stuck with it; though people have commented on how he portrayed a pineapple. One of those people was usually me when getting into a spat with him. The spats usually were from me getting irritated or flustered.

"I only have two classes, so I will come after that."

"Around one?" The body shifted so he could come up to me with hands moving to pockets.

"Huh? Yeah." He stopped before me, a couples inches taller so I have to gaze up at him.

"I will come get you then, yoi." This confused look was on me as I swatted a hand out.

"I'm not twelve! I can walk myself!" A look of seriousness came onto his face and I kept quiet instead of persisting; knowing this man very well.

"Not when Teach is showing his ugly head again." My lips went into a straight line as I felt myself swallow heavily and gaze away. "It's not your fault he's persistent."

"I know, I'm just putting our brothers in jeopardy all the time." I spoke out with gritted teeth as Teach has tried several stabs at our group with different attacks and traps that were dangerous, but none were as dangerous as with Thatch, the first initial attack. I knew it was too good to be true when he had disappeared a couple months ago. So much for some needed peace with him eternally gone.

"Ace." My eyes couldn't look to him as he soon grabbed my arm to tug me over. The bell rang, but that didn't matter as I was pressed to the tree and Marco leaned against me with arms around my waist. This wasn't odd at all, during everything that happened with Teach, Marco has been right there for me and comforted me when I needed it most. Plus, I always seemed to enjoy any contact with the man, it filled with me with warmth. "We are family and family protects each other. No matter the nuisance or situation. Don't try to fight this alone." That last part hurt, I knew he was right, but it's hard not to do. I really just wanted to go off and find where Teach is so I could burn him to hell.

"Shut up, stupid pineapple." I gripped his shirt as I pressed my face into his shirt to take in the scent of lemongrass and mint. The anxiety was back and right now I needed it to back down because it's crazy to suddenly be weak when everything has just begun. Though at the same time I was straining with the need to burn every fucking place Teach has ever been.

Not all this again.

"Good of you all to make it on time!" Pops bellowed out with a laugh as I sat next to Marco who sat on Pops' right side. Izo was across from Marco and Thatch across from me. Continuing down is Vista, Jozu, Bleinheim, and Haruta; all eight were here for the meeting.

"Let's get on with it, Pops! I have a photoshoot at six and it's going to take me a couple of hours to get there." Haruta claimed out as he had arms crossed over his chest and dark blue eyes was staring down to show his impatience.

"Ah, yes, yes, I know you all have lives. So let me start." Whitebeard went on with recent updates, including his business with the company and business in the underworld. As he seemed to come to a close on those things he scratched at his neck to soon have a more serious atmosphere. "Everyone else will be informed later, but you all must be at top guard now." Confused noises were made and I felt Marco's concerned eyes flicker to me and I knew what he was starting in on. "Teach has decided to make an appearance again." Eyes found Thatch and me immediately, causing me to cross arms and keep my eyes away. The feeling swirled in me, the mixing feeling of wanting to commit murder and freak out.

"Are you okay, Ace?" Izo voiced first as he was known for a motherly side and I gritted teeth.

"He hasn't tried anything has he?" Jozu's voice boomed out as he was a person over from me and this sigh left me.

"He confronted me again." I spoke out as Marco and Pops were fully aware of this as I explained to them as soon as I came to the house. "And as always I told him no, but… he said this was his last, nice request." My eyes were closed as I really didn't want to face everyone on the matter, it was unnerving to think of the words he spoke.

"Nice request?"

"Does he plan something?"

"Was anything else said?"

"Guys, guys, calm down." Thatch intervened at the signs of my stress as I rubbed at my face. This was so not something I wanted again and I just wanted it to go away.

"I don't know, I just told him no and he walked off. I'm sorry, everyone." I spoke out as I had my hand moving to rub the back of my neck.

"Ace, no need to apologize." Vista commented before Jozu threw in his own words.

"Yeah, the damn bastard needs to learn when to back off." I looked to them all with a smile and nodded as they gave me reassuring looks and grins.

"Listen," Pops spoke, "for until we gain more information, everyone is to stay guard and you all need to support your divisions to report anything suspicious. Which goes for you all, anything said or seen comes straight to me or Marco. Got it?" We all nodded towards him as he soon grunted whilst popping his knuckles. "This meeting is adjourned, those who can attend the other meeting please do so. It will merely be the warning and a few other things we have discussed here." We all began leaving, Jozu coming over for reassuring words and the others called out to stay strong and don't hesitate to contact any of them. We all began filing out, but before exiting as the last one I shifted to rest against the wall with hands rubbing at my face.

"Until again. Soon."

It sounded like Teach was already anticipating my words and already began his next move. Something like this wouldn't be good and I wasn't sure on everything right now. I need to start carrying around my flask and lighter again no matter where I go now.

"You should go home." I was startled by the voice before looking over into amber eyes.

"Ah, you're right, Thatch." I pushed off the wall and moved to him where an arm went over my shoulders.

"Don't fret so much, we are here for you." The laugh left him and it fathomed me on how he wasn't stressing about this, well visibly anyways.

"I know. Tell my men to text or call for any further questions." I mentioned as we reached the door and I began down the steps to my home.

The walk wasn't too long and I kept alert to my surroundings and made it home with no problem.

After some time of convincing, Luffy will be staying with Zoro for a while. It wasn't unusual for him to do so on any regular occasion. He actually did it a lot, but he was trying hard to disagree when I told him that it was safer for him. Luffy went off on who was it that needed their ass kicked and I merely laughed out at his drive he had for defending friends and family. It only took a few minutes and choice words used by Zoro and me to convince him. Now the house was quiet and the sigh I let out was pretty loud.

My hand found the remote to browse the TV as I had ordered some food to be delivered. I wasn't in the mood to cook and I surely wasn't in the mood to go out. Plus, Marco already chewed Thatch out for letting me leave alone. Of course it was quelled when I called to confirm I was home, safe, and everything locked up. He still mentioned something about him swinging by, but I denied him and said to be there. Marco played just as an important role as Pops, he had big responsibilities that I, as the second commander, tried to help when I could.