Hello everyone, here is another chapter to this

This will be how Marco takes the news about how Ace has a past in self-harm

There is also a question at the end about this story in the AN

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace didn't know what to do, he felt overwhelmed. First, he had gotten more clothes from Izou, a bunch, and he didn't know what to do with that. Then, his room was suddenly redecorated with bunch of flowers, finding out that was from Vista, which he also didn't know what to do with. Vista hadn't reacted much to the fact he had told yesterday, then suddenly this. Actually, he hasn't reacted at all, just said a calm 'I hope you're done with it', which he was. But now, it was starting to get too much. Not that that was enough, but Izou had given him hugs all the time. Don't get him wrong. Hugs were great. But, when one was on edge, a hug was sometimes… too emotional, too sad, too opening and close… too whelming. It made him feel vulnerable.

But, the worst, was after his and Thatch's regular private meal, Izou and Namur joining. It was nice, but he felt like Thatch and Izou might get something was wrong, but didn't bring it up, thankfully. But, when they were done and Ace was heading back to his room, Marco stopped him, looking annoyed. Apparently, Thatch had played a prank alone on him, which he knew about was this morning. But, since Marco just found out as it was with his paperwork, he thought Ace had joined since he had been away with Thatch the last couple hours, eating. But Marco didn't know that, and blamed it on Ace.

Usually, Ace would have said, and even joked, on how slow Marco was at times. But, today he couldn't. He just felt… hurt… too vulnerable. It was just way too much. He wasn't able to respond to Marco, sure he would breakdown if he did, he felt his eyes were blank, his voice was gone, and head spinning. Marco just looked mad. So, when Marco looked away for a second, Ace ran. He couldn't take more of this. He ran to his room. But, his room didn't feel like his room anymore. It wasn't his room, it was so much new things. He felt as if the walls were closing in, suffocating him. He hadn't felt like this for a while, he didn't like feeling like this. He couldn't go out, he couldn't deal with everyone. He needed a break.

With that, a decision he had made, he ran away. Not just from his room. He took his beloved Striker to the island a bit away, needing away. He made some shaky and unsure motions to the one on boat watch, Rich, who told he couldn't leave. But, Ace needed too. He needed away. When he got to the island, he felt guilty. Guilty for leaving, guilty for being overwhelmed, for having done what he had in his past. He found a safe space under a tree, close to a rock, looking at the ocean. It was all too much, and moved his legs to his chest, arms around, and put his head down, feeling tears falling.

He wasn't sure he could handle this all.

-x-

Marco sighed as he landed on the island. From what Rich had said, Ace was here. He wondered why Ace had ran away, actually ran away from the boat, but he would wait and see what Ace said. Something had to be wrong. As he was walking, Marco soon saw Ace sitting against a rock under a tree, looking to be crying, head down in his hands that was around his legs. He looked small and young. He was young, the youngest in the crew, but he looked much more young now.

Marco moved and sat down next to Ace, seeing the other tensing a bit. "Hey," He said, looking at Ace, who didn't answer. "You have a nice place here, yoi. Good view too." It was a really nice view, especially with the Moby in all its glory a bit away. He looked back at Ace when he heard him mumble something he couldn't hear. "Sorry, one more time, yoi." He heard a sniff, making him right when he thought Ace was crying. "It wasn't me. The ink." Ah, the stupid prank Thatch had played. "I know. Thatch told. I'm sorry for blaming you, I should have asked." He really should have. But, he was mad since he though all his work was ruined, but Thatch was just an idiot. Ace gave a small sniff again. "I'm sorry." He heard Ace mumble then, and before Marco could speak, Ace mumbled something more. "For running. I know I shouldn't."

Marco sighed. "Normally, I would agree on that, yoi. But, something is clearly bothering you. You didn't run to have fun, that I don't like. You're clearly overwhelmed, or pushed, or something that made you need to leave." Ace gave a small nod and sniff, sitting up with his head as he wiped at his cheeks and eyes. It was clear he was overwhelmed. "What's bothering you, Ace? Something made you need to leave, yoi." Ace gave a puff of air, obviously not sure what to say at the start. "Eve-" Ace cleared his throat. "Everything. It's just… I feel a few was too… overbearing and pushy. I know they mean well… it's just… I feel they are doing it because of..." Ace ended with a small sigh, hands tightening around his legs. Marco felt, whatever this was, was not something usual or that he knew. This was bigger. "What Ace? What is bothering you? Maybe I can help, yoi."

Ace somewhat shook his head, looking at the distance. "I don't want to disappoint you." Marco blinked. "Ace, look at me." Started Marco, doing his best to sound and look comforting. "You never will. I will never be disappointed in you. Right now, all I am is worried. Something is obviously bothering you. I just want to help. That's what family does."

Marco was concerned for Ace, no idea why he was acting like this. He never had before.

-x-

Ace took a breath, no idea what to do. He needed to tell Marco. He couldn't just say no now, not after he had even followed him here. He was just scared that Marco would think less of him, be disappointed in him. He was bad at a alot, and bothered Marco a lot. He didn't want Marco to think he was bad at everything. He really liked Marco. He was a perfect big brother and a really good friend.

Ace gave a breath, trying to figure out how to tell. "I just… don't really know how… to tell. It's hard…" He wasn't looking at Marco, but could feel a look on him, before it went away, a small breath being given by the older man. "Some things can be hard to tell. But, getting it off your chest can help, yoi. I can also do my best to help. But, without knowing what it is, there is nothing I can do. I don't like seeing you like this. Whatever it is, is really bothering you." Ace felt a small smile grace his lips. Marco always knew what to say, the reason he liked him.

Ace let a breath out, knowing he needed to tell. "It's just, that when I was younger, things wasn't easy, and I didn't know how to deal… And I started dealing in a… bad way. I wanted the pain away, the emotional and all the burdens… so I changed it with another pain…" Ace gave a breath, knowing he needed to say the next part too. "I started to… cut myself…" There, he said it. Now, he just needed to wait for Marco to respond.

he heard Marco breathing in. "I'm glad you told me, Ace. Is this the reason you ran here?" Ace gave a small shrug. "Kinda. Izou found out… and said I needed to tell, and I've told a couple, and they've… changed a bit today… It just got too much for me for a minute. Even my room was changed…" Marco nodded. "I get it. I get it could become too much. And I get why you ran here. But next time, don't run away, try and find me and we can head to my room. It won't change." Ace nodded, giving a thankful look to Marco. "Yeah, I will try. Sorry you had to come all the way here." Marco shook his head. "No, it's fine. We all need a break now and then, yoi. And it gave us the opportunity to speak." That was true. Marco then moved a hand to his leg. "I also hope you're done with that, yoi." Ace nodded. "I am. I just… I just have… scars left." Marco nodded. "That's why you always wear a sweater." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I always feel ashamed." He did, and he didn't like it. The scars reminded him of all the bad periods in his life. Marco sighed. "I know a few who have done the same, and try not to feel ashamed. It is what kept you here, kept you going, yoi. It's a bad habit, but it got you where you are today. One I know said it was the only thing that kept him going, if not, he wouldn't be here." Ace nodded, glad Marco got it. He was a smart man. "Y-yeah. I don't like to be reminded of the bad times." Marco nodded. "I get it, but try and not be ashamed. It is you, and we love you, even with your scars. Do Pops now?" Ace shook his head. He hadn't dared to think of telling Pops. He knew he needed to, but it would be hard. He didn't want the man to be ashamed of him, or think less of him. But then again, he had thought the same about Marco, and he handled it fine. Marco let out a breath. "I don't make the choice for you, but you should tell Pops next. He deserves to know. And I know he will not think any less of you, so don't be scared. He will be worried, but know he will care and be there for you." Ace nodded. He probably should tell Pops, he needed to do it sometime anyhow, and might just get it over with.

Ace then turned to send a smile to Marco. "This was nice. Do we need to head back now?" Marco hummed. "We can stay here for a bit more. We got an hour maybe, before the others get too worried. And I am sure those who made you overwhelmed feel bad and will apologize. Just be honest to them." Ace nodded. "Sounds good, and I will try." Marco nodded, seeming glad by that.

They then stayed at the island for another hour, enjoying the good weather and just speaking about this and that, before they returned to the boat, everyone glad to see him. He did tell Izou, Thatch, and Vista why he had left, being open about it and they seemed to understand it, telling they were sorry. Pops also seemed worried, but Ace promised the man he would speak with him later. He needed to face it and do it. He would try and do it tonight.

Things were going fine.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

I can also make more of Marco and Ace in later chapters or in the one shot series

Also, a few have said this is an unrealistic story as someone would never force, or suggest, anyone to reveal something as sensitive as being a previous self-harmer, and I would like to hear what you think of this story, if it's a good story or not

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

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