A/N:: Alright I was convinced to post this finally. I have a set path and this should be five chapters, seven at most as I am working on four right now. This was the thing I did the quiz for if you are wondering. Which I will take the quiz down here after a little while! To be all honest, I have the music by Lana Del Rey to thanks because it helps set me in the mood for this for some reason or other.

Hope you enjoy~!

Scarlet Starlet

Life wasn't easy and I had somewhat lost my roommate in my space, having to switch to a cheaper place. I was in no way upset about that, though, since she is happy with the man she is with. Izo was my roommate, we never had an interest for one another, but we got along very well. If she was having boyfriend issues, then I was her go to guy to get them to back off. It always made me laugh since I never got what exactly she was looking for since they all seemed like brutes to me. Some were even burly and plain out grotesque in attitude that I would tell her it wasn't worth it. Izo is a hopeless romantic, so when she told me of the new guy I had steeled myself to be ready.

The guy was actually really good to her, though. I was so surprised by the way she would flourish about him and he would send flowers, chocolates, jewelry, dresses, and sappy love letters to her. It was nice seeing her so happy and I couldn't help but tell her all the time. Then one day I had met him when he came to pick her up and I had been a bit weary, but knew not to judge a book by its cover or gossip. The man is someone from the mafia, I knew that—everyone knows that by one look of him. Sleeked dressed, with a slack way of being easygoing, though he may seem like it so no one would mess with him.

But, as I had said, don't judge a book yet. Thatch is a great guy and I had been so thankful for him being so good to Izo, mentioning I had never seen her so happy. That made him excited that he was making Izo happy and said I was a great guy, like she had told him. A laugh left me at that, happy to know Thatch liked me and I reassured him once again that I never had an interest in Izo. We have been friends for some years, ever since I moved to Grand Line City from a small town.

When Izo decided to live with Thatch, they had helped me find a place and Thatch pulled some strings for better rent prices. It was nice of him to do, especially since my new building manager is a great guy and is a family friend. So as soon as he saw Thatch, not much more needed to be said and I had been introduced as a friend of the family as well. That had surprised me, but Thatch always checked on me, too, and chattered lively with me over the phone or through messages. Sometimes it had been advice on Izo because I had known her for so long and he always loved surprising her with new things, but really just sappy love letters would always be her favorite thing.

Life has always been great, even though I am a 'family friend' of one of the sons of Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—the man who owns the greatest company and practically over the whole city. The mayor is a great friend, Thatch told me, so a lot of things were permitted and though they may be the mafia—they protected this city. It was something that kept the crime rate down and everything in order. I was thankful for it and very much enjoyed that Izo still made time for me.

"Goodness, you just use me to look gorgeous." I comment to my friend who laughed with a hand moving a dark lock behind her ear.

"Oh, you know what they say…" She trailed off in humor as we walked along the sidewalk and kept with her pace. Heels were not a feat for her, she could rock them all day with no complaint, but I do not like causing any unnecessary tomfoolery that would make her feet hurt.

"Let me get you a smoothie while we wait." I mention with a smile since we had been doing lunch before she looked around an antique store, looking for something for Thatch. It didn't bother me at all with things pertaining to their relationship, they always made sure to try not to make me feel like a third wheel. Of course, then again, I am blunt with those situations and make sure to mention it so I can bail before they get all kissy-kissy face.

"Hun, I should be getting you a smoothie." She told me as we went to the outdoor smoothie trailer, her favorite stall for the beverage.

"Izo, you already bought me lunch, I can get smoothies. I'm not that broke." I told her with a slight frown and this sigh left her before letting me pay and we walked on to the meeting place.

I wasn't used to people buying me things all the time, so a lot of the times I feel bad when Thatch or Izo pay for my food. My budget is tight, always has been, but there wasn't much I could do. I worked a simple job at a simple place with minimum wage and like two pay raises tacked on. It still wasn't a lot for a city life, but I was happy with it. Living in the city had always been a dream of mine and didn't mind the lower end I lived.

A high whistle was there with snickering and Izo promptly ignored the catcalling. I did as well, but that was until one of the brutes coped a feel and Izo jerked with a yelp as her hands went to her butt, making her drop her beverage. I moved her with a sneer to the man who was looking snarky to me.

"What ya going to do, shrimp?" A growl left me as I protected Izo and I just kept a glare. "That's what I thought."

"I'd rather be a shrimp than a disgusting Neanderthal like you." I comment with my heated glare and he scowled at my words before shifting, his buddies making noises to rile him.

"What was that, boy?" This snort left me as he tried to up me, being taller didn't mean anything, and Izo grabbed to my arm.

"It's fine, hun. We need to go meet up with Thatch." The man noticed the name and looked to Izo before I noticed the gaze.

"Back off." I mention to the guy as he gave a nasty grin and when the arm reached out, I moved Izo. "I said back off." I warned and the guy sneered to me with his head shifting to pop his neck.

"Hand over the lady."

"Over my dead body." I comment and this look was there before a fist came at me, but I caught it easily. Scuffs in the street weren't uncommon, especially with my friend, but I also went to the gym almost daily. "You have allowed me to do self-defense, asshole." The words left me before I easily kicked him in the leg before punching him in the gut, making him stumble back. "Izo, go to the meeting place." I comment smoothly and she made a noise before I heard heels clacking the concrete.

The guy was growling with teeth bared and I noticed his two buddies move. That had me scoff as I taunted the man for not having balls to fight me himself. Of course, it worked, and he told his buddies to stand back to take me on. It wasn't too much effort to get the guy to the ground with my smoothie covering his body now before fending off his two buddies who noticed I was stronger than they thought. Taking them on was easy enough and I did take a few hits, but they finally scurried off. A spit left me with some blood as I had a split lip, not too bad, and soon began trialing off to the meeting place.

"Oh, Ace!" Izo had seen me first when I rounded the corner and was moving to me as I noticed Thatch looking surprised. "Are you okay, hun?" The question came out as she cupped my face and tilted me around. A laugh left me as she soon pulled back so I could wave a hand out.

"Yeah, sent them scurrying like mutts with tails between their legs." Her arms shifted out and I held hands up and gave a look. "I really don't know if I have blood anywhere and I really don't want to ruin your clothes." This smile was there of appreciation as she cupped my face again before giving a kiss to my forehead.

"I'm glad you are okay. I got worried for a minute, but waited." She smiled and I noticed Thatch come up with a low whistle.

"They got a few on ya." He comments, seeming to lose that concern he had on his face for a minute.

"I've had worse." I mention with a smile and he laughed lightly.

"Well, I appreciate ya protecting my lady." Izo swatted a hand with a slight flush and this chuckle left me.

"Of course, the guy was a brute for touching her like that. I was just waiting on the first hit; easier to claim defense later." A nod left Thatch in understanding, though he may not have to necessarily have to deal with that from some slum assholes. "I should let you guys go, though. I know Izo has been excited for this surprise place." The comment left me with a smile, already knowing that Thatch was taking her to the Butterfly Palace and rent out the room with all the butterflies for just them two.

"I hope so!" Thatch grinned before he held an arm out to my friend who took it graciously and he gave me a pat to a shoulder. "Thanks again, brother." A shrug left me and that had him laughing before he began leading Izo. "See ya later!"

"Have fun, you two!" I stated, letting myself soon move to leave and head back to my apartment.

-o-o-o-o-

Fuck.

Pain throbbed from my possibly fractured ribs as I quickly moved through the alley and stumbled into a wall, scuffing my arm with a wince. Labored breaths left me as I made sure to keep haste and soon patted around for my phone. It brightened in view as I tucked away for a moment and was looking hurriedly through the contact list. Finding the one, I put it to my ear before shifting to get moving again as I heard a few hollers getting closer. It rang a few times as I felt at a good point to catch my breath and he answered.

"What's up, brother?"

"I'm—ha—needing help—ha—if possible." I spoke out trying to calm my rapid heart rate and heard a concerned noise.

"What happened? Where are you?"

"Some guys jumped me, mentioning something about the family, and I don't—ha—know exactly anything else. I'm near Kokoro's pet shop, but I don't think—ha—I should stay here." The words left me hurriedly as I was peering around and tried to keep low in tone in the night air. The city may still be noisy, but not as much as during the day.

"Stay with me, we are on our way." The tone was serious and I let out an agreed noise as I glanced around. My blood was running cold as I tried to keep aware on what exactly was going on. Some guys mentioned family, that's it, and jumped me with fists flying. When one guy started brandishing a knife, I bailed with a swift kick to get them down and was out of there.

"There's the punk!" I heard the holler with a sharp inhale before moving at seeing the glint and went across the street, a taxi honking as I barely rolled the hood. Moving along more, they were close behind before I stumbled across some guys at the end of the alley I had been in. They looked over as two of the four shifted with smirks and I stopped before moving to look back. The other guys were there before I heard laughter as I noticed the tension tighten. "Back off, Vlad! This one is ours from that family!" The sneer was there and I gave a confused look before hearing an amused hum.

"You are just messing unnecessarily." The words came out before I heard a click and snapped my head over to see the gun out. A breath filled me sharply as I moved away towards the wall more, but tried to be careful. "I think I want more points."

"Fuck! Stop taking my kills!" The man who had already been chasing shouted and I felt my blood running cold with a grip to my phone to my side. "Knife play gets more, dick!"

"Like I fucking care." A dread filled me as the man was waving hands with the gun and soon flickered it out. The pain in my abdomen flared as I barely registered the shot going off and I hollered from it with my phone dropping from me. My back found the wall as I was shocked on what just happened while grasping to the bullet wound. "You sure he was, Kent? Seems like some random boy."

"He matches the description of talking with one of the sons and his lady, I know it! Not many look like him with those damn fairy sprinkles, like you, prick!" The guy who was mentioned as Vlad held the gun towards the knife guy with a sneer.

"Don't get cocky, little punk. Having characteristics to your face doesn't mean anything, at least I don't have a lazy eye like you." The two were arguing as I stayed in spot, mortified that I was shot and facing two sides that both wanted to kill me because they saw me with Thatch and Izo.

Three shots went off and I noticed Vlad tensing as his henchmen thumped to the ground and a shadow appeared behind him. A hum was in the air, someone different, and I noticed Kent with his men start to shift away. They whispered of messing around too long before scurrying away with frightened noises.

"Did you shoot at a friend of the family?" The voice smoothly came out, Vlad had eyes widening with them soon flickering to me in curiosity.

No answer left him before moving the gun at me, but was shot before he could pull the trigger. A shaky breath left me as I watched the body fall forward before noticing the man. A grey suit, from what I can tell, including the suit jacket left open to show the dark button up shirt and no tie. Eyes flickered to me as I let feet slide out from under me to take in a calming breath of relief once finding the ground. Blond hair showed in the bare lighting provided and the hand moved the gun to go under his suit jacket and to the back of his pants. Moving towards me, I kept a grip to the wound and looked to the ground for my phone.

"You must be Ace." The man spoke and I looked to him with a nod before going back to looking around. He crouched next to me, reaching behind to grab the phone and put it to his ear. "Calm down, Thatch. He's injured, but will live. The alley next to Flora's Tea Parlor, yoi." Eyes stared to me as I kept calm and he soon pulled the phone away while hanging up. "I'm Marco." A smile was there as he introduced himself and I knew the name not only from Thatch, but also part of the gossip from the city. Marco is not someone to mess with, showing no hesitation and has been with the family the longest—being known to be the big brother even if some were older than him.

"I would say it's a pleasure, but I am kind of bleeding and in some type of shock, so not so much delighted right now." A snort left him, amused by my words and I breathlessly chuckled. "Thank you." I told him and this hum was there and he just stared to me, probably heard about me from Thatch.

"Of course, I happened to be coming from this direction. Good timing, too, it seems. Though, I guess we should have been here before you were shot." The comment was made and this snort left me as I shifted a leg a bit while adjusting my grip.

"At least they were stupid enough to bicker, seems like good enough timing for me." The words left me and this light chortle leaves him as I heard a car pulling up as car doors sounded.

"Mh, the last man I shot, he was the one too, correct?" A nod left me before he was pointing in the opposite direction and had a serious look. "The other dunces, yoi?"

"I just got in a scuff with them, getting away when they pulled a knife out for 'extra points' or whatever." I told him and this look was there as he hummed lightly before shifting to stand.

"He needs to see Crocus." Thatch was next to the blond with a worried gaze before seeming to breath out easily at the sight of me smiling to him. A noise then left him as Marco began walking in the opposite direction of where Thatch came from.

"Where you going, brother?" My friend asked in confusion and I also watched the blond walk off with a hand waving out.

"Business to take care of."

"Fine, I'll let Pops know you won't be long." Another wave of the hand was there before I noticed another broad guy there, making me jolt lightly as I didn't hear him approach. "Jozu, help me get him to the car."

"Of course," the man replied with a firm voice and had my free hand to lift me up to keep me steady.

"How are you feeling, brother?" The question had me smiling to Thatch as he truly looked worried.

"Not too sure, I don't feel any pain right now, so I assume I am in some type of shock at the moment." I comment as they got me to the vehicle and helped me in the back seat while they were in the front after I was given a cloth to help clot the injury. "Thanks for coming to get me, Thatch." I told him and he looked back as Jozu was driving and gave a wide grin.

"Of course! You are family after all!" A slight surprise was in me on hearing that before smiling in return, happy to know that I was considered important enough. "I better let Izo know you are alright, she was worried when we had to come get you."

"If anything, she will probably smack me around for getting shot." I comment and he laughed lightly at my humor and I was looking to the window with my smile staying.

-o-o-o-o-

The family had been formally introduced to me along with Pops. The man insisted that I call him that, saying Thatch told much about me. It seemed my friend very much thought of me as an important friend—brother even. They apologized for any trouble since they went after me because of family connections and I had told them it was fine. Izo had festered over me in worry and cradled my head for ten minutes straight. It was a little unexpected, but understandable since I had been shot and that has never happened before. Sure, I got into fights on most occasion, but never this kind of bad.

Everyone insisted on giving me their numbers so I had someone to call if need be. That included Marco since he ran off with my phone in the first place and I had thought it funny. When that was mentioned, Pops seemed amused on when Thatch stated that Marco went off to do something. Eyes from Whitebeard had given a look to me in curiosity and I tilted my head in confusion back. That only made him chuckle in some amusement and I gave a muddled noise. No one could help me, giving their own shrugs and Thatch explaining that Pops is a mystery. That, of course, made me laugh and was entertained as I was awake for the time being.

The next day had my body crashing as I had called in to work, but Crocus took the phone from me to talk to my boss. Everything was situated and I was given the required two weeks off before I could return—all paid days too. This had me staying in the home of the family, all living here, but also some had their own places and just jumped houses. They all had spent time with me as I was able to carefully move after a few days to join them for meals. It was interesting being around them all and saw what Izo did on most occasions. A few had their own ladies joining as well and I merely sat between Marco and Izo. It was an interesting seating, but I accepted it. The whole family was close and I liked how everything was, happy to know Izo has been around something like this. She deserved every bit of these interactions and I started to enjoy them as well.

Then, I was a little surprised as Marco decided to take me out of the house to let me wander around for a bit. I did feel a bit stir crazy and agreed effortlessly as he let me pick on what to do. It was fun spending a day with him as we made sure to stay in doctor's limits and I ate somewhere that I have never been to before. I told him we should hang out again sometime and that had him snorting with a smile.

Marco is a bit hard to describe on most occasions, but he is overall a stoic type of person. The way he held himself firmly and showed how witty he could be if necessary or for humor. He was more… mature than Thatch is and I kind of liked that about him. It set him differently and I enjoyed that he could still be relaxed around people he knew and that meant me as well. I especially liked that and hoped that maybe we would see each other more often.

That was nothing to worry about it seems.

"These… These are for the Grandians game…" I whispered out in shock as two box seat tickets were in my hand.

"They are, yoi." I stared up to Marco in surprise and then to the tickets before he made a light hum. "One is for you."

"What?" I asked before wanting to kick myself because he did come by my place. "I… I thought…" I muttered as I figured he had a lady friend, he just seemed like someone who could easily have a woman. Though, all of them seemed like that and I noticed that smile on him.

"The other ticket is for you. I want you to come with me. Thatch said you liked the Grandians and always wanted to see a game in person." He mentions and I let lips shift as I was flabbergasted before waving arms out.

"I'm going to go see the Grandians!" I cheer and was hopping around my flat, hearing him chuckle. Excitement flourished through me as I soon move to hug around him and then pulled away again with cheers. "How the hell did you get box seats?!" There was this slight startled expression before he smoothed it with a smirk.

"I know people, yoi." The answer was something I was quite used to by now and could only shake my head.

"I swear, your guys' connections never end!" I spoke out with a point, but was grinning as I looked to the tickets again before moving to hand one over to him. "Not that I care because we are going to see the Grandians! I have so been wanting too!" I mention as I hardly kept my energy in and he chortled while taking his ticket.

"Hang onto your ticket before then or do you want me too?" He asked and I thought for moment before handing it to him.

"Though I know I wouldn't lose it, but I still might misplace it." I mention, knowing that Marco was a lot more organized than I am and I really didn't want to lose it. "Gah, I can't wait to tell Thatch!" I stated excitedly and Marco was looking to me warmly with a smile as he tucked the tickets away.

"How about you message him as we go have some lunch before you have work?" The suggestion was out, making my jitters continue as I kept my gaze to him.

"Oh! That sounds awesome!" I mention and grinned before I faltered with a thought. "But I don't really have the money for that right now, I get paid Thursday though." I told him and this smirk of amusement was there.

"Ace."

"Hm?"

"I wouldn't invite you without first thinking of paying for you, yoi." The words left him and this light frown found me with a huff.

"You all are always buying my food!" I complained lightly and this chuckle left him as he poked to my nose.

"You are the only person I know to complain about being bought things." The words left him in fact and I crossed arms while pouting.

"That's because I can pay for myself, but sometimes have to wait depending on paydays and what bills show." I mention and this look was there as he soon ruffled my hair, making me complain lightly.

"And I want to, so no complaints." A huff left me as he soon stood with a calm posture. "Whenever you are ready, yoi."

"Ah! Let me go get my things!" I chirped before moving into my bedroom to get socks on and gather what I needed.

-o-o-o-o-

The game had been amazing and I couldn't believe our seats and how they had a bar in it. I loved it so much and how we were surprisingly the only ones up there, though only three other seats were there. Marco let me be as loud as I wanted and our team had won. It was thrilling to watch and he seemed to enjoy our time, commenting that maybe we could catch another game sometime. That had me agree before I went home with adrenaline pumping though me.

Thatch had been super jealous that he wasn't invited, but didn't complain long with snickers. It confused me when he mentioned how I liked spending time with Marco. I had agreed and said I liked to hang out with them all. Of course, that seemed to make him laugh more and say I was oblivious. That confused me the most before ignoring it for the time being.

Then I noticed it more.

I was spending more time with Marco than anyone else and he bought me things, maybe not as noticeable, but he did. I started to slowly realize that… that… I was like in Izo's situation—just without the jewelry, dresses, and love letters. It sort of confused me, not understanding if maybe I was overthinking it all or that I was correct. If I was correct then it meant that Marco liked me more than just a friend and was trying to woo me. A bit of me was unsure on how to take that since I had never really been in a relationship—high school flings not counting.

Ever since I came to Grand Line, I hadn't looked for a relationship and I guess maybe I didn't want one. Izo is my female friend and I guess she was enough to remind me on how much it goes into a relationship since guys tried playing with her feelings. No doubt a lot of women in this area were played and I wouldn't want to get roped into something that might be hard to leave. The last thing I wanted was a stalker for breaking it off, or a vengeful ex. So, that part was stored away, but now it was somewhat showing and I needed to ask.

As the blunt person as I am, I did.

"Hey, Marco," I started out as he had stopped in at my place, but was heading out. We were standing near my door as he looked to me in questioning.

"Yes?" A hand was working on fixing his suit jacket and I stood with arms crossed and my head tilted.

"Are you trying to woo me?" That had him stop messing with his sleeve cuff and look to me with a blank face. When he didn't respond for almost a minute, I felt a fluster in my stomach and cleared my throat lightly. "Ah, sorry… I was just…"

"Maybe." A smirk was there and I stared in surprise before feeling cheeks flush in heat.

"Oh, okay…" I answer lamely, not really sure how to react to what he would reply with and he gave a look.

"Why, yoi? Does it bother you?" That had me looking to him before moving to shrug somewhat and shift feet.

"I don't know… I've never been the one courted and I haven't been with anyone since high school, so I'm not really… sure?" I question my own words and this chuckle left him and that had me feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Ace," I gave him a questioning look as he smiled to me. "Would you like to have dinner with me?" It felt like my heart fluttered and I kept myself calm as I looked to him.

"Sure," I replied and he kept that look.

"As in a date," the words left him and I swallowed thickly before nodding.

"Okay," a small chuckle was there with his smirk and I didn't know why I suddenly felt nervous. There was a way he shifted in posture as he kept eyes on me and I perked up a little. "Oh, right now?"

"If you want, yoi."

"O-okay, sure, hold on. Though I don't have anything as fancy as you." I mention, keeping my nerves down with a cocky remark, and he smiled to me.

"Dress however since I know you don't care for anything too elaborate." A smile found me at the mentioning of that, happy to know he paid attention to my words whenever I chattered randomly. "Plus, you look good in anything." That had my face flaring as I gave a slight complaint for the words and he chuckled.

"Just give me a minute." I moved to my bedroom with a fluttering in my chest and as I moved to my dresser, a grin was on my face.

Alright, I am pretty excited for these turns of events.

-o-o-o-o-

It was interesting being with Marco as he has taken me on some dates and I even let him pick on where since I know his tastes range differently from mine. At the same time, he told me to be how I always have been and that came more naturally than I thought. Granite, I would find myself being different since it was technically more with him, but in a way, it slid into place between us. I never thought myself to like males too, but something about Marco set my being on fire in desire.

Marco had asked if I would officially be his boyfriend after our sixth date and I had stupidly asked that we weren't already. It embarrassed me the way he found it humorous, but seemed happy about me just taking it as I go. I liked Marco more than a friend and the first time he pressed lips to mine was like he had released a flood gate of hot water into me. I practically felt like I was drenched in desire for more of him and wasn't even sure on that all. Marco never seems to push for more, finding where I am comfortable, but very much gives me something to be adventurous with if I let him.

Pops knew we were together, seeming to know from the start we fit together especially since Marco purposely went to go hunt that group of guys down. I was shocked in hearing that and Marco complained that Pops wasn't there so he wouldn't know, but I have learned that Pops seems to know everything. It was amazing, really, and I liked that Pops liked me a lot to call me son, poking fun with the fact that he could officially call me that with no complaints since I am with Marco. The others don't seem aware yet and I was mostly okay with that. Seeing two men together is rare and I somewhat didn't want to hear people blanch at me since I do work a normal job.

"Mh," I enjoyed the lips moving along mine as Marco pressed me to my couch. The body lingered between my legs as hands gripped to thighs and I enjoyed the way his tongue moved with mine. This wasn't our first time including the tango of tongues, but it always filled me with so much desire that it seared heat through my body. A jolt went through me as he pressed himself firmly against me and caused a frenzy in my body. "Mn, Marco, ha…" I gripped his collar to lightly move him back and he licked his lips with a questioning look. "I… I thought you said we were going somewhere?" I asked in slight confusion on the sudden make out session. "Of course, not that I am complaining." I added in a cocky tone, knowing he doesn't at all mind it and likes when I do it.

"Hm, we are, but you insist on being shirtless at home." A noise of confusion left me as hands slid along my body, causing me to wiggle with small giggles as it tickled. This snort left him with a smile before lips pressed to mine and I hummed in satisfaction. "But we should go, I want to get something done before we eat."

"What are we doing?"

"Shopping." A look was there and I gave a curious gaze as he soon smirked.

"For?"

"You need a suit, now go get dressed, yoi." That had him moving up while dragging me along and I gave him a look.

"A suit? For what?" I ask in a muddle tone since I wasn't aware I needed one for anything—thinking I wouldn't ever really.

"The family is having a type of… 'ball' as simply put. Mainly a time for the family to gather with others in the surrounding area and other family-friends to come spend time with us." He moved to direct me towards my bedroom and I made a complaint noise.

"I have to go?"

"You are family, yoi." That had me make a short whine before getting a polo shirt out to tug on.

"But I look awful in suits and they are horrible." I comment while he was grinning to me as I began tugging on socks. A look is there as I soon moved up to him with a pout and arms crossed.

"You would look amazing with a sheet wrapped around your waist." The comment made me snort with eyes rolling and he chortled before he pressed me to the wall with a smirk. "Though, I'd prefer if you left that for only me to see." Blue eyes flared to me and this sharp inhale was in me as I felt my body frenzy at the thought of being naked with Marco.

"Make up your mind, are my clothes staying on or coming off?" I showed a pout in my cocky attitude and he laughed lightly before kissing to my jaw, causing my head to tilt so he could do so. Then hands found my butt cheeks causing me to groan and his mouth was to my ear.

"Come here you."

-o-o-o-o-

We messed around in my bed before going to have lunch first and then going suit shopping after. No doubt I had hickeys clearly visible now on my chest and I had never felt so satisfied before without even going that far. Not only did he play around with my body, making me realize my nipples are sensitive, but I also got to have my own adventure with his body. I couldn't help that when he stripped his shirt off that my body flared even more in desire. Seeing his body sent a fire to my loins and I very much wanted to touch him along with hands on me. No one has made me feel that needy before and I very much needed him.

Now we are walking around the city with me chattering with him as we just finished lunch. He motioned for a suit shop and said he would join me in a moment, having to pick up something in a store next door. I agreed while moving to go to the store with a content smile and I made my way into the shop having that strong cologne scent. Everything looked so fancy and… rich people-y that I stood out like a sore thumb. I ignored that fact since I am here for a suit and let myself look around, noticing the workers staring to me. Looking over some suit pants hanging up, a woman came over with a stern expression.

"Can we help you?" The tone was rude and I looked to her before shifting lightly in my combat-like boots with a notion towards some of the pants.

"I'm looking for something that would be suitable on me." I mention and she practically had her nose in the air with a down gaze at me since her heels made her taller. It was obvious she was flickering over my whole appearance with a scowl.

"Can you pay for this?" That had me a bit startled as I felt literally like she was placing me as a mere speck of dirt and it was unnerving.

"Uh, no, my fr—!" I began and arms roughly crossed over her chest with a loud scoff.

"This is not a place for you lowers to just dirty clothing if you are not buying anything. Now I ask you to leave before you degrade our name with your presence." My mouth was left open as she had interrupted me and I stared in shock at the way she just labeled me so lowly. Nothing could leave me as she soon clicked her heels away and I swallowed with a look down at myself.

I mean… I knew I was really low class since I hardly kept up with bills sometimes and any injury or sickness was put off unless dire. It was helpful that the family had a personal doctor so if need be he would check me over with no cost to me and that meant no bills or insurance needed. It's the fact that she looked at my attire as if I was equal to that of a hobo on the street and that I would degrade their shop with my mere existence.

That hurt and I merely stood with a jaw clenching before hearing the door. I noticed Marco walk in and how the employees perked right up for him. It was a hard blow to my self-esteem knowing that I looked like such dirt compared with Marco. I made my way over to him as the same woman was flourishing at him and blue eyes found me with a smile. I went up next to him with my frown and gave a serious look, making him firmly give a look.

"I don't want to do business here, Marco." I mention and gave a look to the woman who realized her mistake. "Can we go somewhere else?" I ask to my lover and he gave a pointed look to the woman before nodding.

"That's fine, let's go." That had me moving out of the shop and starting down the sidewalk with arms crossed. We walked quietly as I soon stopped and he did with a look to me as I gripped at my biceps.

"I just want to go home." I told him truthfully and couldn't look to him as I knew he was trying to gaze at my face.

"What happened, yoi?"

"Nothing, this is just stupid. I don't like going to fancy stuff anyways and I can't afford this myself and I don't want to wear one and I don't want to be here." I rambled while he soon moved me to the side where we found a front step of a stairwell so we were more out of view.

"Ace, tell me what happened, please." That had me soon look up at him with a cringe and he looked worried.

"I just… I just realized how different we are. I'm very low in class and you are super high. I was practically looked at as if I shouldn't exist and that I was basically a piece of dirt needed to be swept out before I dirtied someone's shoes that probably cost more than I make in a week." I looked to the ground as I felt my chest clenching and crossed arms tighter. "They sneer at someone like me while they practically praise you and I just don't understand how you could be interested in someone like me. We… we are completely from two different types of classes and I… I'm just… I'm not that great or anything, so I just don't see why… why you would want someone like me…" My voice had lowered at the end as I felt eyes stinging and I swallowed thickly.

"I don't care what class you are, Ace. That has nothing to do with anything on why I like you. I like your personality and the kind of person you are that I couldn't help but be drawn to you." That had me slowly shift to flicker eyes up at him and a hand pulled at my arm so he could entwine our fingers. "You are not dirt, yoi. You are a human being like everyone else, no matter how much money you bring home. If anything, you are one of the happiest people I have met and you skim by, but you still smile. Not many people who have money can say the same thing because they are stuck up on the money factor and not the whole point of life."

A hand moved to cup my face and I felt myself purse lips as he looked to me warmly.

"We live life how we want, but you should be happy about it. I like to pay for you, no matter how much you complain, but I have never felt like that with anyone else. I want to spoil you and I want to be with you, even if we aren't paying for that five-star restaurant and instead getting take out. I enjoy our time and that you are so down to earth, yoi." My face was flushing red as I felt slightly embarrassed by the words he was saying, but he only smiled to me. "You are my lover, Ace. You are my equal no matter if I have more money or not, don't ever let someone tell you different." The hand squeezed mine as I soon nodded with a small smile finding me and he brushed my hair back. "Let's go get you a suit somewhere else so I can prove to you that you are going to look divine."

This snort left me—knowing he was using a word that Izo would cater to—and we soon moved to be back along the sidewalk, our hands apart, but I stayed close to him with a smile. Reassurance blossomed through me, liking how Marco could do that to me effortlessly even though I felt like a mess with stuff like this. It was nice being with Marco and I was very happy that he wasn't like most rich people are depicted. I have meet a few that weren't like that, but the fact that Marco and the rest of the family don't appear to be like that is nice. We moved along into a small boutique and were helped effortlessly with a more home feel to the place even though it wasn't as extravagant as the last—I liked it.