Marco tingled and shivered from all the touches, quivering just a little himself like one of those lances, and leaned into the scritches. No one knew how to handle him like Thatch. And he was okay with that.

"Aye?" Marco tilted his head curiously. "Was it a chick? I knew he'd get his beard shaved off one day like that. I told him all about Delilah just so he'd be more careful. He never listens though. Just like Ace." At least Ace didn't have to worry about some crazy broad deciding to keep his facial hair to show off to others. Vista did, but at least Vista knew to be careful about such things. Dressarossa Island's stabby women could teach a man a lot about caution of passionate girls.