Work Text:
What Marco didn’t expect when he met the fire-made, hotheaded Portgas D. Ace was that he was going to fall head over heels for the doofus. Maybe it was at first sight. He didn’t know, but Marco was intrigued from the start.
His sheer determination to defeat Whitebeard even though the yonko was clearly out of his league in strength and power. His refusal to give up despite the raising number of losses against the man. Marco was fully entertained the entire time. Not one of them attempted to stop it, actually starting to make bets on what would finally cause Ace to realize that he couldn’t do it. Marco’s bet had been on he wouldn’t. Ace’s attitude alone showed that nothing would stop him from trying. Not loss after loss. It only seemed to fuel Ace more.
They had the Spade Pirates on board after they had came to take their Captain back. As they stayed aboard the Moby Dick, not one of them seemed concern to see their Captain’s behavior.
Like it was normal.
It had caught Marco’s attention even more.
Portgas D. Ace was like a Poneglyph that no one fully understood and didn’t know what it said, but knew it was significant.
Marco wanted to know more.
Marco knew he was a goner the second that he had approached Ace the first time. Kneeling in front of him to shatter what determination he had. It was from a good place, but someone needed to tell him that he was never going to defeat Whitebeard. That Whitebeard had a better plan for him aside from fighting him.
He was even more surprised that Ace had listened.
Looking at him with those beautiful grey colored eyes. The freckles that dusted his face that made Marco want to count every single one of them.
Yeah, he was a goner.
He was old enough that he shouldn’t be getting crushes on people like this, but for some reason, Marco wanted to pursue it.
The more time that Marco had spent with Ace, he realized it wasn’t just some crush. No. It was genuine feelings. He loved watching Ace fight. Seeing those beautiful orange and red hues of his flames dance across his skin. The smirk that he would get on his face mid fight. Ace had fallen into his position among their ranks almost immediately. His loyalty already shining through. He had started to see exactly what the rest of the former Spade Pirates saw in him. With him being a Whitebeard Pirate, he had opened up a bit more.
He had learned many new things about their newest nakama in that time, but he had also noticed something particular. More specifically, his social cues and almost obliviousness to certain things.
If Marco didn’t know any better, he would have thought Ace was raised by wolves.
He did learn an important detail. Ace had a brother. A kid brother who was still back on Dawn Island in the East Blue waiting for the day that he was old enough to sail out on his own. Someone who Ace could and would speak about for hours.
As Ace started to tell them more about himself, he wasn’t sure if he should be amused or concerned. He had grown up on a mountain on Dawn Island, raised by mountain bandits. Not even his family. Actual mountain bandits that apparently his grandfather had left him with. He felt like it was close enough to wolves, but at the same time, an insult to wolves.
What kind of grandfather does that?
Also, what kind of grandfather thinks beating a child would make them a Marine?
They all asked who the Marine in question was but received no answer in the end. Just the blue that came to Ace’s face as he shook his head. Muttering to himself about gaining a headache for a week just thinking about it.
Another concern was, why was a child hunting on his own to fend for himself?
He was appalled.
Even Whitebeard had looked at Ace with wide eyes as he recounted where he grew up, muttering that he should have encountered Ace a lot sooner than the feral Captain that they had came across.
Though by the end of it, Marco knew completely that he was absolutely screwed.
Good thing he was a Mythical Zoan, and he could regenerate because he might just be dead by the end of this.
Marco was not scared of anything. Well, there were a few things that would remain nameless but facing his feelings was not on that list. It had been that long since Ace had joined their ranks that he was already being eyed for the Second Division Commander’s position. Ace deserved it more than anyone. After speaking with multiple members of the crew, and receiving the same answer, Ace had finally agreed to accept it.
A party had been hosted for him, much to Ace’s shock, as Marco lifted his tankard and announced, “From this day on, Ace will be our Second Division Commander!”
Ace had been surprised by all of it, in disbelief until Marco had slipped up next to him, telling him to relax and enjoy his own party. It had worked. That was until Ace fell asleep directly in the middle of it.
Maybe Ace wasn’t raised by mountain bandits and he was actually raised by wolves.
Never a dull day on the Moby Dick.
The party had lasted well into the nighttime hours. At this point people were either black out drunk and passing out anywhere and everywhere. Whitebeard had already retired to his own room for the night. Most of the people who were awake were in fact all drunk themselves.
Marco walked around the deck, doing a quick check of his nakama before he was walking off towards the side. He stopped for a moment when he saw Ace standing there, looking out to the sea.
“Hey, Ace.” Marco said as he got up to him.
Ace turned to look at him, a slight flush across his face before a grin was breaking out. “Oh, hey, Marco.”
Marco smiled, walking over, and leaned against the rail. “Enjoying your party?”
Ace sighed, leaning his back against the rail, hooking his boots over each other. Arms crossing over his chest as he looked up to the night sky. “I am. I’m just… I like the quiet. It reminds me of home.”
“Understandable. Falling in with a crew of sixteen hundred men and women can be… an adjustment.” Marco replied.
Ace smiled again as he looked over. The same smile that always made Marco’s stomach twist into a swarm of butterflies. “I love it here. I’ll get used to it.”
Marco looked around. This actually seemed like the perfect moment to tell Ace how he felt. It felt like Ace had been here long enough that it would be okay. Marco had never felt like this for anyone at all over the years. “Ace, I wanted to tell you something.”
Ace tilted his head, giving him a confused look for a moment, “Did I do something wrong?”
Marco snorted, shaking his head, “No, you didn’t.”
For one, why was that Ace’s first thought?
“I just wanted to tell you,” He paused, taking a deep breath, “I like you. Like more than a nakama.”
Ace paused before his smile got bigger, “I like you too, Marco. I like having you as my friend.”
“No, Ace, I meant—” He was cut off by Ace suddenly looking over his shoulder.
“Kotatsu!” Ace exclaimed, “Get down from there!” The younger Commander flashed him a smile again, “I’m sorry. Kotatsu likes to try and take midnight swims.” He stated before he was rushing off.
Marco stood there for a second.
Well, that went better in his head.
An arm looped around his shoulders, a finger prodding at his face as he looked over his shoulder to see Thatch smirking at him, “Nice try, buddy.” Thatch teased.
The vein popped out in Marco’s head as he reached up and grabbed Thatch’s hair and twisted. “Shut the fuck up, Thatch.” Marco growled, “How did you even know what I was doing?”
Thatch snickered, “Me, Haruta, Jozu, and Vista were eavesdropping.”
Marco sighed. Another set of footsteps came up behind him to show Deuce now standing there, “Good luck, Commander Marco. For as smart as he is, he’s like communicating with a stone wall.”
Marco shrugged.
Challenged accepted.
The second time that Marco tried to confess. It didn’t fair much better than the first one had. Marco wasn’t sure if the world was actually conspiring against him. He had made sure there were no distractions for Ace, taking him to a small area on an island where they would be secluded.
“You wanna to talk again, Marco?” Ace questioned, boots off of his feet as he moved around in the grass. His boots in his hands as he practically bounced in his step. Spinning on his feet and creating patterns as he moved.
Marco watched him. His hands deep in his pockets. His palms were sweating, and he was using his pockets to keep Ace from seeing his hands fidgeting.
Why was he so nervous?
He has faced off against the World Government and the Marines. He has faced off with the Roger Pirates. Other pirate crews. Faced death on multiple occasions and he was more nervous about telling Portgas D. Ace that he was in love with him. It had been almost a year at this point that Ace had been with them and it was just getting worse.
“Yeah, about that…” His sentence trailed off as Ace stopped his movements, settling next to the hill. Well, it was more of a cliff, but he was close enough to it that Marco wanted to keep a close eye on it. Marco took a step forward, letting his foot settle on the wet grass before looking out towards the rest of the island, “Ace, I’m in lo—” His sentence was cut off as he felt the crack underneath his feet before he was free falling.
“MARCO!” Ace screamed out.
Marco wasn’t even sure why he didn’t activate his Devil Fruit as he went tumbling down the hill and landed on his back, looking back up at Ace. Who was still at the top of the cliff.
What he didn’t expect was Ace to break out in laughter a second later.
You know what, he’d give it to him this time.
He would save this for a different day. He didn’t want to confess to Ace after stumbling down a cliff. That was not the ideal way for him.
The third time, he was absolutely positive that the world did not want him telling Ace about his feelings. This time it came in the form of a red-haired moronic fashion-illiterate creature who was the biggest pain in his ass. The second that Shanks had showed up on board, he had no chance of getting Ace alone.
Normally, he could tolerate Shanks well enough. He wasn’t that bad of a guy to have around. He knew how to have fun. Brought them free alcohol. He could be pretty chill. He was actually pretty chill compared to what most people believed, choosing to rather sit and enjoy people’s company, even if he got a bit loud. The man just liked to drink and apparently become a leech in Ace’s side.
Ace didn’t look like it bothered him, but Shanks had already ruined Marco’s first attempt that day by even showing up. Now he was here and ruining any more chances he would have after Marco finally gained back all his pride from the monstrosity that was the last situation.
If only he could fling Red-Haired Shanks into the ocean without starting a war between yonkos. Though, Shanks might not actually care. Now that he thought about it. Maybe he would.
One thing that made him stop completely was the way that Shanks and Ace were acting together. He leaned in by Thatch, muttering, “Do they look a bit too close to you?”
Thatch looked at him, snickering for a second, “Are you jealous?”
Marco gasped, shaking his head, almost appalled that Thatch would even think that. Though, he was curious on how Ace knew Red-Haired Shanks and why they were spending most of their time together while the party was being hosted. It was odd. “Of course not! I’m just… curious.”
Thatch laughed, shrugging as he took a drink from the bottle in his hand. “Why don’t you just ask them how they know each other?”
Marco’s eyes narrowed as he noticed that Shanks reached up, adjusting Ace’s necklace and the shirt that he was wearing that night. Almost like it was an excuse to touch him. “I don’t like that.”
“Calm down, birdie. No pecking the red head as much as you want to.” Thatch teased, ducking as Marco swung his arm out to capture his head. “I’m sure it’s nothing that you think it is.”
Marco sighed, muttering, “Screw it.” He was going to tell Ace and maybe it would be an excuse to have Shanks run off and start a new party. Get black out drunk and pass out. He crossed the deck, moving over to where Shanks and Ace were. “Red-Hair… Ace.” He said as he approached, looking like he didn’t just spend the last five minutes plotting on how to make Shanks disappear.
For a moment, Ace jumped, turning to look at him with wide eyes. Shoulders tense as if he had been caught doing something that he shouldn’t have.
Ace smiled at him, bouncing on his feet, “Hey, Marco!”
Marco pointed between the two of them, “Is there something going on here?” Ace tilted his head giving him a confused look before looking over to Shanks. “Is there something going on between the two of you?” Might as well ask out right just to get it done and over with.
Shanks gave him a smile and a nod. “Commander Marco.” Why did he have to be so formal? “What brings you away from the party?” There was a glimmer in Shanks’ eye, a smirk on his face as he leaned over, “I know what you’re thinking.”
“As if.” Marco hissed, grumbling as he crossed his arms, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Please, jealousy doesn’t look good on you.” Shanks stated, dropping his voice so it was barely above a whisper, “And I’m appalled that you would even think that. Especially Ace of all people. That kid is a brother to me. Besides, I like my men older and bigger.” With a snicker as Marco’s face flushed over, Shanks looked back at Ace, “I’m going to go find Benn. See you later.”
He was actually surprised to see that Shanks had left them completely alone. The mental image that Shanks gave him was definitely one he didn’t want. “What was that all about?” Ace questioned, looking confused that Shanks had walked off. “What did you say to him?” For a second, Ace looked angry.
Marco gave a nervous laugh, lifting his hands up, “Nothing.”
Ace narrowed his eyes, like he didn’t believe him. “Then why would you be asking if I was with Shanks like with with?”
Oh, so Ace did understand the question.
Marco once again underestimating Ace.
“You guys just look really close.” Marco said.
Ace shuffled on his feet for a second, stuffing his hands into his pockets, “It’s… complicated and a really long story that neither of us will talk about.” Now that was… odd. “Though, Shanks… I’m in debt to. I would rather know why you seemed so upset at the thought that I could possibly be in a relationship. I’ve never even been in one, believe it or not.”
That was news to him. Marco chuckled. Ace’s full attention was on him now. He might actually be able to tell him for once. “Well, I guess you could say it’s because I’m in lov—” Once again he couldn’t finish his sentence as Ace suddenly stopped, making a noise, and looking down at his boot.
“Shit, Shanks dropped this.” He muttered. Marco looked down, noticing that Ace was picking up a chain with a ring on it. The clasp that was on it was broken. “I should get this back to him. He’ll probably freak out if he loses it.”
“What is that?” Marco questioned, actually stomped to see it.
“Shanks’ wedding ring.” Ace stated, eyeing the clasp, “Shanks has been married since he was like… my age.” He added. “I should get this back to him. Sorry, Marco. I’ll be back.”
That could have gone better. Then he did a double take. Wait, wedding ring? Shanks was married? That was news to him.
Still. He just wanted to be able to confess to Ace.
“Marco, I’m beginning to pity you.” Marco spun on his heel, seeing Whitebeard standing there with a grin on his face.
“You were listening?!” Marco questioned.
Whitebeard shrugged, “I always have to know what you boys are up too.” Marco snorted, rolling his eyes as the yonko added, “Those two brats were just in my room. We had some business to handle.” Whitebeard started walking by him, stopping for a moment before he was looking down at Marco again, “You two will be great together. Be patient, Marco. The perfect time will come.”
Marco sighed.
He was starting to think this was impossible.
The fourth time didn’t go any better than the last three had. It was well over a year and a half of Marco trying and failing to actually admit to Ace that he was in love with him. Marco was prepared to throw himself overboard at this rate.
No matter what he did to try and finally get a moment to just tell Ace, it was always ruined.
Though, technically, he couldn’t fault anyone for this.
Ace was already looking exhausted when he walked over. Ace was in mid work out, going through a regime to exercises that he normally did at night. He sat out there with him, watching him work on different moves. Incorporating his flames into some of them. It was always enchanting watching him move.
“I love you.” Marco muttered, freezing as he realized that he had said those words out loud.
“What was that, Marco?” Great. Ace didn’t even actually hear him over his flames. Ace turned, blinking at him for a second, “What?” His simple question was drawled, slightly slurred as he rocked on his feet. Before Marco could even say anything back to him, Ace’s eyes closed, and he started to fall towards the deck.
Marco jumped forward, catching Ace before he could fully hit the deck. The soft snores leaving the Fire Logia as his narcolepsy hit full force. Marco exhaled, shifting Ace into his arms to have one hooked under his back and the other under his knees. Making sure that Ace’s arms were over his shoulders to keep his neck and head balanced.
“The one time I actually manage to say it and you pass out.” Marco mumbled. “Always my luck, right?”
Either way, a smile came to his face.
At least he said it.
Though, he would doubt that Ace had actually heard him.
He just decided to carry Ace off to bed and let him sleep. It was enough of training for the night.
The next morning, Ace had walked up to him while he was preparing for the day, asking him what he had said the night before. Marco should have been expecting it. Ace had given him a smile and a cup of coffee, drinking from his own as he questioned, “What did you say last night?”
Marco took the cup from him, drinking down part of it really quickly before turning to look back at Ace, “It’s actually something I’ve been trying to tell you for a while.”
“Well, what is it?” Ace questioned, taking another drink from his mug as he looked over the top of it through his bangs.
Marco leaned his chin on his palm, basking in the quiet morning.
Finally, he might actually be able to say it without any interruption.
“That I lov—” Marco exhaled sharply the second that he heard the loud crashing. It appeared that he thought too soon. Jozu, Vista, Izou, and Haruta were there, in a pile in front of them. Whitebeard cackling came next as the four Commanders groaned. “What the hell you guys?”
The four blinked up at them as Haruta muttered out, “Nothing. We totally weren’t listening in.”
“Nope. Not at all.” Jozu added.
“It was their idea.” Izou mumbled, annoyed as he sat up.
“Was not!” Vista exclaimed.
“I hate all four of you.” Marco grumbled.
He sighed, looking back over to Ace to see him cursing at the fact that his shorts now had coffee on them. “I’ll meet you guys on the island.” He muttered before he was walking away.
Marco turned his gaze back to the others, glaring as he hissed, “For the love of God, just let me confess in peace!”
Haruta grinned, settling his chin on his palm, “We have bets. The Red-Hair Pirates are involved too. We have to keep Red-Hair in the loop.”
Marco blinked, “Wait, what?”
“Red-Hair said it before they left.” Izou stated, “Something about he wondered how long it would take and it would probably end in chaos. Maybe an injury.”
Marco rolled his eyes, “It will if you guys don’t stop interrupting!” He snapped.
He grumbled as he turned and walked away.
He wasn’t going to give up, but damn, was he annoyed.
That lingering thought that he had before that he might just die trying to admit his feelings to Ace came full force. He didn’t actually think it would almost happen. The feeling that the world was against him came even more full force towards him.
When they had gotten onto the island, most of them had split apart to get more supplies for the ship. Others went to get things that they wanted. Others just wanted to spend the day together. Ace and Marco had stuck together since Ace just wanted to look around. Ace was far from materialistic. Everything that he owned pretty much fit right into his melon bag.
“So, what were you trying to tell me this morning?” Ace questioned, looking up at him.
Marco sighed, putting his hands into his pockets. He was fully prepared for whatever anyone could throw at him. “At this point, I would rather show you.”
The younger pirate gave him a confused look, giving a nervous laugh, “Alright?”
“Marco the Phoenix. Portgas D. Ace.”
Marco was immediately on guard as his attention was grabbed by a group of Marines. Marco huffed, rolling his eyes, “Seriously, not the time for you Marine bastards to interrupt me. I’m busy.”
“You are both under arrest.” The Marine that was standing in the front stated.
“You wish it was that easy.” Ace stated, a smirk on his face.
“Good thing your bounty is either take you in alive or dead.” The hairs on Marco’s neck stood up as Ace went to move to fight. There were a lot of civilians here. Ace knew that. Judging by the look on his face, he was trying to calculate a way to get around them.
Something was different about this Marine. They were supposed to value human lives, but his eyes were lingering on them. “Fire men!”
Marco was stunned as the Marines lifted their guns and the chaos followed. Men, women, children, running away in fear. Screaming as the gunfire started. Ace just smirked, throwing his hands out and blocking the paths that lead to the civilians.
Marco’s heart practically stopped as they noticed not everyone had gotten out of the way. A little boy ran right in front of them just as a gun shot rang out. Ace had moved immediately, jumping in the way, and encircling the boy in his arms. Sliding across the ground. Using himself as a shield against the ground and the gun fire.
“Ace!” Marco shouted.
“I’m okay!” Ace yelled back, sitting up and revealing that the boy was also unharmed. Marco had noticed immediately the marks, scratches, and cuts that lingered over Ace’s back. Slices in his skin from gun shots. Ace had not activated his Logia powers to counter the injuries. Marco understood. It was either use them and risk the boy getting hurt or not using them at all and allowing himself to gain injuries.
It made the anger flare in Marco as his attention turned back to the Marines.
“How dare you shoot on innocent people?!” Marco barked, activating his own Devil Fruit abilities. Marco jumped into the air, arms morphing into wings. “Just because we are pirates?! You really are more despicable! None of you deserve to be Marines!” Half of them were focused on him. Firing at him and attempting to shoot him down. He had managed to take out a group of them as he flew by them, but it had put distance between him and Ace.
“At least we are better than low life criminals.” The same Marine who had shot at the little boy retorted.
He could hear Ace muttering to the little boy, reassuring him that it would be okay before he was opening part of the flame wall and instructing the boy to find someone before blocking it again. The second it was back up; Ace’s sharp glare was fixated on the Marine.
“You disgust me.” Ace growled, starting to march forward. Uncaring as the bullets went piercing through his body. Trails of fire showing that he had activated his Devil Fruit this time. It was like Ace was having tunnel vision. He threw his arm back, preparing to use his infamous Fire Fist move that had gained him his nickname.
“Ace, watch out!” Marco shouted, noticing the Marine had moved. He was fast. This was no ordinary Marine. Ace looked over in shock as a cuff was placed around his wrist and a fist landed on his jaw.
“You really should be careful, Fire Fist.” The Marine cackled, back on his feet as Ace slid across the ground. “You never know who you might be up against. Even Cipher Pol.”
Marco eyes widened. That wasn’t good. He moved to start back over to Ace. Growling as a group got in his way. “Are all of you bastards, Cipher Pol?”
The Marines smirked. Well, he supposed Cipher Pol agents. “You could say that only one of us is.”
Marco gritted his teeth. Balling his fist as he heard Ace yelp from a foot connecting with his rib cage. “Ace!” He screamed out again.
“I’m fine!” Ace snapped, pushing himself back up. Only to be met with a kick to the face that sent him even further away.
“Damnit.” Marco growled, launching himself back into the air at his half phoenix point. “You bastard! Keep your hands off of him!” Marco twisted in the air, catching the man who had been attacking Ace and throwing him back. The man merely flipped, landing back on his feet despite the blood that was now on his face.
“It’s already over.” The agent muttered. Marco growled, flying forward, and catching the supposed Cipher Pol agent by his collar. “Perfect.” Marco frowned. The First Division Commander was shocked as he felt a sudden burst of energy that sent him into the air and away from all of them.
What the hell?
Marco managed to regain his flight, stabilizing himself in midair. This was angering him now. How could this man possibly be singlehandedly taking on both him and Ace?
“Marco!” Ace shouted; he could hear the shock in his voice that had the First Division Commander turning. “I can’t move!”
“What are you talking about?!” Marco exclaimed.
“I can’t move!” He just immediately said back. Marco surveyed Ace, noticing the shadow like pattern on the ground between the Marine and Ace. That had to be the cause. Just now, how to break it.
Marco cursed under his breath, moving to fly back down as he heard the cackling, “We can finally kill off one of these disgusting pirates.” The Marine stated, raising the gun up.
Ace smirked, “Bullets don’t hurt me.”
“Sea prism stone does.”
Marco felt the air catch in his throat just as the shot fired and he swooped down, placing himself between the Marine and Ace. He felt the punch like hit to his shoulder or what would have been Ace’s head if he hadn’t moved. His Devil Fruit powers immediately stopped as he gritted his teeth. It had been so long since he felt pain. He couldn’t even remember the last time that he felt true pain like this.
It was worth it.
Ace was worth it.
A gunshot to the shoulder was better than a shot going through Ace’s head.
“Marco…” Ace whispered, his eyes widening in horror as Marco forced himself to look up. “Why?” His voice was almost inaudible.
Marco mustered enough strength to smile, grinning as he forced himself to stay on his feet, “Because I’m in love with your dumbass.” He wasn’t even sure what was said next as the world went dark around him.
When Marco came to, he jolted out of the infirmary bed. Breathing heavily as he looked around, immediately catching sight of all the nurses. Tate turned, smiling at him, as she said, “Commander Marco, you gave us quite the scare.”
His mind flashed back to the island for a moment, Ace’s face most specifically coming to mind. “Where is he?”
“Commander Ace, I presume.” Tate replied. “He’s out on the deck. He was asleep here for a while, but the others made him go outside before he burnt down the infirmary.” The nurse got a soft look on her face for a moment, “He… blames himself for this.”
“It’s not his fault!” Marco exclaimed.
“We’ve all tried to tell him.” Tate stated. “If you feel well enough to move, you can go. Once we got the bullet out, we mostly just had to wait for you to wake up. We’ve already given you blood. Just take it easy, Commander Marco.”
He didn’t need to be told twice before he was shooting out of the bed and starting for the deck. He ignored the pain shooting through his shoulder, the sling that it was in. It was an easy fix for him. Activate his powers once and he would be fine.
He only had one concern at the moment.
All eyes turned to him the second that he threw the cabin door open, letting out a breath of relief to see that Ace was in fact perfectly okay. He was covered in bandages over his chest and a shirt back on over his shoulders, but otherwise, he was fine.
“Marco!” Ace exclaimed, there was fear in his voice. Something that Marco did not like to hear.
They had their asses handed to them today. Marco wasn’t even sure how it actually ended. “Ace…” He muttered. Nothing else on that deck mattered to him. It was like he was only seeing Ace.
He rushed forward, bringing his good hand to cup Ace’s cheek, “You’re okay.”
“Of course, I am.” Ace stated, “What about you? You got shot.”
Marco smiled, leaning down and placing his forehead against Ace’s. He could hear the audible intake of breath from Ace for a second as Marco whispered, “I would rather die than think that you might have been killed today.”
Ace reached up, placing his hand on the back of Marco’s neck. “What you said earlier…”
“I meant it.” Marco confirmed. “I’m in love with you, Portgas D. Ace.”
Ace laughed, “That… is a really bad idea.”
“I don’t care.” Marco replied, leaning forward, and connecting his lips to Ace’s. Ace had kissed him back immediately, standing on his tip toes to account for the difference in their height. He could hear the cat calls, feel Ace swatting his hand like he was trying to quiet them. Marco pulled away, grinning much like a mad man. “I have been wanting to do that for a long time.”
“I know.” Ace said.
Marco blinked, pulling back, and muttering out, “What?”
Ace laughed, hiding his mouth behind his hand as he looked in a different direction, “I may have known since Shanks was here.” Suddenly that smile dropped away, “I just needed to know if it was all in my head or if it was real. I don’t understand how someone could love someone like… well, me.”
Marco was absolutely flabbergasted.
“Because you’re you, Ace.” Marco replied. “You are absolutely perfect just the way you are.”
Ace’s face softened as he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Marco’s good shoulder.
“Well, we just lost the bet to the Red Hair Pirates.” Whitebeard sighed.
Marco looked over the top of Ace’s head to Whitebeard, giving him a confused look. “Yeah, thanks, Marco.” Thatch grumbled, despite the smile on his face.
Whitebeard grinned, facing the others, “I’m pulling one from that brat’s book… it’s time to party!”
Marco laughed, pushing off what was happening with the others and looking back down at Ace. Ace turned his head, his arms wrapped around Marco’s midsection now, looking back up at him. “I mean it, Ace. I love you.”
“I love you, Marco.” Ace replied, “I’ve known I’ve loved you since well… I became a Commander.”
Marco laughed. What were the odds of that?
“Let’s go.” Marco whispered, wrapping his arm over Ace’s shoulders, and pulling him towards the others. Might as well enjoy this party that Whitebeard wanted to throw. He paused, humming, “What happened to those Marines?”
“Oh, that?” Whitebeard questioned, a large grin on his face, “Ace beat the shit out of them with his bare hands. He was not pleased with what happened.”
Fair enough.
He looked down at Ace to see that the Second Division Commander was trying to look away. “Well, we’re both back home. That’s what matters.”