This is a birthday fic for LuffyGirl. Happy birthday sweetheart. I hope you like it, though it was a little rushed (my muse is so hyped at the moment). Also warning, characters may seem OOC.
Disclaimer: One Piece and it's characters belong to Eiichiro Oda.
It didn't take a genius to see that something was on the mind of Thatch. However, what it was that was on his mind was harder to figure out. While he was normally straightforward and a talk-mouth, he could be really tight up, when it came to his private life. Which bothered his brothers, who could see it was something that had a negative effect on the cook.
However, no matter what they tired, Thatch didn't tell anything and just brushed it off. The more they pried, the more he ignored them and he even snapped at them, before just leaving for his room, which was close to the kitchen.
Izo sighed, all his tactics had been wasted on their hotheaded brother. For all his skills and his way of getting people to talk, it had not worked on Thatch. It came as a surprise, which also told Izo that whatever Thatch was bothered with, was something he might even be scared of. And it wasn't a spider in his room or kitchen. No it was an emotional fear.
"So he didn't tell you what was going on, yoi?" Marco asked, sitting next to the cross dresser.
"Not at all. Instead he got angered and left for his room. Marco this is not normal for him. I'm really getting worried," Izo said.
Marco nodded, feeling the same fear crawling under his skin. Thatch usual was cheery and always smiling and while he still was that, it was not the same as usual. He couldn't tell when it had changed or what was different, but he knew something had changed. Why, he didn't know.
"Maybe if we think about when it all started, we might get some clues, yoi," Marco suggested.
Izo nodded slowly. It was the best shot they had, now that Thatch refused to tell what was on his mind.
Thatch sighed, as he sat on his chair. For all his effort, Izo had picked up that something was off. Though Thatch knew he couldn't have kept hiding it, he just had hoped it would last longer. He hadn't been prepared for the confrontation, but he was happy he hadn't broke down and told Izo what was wrong. This was nothing Izo could help him with, so why bother his brother anyway?
The only person knowing what was up, was their captain, who simple had told Thatch he made a huge thing out of it. Still Thatch thought it was a huge thing, because never had he thought it would happen. Sure, he had dreamed and hoped, but when it happened, he hadn't been prepared or expected it to be like this.
When he thought about it, it didn't come as much as a surprise as he first had thought. Even though it was the first time ever for him. However, he didn't know what to do now or how to act and when he had asked Whitebeard, the man had simple told him to act upon it, which was hard for Thatch. It sounded so easy, but in reality it wasn't.
No matter how hard Izo and Marco tired, with the help from Vista and Haruta, they couldn't figure out when Thatch started to change his behavior. Which actually surprised them, because Thatch usual was an open book and always wore his feelings on the outside. They had no idea that he could hide feelings so well that they would first see them long after he got them.
This just fueled their worries more and therefor they now were standing in the room of Whitebeard, spilling out their worries about Thatch. Whitebeard was smiling the knowing smile, but also softly, telling them that they shouldn't worry too much and that Thatch would come around.
Marco knew that Whitebeard knew what bothered their brother, but he still wasn't reassured by their captain's words. Even if he was right, which he usual was, Marco just had a feeling it would take too long and maybe change Thatch for good. If it was for the better or worse, Marco didn't know, but he feared it was the latter.
Days passed and more and more noticed how Thatch acted differently. The cook was having dark circles under his eyes; a proof of how little sleep he got, which did happen from time to time, but it was still differently. Even though it was hard to put a finger on what was differently, there was definitely something off and it made many wonder, while others shrugged it off, saying it was because the commander lacked sleep or simply needed some rest.
The crew looked to their captain. If it was seriously, their father figure would definitely be worried or do something. So as long as he was calm and observing, they didn't feel the need to understand or force their help upon the cook. All, except for the commander's best friends.
Marco and Izo once again tried to get him to talk, but Thatch was as an eel and got out of their confrontation in so many ways that it made the two commanders stunned. They knew Thatch had many skills, but this was new to them.
For Marco it was harder than for Izo. Because his reason for wanting Thatch to be himself again, was pure selfish, as it hurt him deeper than anything, seeing Thatch like this. However, he wouldn't tell Thatch this. Not now. It was the last card he would pull, even if things was then change between them. Marco only wanted Thatch to be happy and carefree again.
Another week passed and it didn't seem as Thatch would get better, but he didn't get worse either. The crew shrugged it off, saying all changed sometimes and it was a normal process. Even Izo was partly agreeing, though he still had his doubt. Marco, on the other hand, knew that it was bullshit and that Thatch had just pulled himself together again and put on a mask once more. For some unknown reason and Marco had enough. This was why he know was barging into the room of Thatch, startling the cook.
"Oh Marco, what's up?" Thatch asked casually, once the initial shock had washed off.
"You know exactly what is up, yoi," Marco said, crossing his arms, while leaning against the door.
"I have no idea what you mean, Marco," Thatch answered, even sounding like he was confused to what Marco meant.
"You have a problem and talking with Oyaji didn't help you. I don't get why he let you go on with an unsolved problem that clearly takes its toll on you, yoi."
Thatch's eyes narrowed. "I'm perfectly fine."
"No you're not. Don't freaking deny it to my face. You know I hate it when you lie, yoi."
"It's not your problem, so why don't you let it go? And before you say it's your duty as commander to make sure we are all fine, remember I'm a commander too and it's my responsibility too. I can take care of it myself, it just takes more time than expected."
Marco didn't buy it for one second. "You're just lying to yourself. Thatch, I'm your friend, your brother, so why can't you tell me? Is it something I did or once said? Or anyone else and you think it's silly and don't want anyone getting into trouble?"
It was clear that Marco knew Thatch well, since this conclusion was what he had gotten to. Which wasn't far from the truth. Not completely the truth, but close enough and Thatch's gaze hardened. Why couldn't Marco just let it be?
"I can't tell you," was all Thatch could say, sounded close to breaking.
The tone almost broke Marco's heart. He crossed the room, sitting on his knees in front of Thatch, who sat on his chair. It was first now that Marco noticed that Thatch's hair was slight messy, strains falling from the normally perfect pompadour. His heart sunk into his stomach.
"Thatch," he said softly. "I care more about you than anyone. It hurts to see you like this and I can't help you. All I want is your happiness."
It was the first time Thatch ever heard Marco use that tone or those words. He looked into the eyes of his brother, wondering what those words meant exactly. How could Marco be sure he cared about him more than others? Before Thatch could ask, Marco took his hand and placed a kiss on it.
"Seeing you like this makes my heart ache, Thatch. An ache my powers can't heal. I ask you one more time. Will you tell someone else than Oyaji what is bothering you? It doesn't have to be me," Marco said softly.
Thatch didn't know what to say. Marco was normally not like this. Why was he hurt that Thatch wasn't himself and acting a little off? Was it more than just the normal worries Marco had as a brother? No it couldn't be that. It was a trick to get him to talk, but the sincere eyes of Marco told Thatch it wasn't.
"Marco …," he trailed off.
How should he tell it, without risking everything? Yet Thatch knew he couldn't go on like this and he knew it wouldn't become better and that soon all would see through his mask once more. He couldn't bare the worries of his brothers, it had been hard enough the past week, so to go on like this until death took him … It was unbearable and he knew he would at some point spill his secret to Izo or Marco. And that not in a controlled way. So better just get over with it, right?
"It's you. Not that you have done anything, but my problem is about you and my feelings," he finally said, eyes looking down.
Marco's eyes widened at the words of Thatch settled in his mind. Could it be? No it was too much to hope for, but what if … He had to know. Gone was all his reservation about them and he took Thatch's hand.
"If it concerns me, then tell me. I don't want you to suffer because of me. So tell me," Marco pleaded.
Thatch knew he had to tell him and he sighed. "Fine. Marco, I've fallen in love with you," he said, knowing he shouldn't run anymore, though he still couldn't look into his eyes.
Marco smiled softly. "Thatch … Why is that a problem?"
Blinking, Thatch looked at Marco. "You're my brother, my closest friend and I shouldn't have these feelings. Besides … I 've never felt like this ever," he said slight ashamed.
Now that made Marco raised his brow. "Never?"
Thatch shook his head.
"Then let me show you how wonderful that feeling is, yoi," Marco said, before his lips captured Thatch's.
Hi girl. I hope you liked it. It was an idea I got from a dream I had lately and now I had an excuse to write it down.
