I had wanted to write something about Marco and Whitebeard for a while now, and then I had this idea. Have you noticed that in the manga, when Whitebeard gives his final captain's order, Marco doesn't look surprised?
As always, beta-read by Dearshul :)
Father and son
The tension was almost tangible in the air. Most pirates, not only the members of the crew, were too restless to fall asleep, and in most cases were making a conscious effort to try and catch even some minutes of rest. Just for once, no one had resorted to alcohol when sleep wouldn't come.
It was dark, not only as a result of it being the middle of night, but also for being at the bottom of the sea. Looking up, only slowly moving currents were seen, sometimes cut by the barely discernable black form of a Sea King that wouldn't dare to approach their ships. The moon and the stars, just like the sun, hadn't been seen since they dove underwater days ago to cross Fishman Island, and it would be that way until they reached Marineford the next day.
Marco the Phoenix, first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, had waited until he felt the nurses going to bed after helping the captain settle in for the night before leaving his cabin and heading for his father's.
"Come in, Marco." Came Whitebeard's voice even before he could raise his hand to knock on the door.
Marco pushed the door open, letting it close on its own once he was inside, and went to sit on one of the various empty crates that in the past had contained bottles of sake and now littered the floor, being used as improvised seats by anybody who came in here.
"What's the matter, son?" Whitebeard asked when the commander hadn't spoken after some minutes.
Realizing there was no softer way to say what was on his mind, Marco decided to go straight to the point.
"Pops, you don't intent to come out of this battle alive, do you?"
The strongest man in the world took his time to answer.
"I'm not planning on dying or anything, but if things get to that then no, I don't."
That it was the most probable result was left unsaid, both men already aware of it.
A long silence settled between them.
Marco didn't try to change his father and captain's mind. Independently of how much the thought hurt, he knew the man loved his sons too much to make that decision unless there really was no other choice, and Marco wouldn't, couldn't, make it even more difficult for him.
After several long minutes, Marco spoke again.
"Hey Pops, can I stay here? I can't sleep."
Whitebeard laughed.
"Aren't you a little old for that?" Marco simply smiled. "Alright, just for tonight."
What do you think? :)