Title: Budding Romance

Again, I can't title. This is probably a little out of character as well *shrugs*. Set in the same verse as Flame Lit. See you at the bottom. Enjoy.

I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE


When Marco was sent to find Ace because "you and your firecracker have some kind of homing beacon on each other, you'll find him fast", this was not what he was expecting, he wasn't sure what he was expecting, but this wasn't it.

Ace was sitting in a field, with several of the village children, making flower crowns in a field completely filled with different types of flowers.

Marco blinked taking in the sight. Ace had been told to entertain himself while they made some minor repairs on the ship so it was a mystery to where he went but they hadn't heard any explosions so they assumed all was fine. The first mate couldn't help but try and figure out what had gotten into his lover, but his phoenix trilled at the sight of Ace smiling and laughing with a crown of flowers sitting lopsided on his head.

It was cute.

He felt something seemingly perk up and he knew it was Ace, thankfully they had finally figured out how to stop bursting into flames everytime they got near each other. Marco saw Ace locate him right away, and greet him with a slight smile and blush.

"Marco!"

He found himself walking towards his lover and the children, who were clumsily making crowns. So it was Ace that was teaching them? He found it slightly surprising that Ace would've spent time learning to making something like this, but then he remembered that Ace had a younger brother.

"Having fun?" He smiled a small smile.

Ace nodded causing the flower crown to tilt even further, and he had a feeling that if it moved any more it would fall off. Marco stared at his lover in wonder, now noticing the other various flower accessories.

"The ship is fixed." He said.

"Alight." Ace grinned, while connecting the last flowers together making a crown.

Marco admired how well crafted the crown was, it didn't seem like it would break apart any time soon. It was also very well coordinated when it came to the colors and flowers. It seemed deliberate, the flowers themselves weren't close to the same shape, but somehow they were all weaved together expertly and the crown had various red, white, and orange flowers.

Marco arched a brow at the time put into it. Wondering why it was so well done, sometime he had trouble figuring out his lovers ideas. Ace nodded to one of the little girl's crowns as she held it up proudly, part of the links were already loosening, but it was a good attempt.

Suddenly Ace was on his feet, petals and stems falling from his lap, and he was moving towards Marco, holding the crown tenderly. Probably a gift for Izou, he likes these types of things. So without much further thought he turned his back to Ace and started heading back to his ship.

He heard running behind him and before he could turn around, he felt something lightly being placed on his head. Marco turned to face Ace, and saw that the crown was no longer in his hands. His younger lover was grinning from ear to ear, his eyes nearly closed, the crown had been fixed so that was perched perfectly on his head.

"You look good!" He said, his voice was light.

His phoenix sung at the happiness in Ace's posture and words, and also at being given a gift. Marco knew that he'd likely be teased by Thatch if he continued to wear the crown back to the ship, but he didn't have the heart to take it off, he couldn't take away Ace's current happiness, it was rare to see him show it so openly with no fear of being judged.

"It was a nice looking crown, thank you."

Ace's smile widened, and then grabbed Marco's hand. As usual their fire sparked between them, almost in greeting, before receding. He squeezed his younger lover's hand, before he started walking back to the ship, their arms swinging between them.

He was thankful that Ace had been further out of the village so they could get to the ship without having to pass through, he may be willing to take teasing from Thatch, but he wasn't so willing to have complete strangers see his softness towards the fire user. Along the way, he could see Ace take several of the flower pieces, leaving the crown for last.

When the Moby was in full view Ace took his own crown off, and Marco figured it was alright for him to removed his as well, he was careful to not damage the delicate piece. They had arrived at the perfect moment, he could tell that the shipwrights were just finishing up the repairs and packing away their equipment.

Thatch was on the ground holding a bag on his shoulder, and called out to them when they came into view. "There they are!"

Ace grinned. "Hey Thatch! Need any help?"

The chef shook his head. "No, I think I'm good."

"Okay."

"Ace! If you want to help you can carry my tools up!" One of the shipwrights called out.

"Sure!" Ace headed off in the direction the shipwright.

Marco watched him for a few seconds before heading over to board the ship. He could see Izou leaning over the railing resting his chin on his palm.

"Hey, Marco." He greeted, and then he apparently noticed what the commander was holding. "Where'd you get the crown from?"

"Ace made it." He replied.

"May I see it?" Izou said as he straightened up.

Marco hesitated before handing the crown over, he knew it was one of Izou's interest so he was sure the crown's integrity would remain fine.

The kimono clad man looked at it, turning it around and humming. "This is well made."

Marco nodded.

"He put a lot of thought into it, makes sense why he was asking about flowers last night."

Marco blinked, so he had been right on it being deliberate and he also learned why his lover had been late in returning to their room last night.

"Meaning?"

Izou smiled secretly, before holding the crown in one hand and pointing to the flowers he was talking about. "This one means your love is reciprocated, this one means thee only do I love, this one means eternal love, and this flower here means I can't live without you."

Izou stopped and smiled once more. "This flower means your a flame in my heart."

Marco was surprised. He hadn't thought that Ace would go to such an extent for him. The first mate wasn't sure how he could show that his love was as plentiful as Ace's.

Later that night Ace was laying with on him on the edge of sleep. The crowns lay next to each other on the desk. Marco was still trying to think of how he would show Ace he loves him in an equally meaningful way.

As he was drifting off to sleep, he found himself sleepily mumbling "I love you."


The flowers used were Lily of a the Valley, Ambrosia, Camellia(red), Arbutus, Orange Blossom, and Primrose