Chapter 4

Ace was strong. He healed fast and was out of bed in no time. After a week Ace was allowed to walk with crutches on the ship, even on his own. But he was still far from healthy. Marco was glued to his side, always watching over him. Ace asked him to leave him alone, but even if he agreed it was like Ace had a second shadow. It was strange that Ace had difficulty with his legs, when the only visible wound was on his stomach. Everyone wanted to hug the young Fire-Fist, when they saw his struggle on the stairs or entering a door or when he was about to run, but then remembered he was unable to. But Ace himself was full of energy, like he wasn't dead for a few minutes a week ago.

"Ne, Haruta can I he-help?" – Ace's eyes seamed to sparkle in anticipation at finally being allowed to do something after the poison incident. Ace was too bored. Haruta shook her head.

"Not yet Ace, sorry!"

"P-p-please, just a…little bit" – he stuttered and blushed. 'Stupid stuttering' Haruta couldn't help taking pity on his friend, she sighed and then nodded.

"Alright, Ace, but don't overexert yourself. The doctor said you need to rest"

"Yay, thanks, Haruta. You're the best" – she hoped she wouldn't regret her decision. But she grinned as she took in Fire-Fist's honest smile. She tilted her head slightly to the side as she noticed the second shadow lurking behind the young man. She looked at him quizzically. 'What does he want now?' She didn't have to wait for long for an answer to that. Marco coughed.

"I'm afraid he can't do that yet, Haruta" – he was in serious mode. Haruta wasn't the one truly disappointed, it was Ace himself. And he wouldn't let this go without a word.

"W-WHAT?! M-m-marc-co. Haruta agreed. M-mind your o-own b-bus-business. Leave us a-alone." – said Ace angrily, the words though harsh, were weakened by his constant stuttering. Marco wouldn't obey him though. They were arguing for a few minutes shouting at each other none of them giving up. Ace was so angry. It's not like he wanted to go on a mission or something. He just wanted to help with simple chores, like sorting out the different bullets on the ship and loading them into the guns. Marco was just too clingy always by his side telling him no to everything even remotely interesting. He was fed up with the blond's tendencies.

"You need to rest, yoi, why can't you understand this, you empty-headed idiot!"

"I've been re-resting lo-long e-enough, I'm gonna die of bo-boredom, Marco, don't-don't you get it?" – Marco was silent for a moment contemplating Ace's words and then his comeback made the younger speechless.

"Then I'll entertain you, till you get better, yoi" – Ace knew something was wrong with the world if the first commander of the Whitebeard pirates offered to be a well, sort of like a 'clown' for him.

"You?" – a hesitant nod.

"Why not" – he shrugged and let Marco lead the way back to his cabin. It took at least twice as much getting there than before. Marco was nothing if not extremely tolerant and patient while waiting for him. The slow pace was killing Ace. And he hated the stuttering, but he was happy, that it wouldn't last forever, just a few days or weeks at maximum.

Marco wanted to help but knew Ace would bark at him if he tried so he just watched the younger's struggle. They reached Marco's room and when they got inside Ace flopped down on the bed tired already.

"Marco, I…sorry" – muttered Ace from under his hat and Marco looked at him in surprise.

"I said mean things to you, when you just…wanted to help"

"…"

"Oi, say something Marco!"

"You idiot! Don't apologize. I know, it's hard! Remember when I've been caught by Kaido, that wasn't easy either" – he went to Ace's side and put a hand on the orange hat.

"I know, Ace."

"…"

"It's okay to get help, though" – Marco clapped his hands together.

"Well then, let's get down to business" – he exclaimed and went to his drawer and pulled out a pack of cards. Ace was surprised he had something like that lying around. The cards seemed pretty old and worn out, meaning they were used regularly at some point. Ace knew Marco liked to play card games, but usually those games were played in large groups and here there were only the two of them. So naturally, he was curious what the blond wanted to do next.

Marco sat down on the bed next to Fire Fist and lifted his left hand deck in hand to Ace.

"Pick one" – he spread the cards expertly. Ace's hands hovered over them for a short while then picked one from the middle.

"Don't show me" –Marco scolded as Ace was about to turn it towards him.

"Memorize it, Ace then put it back face down" – Ace smiled, it was an old trick. He didn't know Marco was a trickster. He obliged though. The card was the Ace of spade. The deck was shuffled a few times, then Marco held out the whole deck to the younger.

"Turn over the one on top, yoi" – Ace smiled as he knew that it would be the same card he picked and turned it over but he was met with another card. It was the Ace of clubs.

"Was it this one?" – Marco asked curiously and when Ace shook his head he hung his head disappointed. Ace tilted his head in confusion. Why would Marco embarrass himself with a failed trick in front of him, when he knew he couldn't do it perfectly?

"Mar—co, it's not easy, don't be-too-hard on yourself." – he tried to cheer up the other, but Marco was still fixing his gaze on his lap.

"Sorry, Ace…I suck at entertainment…" – he lifted his gaze to look at the younger and then pointed his index finger to Ace's hat.

"Look, yoi!" – Ace frowned and reached up to see what was there and his fingers touched a card that was lodged behind the pearls on his hat. When he saw that it was indeed the Ace of spades he couldn't help himself shook his head and started to laugh. Marco was smirking now.

"I….hahaha…almost believed…haha…you…" – Ace punched Marco's arm playfully.

"…"

"This is so lame, Mar—co!" – Ace wasn't referring to his trick, but the whole card stuff. Did Marco really want to pass the time like this? It was okay for a few hours, but not for days or weeks… He knew it was a bad idea from the start. After they calmed down Ace asked Marco what they would do next. And then his stomach rumbled.

"We go eat" – Ace's energetic smile returned and he nodded, ready to wolf down a whole sea king alone.

Marco led the way grabbing Ace's hand to pull him up, then turning his back to the younger he crouched and put out his arms expectantly.

"What now?" – Ace asked surprised. Marco looked turned his head to the side and tilted his head, signing Ace to get on his back.

"Nu-uh, No, no Marco, I can walk there my-self" – he shook his head vehemently.

"Seriously Ace…" – he straightened his back – "And here I thought you would jump at the chance to ride my back, yoi, but well…" – he trailed off. Ace's face lit and his eyebrows raised.

"Uh…I want to" – Marco thought he could change Ace's mind like this. He smirked.

"Well, it's too late now… you can walk on your own, I don't feel like carrying you anymore." – he stretched his arms high in the air and yawned.

"But, you…a second ago…you" – pouted Ace now for some unknown reason really wanting to ride on Marco's back.

"You like leftovers too, don't you? I'll go ahead then" – and Marco started towards the door.

"Marco…" – he opened the door but turned back when the younger called out pitifully. Ace was biting his lower lip and his eyes were pleading.

"You said you would entertain me, then don't leave me alone" – his stutter made Marco almost drop his act and rush to the younger's side to hug him senseless, but he stopped himself, instead he looked down between the two of them then fixed his gaze on Ace and walked back to be in front of him. It was very fast. Ace felt pressure on his head as Marco put his hand on top of it. He shook Ace's thick head saying.

"You're such a brat" – Ace was about to retort when Marco kneeled down a second later with his back to Ace hands held out the same as minutes ago. Ace's eyes widened and he leaned on Marco's broad back and drew his arms carefully around the blond's neck. With that Marco hooked his fingers under Ace's knees to hold him and stood.

"What about my crut-crutches?" – asked Ace nervously.

"You won't need them, yoi" – Marco left the room, Ace secured on his back. As they were on their way to eat Ace realised how warm the older's back was as they were flush with each other. His arms held on stronger and buried his face in the other's shoulder. He liked being carried. It was comfortable and way faster than his lame stride with those damn crutches.

When they arrived at the mess hall they were met with surprised looks but they were greeted warmly there weren't so many people in there though. Thatch was there though.

"Hey there, guys. Ace, you finally managed to get Marco to play pony for you, huh? Neat" – Ace smiled toothily and held out a hand, his fore- and index fingers forming a V. He stopped doing that when he was dropped rather abruptly by a fuming Marco.

"Hey, I'm not a pony, yoi"

"No, of course not" – stuttered the younger, and held out his hands in front of him in defence.

"Hahaha, I'm glad you feel better, Ace" – Thatch started – "We were really worried about you"

"Sorry for that" – he grinned sheepishly, and then his stomach grumbled loudly.

"Heh, sit down you two, I'll bring you something to eat"

"Thanks, Thatch" – shouted Fire Fist after the cook enthusiastically.

Marco helped Ace sit down at the table. By that time they were the only people left in the room. Ace broke the silence.

"Um…Thanks, Marco" – he said looking up from the table. Marco frowned slightly.

"It's nothing. You aren't that heavy…"

"No, not for that" – he interrupted the older.

"For…for taking care of me…" – he looked back down, but Marco reached over the table and tilted his chin up to make him look into his eyes.

"You're one of us now, Ace. Never forget that! As you're Whitebeard's son, you're our brother…my brother" – Marco's eyes were so intense. Ace's chest felt so heavy for some reason and his eyes started to water. He tore away his head before he started to cry. Marco didn't need to see him cry like a child. He was blinking rapidly, trying to stop the tears from flowing, looking to the side, hiding his face from the one in front of him.

"You, know…sometimes it's okay to cry." – Ace shut his eyes and fresh tears slid down his cheeks. He sniffed once and then he raised his head and opened his eyes. They were still shining full of tears when his mouth widened in a full smile.

"But not for long" – he said without a stutter and Marco nodded returning his smile while thinking that crying happily suits Ace.

To be continued…

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