I do not own One Piece.
This is going to be a collection of, mostly, one-shots detailing Marco's life. Though some of them may be two- or three- shot stories. They will all fit together, though they might not be in chronological order, I'll just be writing them as I think of them.
If you having any certain situation or event you would like me to include in this story, feel free to tell me.
Things have been pretty peaceful the last few days. Marco has continued to sleep in my bed since he was released from the infirmary, he tried sleeping in his hammock a few more times, but always ends up having nightmares so I put him into my bed, much to his embarrassment, but it seems to make him happy as well. He spends most days sitting out on deck close to me, he never does anything other than sitting there. I occasionally tell him stories, but today I convinced him to explore the ship on his own. I had showed him all of the major rooms, but there are many places he hasn't seen. I'm not too worried about him, he seems to be a smart kid and my sons will make sure he doesn't fall overboard or anything.
This will also give him a chance to realize that none of the crew will harm him in anyway. He seems to trust me, and somewhat Caceus, well enough, but he still flinches back or tries to hide when any of the other members get too close or try to speak to him. But hopefully, being alone around them will make him realize that they don't want to hurt him and not that they just don't do it because I am around.
Letting out a deep sigh, I lean back in my chair and take a long drink from my ever present sake bottle. I enjoy the peaceful day, talking to any of my sons who stop near my chair and enjoying the various sounds on the ship. The sounds a several people loudly talking and laughing, the faint sound of someone hammering something below deck and the several creaks of the wood.
A loud crash suddenly permeates the air, I don't give it much thought, someone is always crashing into something and it usually isn't that seriously. I begin to rethink my decision not to investigate the source of the sound when a terrified Marco hesitantly makes his way towards me, followed closely by a concerned Jadon.
"What happened?" I ask as soon as the get close to me. I watch as Marco flinches violently, staring at his feet and wringing his hands together. I look up at Jadon waiting for an answer.
"Well, I was walking by one of the storage rooms when I heard a loud crash. I opened the door to find Marco, his arm and clothes smeared with blood, quickly trying to pick up the piece of what I assume was a broken vase." he explains quickly. I look sharply at Marco, who seems to be trying to curl into himself, just now noticing the blood on his arm and shirt.
"Why didn't you take him to the infirmary?" I demand.
"Well I was going to, but he seemed terrified, well even more terrified, at the thought. So, I checked him over but couldn't find any injuries. I thought it would be best if I brought him to you, Pops." he replies swiftly, looking more and more concerned for the small boy.
"Thank you, Jadon. You did the right thing." I tell him, smiling gently before turning back to the terrified boy next to him. I stare at him for a few seconds before making up my mind. I get from my chair and lead Marco into our quarters. I take a seat on the bed and watch as he stands by the door fidgeting slightly.
"Come seat down, Marco," I insist, pointing to the space next to me on the bed. He glances up quickly before tentatively walking over, gingerly taking a seat. I stare at him for a few seconds, noticing his tensed shoulders and tightly clasped hands. "Are you alright, Marco?" I ask quietly, hoping to dispel some of his anxiety.
"…Yes, sir," he answers softly, not looking up from his hands. "I'm….sorry, sir." He presses out sounding more distressed.
"What for?" I ask confused.
"For…for breaking your vase, sir." he replies, squeezing his eyes shut. I smile gently and pat his head softly.
"I don't care about the vase. What I do care about, is where all that blood came from."
"It…It's mine, sir," he replies solemnly, continuing to look at his clasped hands, his shoulders once again tensing slightly. I nod my head and wait for him to continue, my eyes roaming to try and find the wound.
"Will you show me the wound?" I ask when it became obvious that he wasn't going to say anything more with prompting.
"I can't, sir. Sorry," he replies quietly. I stare him in confusion for a second, not really understand his meaning. "I…I don't have it anymore."
"What do you mean, son?" I ask softly.
"I…I healed it, sir," he mumbles, barely audible, curling slightly into himself.
"You healed yourself? Is that your Devil Fruit power?" I ask softly, causing his head to shoot up and stare at me in shock. Behind the shock, I see and underlying fear. "I have a Devil Fruit power as well," I inform him, causing his shoulders to relax slightly.
"That's not really my power," he answers, staring back down at his hands. "I can turn into a bird…I don't know what kind it is though…..It's made of blue flames." he tells me.
"That is called a phoenix, Marco. They are considered mythical creatures. You were very lucky to come across such a rare and helpful fruit." He looks up at me happily and slowly shifts towards me until he is resting against my side.
"What's your power?" he asks hesitantly.
"I can make tremor, like earth or seaquakes." I tell him, causing him to look up at me in wonder.
"That sounds really cool," he whispers, a small smile on his face.