The journey on its entirety was exhausting.

He left in the evening and now, the sun has risen again on the horizon, telling him just how far he had gone. Still, Striker is faster than any other ship on board of Moby, and it was a good thing that the article Thatch showed him told of the location where Marco was captured, because otherwise, he'd be sailing aimlessly. The first 15 minutes after sailing he knows that this entire thing was rather reckless of him, but he can't go back now and the fruit had seem to only amplify the one thought in his head.

Marco. He needs to find and save Marco.

And Ace knows that even muffled, he had been repeating that very same word over and over during the course of his sail. He could hear it, even muffled - because there's not really much to hear when you're in the middle of the sea - and as crazy as it drove him, he let his thought and mumbles becomes his motivator. Even if it has begun to drench the front of his makeshift muzzle with saliva.

At very long last, he came across an island, and he didn't have to check long to know that this is indeed his destination. There's at least 2 marine ship wreckage by the coast of the summer island, with plenty of planks floating away to the crashing waves. Along the same coastline, he could see people milling about, several dressed in white marine uniforms and chained down by a familiar group of men. As Ace slowly let his fire dwindle down and slowing Striker down, he could see Whitebeard marks on each of those men's body and smiled. Finally.

One of the men, a black dotted fishman, one he recognize as one of the few fishmen they had on board and Namur's right hand man, turned his gaze and found Ace. Soon as their eyes locked, the fishman's eyes widened, the whisker like tendrils along his mouth flailing about as he screamed, loud enough for even Ace to hear, "He's here! He's actually here!"

Of course they know he'd be coming, the explosion he caused would've let people know that he had left a long time ago.

Ace expected that, but he didn't expect those who were obviously his nakama suddenly running towards him, and certainly not for the fishman to yell out, "Get him! And get Commander Namur, we'd need help restraining him,"

…What?

He turned back to the men who ran towards him, now making their way through the shallow part of the beach, and saw that one of them was carrying a strikingly familiar handcuff with a suspicious glint on the inside rim. Ace's eyes widened, his foot slowly flaming up once more, making Striker's engine purring and growling right behind him.

They're going to stop him here too?

When the nearest crew was almost within reach, Ace change course and sped away, only half-apologetic when he heard them puttering at the wave of sea water Striker splashed all over them. The yelling from the shoreline has increased in intensity, with Namur and Haruta's name being mentioned several time, and Ace knew he didn't have long before any of those two actually appear. He can't stop there, then. He'd have to find another point of entry to the island and make sure to avoid his own nakama.

This is getting ridiculous. He just wanted to help. He even found a way to get over this stupid fruit, why are they still so adamant in stopping him?

Stupid fruit. Stupid cocky pirate for eating and using them without mastering them.

Stupid protective nakamas.

Stupid Marco for getting caught.

Stupid Marco for making him worry as if he didn't have to worry about himself right now.

Stupid, hypocrite Marco, for calling him irresponsible but is being one now that makes everyone worried. Stupid, dumb Marco, for escaping but never coming back and making everyone even more worried. Stupid, confusing Marco, for saying things he didn't get, for calling things a mistake when Ace didn't even know what he had done, when Ace didn't know what he wanted from him. Stupid, cool but stupid Marco, who did everything he could to help Ace, so now Ace had to help him.

Stupid, dishonest, lying Marco for saying he'd help but not being there when Ace needed him, when he's getting worse and wanted nothing but comfort and reassurance that things will be okay.

Stupid, stupid Marco.

And stupid island for having absolutely no entry point other than the goddamn beach from earlier.

He was far enough from the beach by now, so far that he couldn't hear the yelling anymore. Yet the entire island was surrounded by tall cliffs and with hard currents splashing by them, he couldn't exactly park Striker there to climb up. He kept sailing, bursting Striker at full speed, keeping an eye out for a lower point of entry or another beach where he can safely land. He's only halfway around the island as a whole, there should be something soon, maybe by the very back of it or somewhere on the other side.

A sudden splash was heard somewhere behind him, and when Striker suddenly rocked out of control, Ace turns around.

Drenched and dripping all over his boat, Namur stood with a grim face. He suddenly grabbed Ace's shoulder before the human can say anything, one arm pulled behind him as he whispered, "I'm so sorry about this, Ace. This is for your own good,"

Not even Ace's fruit influenced mind had enough time to think when there's suddenly a sharp, stinging pain below his chest, and Ace's world suddenly turns dark.

"—you believe him?"

"Eh, it's Commander Ace, what do you expect? Not exactly the most rational thinker in the world,"

It was to these voices that he woke up to, lying on his side and with his jaw aching but mouth strangely empty. He panicked, thinking they had removed his makeshift muzzle until he felt a flimsy and much more comfortable handkerchief being tied around his lower face, serving the same purpose as his shirt only giving him less pressure and pain. Moving his hands caused a little jingle following the press of a cold sensation around his wrist that made Ace sigh. He didn't have to look down to know that it's a Seastone handcuff, not when he already felt a familiar lethargy coursing through his body, probably to prevent him from exploding his way out again.

He felt like a real prisoner for a brief moment, if he didn't remember that the last person he saw before blacking out was Namur and someone nearby was calling him 'Commander'.

Even if it was to kind of insult him.

Ace gathered his surrounding, finding himself in a small and sparse bedroom of sorts when the voices came back, "True. Remember 100 days of trying to kill Pops? What a sweet kid," the first voice said with a snicker, and even without the fruit Ace knows he's feeling quite irritated by that, "Still, you'd expect him to stay back just once. He's tough and all, but holy shit, that fruit he got affected with was fucking creepy. Rei and i were passing by his room when Commander Blamenco brought him his dinner and it's like watching and listening to a madman raving,"

In a way Ace agrees, but the comment stings. He knew what an absolute wreck he was during these last few days, but hearing it described was horrible.

"I know, i heard it too. You know Platz, the beefy guy from Second Division? Saul said he saw him crying in the bathroom, sobbing about 'Poor Commander' and how 'we failed you, Commander', being all dramatic. Well, i guess we all feel the same, but surprised me that he can be that emotional,"

"…The same Saul who got beaten up because apparently he tattled something?"

"Yeah, exactly that blabbermouth moron,"

From the sound of it, there's only two of them, and they should be right outside of the door where he was kept. They hadn't commented on anything or seems aware that Ace was even awake, so the handkerchief muzzle should've worked just fine.

Looking around again, it seems that this place was a cabin of sorts, probably in the village inside of the island. The room he was held in was windowless and small, giving him absolutely no way to escape or to even know what was outside.

"It's kind of cute though,"

"…Commander Ace being unable to stop talking like a lunatic?"

"No," the voice sounds indignant and even weirded out that his friend would even think so, "I mean the whole him chasing us down here,"

"A headache, more like. Commander Haruta looks ready to stab someone when he got the call,"

"Fair point, but in a way, you gotta admire his determination. Wanting to save a nakama so badly he exploded his own bedroom to escape and uncaring of his own condition,"

"Well, he's not really helping anyone now though, i mean, we're stuck here guarding him instead," the second voice said, and even deep down in his protesting mind, Ace found a small voice that say he agrees with them, "Good guy, but reckless as all hell. Besides, pretty sure it's less nakama and more boyfriend,"

His investigation stops and Ace let out a muffled squeak.

"Wait, i thought it turns out they're not dating?"

"Do you believe that though? I don't. I was there with the poker guys when Commander Thatch told literally everyone he caught them kissing in Commander Marco's bedroom. Like the simple fact that Commander Ace was even spending the night in Commander Marco's bedroom is already telling,"

"Duuude, i knew it! But then why're people saying they're not, though?"

"I think it's cause Commander Jozu's debrief was kinda unclear. He just told us that Commander Marco's had just been helping him out all this time, so many thought it's a misunderstanding. You know what i think though? I think he's just saying that cuz he lost big time in Commander Thatch's betting pool and wanna get it back. Well, it's what Commander Thatch goes around saying anyway, but i'm more inclined to believe him, to be honest,"

"Yeah, as if no one in the whole goddamn Moby didn't know that Commander Marco had the hots for Commander Ace since he joined. You remember that one time Commander Ace wanted to show off to us and beat the cocky 300,000 belli crew in North Blue? The one where he just took off his shirt for no reason in the middle of winter to show off his new tattoo? Commander Marco's face was the face of a man mid-orgasm, like goddamn, "

A crisp, jovial laughter, "Oh shit, no, no, i remember that one! No, you know what i do remember though? You remember when we all went to Gambler's Redoubt down in West Blue? The one where Pops won 1 million belli from the casino and none of the bouncer can kick him out because they're scared shitless of him? Okay, we were all so focused on Pops and his winnings, but apparently, Commander Marco went and won 90 games straight from the Blackjack table and cleaned them out because he found out the dealer swindled Commander Ace out of his money. The dealer got punished, last i heard,"

Ace perked up. He actually remembered that. He had never played cards before so he had gone with Thatch to learn. Thatch left halfway to watch Pops playing poker in the other table, but the dealer convinced him to stay. He didn't win a single hand that night, and though disappointed and belliless, figured it was because he wasn't all that good at it anyway. He had complained about it to Marco later on in the bar area, after saying he's hungry and barely have any money left to pay for his own food.

He remembered Marco letting him borrow some belli, and leaving after Ace began eating. Was that where he went then?

"Goddamn. What happens next? Did you know if he use the money?"

There's a brief pause, until the second man spoke again, "You know Barska, Commander Rakuyo's assistant in the treasury? You don't hear this from me or him, alright?" the voice became lower and it wasn't until Ace found he was already standing from the bed and halfway to the door did he realize he was moving closer to hear. The door was thin enough that voice carry, so he could hear even with the lowered volume, "You know Commander Ace's dagger?"

Immediately, Ace's eyes went to the dagger on his hips, sheathed in emerald and ever present even if hardly ever used.

"Yeah, Commander Curiel won't stop talking about it for months, so much that i can recite it in my head. Blade made out of carbon steel and alloy of tungsten and inconel, capable to withstand any high pressure and temperature, so sharp it can cut steel and seriously injure someone with just a swing, and since it's imbued with seastone, that will also affect Devil Fruit users. Hilt made out of adam wood, polished and waxed for smooth grip, sheath made out of genuine Sea King leather and bound together by the finest silk from Grand Line. A rare item from the hand of a great blacksmith whose mastery was on par with the greatest of Wano's weapon makers, which existence wasn't even known anymore after said blacksmith died,"

"…Oh damn, you weren't kidding,"

"It's that bad. What about it though? I know Commander Ace got it for his birthday last year and that got Commander Curiel on his tail for weeks just to see it,"

The voice became lower and Ace took another step, "Three guesses who gave it to him, and the first two guesses don't count,"

Silence ensued between the two guard-turns-gossiper outside, until Ace heard a gasp, "That shit cost more than my entire division's bounty combined! Plus the Commander's! Who the fuck waste so much money on someone, even if you fancy them?!"

"You haven't hear the best bit yet. The winning from that casino only cover a part of the price, and this is where Barska got involved. Commander Marco swore him to secrecy when he borrowed money from the treasury to make up the rest, and he spent the whole year giving up his part of the loot to pay it back. A whole year, paying back a debt with the First Mate's cut. It's not much bigger than ours, but a whole damn year,"

"But why?!"

Ace couldn't agree more with the bewildered voice, hand shakily placed on top of his dagger.

"Well, a weapon as a gift, especially in a life like ours, means you are delivering your prayers for their safety and wellbeing because you know you won't always be there for that person,"

"…Oh wow, that was cheesy as hell,"

"Oh shut it, i'm not even the one who comes up with that,"

"Who did then?"

"Commander Marco did, but he was drunk at the time so i don't think he even remember saying that. I heard him say it during New years when Commander Izou asked what he got Commander Ace for his birthday," Again, the silence ensued, and the second voice hummed, "Huh, now that i think about it, i was wondering why he said that out of the blue. Never really made the connection until now,"

(Marco had given his present so casually that night after the celebration for both the turning year and his birthday had winded down, knocking on his door late night with an entirely sober expression and a friendly smile. He apologized for not giving Ace's gift during the party earlier - as he handed over a curved and neatly wrapped item - saying that it's not quite something he wanted others to know he had. Even in his diluted mind, Ace thought the dagger had been extremely beautiful, glinting bright in the dim light of his night candle.

"To protect yourself when your fire cannot," Marco had told him then.

"But my fire will always protects me, i don't need a knife to do it," Ace had rebutted then, pouting slightly but despite his words, only pressing the dagger closer to his chest.

"I know. I hope it always will. Think of that knife as an… extra precaution. All good pirates has one, even me,"

"Whoa," Ace mumbled then, drunk but the feeling of awe pierced through it, "Even someone as strong as you. Okay then," he slipped the clip to his pants' belt loop, fumbling due to his lack of balance in intoxication, "Thanks, Marco,"

Marco smiled then, calm and fond, "Just make sure you never get into a situation where you'll need to even unsheathe that thing and that'll be good enough for me,")

"But still, does— does Commander Marco doesn't know that souvenir shop exist?! Normal-ass weapon store that sold normal daggers? Or blackmarkets with seastone blades?! I've never even seen Commander Ace use that thing!"

"Guess the thought that counts?"

"A whole lot of fucking money counts!"

"Well, i highly doubts it counts when it comes to love,"

The two continued their conversation, but their words was already lost to Ace.

Love…?

Marco… loves him?

There's a heating pool inside of his stomach now, and even standing still, Ace can feel his heart beating fast. Love. It's such a foreign concept for him, and even more alien when he applied it to himself. It was something he would associated to his brothers, the determination to be there for them and the will keep their spirit in his mind, even when they're no longer alive. It's something he associated with Dadan and the bandit, Makino and the villagers, who in their strong words and every punches and scolding had care behind them. It was something he knows Gramps had in him and he had for him, despite their tumultuous relationship with each other.

It was something he was starting to accept the Whitebeard Pirates has for him. It felt inviting even if he knows it was flimsy, because of his blood and the fear of their rejection upon discovery. It was something he wished Pops will always have in him, and that was why he will treasure his old captain and give his all to help him become the Pirate King. Love for him means care, brotherhood, growth, concern and pride, bond, and it was something he fear to lose one day simply because of who he really is.

But Marco knows who he is. And he accepted it.

Marco, who saw him at his worst and still has it in him to tell him the beauty that is Pops' family and what it means to join them. Marco, who held him, told him not to fear, and give him shelter. Who was there in his every step it almost becomes suffocating, because Ace fears making the wrong step and making a bad impression to him. He wanted Marco to see more of him, that he can be his equal, yet at the same time he's happy to be protected and taken care of, to seek comfort whether in the form of blue flames or strong arms.

Marco, the paradox in his life, an outlier of what he always thought love was, because everything he knows up until now always seems lacking, it was missing something.

And he loves it. He wanted to chase after it, to find out.

And he can't find that out kept in here, in a room with no window, one guarded door, and chained down.

He needs to find Marco.

Ace's hand around the dagger tightened.

That's right, this dagger is strong enough to cut through steel, isn't it?

"Did you hear something?"

"Hear what?"

"That clanking noise just now. It sounds like it comes from the inside,"

"You think Commander Ace is awake?"

"He must be—Gah!"

Startled by the door behind them suddenly breaking into splinters, Biggs didn't even have enough time to ask Wedge is he's alright when the door suddenly fell out from the hinges, and no one else but Ace standing behind it, his handcuffs still attached by the chains cut clean as if it had been cut down by a really sharp tool, and one of said now free hand balled in a punching position. The dark haired male lowered his hands and gaze him a brief gaze before suddenly running away, leaving only a black and orange blur, "C-Commander Ace! Wait, stop!"

But of course, the younger commander hardly deigns him. He disappeared out of the hut after bumping and running to other people, shocking the most out of them so much that it wasn't until he was only a black blur in the distance that they all realized what just happened.

In the commotion that arose, Biggs looked down to the giant hole on the door, the splinters where the side of the door had been completely broken and Wedge underneath said door, groaning in pain but seemingly unharmed.

"Oh fuck, Fire Fist is out there with only Fist and no Fire,"

I'm sorry, okay?! I'm sorry, i'm really sorry, just give me 2-3 days and i promise i'll give you part 2 but i just can't get it right! I kept not liking it and i haven't updated this in two weeks, so like, i'm trying my best!

Thanks for still sticking around, and thank you so much for reading, please tell me what you think (if you're disappointed in me, please, i deserve the berating for getting sidetracked) and i'll see you hopefully soon on this fic!