/ This chapter is kind of filler, concentrating on Marco's and Shanks' relationship 83 /

Marco woke up by the sudden sound of doorbell ringing. He almost fell from his couch where he had fallen asleep when he tried to read something about pirates from his history book.
Phoenix cursed under his breath as he stumbled to door, ready to give a lecture to sudden intruder about giving a call before freaking him out like that, but words stuck on his throat when door revealed guiltly grinning Shanks and mess of papers and books from it's other side. Marco blinked for a moment to this before he bursted to laugh, causing Shanks to blush a little.
"I had to let go from books if I wanted to push the doorbell without looking extremely stupid", Redhair mumbled and scratched his head before crouching down and starting to collect the papers and books with his one hand. Marco suffocated his laugh and joined in to help his teacher. He could imagine that it was not easy matter to carry all those books with only one arm and then try to push the doorbell without either looking and idiot or dropping the stuff he was carrying.

They carried the books and mass of paper inside Marco's apartment and placed them to tiny sofa table. As soon as Shanks had got those books from his hand, he grabbed Marco into tight hug and squeezed his student against his chest.
"I'm in debt to you... You did that stupid thing for me... I can't say how happy and honored I am...", history teacher murmured. Marco wheezed in the tight grip of his crush and patted his back.
"It's okay... But Shanks.. You're killing me."
"Oh right. Sorry. I tried to visit you hospital earlier today but they said that you were dismissed to home already since you're fast at healing. I guess your nickname serves you right?" Shanks said as he released Marco from his bear-like hug and let younger guy to caress his sore back.
"I guess so... But what's with this flood off papers, notebooks and books? It looks like you're going to assign a school to my apartment..."
"Pretty much something like that. Other teachers were worried about your school success so I volunteered to be your tutor while you need to be at home. I explained the situation to Whitebeard and he gave me a permission to be your part-time tutor. And I also need to speak with you about one thing."
The last sentence made Marco's heart sunk down to the bottom of his stomach. Shanks noticed how his student grew paler and he hurried to continue his words.
"I mean... I've considered my feelings to you and I... I mean if you can be happy with someone like me... Then it's my pleasure to call you as my boyfriend. I don't give a fuck about anyone anymore. After your stupid act to protect my pride I realised that you really liked me and it wasn't that kind of stupid teen crush. I... I..."
Shanks was interrupted by Marco, who glomped his teacher. It was Shanks' turn to wheeze like sick cow in the tight grip of younger man. He laughed weakly.
"I take that as a positive answer..."

Marco then made hot chocolate for him and Shanks and after having their drinks and discussion about few things Shanks started to teach Marco. He explained everything about math, geology and other subjects. Marco was amazed by the information that his teacher held inside his head.
"At first I should've been teacher's assistant, meaning that I needed to know everything about every subject. That's why I'm pretty handy in this kind of situations", Redhair explained. Marco nodded to point out that he understood.
Talking while studying was less distracting than they both had imagined. Marco noticed that he could actually concentrate better if there was someone who wastalking to him about games or something and making examples out of things that were familiar to him.
At some point they started to discuss about Ace and Lucci. Marco wasn't too pleased with his friend's decision but he understood it.
"He's the one who actually reported me with his friends. Though he rescued you, it doesn't mean that he's not evil. I think he made that so Ace would see him as a hero", Shanks said as he shook his head.
"Ace's coming more and more distant from us all. I got phone call from Franky recently and he told me about sleepover and he sounded pretty bitter when he told me that Ace is coming. It's pretty stupid, though. He is just dating Lucci, it's not like he has changed to bad person because of that", Marco complained.
"Yet", Shanks said, causing Marco to blink. Shanks repeated himself.
"His not bad person yet, but think of it, Marco. Lucci is bully and his friends are just awful. They're going to spoil Ace, really. Whatever shit Ace is trying to pull in order to protect you, it's going to end badly. You need somekind of plan or something here."
Marco weighed his lover's words in his mind and nodded in agreement.
"You're right. I need to talk with Robin. We know nearly everything about Ace since we're his best friends. And Robin is the only one who can affect to our group's opinions. It's amazing, really! It's like she's having somekind of ability to see through people and affect their opinions in blink of an eye...". Marco spazzed, his voice getting a bit dreamy. Shanks snorted.
"Looks like someone is having a crush there", he teased Phoenix, though he knew it wasn't true. When Robin arrived to school and started hanging out with Marco and Ace, teachers placed a bet that drummer of Crossed Bones would give it a try and hit this chocolate skinned girl. Shanks was the only one who dared to bet that Marco wouldn't even look Robin in that way. He won the jackpot and got three months school lunch for free.

Marco slapped his teacher and made a pout face to him.
"Shut up or I'll make you to shut up", Phoenix said. Shanks didn't seem to notice the hinting tone in younger guy's voice, since he blinked and asked how he would do that.
Marco fell silent for a moment and Shanks was considering that he should ask what was wrong, but then his lips where caught between Marco's.
Teacher blinked to kiss, but soon he found himself kissing Marco back. It was very innocent and shaky at first, but then tongues were added and one thing lead to another. Soon they were laying on the couch, Shanks on his back and Marco ontop of him. Books and notes were quickly forgotten.

Redhead could feel how he was growing hard already. He had waited this for so long. They were in Marco's apartment, they were in safety. Though Shanks wouldn't give a fuck anymore. Marco was his lover from now on.
Because of their positions Shanks felt how younger one was also finding this very enjoyable. Redhead grinned into their kiss and decided that he had nothing to loose since they were this far already. He moved his hand between two heated bodies and started to touch the growing limp in Phoenix' pants. There was this growing urgency to move on already, but at the same time annoying voice told him that Marco was still a virgin, touched by no one.
And when this though finally caught with his horny brain, he wanted to make things more special. But since both of them were hard already, he needed to figure out how to ease the pressure they both felt.

Shanks woke up under Marco's table. Small thud was heard and after that admirable flood of swearwords in five different languages. He rubbed his head as he stood up. The first thing he noticed was that Marco was sleeping on the couch and he was missing his pants.
Teacher panicked a little. Marco was still recovering from his little trip to Red Line, so cold air wouldn't do any good to him.
Shanks failed to find a blanket, so he stripped off from his Assassin's Creed hoodie and covered Marco with it. He glanced to clock and sighed. He didn't have time for wait Marco to wake up. He still had paperwork to do before school's start and clock was already near 5AM.
He didn't have no other choice but write a note to Marco,saying that he was sorry for not being able to proceed so quickly and that he had to left so early. Nevertheless he would be back after school so they could continue studying.

It was snowing outside. Though Shanks was freezing, snow made him smile. At least there was going to be nice white Christmas for them.