Originally, I was going to write the entire visit to the island in one chapter, but when I reached 4k I decided it would be best to cut it into parts. So, here you have it, the first part :D

As always, beta read by Anjelle ^^

A Trip Into Town

The island they reach has a relatively peaceful port town with nicely stocked shops. It is a town of maybe a thousand inhabitants, and the island does not have a marine base nor are there any bases on the nearby islands. The island isn't anywhere near the entrance to the Grand Line, either, which means it isn't either a necessary stop for any pirate crews, so unlike islands that are, it isn't a necessary stop for pirates happening by. This, basically, means the place is as peaceful as it can be without marine presence.

There are no pirate ships in sight, which is also good, although it doesn't mean there won't be any anchored outside of the port itself.

Newgate steers their small ship to an empty area of the dock and throws their anchor manually. He decided, while they still were too far from the island for their ship to be spotted, to remove the pirate flag from the mast. It is not a decision he would make lightly, as his flag is one of his greatest prides, but he doesn't want to make Marco's first visit to a town more uncomfortable than it will unavoidably be. If that means hiding the fact that they are pirates, then it is a sacrifice Newgate is willing to make. Marco saw him do it, but he hasn't commented or given him any strange looks, which makes Newgate believe he doesn't understand the significance of the action. That is for the better, he thinks, because Marco would feel guilty if he thought he was making Newgate sacrifice anything for him. It is no sacrifice, but Marco still isn't ready to believe that.

Marco pays close attention to everything Newgate is doing, and Newgate is glad to see it. Marco needs to know how to handle the ship, and the sooner he learns, the sooner he will benefit from it.

Newgate jumps down to the harbor, and belatedly realizes that he should have thrown a ladder so that Marco can come down, too. Or maybe not, he rectifies, as Marco lands on his feet next to him with relative ease.

Marco turns to look at the ship, and Newgate sees the hesitance on his face before he speaks.

"Shouldn't one of us stay?" Marco asks, and Newgate is incredibly proud that he has voiced his question.

"There is no need, I have everything of value here," he answers, hoisting up the sack where he carries all the treasures from that place. The money is hidden in various pockets of his coat. "It's the same as I did when I was alone." He thinks of something else. "Is there anything you don't want to risk leaving on the ship?"

Marco shakes his head, which makes sense because he doesn't really have anything that is his. Newgate plans on fixing that very soon.

"Now, before we go, there are some things I want to tell you," Newgate says. He has prepared this particular speech carefully to ensure he doesn't forget anything he will regret later. "We are going to stick together today. If something, anything, bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable, tell me."

Marco nods, but he doesn't look like he will follow this particular instruction. Newgate expects as much, and he doesn't intend to move his attention from him at any moment, if he can help it. That doesn't mean he isn't going to stress the point. He wants Marco to understand.

"Marco, this is hard enough on you already; there is no reason to make it worse," he says in his softest voice, and he thinks he may have got Marco to at least think about it when Marco casts his eyes down. Newgate doesn't like to make him feel guilty, but he realizes that sometimes there is no other way to get through to him. He still feels like shit.

Marco nods reluctantly, and this time, when he looks up again, Newgate is satisfied to see he looks sincere.

"Good. Now, this place should be peaceful enough, but that doesn't mean nothing bad can happen. I will be there, but if someone tries to harm you, insult you or take advantage of you in any way, I don't want you to just take it. Defend yourself, beat the crap out of them if you have to, or, if you don't think you can win, run."

The look Marco gives him is so confused that it would have been amusing if the reasons behind it weren't so depressing.

"Don't give me that look, son. You should know I care about you by now; I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Marco looks stricken by those words. He bites his lower lip and looks down for a moment. He nods. Newgate can't help but think that Marco is starting to see that he cares, but Marco doesn't understand why he does. It's progress, Newgate knows as much, but it is still a very disheartening situation. Marco is impressive, one of the most impressive people Newgate has ever met, and it pains him to think that Marco is unable to see his own self-worth.

Newgate rests a finger on Marco's shoulder, wishing he could rest his entire hand here but aware that it would cover Marco's entire arm and not wanting to risk altering him with something so restrictive.

"Hey, look at me, Marco." Marco does, raising his eyes up to Newgate's face but keeping his head mostly lowered. "You shouldn't think so little of yourself."

Newgate knows Marco doesn't believe him, but he hopes that, if he keeps repeating things like this, he eventually will.

"Now," Newgate continues, "do you remember how to use money?"

Marco frowns.

"Somewhat. I've been looking at prices in the newspaper."

Newgate grins. That is great news, not only because Marco remembers, but because he took the initiative to ensure he did. Newgate's heart swells with pride.

"Good," he says, putting a hand in one of his pockets, "then, this is for you." He pulls out a small pouch that will fit just fine in Marco's hand and his considerably smaller pockets and offers it to him.

Marco stares at the pouch, puzzlement clear on his face until he realizes just what Newgate means. He takes a step back and raises both hands before his chest.

"I don't—" he begins to say, but Newgate cuts him off.

"None of that. Everybody in the crew gets money when we reach an island," Newgate tells him. Which is true, and will be true when they have more people in the crew –it will be a long time before that happens, Newgate knows it, but he is willing to wait as long as it takes for Marco to feel comfortable enough to be around someone else.

Marco, fortunately, is too concerned over the current issue with the money pouch to pay much attention to Newgate's wording. Otherwise, Newgate has just realized, he would start worrying over that 'everybody'. Newgate is aware that Marco is in no condition to even begin to think about the possibility that a pirate crew is generally made of more than two people.

"Besides," Newgate speaks before Marco has much time to think, "you need a wardrobe." Newgate would prefer it if he bought the clothes with some other money and Marco spent this on something else he wanted to, but he is aware of the limitations of the situation. It will be hard enough to have him agree to this, as is being proved right now, and Marco isn't nearly confident enough to buy something just because he likes it. Another day, Newgate promises himself. He will ensure Marco is capable of buying the things he likes another day.

"I have clothes," Marco argues, unsurprisingly.

Newgate sighs.

"You have the stolen clothes from some guard. You need your own clothes, shoes you feel comfortable in," because Marco still squirms in the boots sometimes, and Newgate has pretended he hasn't noticed him walking barefoot more than once, "and anything else you like." He adds that last one just to have the prospect out there, so that Marco knows it is a possibility. Marco still hasn't taken the pouch, though. He is just staring at it with a frown, and so Newgate decides to try something else. "I am going to buy you clothes, Marco, whether you take the pouch or not. I think it would be better for you if you could pay for them yourself, though."

Newgate could have jumped in happiness when, for the briefest of moments, a small mutinous glare shines in Marco's eyes. He doesn't, though, and just grins when Marco finally takes the pouch.

He pretends not to notice the way Marco rolls it in his hand and weighs it in his hands, staring at the small bag in wonder.

"Well, let's go," Newgate says, hoisting up the treasure bag. "We've got a lot to do today."