A/N- Guess who's death this is commemorating? Okay. Now I'm going to take a break.
Enjoy...?
Marco's breathing was heavy. He could feel the cold stones under his sandals. He could hear the yelling and screaming of his family around him as they yelled out battle cries. There was some blood on his clothes. He wasn't sure if it was his or someone else's, but it hardly mattered now. They would be leaving this place soon.
His heart was hopeful. Finally, everything would be back to normal, or at least as normal as things could get for their standards. He would be home on the Moby Dick with Pops, all of his siblings, and most importantly, Ace. Marco was almost overwhelmed with hope, the hope of a better tomorrow. Surely one that was much better than today, a day spent on the battlefield. But fighting was fine with Marco, especially since all of this was for Ace. Marco would do anything for Ace, anything, and as much as he wanted to go over to Ace and take him in his arms, there were more important matters to attend to, like getting out of this place. They would have plenty of time to spend together later.
Marco remembered shouting orders at his siblings and a few others. He bashed a few more skulls in, and he was pretty sure he was simultaneously facing a much stronger adversary. He couldn't let himself lose now. Not when Ace was finally free.
It finally seemed as if it was coming to a close. Ace and his brother were almost back to the boats, so they would be able to leave this wretched place soon.
And then, hateful, disgusting words were thrown, and about their father no less.
Marco felt his rage boil through his entire body. How dare he. This man had the nerve to insult Pops. As much as Marco wanted to attack him, to kill him, to slay him where he stood, he was rational enough to hold himself back.
But Ace wasn't.
Marco immediately panicked. Why? Why did Ace insist on fighting? Why did Ace insist on putting himself in more danger? Damn his stubbornness! Marco couldn't do anything. There was no way that he would reach him in time. He could only silently plead to his lover. 'Please. Please, stop this.'
Marco hated feeling so helpless. His heart was slowly breaking as he watched Ace. He reached out a shaky hand towards his lover. "No," he whispered. "No."
The last thing he could recall before he broke into pieces were tears spilling over his face as someone drove a fist through Ace's body.
Marco jolted up in his bed, breathing heavy just as it was in his dream.
Well, more of a nightmare really.
He was never one to dream, or at least remember his dreams if they ever happened. But this one stuck in his mind. It was so vivid, and felt so real. Of course it had to be a nightmare, one about Ace...
He didn't want to think on the subject any further. He wanted to go back to sleep, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw that image over and over: the one of a giant fist plunging through Ace's chest. He wasn't sure how much longer he could handle the image.
He wanted- no- needed to see Ace right now.
Marco stood, haphazardly throwing on some clothes. They probably weren't matching, but his appearance didn't matter right now. Ace was the only thing running through his mind.
He thought he would be able to leave the house without troubling anyone, but then again, he thought it was still late at night. More time passed than he thought. The sun was rising outside, and along with the sun, a certain brother of his chose to rise as well.
Izo, who was raised an eyebrow at him. "What are you doing up so early?" he asked. "I thought you were taking the weekend to sleep in."
It's not as if he could sleep now, and frankly, he was annoyed that Izo was preventing him from leaving. "I'm going to see Ace," he answered. "Now move, yoi."
This statement only seemed to make Izo even more confused. "What are you talking about, Marco? Who's Ace?"
Something cold seized Marco's heart. Why was Izo asking that? Was this some kind of prank? But Izo was never one for practical jokes. "Ace is Ace, Izo. This isn't funny!" he growled.
Suddenly, his brother was in front of him, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"I think you might be feeling a bit under the weather, dear," Izo said. "Go and get some more rest."
"I don't need rest! I-"
"What's all the fuss about, my sons?" Neither of them noticed their father enter the room.
"Pops," Izo started, "Marco's been spouting nonsense! I think he needs some rest."
"I'm fine, Izo!"
"No, you're not! Look, he keeps talking about this imaginary person, Ace."
"He's real," Marco pleaded. "I need to see him, Pops. Please. I... I love him," he whispered.
This time, Izo didn't interrupt again, leaving silence hanging in the air. Finally, Whitebeard beckoned to him. "Come here, Marco."
He complied with this request. Pops placed a hand on his shoulder gently.
"Marco," he started, "I think I may know who you are talking about."
Those words filled Marco with hope.
"But what you're saying is impossible. Garp's grandson has been dead for years."
Marco felt his heart break once more.
It was still dark out when Marco woke up with a gasp, covered in sweat once more. He took deep breaths to try and calm himself, but it wasn't working at all. Finally, one idea popped into his panicked mind. He turned to the other side of his bed.
Ace was there, sleeping peacefully. It seemed as if Marco's hadn't disturbed him.
Marco could feel his rapidly pounding heart calming. Ace was just so beautiful beside him, but it wasn't enough. Two nightmares in a row was just too much for him to handle.
He needed some fresh air.
There was a balcony a little ways down the hall, so that's where he went. The breeze was pleasant against his skin, but still, it wasn't enough.
Why had he dreamed twice of such a thing? Losing Ace dream and not having him altogether in another? Before he was even aware of it, he felt something wet on his face. Reaching up to touch his cheek, he discovered they were tears. He had been crying.
Damn it! How was he ever going to go back to bed like this?
Suddenly, Marco felt arms wrap around him from behind. He knew who it was immediately. "Ace," he whispered.
Ace rested his head against Marco's back. "Why are you up, Marco?" he mumbled, sounding exhausted. "Come back to bed with me."
Marco smiled, but he felt guilty. "I'm sorry, yoi." He finally turned around, kissing his lover's hair. "Did I wake you?"
Ace nodded. "I want you with me. You're warm, you know!" he laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
It worked a little, sending warmth through Marco's heart, but he still sighed. "I can't, Ace," he said. There was a slight breaking in his voice as he tried to hold back his fear. "Every time I close my eyes, I..." He trailed off, unsure if he should continue.
"I'll listen, Marco," Ace offered, drawing Marco closer. "Don't worry. I'm always here for you."
Of course he was. Why would Marco thing anything differently? He wanted to appear strong for Ace, but that all came crumbling down. Tears flowed freely now. "I-I lost you!" he finally choked out. "You were killed in front of me and I couldn't do a thing! And then I woke up and they told me that you weren't there at all! I just-"
And then, seeing how painful it was for Marco to talk about this, Ace began to shush him. He rubbed comforting circles on his back, something Marco often did for him. "Shhh," he whispered. "Everything will be alright. I promise that will never happen!" He pulled back to wipe Marco's tears away.
Marco felt so weak right now, but he felt his strength returning tanks to Ace. He truly was his pillar of strength in times of need, and Marco his in return. "Promise?" he asked quietly.
"Promise," Ace declared once more. He leaned up to kiss Marco's nose. "I'll stay with you here as long as you want, and if you still feel like talking about it, then I'll listen. If you want to go back to bed, then I'll stay up until you're asleep. How does that sound?"
"That would be wonderful, yoi." Marco smiled genuinely this time. "You're wonderful," he added.
When they finally headed back to sleep, Marco had no more nightmares. Just wonderful, beautiful dreams of Ace.
More short stuff to make up for the short Valentine's one (even though I put up two other things XP)
Please review!