Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
A loud knocking sounded from outside his door and Marco could only mentally protest being disturbed by one of his many brothers/sisters. He leaned back in his chair with a sigh and gave a side eye to the intimidating stack of paperwork he knew was part of the not done pile that aided his long nights for this week. Before he could debate just setting it on fire the knocking got more persistent.
"I'm coming yoi! Give it a break before you knock my door down," he hollered.
With one last look at the desk he so ineffectively tried to keep organized he pulled the door open only to come face to face with Thatch.
"This better be good yoi. I have a shit ton of work to do and I don't have time for more shenanigans from you."
Thatch grinned and shouldered his way inside, "Aww Marco what a lovely greeting for your favorite brother. Aren't you gonna miss lil ol' me since I'm set to leave soon on that quick mission with Teach?"
Marco turned and calculated how quick it'd be to just bodily toss the other out his door before seeing something about Thatch's demeanor that almost screamed more stress to come. He shut the door and made his was back over to his desk where he turned the chair to face the fourth division commander sitting on his bed with a too large grin that didn't quite make it to his eyes.
"Thatch this better be life or death right now because if you fail to recall it's your division and Haruta's that are making my workload harder these days yoi. It doesn't help that Oyaji approved you going with Teach which I wouldn't be surprised if you planned it knowing full well you haven't finished your necessary assignments," Marco glared.
"Well it certainly was a surprise Teach requested me, but Oyaji, as everyone was leaving, did give me a brief explanation that he thinks I need a breather seeing as I haven't been off the ship since I was captured," Thatch said.
Marco nodded, "Yea I know. Once this is over we should have the navigators bring us to another island. Maybe we can have the three little ones explore under careful supervision."
Thatch grinned, "You totally have to let me be a part of that team."
Marco glared, "If you can manage to finish even a days load of paperwork. It's bad enough I'm overseeing second division. I didn't sign up for yours too."
Thatch dropped the grin, "Yea buddy I know and I said I was sorry! I keep getting distracted by the new additions to the crew. Man are they a handful, but if it isn't a breathe of fresh air."
"It is nice to have a more younger bunch with us," Marco agreed with a sigh as he leaned back and folded his leg . "The crew has literally never been more livelier then when those three play such a large scale game of hide and seek yoi."
Thatch laughed before quieting down, "Yea you got me there. It's ridiculous how quick they are to just befriend everyone, but still keep all of us at an arms length distance. Did you ever wonder why that is?"
Marco paused as the tension switched from a peaceful one to that of a more complex situation and he knew whatever this was needed to be taken seriously. The first division commander could probably recall all the times Thatch has switched from happy go lucky to full division commander mode in a private conversation with him on one hand. Each and every time Thatch had something crucial to speak about that Marco knew would need to be dealt with ASAP. A pang in his heart formed as a sense of deja vu occurred considering the last time this very situation occurred Thatch had had a bad feeling about the second division commander. That one ended with a group of crew members that had gone with the aforementioned commander on a mission returning with half of them in body bags that left not only an empty feeling in their hearts, but an empty room on the ship only serving to remind them all of what they lost.
Marco was quick to banish that train of thought as he reminded himself that now that room was filled with three young boys that were becoming more and more like family every day. Soon enough he knew those three would worm their way into his trusted circle and he wouldn't be able to play the devil's advocate anymore when discussing them becoming members of the Whitebeard Pirates
"The three went through an experience quite drastic yoi. We can't expect them to just immediately trust and open up to us. While they are here we can only create a safe and pleasant environment to the best of this crews abilities," Marco said.
"But have we done that?" Thatch reasoned. "Have we really done what we can to create such an experience? We promised we would keep them safe not just as a pirate crew, but as a part of our family. How can we ensure that with a crew this large? Is everyone really showcasing their true colors or is something happening right under our noses that we can't even begin to fathom?"
Marco narrowed his eyes as he interpreted what Thatch was getting at, "What exactly are you trying to say Thatch?"
Thatch seemed to collect himself before speaking, "What I'm trying to say is that I think there is a traitor on our crew and they're after Ace, Sabo, and Luffy. Now I can see what you're thinking and before you interupt I've seen evidence of it. They're not being too subtle about it seeing as they openly attacked them and left marks for anyone to see."
Marco sat up straight in his chair with a look of disbelief, "Marks? Like actual honest to God bruises on their bodies yoi? You're telling me someone physically attacked them on this ship? Who?"
Thatch grimaced, "Actual bruises. One of them is particularly nasty since it's literally on Ace's face. It's gonna be difficult to hide that one since the three want to keep this on the down low."
"Who?" Marco practically snarled.
"Teach from second division," Thatch said with a grimace.
"Teach? Cherry pie enthusiast Teach yoi?" Marco said with a touch of incredulity.
"Hey I didn't want to believe it either, but there is literally brusies on their bodies and fear in their eyes that I can't turn my back on. Those kids trust me right now and I won't jeopardize that. They believe Teach did that to them and honestly? I 100% am willing to back them up. Teach has always given me bad vibes, " Thatch insisted.
"Are you sure those kids aren't just identifying Teach as a captor when in reality it's just a projection of part of the trauma they have gone through yoi?" Marco questioned.
"You haven't seen the kids. They're positive Teach was on that slave trade. Plus isn't it possible it really could be him since he takes time off almost every month," Thatch urged.
With a grimace while sitting back, Marco truly felt the weight of what it means to be first mate in this large crew in this moment. While betrayal wasn't new the very idea of it always tore a new one into the responsibility he felt concerning safety and the freedom they all so desperately wanted. For his brothers and sisters, the decision he makes always sets a standard and what if they were wrong? It's one of the most serious accusations and with the nature of the claims Thatch is making it won't be a simple "bye please never come back" for Teach. This is a "hand him over to the marines and do with him as you will" offense.
"You said the three wasn't to keep it as a secret? Why? That seems a bit odd yoi," Marco asked.
Thatch rebuked, "You really think they'd tell anyone? You won't even trust them on identifying one of their captors. If you're like this who knows what the rest of the crew will be like! Right now those kids see me as a safety net whether you believe it or not I'm keeping this a secret to my goddamn grave until it is safe to reveal what is happening."
"It's not that I want to not trust them! Thatch I would give anything to trust them yoi," Marco commanded. "It's just I have to be a voice of reason during this. They're not even officially part of the crew! Teach has been with us for a little over six years I believe? That's a hell of a thing to just ignore."
"Marco, buddy. I get that you want to believe everyone on this crew is all rainbows and sunshine, but I saw that look in those kids eyes. That look was the one they gave when I first them starved and beaten past a grown man's breaking point. If you don't trust them, trust me. I've been part of the crew way longer then Teach so doesn't that count for something?" Thatch argued.
There was a tense silence where the two just stared at each other. Marco recognized that look. It was the look Thatch gave when he had a hunch and it's one Marco would bet his life on. His basically best friend was asking him to trust his reasoning and Marco wasn't about to turn his back on him now. Not after everything they've been through.
"Alright yoi. I believe you, but your word alone might not be enough to take action against him. I'm going to need evidence that goes beyond he said, she said scenarios. Therefore, I'm officially making your mission with Teach a recon mission on the man. I need you to get actual proof he is not the man we believe him to be. Seeing as he's already attacked members on this ship you will be taking other members from your division with you. Take only those that you trust yoi and report to me when you've decided. You're leaving tomorrow morning so I expect your decision after dinner," Marco commanded.
Thatch readily agreed but still had a few concerns, "What about the three youngest? I know Teach is the main focus, but I do not feel comfortable leaving them alone and defenseless on this boat while we still have no clue what Teach is planning. Hell for all we know he's not even working alone!"
Marco gave a smile of his own, "I know you're worried, but I got this. All three will be safe while you're gone. I'm more worried about you to be completely honest yoi."
This time it was Thatch's turn to sigh and slouch, "Me? Pff I'll be fine!"
Marco chuckled, "You're too attached to the three yoi. Maybe I should bond with the three more. At this point you'll be labeled the favorite brother."
Thatch barked out a laugh, "I'm always the favorite Mr. Workaholic."
"Without me being a workaholic your ass would have to work double time to keep up with your responsibilities," Marco pointed out.
Thatch spluttered, "What!? I do my job well enough! It's not easy running the kitchens for a crew of like 1000 pirates give or take. There's allergies, preferences, and not to mention black holes for stomachs to feed! "
Marco stood up which prompted Thatch to stand as well. The blond led the other to the door huming at the right moments while the other rambled on about the responsibilities entitled of running the kitchens. The first division commander knew how crucial the job his brother had was. Never before had he met someone who could not only basically name everyone on the crew with some personal story, but also keep track of all the information absolutely necessary to run the meals. Not even the head nurse could name off the top of her head everyone's food allergies, yet Thatch made it look easy.
"I'll talk to you later yoi," Marco cut off Thatch.
The other nodded enthusiastically, "Of course. I'll meet you here after dinner?"
Marco confirmed, "Of course and if you won't mind can you make sure that Ace, Sabo, and Luffy meet me today as well? Preferably without your company yoi."
Thatch was ready to protest but Marco cut him off, "I want the three to be able to trust more then just you, yoi. Especially if they're gonna join the crew officially."
Thatch suddenly jumped in excitement, "Does this mean you'll vouch for them to join?"
Marco gave a small smile, "I guess I've had a small change of mind since an idiot brother of mine has decided to maintain a stance of pure protective energy over them."
"Awww! That's me right? You're talking about me," Thatch exclaimed.
Opening the door, Thatch stepped out into the hallway before facing Marco. Neither commander noticed the pirate that had been listening in to their conversation turn the corner at the end of the hall.
Marco nodded, "Okay enough. You have work to do. As for their brusing you mentioned it was highly visible? Just use makeup and make sure they don't expose themselves too much to the crew. Okay?"
"Got it. Thanks for your help," Thatch grinned.
Marco returned the grin before bidding a see you later then closing the door. He took a seat back at his desk before closing his eyes and leaning back. The situation was getting more and more complicated by the second, but until more information came to light the only thing he could do was wait it out. This certainly made him feel his age, but as first division commander a show of confidence and grace is absolutely needed. Now more then ever.
A/N: Writing more of Marco's point of view was so different and I'm just trying to not sound like a robot, but Marco is usually my favorite when reading stories where Whitebeard raises ASL. Somehow down the line Thatch has become my go to with this and honestly I'm not mad at it. My writing is like guiding me since I'm envisioning it as if I was the reader and a part of me is like don't hurt him, but I'm a sucker for angst. Either way thank you so much to all the readers that have literally been so kind and patient. With everything happening I'm so grateful to have such lovely readers. I still have plans to keep writing this story and I do have an idea of where I want to go with it. I just continue to hope you can stay patient with me throughout this journey.