i spent so long on this, it stopped being funny.
marco was many things. the first commander of the whitebeard pirates. the phoenix. but more than anything, he was old, though he'd argue in denial with thatch all day on the subject. he was the phoenix, first commander of the whitebeard pirates. he was pops' first mate. but he had lived longer than the existence of his father. he was the phoenix and the phoenix always rised from the ashes. time passes and he stays the same. the phoenix is eternal and he will witness the death of countless friends and brothers.
there was screeching in his ear, it pained him to his very core, and ace was asking a question.
'how do you fly? are your flames hot? can you actually lay eggs?'
the questions weren't stopping and neither was the ringing. marco continued to ignore his new brother in hopes that doing so would rid him of the pain.
'answer me, i wanna know,' ace whined as he stomped his foot.
marco walked away, slightly amused at the way ace was becoming fussy. he was a brat when he opened up it seemed, he wasn't the first and he wouldn't be the last child of whitebeard to have such a demeanor.
marco hunkered down in the shadow of his father's chair and allowed his phoenix form to take over. the flames would heal the damage and calm the endless ringing. he fell asleep as flames surrounded him in a nest like fashion, he was sure pops wouldn't mind if he took refuge behind his chair
thatch was the second child of whitebeard, he was the 4th commander. he was marco's brother. they were close, inseparable, and they fought like dogs over the smallest things.
thatch kneeled down beside his slumbering brother, the flames molding themselves around the chief. the phoenix never hurt it's own.
marco's fire was not hot, it was cool as ice and could freeze the earth if he became enraged. the phoenix fire was only hot when it rebuilt him from ashes, it scorched a being into creation.
thatch carded a hand through his brothers feathers, flames licking his fingers as he went. he would let him rest for a little longer, lunch could wait for the eldest. a phoenix needed its rest.
he woke up to the rumbling of his father's chest, it vibrated through his entire body, lulling him to sleep. he wondered how he went from behind the throne to his current spot.
he had turned back into his human form some time in between the transfer. the feathers around his ears were all that remained, they hadn't fully healed yet. by dawn even those would be gone, marco was sure of it.
he curled up closer to his father's chest and let his rhythmic breathing push him into darkness. phoenix fire was cold but it did nothing to the warmth of a father's love.