"Marco, wake up! The festival is today!"
It was definitely surprising when Ace suddenly sprung out of bed, especially after showing signs of his deep and comfortable sleep. On the other hand, Marco should have expected it with Ace's excitability.
"I'm up," Marco chuckled as he watched Ace struggle to pull his shirt over his head much too fast. He set the book he was skimming through down on the nightstand. "Slow down or you might hurt yourself."
"I'm fine," Ace adjusted his slightly lopsided shirt. "Have more faith in me."
"Well, I better. I'm trusting you to lead us around town today."
"My sense of direction is pretty good, thank you very much."
"Are you two ready yet?" Sabo called from the other side of the door after a rather loud knock. "There's breakfast before you go out!"
There was breakfast, as usual, but there was something very unusual about it today. "Ah. No meat today?"
"Stop looking at me like that, damn it." Ace said. "I can survive without meat for a bit."
"It's tradition," Rouge explained, shoving a peeled orange into Ace's hands, ignoring his whine after she reminded him about its health benefits. "Fruits and vegetables for breakfast to celebrate the bounty of the land, meat and dairy for lunch to symbolize the evolution of society, and a grand feast in the evening as the culmination of our country."
"Lu isn't the best with it- well, in the morning at least."
"Speaking of that, where is he?"
"Probably at Sanji's. We'll probably see him around later."
"I'll expect it then."
"Trust me. No one expects Luffy."
When they headed into the town, the streets were still rather empty save for a few people milling about.
"It's quiet," Marco said.
"Yeah the festival hasn't started yet. Most people are still with their families right now. Anybody running a stand sets up now too and usually anyone else around helps them."
"You were probably too much of a troublemaker for that."
"Hey! I'm good with my hands! I bet I could build a stand all on my own!"
"Let's not. We might be here all day." But Ace didn't hear him. He had already rushed off to help an old couple stack up some fruits.
Marco helped another stand across from Ace set up their baked goods. The smell wafted down the street, attracting some of the early morning festival goers. When Marco looked over, Ace was juggling a couple of apples in front of the old couple, beaming wide.
"So did they give you anything?" Ace asked, offering out one of the apples he had been juggling.
Marco shook the paper bag he was holding in response. "Some sweets. They have chocolate in the center."
He spotted the gleam in Ace's eyes and moved the bag out of Ace's grip before he could snatch it from him. "Nice try." Marco smirked at him. "Save it for after lunch."
"Fine." They tucked the apples into the bag with the pastries and continued down the street.
The morning stands were quite pleasant:breakfast foods, flowers in every color imaginable, handmade jewelry and pottery. Even though it was a holiday, people still insisted on haggling down prices. Ace on the other hand, paid full value on the earrings he bought for Rouge. "They're her favorite flower!" Meanwhile, Marco glanced up at the hibiscus nestled securely into the brim of Ace's hat. Marco himself ended up purchasing a picture frame, which would be a good present for everyone when he returned home.
The eastern square was set up with tables and chairs, though most spots were occupied by people feasting on food from stalls. "East is normally market district, so lunch stalls are here," Ace explained.
"I'm guessing you can your brothers loved this part of the day then."
"You bet."
"Well, make sure to leave some of others."
"Hey!"
Ace ended up in charge of finding them seats while Marco purchased lunch, which consisted of heaping plates of potatoes and pork in tomato sauce spooned over steaming rice. Marco's stomach growled as he set the plates down on the edge of the fountain where he sat.
"Aw, that's all?"
"You're a big boy. Maybe you'll take your time."
"Boo."
Ace did however eat at a normal pace, which was a stranger sight than seeing him eat normally. It was almost cute: the sight of Ace purposefully chewing instead of inhaling, appreciating the meal that was cooked specifically for this occasion. Marco was still enjoying the spices and herbs of the sauce when Ace stood up, pocketing money for seconds.
Ace's second portion consisted of chicken and noodles. He slurped, a bit of sauce splashing out as Marco divided up the pastries (giving Ace the chocolate filled ones and leaving the cream filled ones for himself).
"Delicious!" Ace exclaimed, half of the pastry already stuffed into his mouth. "Want a bite?" He offered it out, the chocolate center dripping onto his pants.
Marco chuckled. "Sure." Ace didn't seem to be aware that there was still chocolate on the corner of his mouth either. He handed Ace his own pastry so he could have a taste, which elicited the same response as the chocolate.
They entered South District as Ace took the last bite of the last pasty they had been given. Some eager children had almost knocked it out of his hands as they rushed towards the plethora of colorful stands.
"I used to play the games here all the time with Sabo and Lu," Ace said. "There's a strength test where they make you pull a horse cart!" He waved. Luffy, who swung his arm high above his head in enthusiasm, was currently in line for it along with a few of his other friends.
In his mind, Marco pictured Ace as a child, effortlessly pulling the cart along as shocked onlookers watched. "Well, I don't doubt that you'd ace that now."
Ace snorted. "Was that a pun?"
"I'm sure you appreciated that one."
"Oh! Your Highness!" The woman running the stand bowed in respect before Ace reassured her that there was no need. "Would you like to try our game?"
Ace shot a grin at Marco- the type of grin he'd use after defeating one hundred men in a row. "Sure! How does it work?"
The woman slipped a small ball into Ace's hand, pointing to the circular tub of water and explaining the different types of prizes he could get depending on what color boat the ball landed in. Ace's throw landed into one of the three silver boats, making it rock back and forth.
"Not bad, right Marco? Beat that!"
Marco's ball landed in the sole golden boat on the first try. It was Marco's turn to grin. "You were saying?"
Ace huffed as Marco balanced the small spotted dog plush Marco had received as a prize on his hat. "I'll definitely win something for you too."
And he did, showing off by flexing before knocking a smug arm-wrestling champion down a few notches. Marco couldn't help smiling when Ace handed him a stuffed bird.
"What about that game with the throwing knives?"
"You're on."
They competed at the throwing knives, and the horse cart, and several other games. They refrained from taking anymore prizes though, competing purely for themselves. The verdict was was a fifty-fifty tie, though they wouldn't want it any other way.
"Best day," Ace said simply.
Marco smiled back as the sounds of the cheesy play in front of them faded away. "Definitely."
Marco didn't know what to expect when they arrived back at the castle, but he was certainly not expecting to be whisked away from Ace and stuffed into Raftelian formal garments. Marco hardly noticed the difference from formal garments he would wear back at home, though the buttons were silver and engraved with the royal crest as opposed to the bronze.
He made his way to the ballroom alone, adjusting his sleeves as he walked. Lively sounds grew louder as he approached, stopping in front of the doors.
"You look good in blue."
Marco turned to Ace, who had arrived from the opposite wing. "And red is perfect on you, I must say."
Ace grinned. "Are you ready?" he asked, but instead of waiting for a response, he pushed the double doors open.
Light spilled out from the ballroom as the crystal chandeliers glittered to illuminate the dancers down below. The people were consumed in their celebration, hardly any of them even glancing in the direction of the door, save for Rouge who was standing on the balcony with them.
"Welcome!" She smiled, pulling both Marco and Ace into a hug. "How was the festival?"
"It was certainly an interesting experience."
Ace shoved at him with his elbow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Rouge laughed, pushing the two closer to the party. "Well off you go, you too! I'm sure there are more interesting experiences to come for you, Marco. Oh and, Ace, please make sure that Luffy doesn't eat all the food."
"The food!" Ace took off down the stairs before Marco could even react. In the distance, he could see Luffy stuffing his face, as crumbs flew about and spattered across the once white tablecloth.
"Marco, before you go, I have something for you." Rouge held up the letter she had been holding. "That's for tomorrow."
"Thank you so much, Rouge."
Following Ace wasn't much of problem considering that he had already spotted Luffy earlier. Ace had joined the feasting immediately, Marco smiled, about to join him, but before he could, someone tapped his shoulder.
"Excuse me, but you are Prince Marco of Moby are you not?" The girl took the skirt of her puffy, lilac dress and curtsied, Marco bowing back, yet feeling quite awkward. "May I have a dance?"
She hadn't looked up yet, waiting for Marco to offer out his hand. He sighed quietly, starng at Ace, who was consumed in his eating. As much as he wished to refuse, doing so would only cause a scene. He'd prefer not to deal with the temper tantrum of a spoiled noble in Raftel as well as Moby.
"You may."
Every royal learned to dance, of course. There were countless balls and celebrations to attend as a prince. He had danced with his suitors like this before: stepping in time to the lighthearted music as the warmth of hands slipped past each other. He'd heard stories of how romantic it supposedly was, but he couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes. He was far from in love with her.
"Me next!" Another girl yanked him out of the first girl's grip as he almost tumbled over pink ruffles trailing along the floor. Marco quickly adjusted his footing and continued the dance.
By the time Marco was whisked into his third partner's arms, he absolutely regretted his decision. It was quite obvious what they wanted, and just as Marco was about to make intentions clear by stopping, a warm hand pulled him away from his current partner.
"You don't look like you're having too much fun, pineapple."
Marco smiled at Ace, adjusting his grip in order for them to follow the steps properly. "Shall I thank you, my knight in shining armor?"
"A dance would be enough, my prince."
Their grins widened and they burst into laughter, throwing the rhythm of their steps off the beat of the music. "That was so cheesy!"
Marco let go of Ace's hand, messing with his hair."You're one to talk, my prince."
A pair of dancers bumped into Ace, making him stumble forward back into Marco's grip. "Let's get out of here."
Ace dragged Marco through the crowd, dodging the grabbing hands of noble girls who wanted a chance to dance with either prince. The balcony wasn't far from the party, so the chatter and the music was barely muffled.
"We weren't even there for that long, yoi," Marco said.
"Who needs some dumb ball? We can always go back later. The moment was just… right."
"Right for what?"
Ace didn't answer. Instead, he leaned on the stone railing, looking up at the sky.
"There's just something about hearing music from far away like this. It's relaxing," he sighed, closing his eyes. "Don't you think?"
"Beautiful." Beautiful. You are beautiful.
"Yeah! I just love how the stars just swirl across the sky." Ace reached up, tracing the stars with his fingers. Marco clenched his fist, squishing the temptation to join his hand with Ace's.
"It reminds me of Moby," Marco agreed instead. "Remember how we'd lie on the floor of the magic hall and just stare up through the ceiling?"
"How could I forget? You really chewed me out that first time."
"I was doing what I was supposed to."
"But things are way more fun when you're not!" Ace turned to frown at him, though the slight jut of his lower lip suggested it was more of a pout. "See how today went? You don't have to think about your duty all the time, you know."
"I suppose you're right." Such thoughts were in the back of his mind even now. He needed to tell Ace, needed to tell him that-
His thoughts were cut off by a low groan and Ace's laughter. "You forgot to eat didn't you?"
Marco raised an eyebrow at him. "Well it's a bit hard when someone rushes off to the feast table and leaves me to the rabid nobles."
"Well, I'm sure there's still some left. C'mon, Marco." Ace started back towards the ballroom, Marco lingering behind for a few moments.
"Ace… I'm so sorry."
So, what do you think? Please let me know!