That's Christmas To Me

Summary: It's Ace's first Christmas aboard the Moby Dick, unfortunately, he has no idea what Christmas is. Marco/Ace.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I do hope that you will enjoy this! On with the fic!

Warnings: None

Pairings: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace

That's Christmas To Me

"What's going on?" Ace questioned, looking around to see the deck buzzing with life. It wasn't like it wasn't always, but something about this time was different.

Thatch threw a grin at him as he twirled a strand of fuzzy stuff around the rail. Ace wasn't sure what it was, but he had seen it back on the last island they were on. He didn't care enough to ask what it was. The Fourth Division Commander jumped down, that same grin on his face as he said, "We're preparing for Christmas."

Ace tilted his head. "What?"

"Oyaji really likes Christmas, so we go all out. This would be your first with us, so I think you'll have a lot of fun." Thatch exclaimed, slipping his arm over Ace's shoulder. The older pirate paused, noticing the look that was plastered to Ace's face. "What's wrong, Ace?"

Ace shook his head. "I don't get why we're decorating."

"It's a Christmas tradition, Ace!" Thatch exclaimed. "It makes it festive."

There was that word again.

Christmas.

"You look confused." Thatch mused.

Ace shrugged. "I don't exactly know what Christmas is, but hey, if it means we get to party…" He felt Thatch tense next to him. The older pirate pulling away and looking at him as if he grew two heads. "What?" The confusion filled him even more as the rest of his nakama out on the deck stopped completely to look at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Ace, you don't know what Christmas is?" Haruta questioned.

Ace cast him a look a shook his head. "What is it?"

Thatch gave a nervous laugh before the realization came to his face. "Oh, you're serious." Ace nodded. "Well, Christmas is a time of family and friends getting together. Celebrating life… love. It's an old religious holiday but it's become more than that… have you never celebrated before?"

Ace shook his head. "I didn't even know it was a thing. I did grow up on a mountain in the woods. Not exactly sociable."

Thatch turned, facing towards Whitebeard. Whitebeard hummed as Ace turned to face him, seeing the glint in his eye. "Sons… daughters… this will be Ace's first ever Christmas! Let's make it the best we have ever done!"

X

Ever since the second he had revealed he didn't know what Christmas was, it seemed like at every corner someone was saying something to him. Showing him more about the holiday. He ended up drinking hot chocolate with Thatch, Izou, Haruta, and Marco. Being put in a god-awful looking sweater with a reindeer on it by Thatch at one point. It didn't last long before he had it off again and preferring to slip on his button up shirt to fight the sun exposure.

He was told of a plant that was hung somewhere on the ship that was called mistletoe, which apparently, the two who ended up under it had to kiss. That was an odd thing.

There was also presents. Giving gifts to others. He didn't even know where to begin. Let alone what to do. He got told he didn't need to concern himself with it, which for the moment, he would rather watch and learn to see what was going on first. He didn't want to accidentally mess it up. The others seemed so excited for it. Even Marco did. Even though he didn't fully understand what it was, the others were working to try and make sure he enjoyed it just as much as they did.

It gave him an unfamiliar feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He was actually starting to get excited for it.

X

Christmas Eve night came quickly, the large party breaking out among the crew. Spiked eggnog was being passed around. Given to everyone who wanted some. Ace didn't like the drink much but drank it just because Thatch had taken the time to make it. It wasn't terrible, but he would prefer drinking straight from a bottle of alcohol.

Music was being played. Music he didn't recognize. His nakama had broken out into song. Singing words he never knew. He had no idea who this Santa Clause guy was, but he sounded extremely creepy. Who watched people sleep? Telling them if they were naughty or nice? It was just odd. Though, the others seemed to enjoy it.

He had found himself smiling along with them. The crew singing some song about bells as Marco's arm wrapped around his waist, leaning back against the cabins.

"Are you having fun?" Marco questioned, a cup of eggnog in hand. Marco was wearing one of those sweaters. Though his was blue with what appeared to be a phoenix wearing what Izou told him was a Christmas hat.

Ace shrugged. "Of course, I am." He replied. "It's a party. I like parties." He paused as he looked down to his glass. "I keep thinking… what if I had known about this as a kid? Maybe, I could have done something for my brother. He would have loved this."

Marco shrugged. "Well, now you know. When he gets on the sea, maybe go spend one with him. I'm sure he'd love it."

Ace smiled, leaning back, and placing his head against Marco's shoulder. Everyone looked so happy. Some of them were drunk. They were singing, dancing, eating. A large tree was in the middle of the deck. How it managed to stay he would never now. Wrapped presents underneath it for the next morning.

"I still don't really get what all of this is, but what I get from it most is… family." He muttered, looking over to Marco.

Marco smiled. "Yeah. That's why Oyaji loves it so much. It revolves around family and that is the one thing he always wanted." The blonde paused, looking back out to the others, and motioning to them. "This… this is what Christmas is to me. Being with the people I love. My brothers. My sisters. My Oyaji." He stopped again, looking back at Ace as he whispered, "And you." Ace felt his face burn red for a second as he looked away, taking a drink from his cup. "Ace…" Ace looked back up at him, noticing that Marco was pointing up.

Ace looked up, seeing a small plant hanging above their heads. "What is that?" He muttered.

"Mistletoe."

Ace paused as the air caught in his throat. Marco reached forward, taking his cup from him, and placing it to the side with his own. The blonde's hand curled behind his neck as he leaned down. Their lips lingering over each other. Not quite touching but close enough that Ace could feel Marco's breath against them. He let his eyes flutter shut as he stood up on his tip toes, arms curling around Marco's shoulders before the older pirate was closing the distance. Pressing their lips together in a soft, gentle kiss.

It was only brief before Marco was pulling back, using the same hand that curled in his hair to move some of his bangs from his face. "I know you don't completely understand what Christmas is… but we will show you. This family is what Christmas means to us. You are apart of that now."

Ace let the smile grace his face as he nodded, Marco's hand slipping into his own as he started to pull him towards the other dancing pirates. Marco twirled his arm, causing Ace to spin before he was pulling him back. A grin back on his face.

Even though he still didn't fully grasp the concept. Understand all the traditions. He was willing to learn. To learn what Christmas would mean to him.

For now, he would enjoy it.