More snippets of past to piece into the puzzle. Friendly spar leading to something more and blue flames.

Finally some physical development

Enjoy~

I made up all these seastone symptoms just so that Marco can't heal and fly off the next day while giving them time to interact, even if maybe 2 weeks was too long. Pretty proud of that :). Also I wanted to just make Luffy say Yes and go with him but that's too easy and what would happen to his lovely island right.


Chapter 8 ~ Smooch (Next 4 days)

It's been 2 days since Marco sent the message, he hoped it would ease their worries slightly and forgive him for being selfish and staying here instead of going with Shanks. He woke up to see the raven next to him, they ended up sharing the bed now. Luffy had said, 'Ahh, who cares it's big enough and you slept with me when you were a bird anyway, what's the difference?' and dragged him to bed. It made him smile, he truly enjoyed the teens company but he was getting slightly antsy and he wants to know what happened to Thatch. He absentmindedly stroked the teens hair as he thought of yesterday, they went to the forest again and he met the animals as a human this time. They were aggressive at first but eventually accepted him. There was also that part where they probably said something which made the teen blushed furiously, but the raven wouldn't tell him what the animals had said.

Then they talked as they sat in the forest, and he found out Luffy had been able to understand and communicate with animals since he could talk and not because of his devil fruit. He told him that they don't actually speak sentences more like project feelings that he interprets but animals can actually understand most humans words. Luffy doesn't like hunting animals he talked to, which was why he bought meat instead of hunting here.

Luffy also revealed that he was a slave for 4 years and an assassin for 3, as a slave he was mostly thrown into fighting rings but once they found out he could sing they made him learn music instruments and would beat him up if he failed. Marco frowned hearing that, who the hell beat up kids to learn something but surprisingly the raven just laughed and said at least he got to learn something as a slave. 'Only you would think that way yoi,' Marco thought fondly. He also told him he became an assassin at 14 once they found out he could fight and communicate with animals, many high ranking officers were told to train him, one of them was Mihawk. They wanted him to be a weapon, though the raven still didn't tell him about the deal and exchanges he made yet. The teen also told him he hid most of his devil fruit powers exposing only 1 tail which he had when he was kidnapped, that one enhanced his senses. Apparently he gained more tails over time as he grew but kept them a secret from his 'owners'. His natural healing properties came with the fruit abilities so they thought it was just a normal zoan which Marco thought was smart for a kid. Luffy told him that he could grow any lost organs slowly, as long as he stayed alive during that period. 'They had made me do a partial transformation and dug out my eyes a few times because it was pretty for 'collection',' Luffy told him bitterly. Marco was horrified at that and clenched his hands so hard he drew blood. Thankfully he is a very rational guy or he might've just flown up there to slaughter them all and he's pretty sure he'll have his full family's support.

Luffy woke up and leaned to the blond's hand slightly which was still brushing his hair. He turned around and saw that Marco was frowning, 'why's he frowning?' He mused and used his thumb to rub his frown away causing the blond to look at him.

Luffy didn't know why but he felt comfortable and safe around Marco that he actually told him stuff that he usually learned to keep as a secret. He just hopes he won't come to regret it one day, they had talked and the blond was just a good listener. He always looked emotionless and calm but Luffy could notice the small frown and twitches sometimes when he's angry or annoyed or the small lazy smiles that make Luffy's stomach flip. He honestly loves teasing and annoying the pirate to get a reaction on purpose, 'sometimes'. They spent time together since there were only the 2 of them here and he hadn't interacted that closely with anyone, he brought the blond to meet his animal friends and introduced them. They couldn't accept the new human and took some convincing before they warmed up to him. Some of the animals implied that Marco was his mate (protectcaremate) which made him blush furiously. But Luffy also noticed that recently the pirate was getting antsy, he missed his family and was worried. He was happy that Marco decided to stay with him for a little longer but he felt bad for keeping him away from his family and he knew that they would have to part eventually. So Luffy was gonna enjoy the little time they had left.

"Want to spar?" Luffy asked grinning mischievously, "it'll be fun."

Marco smirked, "sure yoi, why not."

They ate lunch and went to the beach to spar since his usual training area was on a cliff and way too small for a spar.

"Any rules?" Luffy asked.

"No devil fruit powers, yoi," the blond suggested.

"Okayy~" said the raven as he grabbed his dagger in reverse grips and bent down into a fighting stance. While the blond just stood there, hands in his pocket.

The raven charged, aiming to cut the pirate's neck. "That's straightforward yoi," Marco noted while jumping back to avoid the slash. It would have cut his jugular vein had he not avoided it, the raven was grinning as he kicked the air, geppo-ed above the blond and dived. The blonde blocked it with armament haki on his hand and pushed back causing the raven to do a somersault in the air before landing on his feet. It was Marco's turn to charge as he rushed, ready to punch him with a haki infused fist which Luffy dodged as he twirls his dagger and stabbed to which the blond grabbed again with a haki infused hand and won't let go. So the raven jumped on both feet to kick the blond sideways using the grip on his sword as a support. Marco grunted and let go, this time going for a kick to the side which Luffy failed to dodge in time causing him to topple sideways before he righted himself. He threw some throwing knives to which the pirate dodged but allowed him to jump back and send some rankyakus his way. 1 hit the blond and pushed him back but his armament haki prevented a cut. The exchange went on, with both sides getting hit several times until it was getting dark.

Luffy was exhausted but he was grinning and so was Marco. The raven rushed in one last time, he wound his legs on the waist of the blond, left holding a dagger pointed on Marco's neck while the right holding a dagger pointing towards the side of his head. Though the pirate stopped it, his right hand gripping Luffy's left wrist and his left blocking the right arm. They were on a chokehold with Luffy giggling and beaming while Marco was actually grinning. Marco slammed him onto the ground making him squeak in surprise.

"Eeek," he yelped and gasped, eyes wide when he realised his dagger was stabbing into the pirate's neck, he released both of it and whimpered. He was gonna cry until he noticed there was no blood but blue flames dancing on the wound.

"I'm alright yoi," the blond smiled and pulled it out. Luffy gingerly brushed the unharmed neck, at this point the blond were not wounded anywhere anymore. The raven closed his eyes, and released a breath of relief.

"I thought I killed someone I cared about again…" he muttered, hands over his eyes.

Marco was on top of him, he saw the raven panic when he got stabbed and looked downright broken. He felt bad because he knew his powers were back and that's why he slammed the raven down even though it would stab him. He told him he was alright and Luffy muttered something softly but loud enough for Marco to hear, 'again yoi?'.

"I'm alright, Luffy yoi," he offered again, pulling his hands apart. The raven looked at him all over as if to assure himself and smiled serenely once he was satisfied. With the orange sky reflected in those onyx eyes, he looked so beautiful, Marco couldn't help what happened next.

He leaned down on his elbows and placed his lips on the raven's plump ones lightly. He heard the raven gasp softly, before he kissed back. Marco tangled his hands in soft raven hair, and Luffy in his blond ones as they just tasted each other. They parted after a while, the teen licked and bit his lower lip while looking at him sheepishly. Marco brushed his thumb over the younger's lips and chuckled at his dumbfounded expression.

"What are you laughing at?!" Luffy grumbled lighty, pouting.

"Nothing, you're just adorable yoi," he teased. As he moved to lie down beside the teen.

"You do know that was a bad idea right?" Luffy warned but smiled.

"Didn't regret it one bit, I would do it again yoi" he informed with a satisfied smile. Luffy got up, leaned on an elbow and smirked before going in for another searing kiss.

It went on for sometime until Luffy's stomach growled loudly, he stopped. Panting slightly, he leaned his forehead on the blond's which groaned at the interruption.

"I'm hungry and I can't eat you," the raven jokes, "unless you want to turn into a pineapple chicken for me right now," he snickered.

The blond groaned, "you're lucky I like you yoi," he said, before grabbing that round face and giving him a peck on the lips, "come on let's go eat yoi."

Luffy struggled a little to get up, he's sure he got bruises and several cuts, although they would mostly heal by tonight and some tomorrow. "That's not fair, you have no wounds on you at all!" he complained looking at the perfectly fine man, literally and figuratively. To which Marco just smiled and shook his head.

They cooked some meat, eggs, veggies, and threw them together, not caring anymore as long as it was edible.

"Bath?" Luffy asked after they finished washing the dishes.

They sat in the bathtub quietly soaking, with Marco behind the younger. He was tracing the many scars on the raven's back, committing them into memory until he leaned back onto him and turned his head sideways to look at the blond.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing yoi, just memorising every inch of you," Marco explained as he hugged the teen's waist. Said teen had really soft skin even with all the scars littering his body, they added texture yet it wasn't rough. Luffy hummed a tune absentmindedly.


On the 13th day, they found out that he could heal any wounds but still couldn't transform into a phoenix. They spent the day together again, Luffy brought his art supplies to his favourite cliff and painted for hours, while Marco read a book. It was a peaceful and comfortable silence as they enjoyed each other's company.

Marco was having a great dilemma, he was gonna have to leave because he was definitely going back to his family again and he missed life on the seas, the breeze, the soft rocking, the intense storms, and the dangers. It was selfish of him but he hoped Luffy would come along with him so they didn't have to part. So he voiced his concern.

"Luffy yoi, why don't you come with me when I leave," he suggested, "you can have a family and oyaji can give you protection yoi." Luffy remained quiet as he painted but Marco knew he was heard.

"Plus that way… I don't have to leave you yoi, I really like you," he confessed. Looking at the raven for a response.

Luffy stopped painting and went towards the blond to sit next to him, "I like you too, but we barely know each other," he said smiling.

"And I won't keep you away from your family or the seas," he continued, surprising Marco was once again surprised at how on point he always is.

"Why can't you come with me?" Marco questioned again, "that way I can get to know you better yoi."

The raven sighed, "I just…" he hesitated, "can't trust people yet...the only reason I trusted you easily was because you were a bird before you became a human and you were wounded."

"I thought I could fight you alone shall the need arise," he mumbled, sheepishly.

"Do you still not trust me yoi?" The blond asked, frowning.

Luffy huffed, giving him a short kiss and grinned cheekily at him, "What do you think, silly?"

"Alright fine yoi, stupid question," he quipped.

"It's not you I don't trust, it's everyone else including your crew, no offence Marco but i barely know them and I can't just take your word for it," he explained, "plus, I just…" he trailed off. Marco waited for him to finish the sentence.

"...I bring problems," he said, like it's a fact. Luffy grabbed the blond and laid his head on his lap and brushed his oddly messy blond hair gently. Marco allowed it and stared at the sky as the sun began to set.

"I don't want anyone dying because of me…" he faltered, "...anymore." Marco felt something wet on his face and looked up to see tears dripping down the teens face. He grimaced not knowing how to help without knowing the full story and used his hand to wipe away the raven's tears.

Luffy chuckled dryly, "Ugh I need to stop doing this in front of you," he said, wiping his tears quickly.

"Alright yoi, I won't force you to come with me," he conceded, "but can I keep you in contact yoi?"

"Mmmm! Sure! I would prefer it if people don't know about me yet but if you need help with anything you can ask me," he beamed brightly, standing up and dragging Marco along with him by the hand to hike deeper into the forest.

"Where are we going, yoi?" asked the blond curious because they never went this far into the forest.

"To meet someone," he replied excitedly, "I sensed that he was back recently," as he walked faster.

"You don't actually have a random stranger staying on this island right? Yoi" Marco said dryly, raising an eyebrow. Luffy only chuckled.

They arrived at an area near the north side of the island, where you could usually see the sun rise, but it was dark now with the moon shining brightly.

"Kazuki~" the raven called out while raising his left arm out. Marco raised an eyebrow to that but kept quiet. Soon enough a loud screech could be heard and a regal bald eagle soared and landed on his arm causing him to wince as the sharp talons broke the skin slightly. It is 30-31 inches in length with a wingspan of 6-7 feet, a dark brown body, a white tail, and a white head and shoulder. It's eyes were orangish, similar to Luffy's eyes when he transformed.

Luffy ignored the sharp talon digging into his arms slightly and began to groom the bird's feathers gently and Marco realised this was why he could groom feathers so well. The blond reached out slightly to stroke the eagle which got him pecked and blue flames came to life.

The raven giggled, "he's a bird like you, you know," he told the eagle, laughing now. The blond rolled his eyes, as the eagle cocked his head. He tried again slowly, this time the eagle only watched him carefully and pecked his hand again but not hard enough.

"Kazuki, can you help me find Whitebeard? " The raven asked the eagle, which made a whistling noise in response. This elicited raised eyebrows from Marco.

"How does it-" "HE," "-right, how does he know who's whitebeard yoi?" the blond questioned.

"Well Kazuki is smart unlike normal animals, I just need to show him a picture," he explained as he walked back towards the cabin's direction, "we still have the newspaper picture right?"

"yeah yoi" Marco responded, watching the eagle now perching on Luffy's shoulder and nuzzling him. Ahhh how he missed doing that as a bird, Marco thought.

"He could smell you're a bird," Luffy said suddenly while walking, "I could smell it too, bird and flames."

"Yeah yoi, zoans could always smell the bird in me somehow," he informed, then burst into flames and into a blue flaming phoenix that stood regally as tall as Luffy. Lighting up the darkness, luffy gaped smiling slightly as he reached out to brush his hands along the blue feathers. His golden tails now glowing along with azure feathers.

"You did ittttt!" Luffy cheered and the phoenix trilled in excitement before launching into the sky to fly, followed by the eagle who decided to join him. The raven decided to walk back slowly, letting the 2 birds soar before golden chains wrapped around him around the waist and lifted him up into the sky causing him to yelp. The phoenix dropped him in front of the cabin, he heard soft thumps before 2 arms snaked around his waist from behind and warm breaths on his neck.

"I guess this means you're going home," the raven said, smiling a bit sad. Marco turned him around and pulled the raven closer. Luffy's heart rate picked up as he stared into ocean blue eyes. The blond leaned down, 1 hand on the raven's waist holding him close, the other on his nape. Luffy sighed, wrapped his arms around Marco's neck, tiptoed and smashed their lips together. Marco smiled into the kiss, tilted the raven's neck and deepened the kiss. He then lifted him up, holding both his thighs and was about to carry him in when the eagle screeched. They both sighed and Luffy raised an arm to accommodate the landing eagle as the pirate dropped him.

"Come, let's show you the picture," Luffy told Kazuki. Marco followed behind. The raven thought it was for the best since Marco was leaving tomorrow anyway.

Marco held the eagle while Luffy searched for the newspaper, he realised the bird was quite heavy. The fox teen came back and showed the bird the picture pointing at Whitebeard. Kazuki screeched and flew out the open door.

"He should just be around this area of the seas, so it won't take long at all," Luffy assured the blond.

It was late and they couldn't sleep, so they just laid next to each other. Marco burying his face in raven locks and tracing non-existent circles on Luffy's hip.

"So how could I contact you yoi?"

"I'll give you a piece of my vivre card tomorrow and you can send me letters through Kazuki," Luffy told him.

Marco was conflicted, he was excited to be going home soon but he didn't want to leave the raven.

"You really won't come with me yoi?" He asked one last time.

"No…I'm sorry, maybe one day."

They let silence reign over and just cuddled, to go with the flow and see where it takes them. Marco didn't regret meeting Luffy, it was a good thing but he hoped it wasn't at the cost of any of his brother's life. He would soon find out once he got back home.

Luffy was happy he found the bird when he did, he made a friend and found another person he could trust. He was still slightly scared but he was opening up and hoped it would not be betrayed again. Soon enough they both fell asleep.


I kind of skipped several days so they've spent quite a lot of time together and they finally kissed~ I remember squealing and rolling on the bed while writing that, hehe... I hope you like that.

Rankyaku - pressured air blade (one of the Rokusikis)

Didn't know how to name anything, Kazuki was literally taken from a name generator while Aone was randomly made up. I wanted a way to contact Luffy and had actually searched for cool bird species but I love eagles and bald eagles just seems nicer.

(3315 words)