Marco finally going home to meet his family and share a little about what happened while he was gone.
He's finally leaving and we can see WB's reaction to Marco's new found person of interest. I generally love how stoic Marco is depicted in some fics but that makes him really hard to write about, cause I can't keep saying slightly, frowning slightly, smiling lightly.
But here's some WB interactions.
Enjoy~
Chapter 9 ~ Moby Dick in sight (14th day)
It marks the end of the 2nd week since he found Marco, Luffy woke up at 10 a.m. to Kazuki pecking the window beside the bed. So, Luffy quickly got up, tripping on the blond beside him and landing on the floor face first. "Ack," he yelped while the blond groaned at the sudden weight, before the teen got up to unlock the door since the windows were fixed. The raven went out and the bird showed him where he came from, that was the direction where he had spotted Whitebeard. Marco came out a little later having been woken up by the teen.
"Ah, I woke you up," grinning sheepishly, "sorry," Luffy said, rubbing his neck. "Your captain's not far from here, you just have to fly straight in that direction," pointing at the south-east direction, known based on where the sun rises and sets since compasses don't work.
"He's docked on an island the last time Kazuki saw them, so you should leave as soon as possible so you don't miss them." he informed, before talking to the bird, "Thank you Kazuki, can you maybe help me sent letters to Marco and Mihawk next time too?" He asked, while feeding the eagle some meat and stroking it.
Marco watched Luffy talk to the bird fondly, dreading leaving slightly. He sighs.
"Come on Marco, you need to get ready," Luffy told him excitedly, packing some of his clothes and food for the trip.
The blond pointed at some of the unpacked clothes, "what about those, yoi?"
To which Luffy replied, "for," he looked away, and blushed slightly. Marco raised a brow. "for...IF you want to visit," Luffy stuttered, frowning at his awkward self. Marco chuckled at the raven's shyness.
"Yeah, that'll be great yoi," he told the younger, grabbing his head and kissing his temple lightly. The teen looked at him and smiled adorably. Ugh, he totally adores this raven fox smiling at him right now and can't seem to figure out why exactly. Marco's never been interested in anyone that way in a long time and it didn't take very long for him to be totally wrapped in Luffy's fingers.
Luffy finished packing, he prepared water and some food in a small satchel. They settled to eat lunch before the phoenix would leave, they didn't talk and ate in a peaceful silence. They went out of the cabin after eating, Luffy hung the satchel on the blond and tugged the taller man down to give him a short peck. Marco pulled him closer, quickly deepening it almost greedily to remember how the raven tasted and made Luffy grin into the kiss.
Marco groaned when the teen ended it, "I am so tempted to kidnap you yoi," he said as he observed the teen. His huge slightly lidded onyx eyes with the sun reflected on it, and swollen red lips parted slightly. His cheeks were slightly red and was wearing an extremely loose red T-shirt (they bought for him) that ended mid-thigh with the neckline drooping sideways. It was a sight he loved and wanted to commit to memory, maybe even wake up to every morning.
Luffy laughed, "Shishishi," and quickly added, "please don't," still grinning.
Marco held back a pout. "Take care of yourself yoi," he said, "and write to me?"
"Yes and yes, pineapple chicken, sir!" he said and mocked a salute.
Marco groaned, gaining tick marks and rolled his eyes while the raven just giggled at him. But the blond proceeded to sigh and leaned in for a hug and one last kiss before leaving.
"I trust you, Marco," Luffy said seriously, passing him a small piece of vivre card with M.D.L. written on it. The raven stared into Marco's eyes, eyes turning golden before turning back. Marco would probably die before he would betray Luffy, hopefully it would never come to that.
"M.D.L. yoi?"
"Monkey. D. Luffy, that's my full name," he explained, 'a D., no wonder he's interesting yoi.' Marco thought. Luffy continued, "it would be best if you don't tell people about me too much, especially my name," he smiled bitterly at the end.
"Alright, I promise, but can I at least tell my captain yoi?" He actually had wanted to share about the raven to his family, but for now his oyaji would be good enough. Besides, he didn't want them to kidnap Luffy and share him. Yes he's selfish, he's a pirate god damn it! That's allowed!
"If you trust him then...okay, you should leave soon."
Marco nodded and transformed as Luffy watched, he loved those blue flames. He brought out his flames and merged them together, making a pretty hue. Marco titled his long neck to look down at his own dancing flames, Luffy kissed his forehead.
"Stay safe neh, don't land on another island," he beamed at the phoenix, "I hope you meet your family, we'll see each other again someday, pretty bird." The phoenix crooned and nuzzled his head on Luffy's neck before launching into the sky. Ahh~ he's gonna miss his mystery bird but he doesn't regret a single thing, he's looking forward to the day they meet again.
Marco and the WB's POV
During the flight, Marco was anxious to see his family again. He was scared to find out what happened to Thatch, was he alive? Did he die while he was away, he hated thinking that he met Luffy at the cost of his brother's life. Luffy… ah Luffy, where did he hear that name before though 'Monkey. D. Luffy', a D. he thought. 'No wonder, he was strong-willed and interesting yoi', he recalled what he's seen just before leaving, the raven was so sexy he wanted to just pin him down right there. He suddenly felt a surge of protective and possessiveness. His phoenix senses were just screaming 'MINE ' right now that he had to sigh.
He flew for around 2 hours, maybe more but he's not really sure, before the Moby Dick finally came into sight and let out a loud trill as he flared his flames more. With his sharp eyes, he could see oyaji standing up from his massive chair looking around before spotting him and grinned, he could also see Izo, Haruta, Kingdew, and some other commanders, those on watch were pointing at him and many crew members looked shocked and happy. Then, Thatch sprinted out on deck and he was so glad ! He flew towards Thatch and instantly enveloped him in a hug, smiling. He missed his family so much but the last time he saw Thatch, he was bleeding to death and couldn't help feeling really really happy.
"Son…" Oyaji said with his normal gentle and caring smile which got his attention, "you're back," and he could see the tension evaporating off of his adoptive father.
"I'm home yoi," he announced, smiling.
"MARCO!" "Commander Marco!" "You damn bird!" he heard someone shout, they're lucky he was in a good mood.
"How could you, I woke up only to find out you disappeared into the sea…" Thatch whined while crying dramatically causing him to shake his head fondly at his antics. He really missed his family and their quirks which reminded him of a certain raven that lives alone on an island and talks to the animals.
Soon enough, he was enveloped in hugs and was bombarded with questions.
"Where were you?" "How did you survive?" "Why didn't you find us earlier?"
"Tell us everything!" The cacophony was oddly familiar but at the same time different and opposite to the peace he had these past 2 weeks on the island. Marco couldn't deny loving the peace and quiet after spending his whole life with noisy ass brothers and paperworks, he groaned inwardly.
"That's enough for now," oyaji interrupted, "Let him settle in, we'll have a party tonight," he said, grinning which made everyone cheer. Pirates love a good party after all. They obviously had a party too before, for the news that Marco was alive.
Marco looked towards the sea in the direction where he came from and smiled slightly, 'Thank you for getting me home, Luffy. I hope we meet again soon,' he thought. This went unnoticed by most but wasn't missed by Whitebeard and Izo, the most observant members.
That night they held a party, he really missed Thatch's cooking. The raven was a terrible cook and he was not any better so they ate anything as long as it was edible and nutritious. He sat next to Oyaji on the massive arm rest smiling as he watched his brothers drink and party. They kept glancing at him as if to make sure he would not disappear into thin air.
"Where is Ace yoi?" he asked and everyone looked a bit sad, Marco became a little alert, "he's fine right?"
"Gurararara, he's fine son," oyaji assured him before elaborating, "but he did disobey me and went after Teach in his rage." he said spitting the traitor's name venomously. Marco sighs, that was predictable and very much like their hot headed brother, he wished he was here to help them stop him though.
"It's alright, he's strong after all," oyaji said again, drinking from his tankard. Marco nodded, he wasn't the 2nd division commander for no reason.
"Yeah, tell us what happened instead," Haruta exclaimed and the others agreed. The commanders were sitting around Oyaji's chair.
"Well, I actually landed on some island yoi," he began, the corners of his lips twitching as he held back a smile. Of course it was noticed by Izo, who was now extremely curious. The blond had a poker face and very few are able to make him smile so who's this mystery person.
Marco continued, "I must've been caught in a current yoi since I didn't sink, but I couldn't heal or use my devil fruit so I couldn't come back instantly." he told them.
"Why didn't you come back with Akagami?" Vista asked.
"I didn't want to deal with him," he grimaced in disgust which his brothers laughed at, "plus my fire was starting to work so i thought it wouldn't take any longer yoi."
Then Izo decided to shoot, "I think the biggest question is who was the person with you that Hawkeye actually did a favour for."
This time no one missed the ghost of a smile that flitted across their 1st commander's face and the fond look he had, before his lazy, bored face made its way back. Most of the commanders raised eyebrows, Thatch was outright gaping, Izo smirking behind his fans, and Whitebeard was very interested in whoever could make his son look like that in only 2 weeks.
Marco realised his mistake too late as he groaned, 'great yoi, now they're keep pestering me about his Luffy,' his? Ugh.
"Well… I can't tell you guys for now yoi," he said and soon he had a bunch of whining, complaining brothers and 'whys', "I promised, yoi" he emphasised.
"Owh come onnnn, just a bit Marco~" Thatch whined and gave him puppy dog eyes that he skillfully ignored. Luffy's puppy dog eyes couldn't be rivalled after all, it could probably get someone to destroy the world for him.
"No yoi! You'll probably meet him someday," Marco told him, "or at least I hope so."
"Stingy pineapple~" whined Thatch which made Marco gain a tick mark. Whitebeard chuckled, amused at his son's antics.
The night went by and many had passed out on deck by now and some had retired into their cabins, Marco was still sitting with Whitebeard who was observing him. His eldest son looked relaxed, calm, and healthy but he occasionally glanced at the sea which made him wonder, what is out there? And that fond smile he showed when the person was brought up interests him, so he asked.
"Can you tell me about this person, Marco?" Marco turned around to look at his father.
"Hmm, well he did say I can tell you at least yoi," and that made Whitebeard grin.
"I actually landed on an island that couldn't be found by a log pose and he lived there alone, the 1st time I woke up, he smiled warmly and promised he won't hurt me… he knew I was worried yoi. The next time I woke up 2 days had passed and he took care of me and loved to talk and tease me even though I was a bird, yoi" Marco smiled fondly remembering the raven bumping his head and chuckling at him when he tripped on him.
Whitebeard was surprised again, Marco never smiled that way for any women or men and even more rarely showed fondness especially not to anyone outside their extended family. Most of them thought that maybe their first mate was incapable of romantic feelings but this doesn't mean otherwise, it could only be a brotherly or friendly fondness after all.
Marco continued, "he's kind and honestly adorable Oyaji, he made sure to bring me along anywhere with a nest of blankets since I was still wounded and we ate together and he totally sucks at cooking but would always eat the failed ones himself yoi," he chuckled remembering some charred foods and apologising raven, "he was really kind and gentle, always could ease my worries somehow. I still don't know how he read me so well even as a bird. Plus he won't let me perch on his shoulder too long and would carry me like a cat on his arms after a certain time, no matter how much I complained," he laughed slightly remembering the amount of pecking he did, "always made sure I was clean, brought me to bath with him and let me sleep on the bed with him before and after he found out I was a devil fruit user yoi," suppressing his urge to blush. "He made sure to change my bandages and was bad at it but he was surprisingly smart and resourceful, always smiling and giggling at me."
Whitebeard's smile widened into a grin as the story went on, wondering if he's getting a potential son or son in law, "What about when you were a human?" he asked, remembering the message he got from Hawkeye.
"Yeah yoi, I managed to transform into a human the day before that message, he came back from an errand gravely wounded," he frowned at the memory, so did oyaji but he didn't ask, "...but couldn't turn back into a bird again, my devil fruit was a mess. He told me it'll go back to normal and we'd try it everyday and cut my fingers a bit to see if my regeneration worked," he continued, "that day we went to town, to get me some clothes since I only had one and he was smaller than me and met Hawkeye yoi, I'm sorry for not coming back sooner oyaji," he apologised.
"It's alright son, that Akagami would've annoyed you anyway," Whitebeard chuckled and continued listening while watching his sons falling asleep all over the deck with amusement. He knew there was another reason his son chose to stay with the person.
Marco decided he didn't want to share the raven's past and powers yet, "anyway he was worried at 1st when he found out I was Marco the phoenix but had suspected it then proceeded to say I was an okay guy yoi," he scoffed smiling still wondering how he just decided that, "we spent the rest of the days just spending time together, watching the sunset or sunrise, cooking…" kissing and cuddling went unsaid but he was grinning when he remembered. He was hiding his relationship because he wasn't sure yet what it was.
Whitebeard had to blink several times, his son rarely grinned. Now he really wants to meet this mystery guy who his son was definitely infatuated with and probably romantically too.
"Yesterday I managed to transform into my phoenix form and he was so happy for me, the next day he packed my stuff and prepared food and water for the trip before sending me off," then Marco continued, smiling a bit sadly, "I actually asked him to come with me yoi, but he said not yet though I don't really understand what he was waiting for."
"Ohh," oyaji said with amusement and Marco groaned when he saw the familiar glint in his fathers eyes everytime he decided someone was his son, "do we need to pull a kidnapping?" Oyaji asked, as he expected.
"No! don't kidnap him yoi."
"But you're totally into him son," and Marco hummed to that before realising his mistake and groaned rubbing his hand over his face, 'shit yoi,' "see, what kind of father am I if I don't kidnap him for you, gurararara,"
"Please don't yoi," his son groaned, "maybe I'll visit him sometime, if that's okay?" He suggested instead.
"Sure son," he grinned at his son who smiled back. He would comply for now but he really wants to find out who it was and maybe get another son. Like that the conversation ended and the name was forgotten.
What both of them didn't realise was Izo hiding behind a wall nearby having come out of his room after cleaning up to say goodnight and ended up eavesdropping. He couldn't help it, it's like juicy gossip. He now had a hand over his mouth grinning at what he heard and saw, they must find out who this person was. Their favourite mother hen was actually interested in someone! His siblings always thought Marco wouldn't be interested in anyone since he never showed any desire towards anyone and rarely even went to brothels, compared to any of the other males in the crew. Well, maybe he's more of an asexual.
Ik Luffy's not usually shy. I mean this whole fic is just OOC especially Luffy. I didn't know how to tag that though, tell me how to add our own custom tag if you know.
Oh yeah, here, the bolded MDL was supposed to have a different font like Luffy's handwriting which I assumed would be more of a light and slightly messy scribbles. Typical but oversized tees just always seems cute.
I think I can handle writing 2 people's interaction really well but when it involves a whole bunch of people I'm still not sure how to express everyone.
(2976 words)
