Adaline watched as Marco and Domino peeled away from the group and tapped her foot lightly before looking back up at where Thatch should had been.
Well, key word was should. As in he should be standing tall providing the unwavering sense of security she needed from him.
Instead... he was overlooking the petit woman's stomach in wonder and awe. His eyes glancing upwards at her baby blue eyes before he continued to inspect the mesmerizing sight.
He really would be having... kids with this woman? Kids...
She placed a hand behind her back and blinked in complete surprise and minor annoyance. "Thatch, what are you doing?" She asked him with an irritated tone.
It wasn't meant to be directed towards him. Just this seemed so bewildered by his own handiwork. Like this isn't what happens when they go to the kitchen every chance they get. Honestly she was surprised it hadn't happened sooner.
After what seemed an eternity, (Really a span of a few seconds) Thatch nodded to himself standing straighter and crossing his arms. "Okay, okay I'm good now...Just checking." He defended himself with a 'give me a break' smile. He needed to play off his nervousness and fear in some way.
If he let this Angel know he was terrified she'd surely make fun of him. He's one of the toughest pirates after all...no..no he was a big scardey baby...oh no Baby?! Why'd he have to go and think of babies.
Adaline raised one of her well done eyebrows while motioning with her head to begin to walk away from the growing party. "Just checking what? Are you okay?" She asked concerningly. She needed him now more then ever. So him looking like a sea sick *greenie was not a good sign.
Quickly he looped his arms in hers a smile plastered on his face as he scoffed at the question and began to lead her carefully out of the bustling area.
He would let no one so much as stand near this woman. They don't deserve to be in the same room as her beauty.
Adaline continued to steal glances at the stiff man at her side as they put the party's noise behind them. She had to admit the further they got the more she found herself pulled towards thoughts of Dominos fate.
What was the sober marine really up to? Ada was aware that there was layers upon confusing layers of the mad woman's plan. But, where would Domino really end up? Would she end up side by side with her friends on the Whitebeards ship like they wanted to? Or...somewhere else.
Deep down Adaline knew the truth but she couldn't bare to think it.
"Well, you marines doooo, um sometimes trick us?" Thatch stated while scratching the back of his head. With his eyes focused on the exit before them he didn't notice Adaline's thoughtful expression and continued to dig himself 'out' (In he was digging himself in) of his hole.
"So I was worried this was an elaborate scheme on Domino's part to try and elicit our help while still keeping her pride. Or something," He halfheartedly chuckled with a 'sorry' smile as he looked down at the distracted red head.
Suddenly she looked up at him her baby blue eyes wide and morphed in to a sense of anger as she gasped, yanking her arm away from his. "How dare you? Do you really think I would go as far as to fake being pregnant to what?" She asked him her aggravation growing from her baby fueled madness.
"Garner protection?" She asked him to which he looked down guiltily. She scoffed and shook her head before continuing to navigate her way towards the only exit in this large encompassing room.
"Well, no...No! That's not what I mean, I just can't believe that I, you we... you know. I could never have? but you do and it's? You know!" Thatch stammered with his arms out in an explanatory gesture while Adaline shook her head. Her short bob-cut hair bouncing as she did so.
Adaline of course knew what he meant, however it was to late she already felt insulted that he would think that they were that conniving. (Which they are, but he shouldn't know that). So she huffed once more while crossing her arms refusing to take her eyes off the large double doors of their exit.
Like how bad could he really think they were? She was a gambler yes, a Navy officer yes, and sure she's pretended sometimes, but a down right liar? To his face? Never. "Please, do you know who you're talking too? I would never do something so down right deceitful to you." She stated with pride in her tone and her head held high.
He only hummed his response holding out his arms in worry as she lifted a large boot over the last marble white step. Since she had her head held high she didn't count for the fact that big shoes and tiny feet don't mix, and as soon as she placed a heavy and very angry foot down on the smooth surface she came to a terrifying realization.
Her eyes went wide in surprise as her once graceful figure now tumbled forward, her arms grasping for anything or anyone to catch her fall. But it was to much weight dragging her down she threw her arms forward to protect herself with only one last thought in her head.
Damn it Thatch.
The cursed man, felt his blood run cold with fear before he remembered he was hovering over her every-step and quickly stopped the sudden slip with a wide smile and an equally terrified look upon his face.
They exchange a quick sense of worry before relief washed over them and they let out a relaxed breath. His cheeks pulled in to a wide grin as he held the mesmerizing red head in his arms. Her baby blue eyes relaxing in his arms. Then her light pink lips stretching in a 'thank god' smile.
However, as she started up at his dark eyes she felt her pride get the best of her she was not willing to give up her anger just yet.
"Even when you're mad you fall for me." Thatch cooed with smooth tone to his voice as he wrapped one arm protectively around her waist the other over his own chest. A smile plastered across his face.
"Thank you." She whispered through gritted teeth. She was struggling to not punch this man in an hormone induced anger. She wasn't mad at him anymore, in fact the complete opposite.
She wanted nothing more then to pull him aside and reenact the same thing that got her pregnant. These thoughts of course were making her mad once more.
She was so useless. And unbalanced, emotionally and physically.
She shook her head trying to hide her smile behind her pride. "But that doesn't mean I'll let you off the hook? Like. Out of all the ways I have tricked you before, pretending to be pregnant would be an insult to your intelligence." She stated with an authoritative tone and a final head nod.
Thatch glanced at the woman's fading anger and growing smile then nodded absently to himself as he assessed the potential harms that could come to this woman while they passed the threshold of one danger to another.
His mind swirling with every possibility that could come from this new room full of people then something else was pulled to mind. He stopped and looked down at her pulling his head back in surprise. What did she say? Tricked him?
"Wait, what do you mean all the ways you've tricked me before?" He asked her as she once again hummed and looked him up and down.
Her eyes wide with surprise before they softened. Her baby blue iris's reflected the now surrounding lights of the new room and adding an extra soft sparkle to them.
She mentally sighed to herself at his concern, and scolded herself for her anger. It wasn't his fault he would think such a thing she was sure Domino and her had contributed to the belief in one way or another. Besides he was way to cute. So she shouldn't hold any more anger towards him.
"I'll tell you after everything's over. The list is to long." She whispered with a soft smile and held out her arm in a forgiving stance. "Truce?" She whispered lightly. She really needed to get her hormones in check if she was to be reliable for the rest of the night. Plus she can't stay mad at the men she literally fell head over heels for.
Thatch gave a polite nod towards the act of goodwill "That helps." He sarcastically mumbled as they passed the late arriving party goers that lingered in the hotel lobby.
The people around them happened to be just as elegantly dressed as the lobby looked. The woman's dressed flowed behind them when they walked, and the men all wore the most pristine suits you could imagine.
A drastic change from the party goers Adaline had seen in just the other room. Maybe they were some of Russel's more important guests? He did say he would have other people in the hotel since their parties are world renowned and everyone wants to see his new ideas.
Which of course she was perfectly aware of how ominous it sounded, however she had a lot more important things on her plate that she was in charge of.
No matter what she was in charge of something just seemed eerily off about this room. The people though smiling and eagerly heading towards the party seemed blank. It was like they're stares and smiles had not been forced because at least then they would show a hint of defiance, but these faces held only a stiff smile as if they had been painted on and no one dared wipe off the paint.
Even the lobby itself was large and open welcoming kind of space, but felt like an empty husk. It had thick granite pillars that lined the path Adaline and Thatch walked down. Each pillar like the guests were also decorated in all manors of golds and reds.
The main desk which was indented underneath the large stair case that lead to the golden elevators from the upper floor above, held beautiful hostess who wore blue scarves and those same eerily fake smiles.
Adaline felt sick once more watching the faces as they meandered around. This was not right, leaving Domino behind was a very bad Idea. All Ada could do now was hope that at least Thatch would understand what it was the two woman had planned.
Of course he would have had to know if he got the letter she sent.
The nervous dad to be glanced down at the tiny woman who was clearly lost in thought and nodded to himself as he encouraged her to walk faster. There was no doubt she felt this ominous feeling as well. But stress like that wasn't good for children was it?
No it wasn't so he would have to distract her for just a little longer till he got her out of this stagnate room.
"Hey guess what?" His deep voice pulling the small woman from her thoughts.
"What?" She asked him her mind still being pulled elsewhere but her eyes on him. Thatch cracked a large smile Holding out his arms in a grand gesture. "You're pregnant! I have kids!" He smiled then frowned and looked down and shook his head "You, uh You we us? Have kids? Together?" He asked with a cheesy smile.
Adaline giggled to herself and nodded looking up at Thatch with a wide smile on her face and a light in her eyes. "Yes, Thatch we will have kids. Together." She assured him.
Thatch nodded eagerly feeling a new giddy feeling beginning to warm his body, he was succeeding in his distraction plans. He was amazing! This father thing would be a breeze.
Adaline smiled beginning to look forward once more before quickly adverting her eyes and pulled Thatch's body towards the safety of a large pillar beside them.
"Hey!-"
"Don't look!." Adaline whispered harshly pulling Thatch closer to her size. His body hunched over hers effectively hiding both of them from whatever it was that had her so scared.
Thatch looked down at the woman in wonder as she frantically inspected the ground. "Just whatever you do don't look at him." She pleaded softly burying her face against his chest mumbling. "Don't look."
Naturally he did what any sane person would do when told not to look. He looked up.
He had to see what would dare frighten his wife. Wife! He had a wife!
Yet all he saw was some tall tan skinned man who emerged from the golden elevators above them. His dark red eyes staring straight ahead as he took long and purposeful strides following the red carpet that was laid out before him and past the doors behind the hiding couple.
Thatch watched as the long sword strapped to his waist jostled with the force the man walked. He took in to count how the man rested his left hand on the hilt of his sword and his right hand clasped tightly around a red tie.
"Damn." Thatch whispered to himself as his eyes followed the tall man. The surprised commander even turned away from Adaline's shocked look to watch as the tattooed back of this man walked past them. The crimson eyed man hadn't even looked in their direction.
Thatch shrugged as the man slammed the doors shut behind him.
The other guests seemed to let out a collective sigh of relief and soon headed their separate ways. Navigating themselves through what seemed like pre designated paths that they carried out. All while silently thanking whatever god there was that lord Russel's brother was to preoccupied to look their way.
Adaline took in a deep breath leaning against the groves of the pillar then turned her head towards Thatch and let out a tiny screech.
"Are you serious!?" She asked him with a mixture of awe and anger. Thatch looked away from the double doors then down towards Adaline humming to himself.
"I hope he doesn't pick a fight while Marco's still in there." He paused. "He'll kick his ass." He smiled once more before blinking down at his wonderful Angel.
"Of course! I'm not scared of some guy with a long sword." He responded before tugging on her arm lightly to move again. "Do you know who I am?" He smiled with a puffed out chest before going serious and pulling at his lovely wife to follow him. "Now, Let's get out of here. This place seems off." He mumbled inspecting the large glass doors of the hotels entrance just to the left of where they stood.
Adaline let out a soft sigh following behind him. "I fail to see how you can be so confident. But that's not the problem," She shook her head and clapped her hands together "when someone say's don't look, you don't look, like what a part of don't look says look right at the man?" She asked him with a high pitched squeal of warning and hand gestures.
Thatch shrugged, smiling, slyly leaning into the gorgeous Angel beside him as some well dressed ushers in blue scarves moved to open the door for them. Thatch gave them a polite nod before smiling down at Adaline. "I'm sorry, for now on I will only look at your beauty." He cooed.
Adaline blinked with a dead pan expression then quickly looked away trying to hide her growing smile. "That! ...that doesn't even make sense.." She mumbled before looking away from him once more. She two gave the two ushers a nod, however took in a deep breath at the sliver glint under their scarves.
She quickly threw her arms around Thatch's toned biceps trying to distract him from the troubling sight.
"Huh, Now you like me?" He asked at her sudden grab.
He smiled puffing out his chest at her light nod. "Who knew pregnant woman were so moody?" He asked himself before looking down with a frown as Adaline looked back up at him pushing him away in a huff.
"You can't complain about my moods! You are the one that did this to me you damn-" She stopped and shook her head smiling as they gazed at the cobblestone stair case that loomed before them.
It wasn't just his fault and she knew it.
Her silence only lasted for a quick second before a quick gust of cold refreshing wind caught her dress and lifted it up past her knees. Almost reveling the multiple leather straps around her legs. She let out a small squeak at the sudden down burst.
Thatch instinctively wrapped his hands around her not knowing what was wrong but protecting her from it none the less.
"What?" He asked frantically looking down at the woman who just sighed and shook her head patting down the ugly brown dress she wore. "Sorry the wind went up my skirt."
Thatch frowned. "What it can't do that, That's my job," He mumbled playfully still determined to see the Angel smile.
Adaline gave a light tongue in cheek smile before shaking her head.
"I suppose who ever the cause for my mood swings don't matter right now. The reason why I was worried was because, That was Raphael the Crimson Tie, you know of him right?" She raised an eyebrow.
He nodded. "Yeah, He's...Um..Marco and Izo were talking about em what was it?" He asked himself as he now carefully inspected the wide unblocked view of the island from the top of the stairs.
Now that he got a better look at the building packed roads he understood what was making Izo and Marco so uneasy. There was no foliage no trees just the cobblestone of the winding path before them, and the wood from the unlit buildings.
"He's known for his brutality, he's even said to strike down anyone who stares at him." Adaline while holding on to his arm tighter as they descended yet another longer stair case that would lead them to a path straight to home.
Thatch furrowed his eyebrow then nodded watching were his beautiful wife walked carefully. "Um, yeah. Izo and Marco were talking about him being Domino's brother or something?" He asked himself then he shook his head his styled pompadour dancing with the motion. "I was in and out of it at the time." He stated sheepishly.
Adaline nodded then let out a deep breath and placed her hand on her back and leaned against the long golden railing of the staircase. "Yeah. He is her brother, That's even more reason why we should be careful. He could be just as unstable as Dom..." She started before she groaned through gritted teeth at how much her back began to ache and how her feet felt so swollen and sore.
Also her dress was really itchy too. Like it was really itchy itchy. All and all fatigue was catching up to her.
Thatch went wide eyed and looked at the long trek of cobblestone they had to walk till the large ship in the distance, then the smaller woman leaning against the polished gold railing. Her red hair falling across her face as she held her head down defeated with a hand on her back before looking up at the his terrified face.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm tired." Adaline exhaled with a defeated expression. Thatch nodded and held out his arms.
"Say no more." He smiled as she titled her head and then rolled her eyes lifting up her arms to be picked up gingerly much to the relief to her feet.
Adaline sighed and let her head drop against his chest. "I am very surprised you're willing to carry me all the way to the ship. In case you haven't notice I way three times my weight now." She groaned.
Thatch shrugged carrying his wife bridal style gingerly taking slow steps to not jostle her too much. "You know, I'm a commander for more then my good looks." He teased rolling his eyes at her scoff.
"Well could of fooled me." She laughed, "Especially when you fail to use your head."
Thatch tilted his head a smug look on his face, "Really? What makes you think I don't use my head?" He asked her. Adaline glanced down at her stomach and held out her arms with a 'uh huh sure' look. "Need I say more?"
Thatch chuckled "Okay wrong head but still proof I used it." He smiled triumphant with a head toss to match.
Adaline rolled her eyes and let out a deep breath resting her head back against the chiefs white coat. "This is going to be a very long night for me." She groaned while wrapping her arms around his neck.
"What makes you say that?" Thatch asked while his eyes remained fixed on the prize in the distance. He was going to complete his half of the mission even if it kills him.
Adaline let out a content sigh "You should know this, after all I was very detailed in my letter." She dismissed his question while inspecting their slowly changing surroundings.
The shop's seemed to move up and down with every careful step much like waves on a boat. It was clear that the people had begun to lessen as they now past a circular court yard that would eventually take you to the bath houses bellowing smoke behind them.
She tried to hide the growing sinking feeling in her stomach while noticing one of the large decorative spouts of the fountains was turned off and sputtering water every now and then. She quickly pulled her eyes shut finding the sickening motion of moving diminishing as she kept them closed.
She was going to be sick for sure. No...no she could hold it.
Thatch sent his questioning glance towards her paling face. "Letter? Can you call a smudge mark on a picture and a note a letter?" He asked. The confusion deep in his voice.
Adaline shot her eyes open in surprise and quickly slapped Thatch's shoulders to put her down. There was no fighting the urge to vomit at this point. Not after what he just said.
"Alright, Alright!" He yelped as he gingerly placed her down. Watching in awe as her short legs scampered off towards some alley way corner. He took a step back in surprise as she suddenly threw her hands across her chest and began to heave.
Thatch looked on in pure horror before rushing over to the red head, holding out his arms frantically before grabbing her hair and holding it back. Beginning to rub circles on her back as she groaned at the mess before her and pulled away shaking.
He looked away from the gross scene and then back to the woman he loved and quickly pulled out a handkerchief he had brought just for this occasion and held it out to her.
"And now I'm hungry again." She grumbled in annoyance taking the handkerchief and wiping her face.
Thatch looked away from the small pile and shook his head. "Really? Some how I've lost my appetite." He gave a pained smile as she scoffed and then groaned pulling herself away from the corner of a small bricked shop she had chosen as her 'spot'.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hold it." She groaned and then smiled "Avery said, it's normal but it's un lady like." She smiled feebly towards Thatch who shrugged unconcerned by how this woman still seemed to glow even after the monstrosity he witnessed.
"You're still an Angel." He smiled at her to which she rolled her eyes and giggled to herself nodding to keep moving.
Thatch motioned to carry her a little further but she shook her head. "You've already gotten me pregnant you can stop now." She smiled towards him as he shook his head laughing.
"Never,"
She giggled once more and nodded before shaking the smile off her face and blinking holding out her hands in surprise. "Wait, earlier you said a picture with a smudge mark?" She asked him confusion heavy in her voice.
Now that the distracting urge to completely empty her stomach in the quickest way possible was over. She could focus on the big picture like what did he mean just a picture.
Thatch nodded raising an eyebrow at her confused tone. "Yeah, when we got a log pose with the islands name on it, it had this smudge mark on a little piece of paper, and then Marco and Izo put it together with a picture Domino had left in her diary. And they found the same mark that was On that Raphael guy's back." Thatch stated motioning with his thumb behind them back towards the hotel.
Adaline looked down and hummed to herself. "Dominions mark? You had something in your possession with that mark?"
She then looked back at the bewildering man. "You mean, you didn't get a letter with my stamp on it detailing why Dom and I are here in the first place and that only the strongest of your crew should be on these shores?" She asked him with a look of worry across her face to which Thatch shook his head.
"No...why? Was it not supposed to be a code?" Thatch asked while his smile began to fade in to a look of confusion at Adalines baby blue eyes shaking as she failed to form a sentence.
"Yes, well, no..but..." She stopped dead in her tracks pulling Thatch's arm with her and looked around the area they walked past.
All around them stood beautiful terraces with lattices that held fading lanterns and empty shops with the signs "closed for festival". None of which would be out of the ordinary, if the surrounding area wasn't completely barren of people and noise.
In fact it was so soundless that suddenly the two were very aware of their own breathing. Thatch noticed the sudden change in atmosphere and hovered his hand over the hilt of his own sword. He glanced back at Adaline who groaned and moved closer behind him.
"Listen, it's apparent we both have misleading information." She whispered softly while moving to wrap her arms behind him and cling on to the back of his shirt. She could easily grab her pistol from underneath her dress but she was more worried about protecting her precious cargo.
(It may make her vomit and cry and an untrustworthy marine. But it was still more important then herself at this moment.)
Thatch nodded going very serious at the over awareness of his surroundings. He glanced back down and gave a confident smile to reassure the woman who was now the most important thing in the world. Well she always was, but that doesn't matter.
"I'm sure pop's well have something to say about it when we get back to the ship." He glanced towards the alley Adaline had finished puking all over and looked back towards the red head and motioned for her to continue while he wrapped a protective arm across her shoulders.
"It's troubling that you guys don't understand our situation and are just walking around like nothings wrong." She groaned to herself shaking her head unable to use her haki due to the fact she couldn't focus on anything but the problems to come.
There was so much going to happen tonight. She only hopped Thatch, being the lovable bear that he was, would protect her just until she got her head straight.
Then she could protect herself.
"Don't worry Angel, we figured if you marines were involved it wouldn't be simple or safe." Thatch smirked while surveying the area as they walked. There would be no one alive if they so much as tried to get near her.
Adaline let out a hum as she began to fiddle with the large brown dress draped across her body. This thing was getting itchier by the second.
Honestly, when Thatch first saw her dress his initial thought (Besides the babies) was about asking her why she would decided to wear something so.. ...unlike her.
But he thought he much rather would have liked to live to see his kids grow up.
"Well it may not be simple, but at least the plan we had was more doable. Which included..." Adaline began to speak before she felt the need to catch her breath at a sudden kick from the pair of future marines.
They were already marching in place, Greeeeeeat.
Thatch looked down shocked at Adaline's sudden gasp and held out his hands in surprise. "Ada?" He asked more panicked then he meant.
The red head gave a light laugh and shook her head at his shock and surprise. "I'm fine, I think I might need to be carried again." She gave a light smile at Thatch who nodded eagerly and moved to carefully pick up the small woman.
"I'll carry you anywhere you need my Angel." He cooed while adjusting her between his arms carefully. Adaline giggled to herself and dropped her head back over his arms.
"I don't know if it's the hormones or you but I really like this collusion thing." She hummed to Thatch's confused but proud smile.
"So now that I capture you in my arms, how bout you explain this plan you seem to have?" Thatch asked her with a smile on his face.
"Ace,..." Izo hissed lightly while ducking between jagged black rocks and squinting for the orange glow of the younger male's flames that danced from each curve of the jagged trail around him.
The air around him had grown thick causing a thick grey mist to swirl at sandaled feet. Almost as the wisps of the smoke were desperately trying to drag him deeper in to the tunnels they explore.
Where was this?
Good question.
They didn't know.
All Izo knew was that one second they had been sitting down waiting for Marco and Thatch to collect their marines then the next Ace was pushing his hands against some reflective rocks and had some how ended up in some kind of tunnel maze?
It didn't make any sense to the older male, yet knowing Ace it was bound to happen. Once again why was he always playing the tracker?
Izo could only assume that since this was once a volcano it was possible that these had to be vents for air and other such things. But what he couldn't figure out was why there would be a door (though invisible) to these tunnels. For if they had meant to be just useless tunnels then you wouldn't need a door to get into them.
All thoughts aside Izo quickly and as delicately as possible clambered over more rocks desperate not to lose the much-needed light Ace provided.
Izo place a hand delicately on a jagged stalagmite as he leaned in to call out the young teen once more.
"Ace hold on, Slow down." He stated a little louder, but still hushed enough to avoid being heard by the number of people he felt just ahead of him.
Ace looked back from the wide open view before him with a raised eyebrow. He leaned further towards the small tunnel mouth he had just emerged from and lifted his head. "Hurry up." He called quietly before hearing a grunt of disapproval from the tunnel and turning back around.
"Me hurry up? That's rich. How about you stay put for once?" Izo snarked as he began to pull himself carefully from the smaller tunnel mouth, his hands clasped around his kimono carefully to not get anymore dirt on it. As it was, the subtle pink tone was now almost caked in a brown layer of mud and heavy from the mists around his feet.
Ace turned around from the tunnel and frowned bobbing his head in a mocking way while crossing his arms. looking at the scene before him.
Izo looked up from the place he just emerged from then back to Ace who stood along the edge of an overlook with his arms crossed. He rolled his eyes taking light steps to avoid the lose rocks as he moved to stand beside the younger kid.
His eyes focused solely on Ace's displeased look. "Next time we embark on a mission you're staying on..." he started before turning his head toward the direction of Ace's glare. Before them was another large and echoing chamber much like the one they had came from. But narrower and much lower. Much, much lower.
"The ship..." He finished lightly taking in the full extent of the scene.
Right now Izo could determine that they were at least ground level, that included when they entered the hotel and descended to the bustling courtyard.
However just beneath them was a long drop about the same distance it would be if they jumped from the crows nest of the Moby to plunge to the depths of the sea.
When one typically plunges in to the sea they are torn from the surrounding light of the sun and greeted by the dark embrace of the oceans deep blues.
This drop was much like the same, expect for reverse.
Instead of starting in the bright sunlight the two pirates were surrounded by the dark and jagged enclosing space of the volcanic rock that not even the courtyard could hide; and instead of plunging into darkness, the lower half of the walls had been smoothed over and painted a bright reflective white.
Of course if you were to jump instead of hitting water where you had the faint hope of survival. Also, if you were to jump from a ship you would expect water. But beneath them were rows of countless flower beds protruding from the steal floor. Well could you call them flower beds if they in fact had no flowers?
The metal structures only held piles of disturbed dirt as far as they could see.
Izo let out a silent whistle at the sheer construction work of this room. Ace nodded his silent agreement sending a quick glance to Izo who nodded towards the metal scaffolding that overlooked the empty beds, but weren't high enough to be even with where the two stood.
Most likely it was used for someone to walk around and inspect the growth of whatever plant had been there?
But, It didn't matter what was in the beds, the longer Izo looked at the daunting sight the more he began to get an uneasy feeling.
Why would the island be so barren of plant life only for there to be this large of a garden underneath it's hotel? It could have been to grow produce, but some reason he felt as if he knew better then to give this island the benefit of the doubt.
He sighed and motioned to a flickering light in the distance other side of the rectangular room, illuminating large bay doors slightly ajar.
Ace nodded and quickly positioned his hat firmly on his head and jumping down eager to explore this interesting find.
Izo looked behind him inspecting the small cramped tunnel mouth he had came from and sighed making a silent decision to himself. These marines had to many red flags. But if it was to ensure both Marco and Thatch's happiness he would go along with it.
"You sure that's how you want all of this to go?" Thatch asked the wonderful closed eye red head wrapped comfortably in his arms while they walked slowly towards the large and very lively ship just up ahead.
This was a comforting sight for sure. Soon any moment now this woman would finally be safe and he could effectively pass out from the pure excitement and fear he felt with her in his arms.
Adaline shrugged while nestling in against his shoulders the motion sickness of last time having disappeared. "It was either this or raze the island. Truth be told Domino wanted nothing to do with either of these plans." She stated honestly in her authoritative voice. "It was a rough few months of planning knowing what we would have to do." She let out a heavy sigh. "And we still have way to many lose ends to account for." She finished with a low defeated tone.
Thatch furrowed his eyebrows at the amount of information the red head had just divulged to him and was quite frankly worried about how corruptive Pop's would be. "You guys sure are putting a lot of faith in us pirates." He hummed to which the red head tapped his shoulder to be put down.
He obliged and made a sound as if relived. To which she huffed before smiling back at him as he rubbed his now sore fore arms. Before seeing her baby blues glaring at him and he sheepishly stopped.
"Well, we would have had many more options had it not been for the higher ups sticking their nose in to someone else business." She huffed with bubbled cheeks as she shook her head. Thatch felt his heart flip at how adorable the red head looked and wrapped his hand in her a unwavering hold.
Adaline though holding his hand tightly, was losing the comfort it brought her. After saying their plans out loud she had begun to become worried that something was going to go wrong.
Of course it would, but what would be the factor? Domino? Marco? Or even the rest of the Whitebeards? After all who would willing work with the marines? Or the remnants of the marines.
Thatch found it hard to focus on the sparkling clean cobblestone paths, or the barren kiosk's that would have assorted goods near the docks, or even the calming waves lapping against the wooden seawall around them. The only thing attracting his attention was the red head who walked beside him. She suddenly went very quiet.
"Uh oh, trouble with the marines? Who'd thought?" He asked her playfully glancing up towards the whale head of his home then back towards the blue eyed angle who seemed to sniffle, wipe her nose then shake her head.
Trying to hold her head up high but something was dragging her down. He didn't have to be a mind reader to understand this woman. She was completely readable.
"Short story short?" She lifted her head to look at him before she dropped it. "Akainu found out about us." She stated sternly and with a voice that signaled the time for joking was no more.
Thatch took in a sharp breath and nodded to himself and looked down. "Ho-how?" He asked her softly.
She shook her head and shrugged as the crowd of the party grew louder the closer they got to the boats edge. "We don't know," She slapped her hands against her side. "It was bound to happen?" Her voice asked as she stared blankly at the path before them.
"We couldn't expect this to be a thing forever at some point,..." She rolled her eyes as her lip began to tremble at the pain she's caused Domino. Had she just cut her losses in the beginning none of this would have ever happened. This was all her fault. "At some point we would've..." Her shoulders began to shake as she tried to muffle her tears behind her balled up fists.
Thatch stopped mid step and moved to kneel before her his eyes shifting around her puffy red face as she continued to sniffle. "Hey, you don't need..." He started with a light whisper before she lightly pushed against his shoulder shaking her head and regaining her composure.
Her baby blue eyes cloudy with un-spilled tears. Thatch didn't know why but he felt like a dagger was being driven through his heart. He helped caused her cry didn't he?
"It doesn't matter how, Domino figured something out. She hasn't told me exactly what was said but from what I gathered It was not pretty between them. They both came out a little unhinged." She stated as she bite her lip then shook her head and nodded towards the loading ramp that was just a few steps before them.
Thatch looked back to the loading ramp then towards her wrapping his arm around her shoulder mumbling "Alright." Softly.
She focused on her feet more then the mans touch before her large faded boots stopped at the very spot the ramp met the clean kept dock. She looked down thoughtfully at what her next steps meant.
She was giving up her life.
Thatch nodded to himself noticing the abrupt stop but thought better then to mess with her about it. After all he would have the rest of his life to tease this wonderful woman. And to make up for causing her to cry. Though he didn't know why she cried he would just make sure he would never make her cry again.
"Izo said something about her having a new burn, is that how?" He asked thoughtfully trying to think about something else to say. Still he couldn't ask what he really wanted to ask. Is it a girl or a boy? Or no..no two girls, or worse two boys?
Adaline nodded while still staring at the yellow wood of the ramp contrasting with the dark logs of the dock. "In her defense that was the drunkest I have seen her since last time she saw Marco." Adaline hummed before taking a deep breath and stepping across the ramps wood and began towards the incline.
"It's funny, I've always been there by her side." She stated looking up at the top of the ramp ahead. "But, now I want to be by your side. Just let me finish my job?" She asked herself knowing if she looked at Thatch she would have all the answers she need.
There was no reason to think on this any longer. She was already wasting time. Sorry Dom. So so sorry.
Thatch let out a heavy breath he had not known he was holding before quickly walking behind her. One hand holding her left hand, the other on her back softly helping her stay upright as they took the incline. He had already seen this once graceful sniper lose her balance before and he was not keen on doing that again.
Plus, if he just slid his hand a little further down her back he could grab...
Her right hand pulled his wondering ideas and placed them against the dip in her back.
Thatch smiled sheepishly at the woman who looked distant but a smile on her face.
"Sorry, I had to try." He teased to which she nodded with a light smile. He then looked across the now visible deck with a smile.
They were here. They were home.
Adaline glanced across the large and welcoming deck. It was startling how vast the ship was now that she was no longer a visitor.
She smiled to herself, it looks like the crew had gathered around the loading ramp with giddy faces and red cheeks as she appeared over the railings edge. Thatch jumped down to quickly turn around and lift her round body over the side and place her lightly on the decks surface.
The crew didn't wait for Adaline to kiss Thatch in a thanking way before they quickly threw their hands (and booze) in the air shouting in unison.
"WE SNAGGED A MARINE!"
"WE DID IT!"
"BABY CLUBS!"
Thatch jumped before the giggling Adaline and puffed out his chest motioning towards the shocked and blushing beauty feeling his brothers excitement fuel his motives.
"Behold!" He cheered to the men who instantly lost their eyes at the extended stomach of the former terrifying marine and how she rested a hand over her stomach holding the other above her face to cover up her giggling smile.
She was not the woman they imagined to end up like this. She was always a seductress of evil proportions but right now, she stood glowing before them.
An almost innocent look in her eyes.
They threw their hands before their eyes and looked away. "The baby glow!?" the crew cheered behind closed eyes.
Adaline took in a deep breath and smiled looking around the colorful and well lit deck as swarms of men began to crowd Thatch slapping him ceremoniously on the back. She then released the deep breath and calmly walked towards the large patron figure of the crew.
Her head held high and marine pride slipping away as she faced his golden eyes. "Whitebeard sir?" She asked him with a feeble voice.
The large man made a face of disgust at his daughter talking to him so formally before leaning closer towards her bending over his knee and holding his drink out at an angle, his eyes searching hers in an intense moment.
Thatch watched his captain move from the corner of his eyes and quickly tried to force away the parade of hands that cheered him on and walked towards the woman. The roar of the cheers almost making the conversation the two had inaudible. Quickly he looked back and slapped at the men who cheered for him to shush up.
Which they soon did. However it was to late Whitebeard had already leaned back clearly lost in thought his eyes focused on bellowing smoke from the bath house that began to wrap around the volcano and hotel alike.
Adaline chewed on her lip nervously as Whitebeard's, wait no, pop's large shadow was once again over her.
He let out a determined sigh. "I see, well." He smiled, lifting a weight off Adalines burdened shoulders. "Anything for family."
THANK YOU GUYS For the favs and follows. Sorry if it seems long and dragging on, I have a plan guys. If this section isn't your cup of tea then maybe teh war will be? But later later Thank you guys!