A.N: I can't believe it's been a week since I published the first chapter. I literally got no writing done soooo the next chapter is def going to be late. Especially since next week is midterms week and I also have a lot of assignments due. Hopefully, I'll try to write a little bit throughout the week and get the third chapter out.

I did proofread this however there might still be some mistakes

Alright, that's all enjoy.

Seeing three running kids in the hallways is no longer a weird occurrence, whenever it happens the crew simply smile as they pass them while also being cautious. The three youngest members are nothing but troublemakers, most times than not when they're like that it usually means trouble.

The trio ran for quite a while before they stopped in a corner of the ship that is not used a lot. Ace walked to a corner where a small closet was and opened the door.

The closet was small but big enough to fit all three of them, they walked in as fast as they could and closed the door.

When the boys turned on the light they noticed a notebook that clearly does not belong in this closet as it was the only thing that was not buried in dust.

"There it is," Ace smiled brightly as they sat around the book and pulled it open.

The boys explained to Sabo as Marco's birthday was approaching, what is the problem with it. The problem was that Marco did not like celebrating it.

No one knew exactly why, the only ones that know are most likely Whitebeard and Thatch, as they are the closest to him; however, Ace and Luffy every single year since they started living on the ship started making a small party for Marco. Thatch has secretly written down cake recipes for them to choose from and placed it in the closet. The reason for all the secrecy is that if Marco notices anything will try to stop the whole celebration, so every single year they try to hide it all from him.

"Meat cake sounds the best," Luffy declared as soon as they opened the book. Inside the book there were over eight different recipes for the cake that varied from chocolate to even pistachio, there was even a pineapple cake which the boys found hilarious.

"Luffy there isn't even a meat cake in the options," Luffy pouted at Ace's words. After flipping through the recipes they decided on pineapple cake, as funny as it is pineapple is Marco's favorite food. They bent the page a little where it displayed the recipe before they quickly got out of the closet.

"Do we have a gift?" Sabo asked once they were back in their room. Ace reached inside their box, which holds all their toys. Apparently, the crew bought it for them because of how messy they were when they were younger, they even made a game to get them to put their toys away. The boys got Sabo to play it with them the other day, he is ashamed to say but he fought with Ace about who won. After looking for a while he brought back a small pouch.

"We've been saving up before you came on board, we can use this money to buy the gift. And guess what? Izo agreed to come along," Sabo reached out for the pouch and immediately noticed how heavy it was. He took a slight peek inside and could see that it was a lot of money.

"Wow, you guys have a lot," Luffy nodded from where he was sitting on the desk. He was playing with one of the newer toys that Fossa made. A long stick that has a string with a ball attached to it. Weirdly enough it kept Luffy entertained for a while.

"We usually start saving up from the start of July, so we tend to have a lot by the time it's Marco's birthday," Luffy answered before he yelped loudly and fell to the floor after he slapped himself accidentally with the ball.

"Thatch helps us keep track," Ace added.

Before he could comment on anything, their bedroom door Opened revealing the thirteenth commander.

"You boys ready?" all three boys answered in sync, which caused Izo to chuckle.

"Alright. Let's go."

Marco was having an okay day so far, Thatch made him his favorite breakfast which made him feel really happy. The boys haven't made any trouble the whole day which is a miracle in itself. He's aware of the reason why he's having a good day, it was his birthday. While not everyone on the ship knew about it, a few of the commanders know and it seems they have decided to give Marco a day off.

Marco doesn't seem to think that they are planning a party. He hasn't seen the boys in a while, however, he doesn't think that they're up to anything. From what he knows, Izo took the boys to the island they've docked on a few days ago. The boys have been fussing a lot since yesterday, so it makes sense that Izo took them out to release some of the excess energy they have.

He slipped out to the deck to watch the sunset, it was his favorite time of the day. To watch the colors of the sky change, how it reflects on the sea, and the way it gets darker by the minute. After it was fully dark Marco turned around to go inside only to be stopped by four people staring at him while smiling mischievously.

"Grab him," Thatch yelled as he ran full speed towards Marco. He managed to dodge Thatch, however, he forgot about his other three idiotic little brothers that managed to trip him and handcuff him.

"Not this again. I said no celebration this year, yoi!" The boys giggled loudly, clearly, they were very pleased with themselves. Meanwhile, Thatch pulled him on his feet. Marco forgot that he taught the boys how to trip a grown man a few weeks ago. It seems like it backfired on him.

"Who said we're celebrating, don't be so full of yourself Marco," This only made him more annoyed with them. Luffy grabbed onto his right elbow and pulled him towards the inside of the deck with everyone following closely behind. He could hear their hushed laughter and talks in the background, which only pissed him off even more.

"Yes, today's my birthday and you guys pulling something like this is a total coincidence," Marco was dragged in front of Oyaji's room where everyone gathered, Izo was already standing in front of the door. When he saw them approach them, he smiled softly at the scene before he straightened. Izo turned the knob of the door and opened it to reveal a small secret party. There was a big banner hanging on top of Oyaji's desk that read 'Happy Birthday Marco' that was clearly made by the boys because of the sloppy handwriting, and the weird dinosaur drawing on the sides. On the desk, was everything that Marco loves, from cake to all his favorite meals. It covered Oyaji's giant desk, and from the sight of all the food, Marco started to drool. Oyaji himself was sitting on his bed, his sake in his hand, the minute he saw Marco in the doorway, his smile widened before everyone yelled.

"Happy birthday Marco."

Marco chuckled, despite not wanting to ever celebrate his birthday he still secretly loves it. He loves all the stupid things his little brothers make him, he loves Thatch cooking him all his favorite food, and most importantly he loves how Oyaji acts around him on his birthday. Despite being stingy sometimes, during his birthday Oyaji always acts differently. He is always more affectionate, more father-like.

"Every single year huh?"

After the loud shenanigans of his siblings, a few pineapple jokes, and eating a huge amount of food; it was time to open gifts. Marco did not enjoy gifts, however, his little brothers loved giving him gifts. One time Luffy got him a fish, he tried his hardest to keep it alive but he passed away. Yes, it was a he and his name was Saka. Luffy named it. Ace once gave him a bunch of pineapples, it was his favorite food so he kinda liked it. Naturally, he was scared of what his brothers got him this time. All three of them looked excited about his gift, it almost looked like they had stars in their eyes because of the anticipation.

"We hope you like it," Sabo quietly said but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. He grabbed the gift that was properly wrapped, this was obviously Izo's doing. Marco ripped the wrapping paper and opened the box on the inside.

He was shocked. Shocked was an understatement of what he felt. Inside the box was a beautiful gold belt, it had rectangular boxes with circles on the inside. It was made of real gold. No matter what he expected, this was not it. He did not expect a beautiful gold belt.

"They chose it by themselves, I helped them a little with the money," Izo explained once he looked up at them. His face was filled with shock. Before he broke into a huge grin.

"I love it yoi," All three of his brothers cheered loudly. Luffy even jumped on Oyaji from excitement.

Marco pulled it out of the box and hung it on his light-blue sash. He walked towards Oyaji's giant mirror and looked at his reflection. It jazzed his whole outfit and made him look ten times cooler, it felt like his look was finally complete. He turned around towards his family and grinned,

"Alright this gift was cool but no celebrations next year."