Me, reading chapter 1 with hangover: I have no memory of this, and yet i also do.

For days, he had been gripped with great unease.

It had first happened something 20 odd years before, when what was supposed to be the end of Roger's sentence approach, yet instead of the god himself, it had been Rayleigh who came to visit with a grim look and a piece of letter. Addressed to both of them, it entails a story of his temporary exile, of how, in the recent years approaching the end of his punishment, he had come to do something that one once thought was impossible.

The netherworld god had fallen for a human woman, and it was due to his love for her and their unborn child that he wished to forsake his godhood and stay with her as a human.

Before Whitebeard could even sort out his own reaction and feeling for this turn of event - another one of his loved ones, taken away by humans, no matter how happy Roger had sounded like - somewhere along the way, it had all gone so wrong. Rayleigh returned not long after with dire news, that Roger had returned despite his letter. He told of a war, started by humans, in which in his desperation to save the woman he loved, Roger had to reveal his true nature and safe her and the village they had resided in.

Yet, it was all for naught. The woman died nonetheless, not in the hands of the enemy but those humans who he wanted to protect. They feared him, feared the woman who bore his child, and even fear an innocent babe, who perished along with an innocent woman, whose only fault was being loved by the god of the dead.

And Roger returned, not to reclaim his previous position, but for what not even those of the undead gods had dared to do: He traversed into the land of souls, a realm so far away from this place, in hopes to find his beloved family and hoping to bring them back.

Whitebeard had, not for the first time, cursed humans and what they had done to his friend. His anger had caused earthquakes that toppled the area where Roger supposedly lived in last and even disrupted the ongoing war, destroying troops and kingdoms until there was not enough left for a war to be had. Sakazuki had been displeased by his actions, but he refused to acknowledge the war god and all of his goading.

Until, at least, he began to raise hell on his own, inciting more wars than the last one Whitebeard had stopped. Villages and towns ran over by men the violent god had influenced, and even personally participate in. Even with all of his hatred towards the wretched beings, it still disgust Whitebeard on how much the other god had bragged about his achievement, killing human men with his bare hands, and even taking children's life by spearing right through them.

The war didn't last long, not by a god's standard, but it took a lot out of Whitebeard by the end of it. Sakazuki only reminded him of Marco's birth, the memory he would never be ready to relive again, and in the end, there was no real winner. He returned defeated, dejected and tired, as he wont to feel these days.

Then, suddenly, something seems to change overnight.

Everything had seemed so bright this entire year. The pang of loneliness and longing that Whitebeard was constantly plagued with, his constant reminder of Marco's existence and his exile, suddenly turned to companionship and fondness, and in the end, much to his delight, it hard even turned to love and affection. The lands around Moby Dick had bloomed and prosper throughout those weeks, in recognition of what must've happened: At long last, after 200 years of wandering, Marco had found someplace else to belong, another place or person who had given him what he had lost.

For the first time in so long, Whitebeard's desperation to look into his pond and see his son was not only due to the yearning to once again see him, but to see him happy away from his family. He wished to see who was it that caused these joyful emotions and give them his blessing.

Yet, for all he wished this to be long lasting, there was a sudden fluctuation he hadn't been expecting. Suddenly, there was pain. Pain that only seems to gradually increase with every passing day, a sign that Marco's life could be in danger. And yet, at the same time, there is still the warm pulse of love, a wish for someone's happiness. It grew stronger along with the agony, and along with it, Whitebeard's worry.

Then, it all happen too fast.

Where it had been a day like usual, suddenly there is a torturous grip in the middle of his chest, as if he had been struck down by an invisible enemy. Around him, demigods, those he had come to view as his own, flocked in concern, throwing questions here and there and so palpably feeling helpless that it all overwhelmed Whitebeard. He feared telling them the truth: That their brother, the one they had lost, is so close to disappear from this world.

Whitebeard could feel the exact moment his son dies. In that very moment, standing in the middle of his court and surrounded by the rest of his children, he doubled over once again as he let out a mournful bellow that shook the earth itself. He willed the cold realisation of imminent death away the same time as he cursed that day several millennia ago, when he last saw the back of his beloved son and doomed him to this fate.

Marco dies with love and acceptance in his heart, the same love that had filled after centuries of loneliness and being directionless.

But even knowing that, it wasn't enough to dampen the grief.

Scowling and with his fist balled angrily, Whitebeard stared down at the group of humans surrounded by his children, fearing perverse satisfaction at the apparent fear and wariness amongst them. One man, with a criss-crossing tattoo on one side of his face showed very little of such, and it was with an air of diplomacy that slightly impressed Whitebeard did he took a step forward, mindful of is surrounding, "The Earth God, Whitebeard, i presumed? It is with great honour that i am able to finally meet you,"

Whitebeard kept his silence, and was already half a mind decimating the group if he wasn't intrigued by this man. He held himself differently from Marshall Teach, the last human to ever step on his courts, without an air of malice.

And there was also the fact that he could not be bothered. Ever since Marco's death, it felt as if all of his power and stamina had been sucked out of him, and the god found himself more often than not isolating himself in the patio, overlooking his pond. For 2 long years he sat there, reminiscing out of the most the memory he both treasured and cursed of a much younger Marco uttering his wish in that same place. The wish that led to his demise.

At his silence, the human took another step, and quickly stepped backward when Vista aimed his swords to the man's direction in a clearly threatening move, "Don't you dare approach our father, human," the demigod spat, and turned towards the silent god, "We should just kill them all off, Pops. That humans could find a way to get here is dangerous enough, we can't risk anymore of them coming in—"

"Please, allow me to explain," the human spoke again, voice even as if he didn't have a sharp end of a sword pointed closely at him, "My name is Monkey D. Dragon, scholar, archeologist and enthusiast for the history of the older gods. It is through extensive research that i have conducted all my life that i could find this place, and now that i am here, the last thing i wish to do is to cause you any trouble,"

"Be quiet!" Haruta shouted from the side, his own sword extended closely to a human boy who has three of his own swords out, two in hand and one gripped between his teeth, "Like we're going to get fooled again! Humans had caused nothing but suffering for us, you lot even took our brother—" the half-dwarf's breath hitched before he could get the last word out, which he shook of and continued as if nothing has happened, "We don't want any excuses! We should just kill all humans after what you've done to our kind! To Phoenix!"

A quiet hitch of breath resounded from the midst of the humans, but as low as it was, it was deafening in the ensuing silence. Whitebeard's tired eyes glanced over to the young man pushing back a younger boy back into the centre of the cornered group, something akin to recognition in his eyes as he turned towards Haruta. He watched as the young man's hand moved down slowly to his waist, to where what looked like a small urn was attached to the belt, and tightly gripped it by the lid.

"But we haven't done anything!" The young boy being held back by the mysterious young man protested loudly, even as the boy with three swords and a blond with swirled brow shushed him, "We're just excited to meet the gods and the cool people those old books said would be here. And you guys are cool!"

"Luffy, not now," another blond man, standing somewhere close by Dragon spoke in hushed voice, "Damnit, Ace, do something!"

It took the god a few moments to realize he was addressing the man with the odd urn, who barely seemed to hear him. Instead, his hold tightened around the urn yet again, so tight his knuckles are starting to turn white.

Pain gripped Whitebeard all of the sudden as he laid eyes on the urn. There was something inside of him, from a place that has been too quiet for the pass 2 years, which absence he felt strongly with every passing second, that grips him. A cacophony of voices started calling out for him, some followed by rage and declaration to quickly take care of their intruders. From his side, he could feel Jozu reaching him, asking if he was alright, but everything around him felt so distant, as if they were worlds away.

Whitebeard's attention was only on one thing, the one thing that began to dawn on him like yet another burning stab in his chest.

"You!" he bellowed angrily, and without thinking, loomed over the group of humans and single-mindedly aimed for the dark haired man, grabbing and lifting him with one hand. The rest of the humans called out his name in panic, the blond man and the young boy even leaping over to stop him if they weren't stopped by Kingdew and Atmos' greater bulk.

"Ace!"

"Ace! Drop him, you stupid god!"

Yet, unlike the rest of the humans, the one in Whitebeard's hold was still, not petrified from fear but what could only be said is acceptance in his expression. Solemn and sorrowful, he was still as Whitebeard brought him to eye level, "That urn," the god gritted, angry and unnerved by the silence this human gave him, "What is inside of it?"

The human - Ace, as that young dark haired boy kept screaming - took said object from his belt, and held it close to his chest. In this proximity, the pain grew even stronger, that Whitebeard grunted and bit the insides of his mouth at the intensity. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he felt like he already knew the answer. He knew the cause of this pain, and why it resonated with that item in the human's possession.

Yet, there was still this inkling of rejection, of disbelief in him.

Until Ace looked back up, eyes shining with unshed tears and told him quietly, "I just want Marco to come back home,"

Marco. The name that had been a taboo for him for the last 200 years, one that brings nothing but misery and regret.

Below them, there was a brief, shocked silence, that was broken by Thatch's despairing gasp of, "Marco? D-did he say…. Marco?" his swords clattered loudly as his grip slackened, staring open mouthed at Ace. With wide eyes and gasping breath, he choked out, "That's… that's Marco? Our Marco?"

"You bastard! You little bastard!" come Izou's banshee-like screech, staring in horror at the innocuous urn, "What have you done to Marco?! You killed him! You're the one who killed him, didn't you?!"

The tears on Ace's eyes, held back at bay from sheer will, finally seems to fall as Marco's brothers began calling and mourning him openly, realizing the fate of their brother. He held the urn even tighter against his chest, curling around it as if he was embracing another person.

For a second, the pain inside of Whitebeard loosened, and was replaced by the familiar wash of cool breeze. It reminded him of that day thousands of years back, of holding a small baby chick in his hand that adamantly tried to heal a palm larger than its own body. It felt soothing and calming, and it reached out to this young human, something that wasn't him, one that held so much love for this strange creature.

Suddenly, all rage and pain for these humans seems to subside, and Whitebeard's body and heart felt so heavy with turmoil.

In a soft voice that surprised even himself, Whitebeard spoke, "What was he to you, human? How is it that you come into possession of his remains?"

The tugging urge to comfort Ace became stronger, like a hand trying to extend towards this small, fragile, mortal body in his grip. Even in death, even perished, some of Marco still lingers, and it reacted to this human strongly.

And the same emotion was also evident in the human's look, in the gentle way he caressed the urn, in the tears and soft, sorrowful smile, "They're all i have left of him," Ace whispered, "They're all i have left of my husband,"

"Husband?! What kind of insolence—" the noises below started again in shock, of Marco's sibling obviously confused and lost by this new development, "Marco would never—! A human—!"

"It was all my fault. If only i had known what he was doing, if just told him harder that he was enough for me, then he wouldn't have," the dark haired human paused, unable to uttered the words, "He was my happiness, and i wish he would've understood that. Nothing he ever gave me would mean more to me than him himself and our time together. But he kept pushing himself, and i couldn't stop him until it was too late,"

Salty tears fell on Whitebeard's hand, as more and more of it pours out from those stormy grey orbs and down upon freckled cheeks. This human's mourning was real, he could feel it resonating in him, closely mirroring his own. And where he could feel the wretched second where his son was lost to the world, he knew now that this had been the human who was by Marco's side, the cause for that love he felt blooming after so long of pain and desperation for another place to belong, to the very end.

"It was always in Marco's nature to bring happiness to others, especially to those he deemed worthy of it," the god rumbles in a subdued manner, his grip around the human loosening as he deposited him to the other palm facing up. Ace fell on to his knee on his palm, still clutching the urn tightly against his chest, "The question is, why would he meant so much to you, human? Was it for what he was capable of? His nature?"

The tugging urge in his head became stronger and stronger with every rivulet of tears that fell, with every genuine sobs that shows a wound that has never truly healed even after what would be a long time for a human.

Humans have always been greedy, that he knew. Their seemingly never-ending lust for more has tainted his earth, and it had been their violent nature that drove those who has become his children to him. It was humans who had caused his friend to be lost and never heard from for 20 years, whose last words to him had been that of an almost farewell.

Once upon a time, he had thought them precious. Then, he had hated them for all the way they had wronged him. For everything they had done to his creations, stealing his son, for taking away his one friend, now lost in his own journey, and in the end, for taking his son's life. He would never understood Marco's once enthusiasm for them, or the words in Roger's letter, explaining his disappearance.

Then, Ace looked back up to him, "Because i love him," he uttered, and there was not a single lie that cold be found, that Whitebeard even felt, in those words, "And all i wanted was to give him just as much happiness as he had given me. If all he ever wanted was to come home, then i wanted to give that to him,"

But perhaps, right at that very moment, he could understand why they had both fallen so deeply.

No longer able to hold back, Whitebeard followed through with the insistent urge in back of his head and placed his other hand on Ace's back, almost engulfing the entirety of the human's height. With his pointer, he placed it between Ace's head and shoulder, a comforting gesture, "If that's what you feel, then he is home," Whitebeard told him, "He was already home when he was with you,"

A shaky smile appeared on the dark haired human's lips. He loosened his grip on the urn and placed it down on the god's palm, unable to conceal the obvious reluctance, "Yet this is where he belonged, right here with his family,"

Hunching down, Whitebeard slowly lowered Ace back down to the floor, carefully helping the human off from his palm. Humans and demigods alike around them had fallen silent, all eyes on both the god and human who had found commonality in their love for the same entity. The earth god retracted his hand back, with the urn still in place, which he caressed the surface of the way Ace had done repeatedly.

"You are right," he said again, staring back at red rimmed grey eyes, "His place is right here, with us,"

With a grand gesture, Whitebeard summoned the recesses of memory from thousand years back, of knowledge imparted to him by an apologetic friend for the sake of his wailing child. It was a fond memory he treasured and would recall in his darkest time, or the two who kept his loneliness at bay, who he thought he had lost for all eternity.

Dark burst of fire emerged from his hand, summoned from the bowels of the realm of the dead itself. Panicked brew under him, drowned in as the god spoke in a booming voice, "This is a fire from a dear friend of mine, the undying flame from the netherworld. To any living creature, this fire will take their soul away," he brought both of his palms together, the one holding the urn underneath his flaming hand, "But to Phoenix, the bird of Life itself, this flame could only ever gives life,"

As he clapped his hands, the ground around him shook mightily, sending everyone in the vicinity off their feet.

Gasp of wonder mingled in the air as the fire burst into colour, wisp of sky blue flickering amongst the shadowy flame before it entirely consumed it. Whitebeard lowered his hand back to the ground and deposited the fire away, just a few steps in front of a wide-eyed Ace, as the fire gave another burst, brighter and bigger, the formless hurricane slowly gaining form.

The fire slowly morphs down, where one could see the outlines of a bird with its wings spread wide, flames descending into billowing feathers. Life began to pour back inside of Whitebeard, consciousness forming inside of that corner of his mind that has been desolate for too long. He felt it forming, rejuvenating him along as the bird slowly turned into another form, that of a human.

Smile bloomed on the god's face as joy pours into every corner of his being, "Welcome back, my son,"

Shouts of surprise and of jubilation began to form around him, but none of them took his attention as much as Ace's gratified cry of Marco's name. In a split second, the dark haired human was back on his feet and sprinting over to Marco's restored form, still and only slowly regaining his consciousness.

Whitebeard noted the dark fire that still surrounded the blond, and raised his hand to alarm Ace, "Wait, Ace, don't get too close. The fire is still burning, it will kill y—"

To consumed as he is by his joy that Ace obviously couldn't hear Whitebeard's warning, and yet, none of it was even necessary. To his bewilderment, despite fearing for the worst, the god watched the mortal jumped straight through the still fiery blaze to enveloped his dazed, resurrected love, name chanted as if it was a mantra or a prayer.

"Marco!" Tears runs anew down his face, this time out of sheer joy, "Marco, it's you, it's really you!"

"…Ace?" Marco muttered, voice still groggy, but his arms were wrapped around the body clinging tightly on to him, and as recognition slowly returned, they tightened even more, "Ace. My love, oh, my love, it's me,"

"You're such a fucking idiot!" the vitriol is said with anguish, for all the affection and happiness that shone from the human as he pulled back just enough to trapped the demigod's face in both his hands, pressing their foreheads close, "You made me lose you! You died and you left me all alone! I mourned for you, Marco! You promised me forever, and you left me!"

"I'm sorry," Marco's grip tightened even more, two beings wrapped so closely it doesn't look like they could ever separate again, "I'm sorry for making you sad and leaving. My moon, my sun, the very air that i breathe, my greatest delight," every words were emphasis with a kiss, from the forehead to the temple, both cheeks, tip of the nose, and a brush to the side of the lips, "Are you still mine? Will you still let me fulfil my promise for an eternity with you?"

Marco's words receive no reply other than the deep, searing kiss with the passion that burns hotter than even the otherworldly flames around them.

The display of reunited love, as well as the return of one of their own, had seemed to disperse any hostility. Whitebeard's children began to voice out their excitement, surrounding the couple, and some, in their state of merriness, had even grabbed some of the confused humans they had drawn weapon on before to hug and dance along with. Dragon's stoic expression finally gave way to befuddlement when Vista pulled him into a tight hug, before being let go when the demigod launched himself along with his siblings.

Before all of the, Whitebeard watched as the last of Roger's flame finally died down to nothing, and silently observed the human in the middle of the pile of laughing and cheering demigods.

How had he survived that fire? He had seen Roger's power, had known and feared what would've happened if any living being, never mind something as fragile as mortals even slightly grazed netherworld's flames. And yet, he had passed them through like mist. It shouldn't have happened.

Unless…

He took in the young boy's features, the dark hair, and, as Namur pulled the Ace for a hug and accidentally pulling the collar of his shirt down, he saw the telltale sign of faded scar. He had seen that once before, the only other person Marco - Phoenix - had failed to fully heal.

Could it really be…? After all this time?

Even with the outpouring of Marco's delight and happiness in his mind, one of Whitebeard's own began to emerge for himself.

Roger, are you still out there, dear old friend? Do you still scour your realm to search for the soul of the human woman you have fallen for? Do you still wonder of the fate for your beloved babe?

My dear friend, the Netherworld God, i may have found him…

In the first time since the history of time itself, Temple of Moby Dick saw a celebration attended by both gods, demigods and humans, all mingling together as if there was no difference between them. Despite having all of his wishes granted, Dragon's expression had remained unchanged, and he spent the entire feast sitting and pouring through records he had been given by Whitebeard, frowning heavily. Sabo, his right hand man and Ace's brother, had assured him that the man is obviously beyond elated by this turn of event, which was easily seen through what was supposed to be a happy frown.

It was then Whitebeard also thought that maybe there are more mystery to these humans than he had previously thought.

In the midst of the merriment, Marco and Ace has yet to let each other go, hands always tightly holding on to each other. Marco had indulged Ace's other brother, Luffy with all of his odd questions - including but not limited to eggs, nest and poop, to which the young boy was smacked on the top of his head by Ace - while Ace was busy juggling the attention of all of Marco's siblings, all wanting to get to know the human who had captured their brother's heart.

As much as Whitebeard wanted to involve himself, he was content in observing, revelling in the constant foreign emotion that has once again occupied him, the connection to his firstborn once again returning. He could feel Marco's happiness to be back, his adoration in knowing Ace's family and friends, and most of all, the love that pulsed through every time he even as much as look at Ace.

"But i'm still mad we didn't get to see your wedding," Luffy loudly announced, pouting at Ace's affectionate chuckles, "Weddings are so fun! Even we got to do one for Robin and Franky in the last expedition, and there's so much good food and we get to party all night. You didn't wait until me and Sabo are back,"

"Sabo and i," Ace corrected, in that brotherly way that sounded like a familiar routine, "And i'm sorry, Luffy, but after Marco asked, we wanted to do it as soon as possible," at this, he glanced to the blond man on his side, smiling and leaning back, almost nuzzling, "I wanted him all for myself quickly as possible,"

Marco kissed the back of his hand and temple, pulling Ace closer by his side, "A vow is simply a formality; i was already yours since that very first day you saved me," he pressed a longer, sweeter kiss on the human's lips, ignoring the cooing and jeering, "For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love you and cherish you,"

Ace's gaze was full of warmth, that it felt almost intruding to gaze at them, but his smile slowly died, as he whispered, "Til death do us apart,"

The crowd around them began to quiet down, as if sensing the sudden change in mood. Death has torn them apart, Marco's return doesn't erase the 2 years Ace spent grieving over a lost love. Marco's hand tightened his hold around Ace, wishing to chase away his solemnity.

Whitebeard sat up straighter, gaining the attention of everyone in the room, "Perhaps," he began amicably, "A new vow is in order, one that does not stop at the limitation held back by human customs. Come here, the two of you, stand before me," the god gestured, and stood up from his seat at the end of the table.

Though visibly confused, both followed through with his request, stopping just before him, right in front of everyone. Whitebeard gestured for them to face each other, and as he stood between them, from the small titters on the table and the smiles that began to appear on the couple's face, it would seem that they had began to see what he was trying to do.

"Dearly beloved, friends and family, we're all gathered here," it was fuzzy at best, but Whitebeard could recall the few times he had seen human marriage customs from his pond. Gods never had such ceremonies, as binding relationship means little to them, but this is different, "having bore witness to the reunion between two souls, and now, to once again bless their union in a holy matrimony,"

All activity halted in favour of watching the impromptu wedding, except for Luffy, who let out a loud whoop from where he sat and was quickly shushed by the green haired human next to him.

"What was once taken away has been returned," he placed one hand behind Marco's back, pushing him slightly to the front, "and we've learned that love, true love, goes beyond any boundaries," he did the same to Ace, pushing both closer, "triumphing over descent, hardship, and even death,"

It had not mattered to Ace when he finally discovered Marco's true nature, and Whitebeard has no doubt it would matter once he revealed to them Ace's true heritage. Marco found his home again, in a human who had saved a helpless bird at the cost of his own pain. For his kindness, Ace gained said bird's love and loyalty, until he gave his life away in return.

"I am Whitebeard, god of earth, ruler of the lands and the living, and with my blessing i bestow upon you an eternally blessed union, for the only thing that could truly separate you is the death of love itself,"

The next step, he remembered vaguely, was supposed to be where he allowed them to kiss. Before the first word could even left him, the kiss had already commenced, prompting swift reply from everyone else in the form of cheers and well wishes.

Whitebeard only laughed raucously, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, finally felt true happiness.

"So, you've had your suspicion of what he was?"

It felt almost nostalgic when in the middle of his usual nightly activity, imbibing himself by the pond, Marco suddenly strolled in and sat next to him. Whitebeard decided not to think about how long it has been since his son accompanied him in this spot, and instead offered him another cup. They had sat together in silence, soaking in this chance both thought was no longer within their reach once upon a time, but eventually, they began small talks, nothing significant, just relishing each other's presence.

Until the topic of Ace's parentage was brought up.

Marco nodded, silently taking a sip from the cup of ambrosia, "When i failed to heal him the first time, i was immediately reminded about what Roger said. I thought he had been a demigod whose power never manifested physically, closely related to the undead due to his incident," he shook his head in disbelief, sighing, "I would never in a million years guessed that he's actually Roger's son,"

"The resemblance is too uncanny, but i don't know for sure," Whitebeard told him, "The only person who can know for sure is Roger himself,"

The bottom of the cup being put back down to the table cluttered loudly in the ensuing silence, "Marco," the god called out quietly, "Today, i invited a slew of humans into my court, and even welcomed them to stay and rest amongst us. It would be highly hypocritical of me to keep up the law of your banishment," he glanced to the side, catching his son staring at him, "This is still your home and you are always welcome to stay, no matter what the court of gods and Sengoku would have to say,"

In truth, he wanted to beg for forgiveness, for Marco to stay with them again.

And yet, deep down, he knows that those days were over. Nothing to do with Marshall Teach or his banishment, Whitebeard already knew he had lost his son truly the day he felt seeds of love for humans growing in his heart, that he was even determined in breaking godly laws for one. He himself had caused it the moment he created Marco.

So it didn't even surprised him when Marco shook his head sadly, "Once upon a time, hearing those words is everything i ever wanted," he said sombrely, "But i'm afraid, i have found someplace else i am needed and i wanted to be. You are still my father, and everyone here is still my brothers, but i have my own family now, Pops. And wherever Ace wanted to go, i will go with him,"

Whitebeard nodded, and even knowing it was coming, he would be lying if he say it didn't cause him pain, "Promise to visit now and again at least. Bring Ace with you, he is as good as family now,"

Marco grinned, the gesture only making apparent the tears that he had been holding back at Whitebeard's reaction, "Of course, Pops,"

With the hostile welcome they had received days before, it was odd how tearful the farewell were.

Dragon has expressed his gratitude for the materials Whitebeard's hospitality, and promised to keep his discovery to the temple a secret. In return, the god allowed him to take back several artefact that held long undiscovered history of old gods and civilization yet unknown, which the man received with the most stern frown his face almost seems to crumple into itself.

His extremely happy face, as Sabo had dubbed it.

The last and the one to receive most goodbyes and promises to visit again was Marco and Ace, predictably, but so does Dragon's son, Luffy, whose excitement for adventure had endeared all of the demigods with stories to share. On the last day of the expedition party's stay, he had even declared, right there in the middle of dinner that he will start his own adventure party and visit all of the wonders he had been told about, before offering every demigod and humans if they wanted to join his crew.

From what Whitebeard had gathered, the green haired swordsman and blond chef had been instantly - forcibly - roped into this adventure crew, while Luffy's own brothers promised to join in once they settled their own businesses; Sabo with his expeditions and research with Dragon, and Ace with his own search for his father.

Ace had been silent as Whitebeard revealed to him the possibility of the god of underworld as his father, as well as showing him the last letter Roger gave him via Rayleigh. It's unknown whether or not Ace could survive being in the underworld realm - though his heritage should ensure that he is - but he had been determined to see the man at least once. And Marco was adamant in accompanying him.

As they delivered their final farewells to the humans, Whitebeard's eyes were solely focused on Marco's distancing back.

As his son turned around and grinned at him with a wave, he knew in his heart that this time, that won't be the last time he sees him.

"These past few days as been so surreal," Sabo quipped from where he laid on the ground, his notes and books full of text to translate now abandoned, "We get to meet gods, and demigods, and somehow Ace's husband came back to life… wait, how the hell did that happen?"

As he said this, he sat up and turned to the two figures across the campfire, huddling closely despite the warm air.

Marco lifted his head from Ace's shoulder, alert despite having dozed for a short while now, "Hmm? What was your question again?"

"You, like, what are you?" the younger blond waved his hand in a vague gesture, almost hitting Koala who sat by his head. The girl flicked him on the side of the face as a revenge, "The hell was with the whole fire show and all. You really died, right? And then that fire resurrected you? Are you a fire demigod of sorts?"

Marco only laughed, while Ace snorted, "You were the one who did research for this journey, and you still haven't figure it out?"

"Well if Marco's in any of the text i read, i sure haven't seen it," he rolled his eyes upward in a thinking gesture, "Nope, no man born out of flames or anything,"

"Well, first of all, he wasn't even noted as a 'man'," Ace said, and rolled his eyes impatiently when Sabo - and Koala's - eyes immediately went to Marco's exposed chest, "And i know about this because you were the one who kept sending me letters about ancient text books that talks about Marco. So yeah, Sabo, guess what, you might have studied your brother in law after all,"

If anything, the blond looks even more confused, "What are you talking about? The studies i sent you was mostly about— Phoenix!"

It only briefly startled Ace when the man next to him suddenly transformed into a giant bird, but he quickly adapted by curling both arms around long neck and surprisingly study body. All around them, there were a flurry of surprise that quickly died down. After days spent with what was once thought to be mythical beings, it would seem that nothing will surprise these people anymore.

"Sabo, meet Phoenix," Ace told his wide eyes brother, while he can hear his other one quickly approaching and excitedly exclaiming 'giant chicken!', "Your brother in law,"

So this whole ending sounds like a sequel hook.

It's not. At least, i don't think so.

But that's the end of 'Crane Wife re-telling, with the ending being my own spinoff i guess. Please tell me what you think, and thank you so much for sticking by so long, or, for those just reading, thanks so much for reading to this far! I hope you all enjoyed, and see you in the next updates/fic!