Hello readers and happy new year !
I'm sorry, my update schedule is a mess... As if I still have an actual update schedule, ahahah ^^
This chapter was ready a few days ago but I had troubles with the end of the chapter ... Anyway, I hope it's good enough, feel free to tell me if it's not
PS: Again, I thank you for your help Wonderful_Vanilla_Ice_Cream ( you should just enjoy the fact that I'm grateful to you and stop being such a blushing virgin with compliments. Suck it up, I'm nothing without you ;)
Special thanks to TigerMii who was kind enough to check for grammar/spelling mistakes and for helping me out with the end of the chapter !
Chapter 9: The Art of Deception
21 Dec 2016, 10.21 a.m, from Thatch: Why did you ditch Izo like that Tuesday night ? I can't hear the end of it. Going off to fuck whomever and leaving me to deal with the aftermath. Such a friend you are.
21 Dec 2016, 6:43 p.m, from Thatch: Ace you're a dead man. I mean it.
22 Dec 2016, 2:12 p.m, from Thatch: I'm gonna hunt you down and kill you slowly.
22 Dec 2016, 8:45 p.m, from Thatch: You're going to suffer as much as I'm suffering.
22 Dec 2016, 8:46 p.m, from Thatch: It's a promise.
23 Dec 2016, 11:51 a.m, from Thatch: God dammit Ace ! Tell Izo you're sorry ! Spare me !
23 Dec 2016, 6:24 p.m, from Thatch: Just send him a text message. My ears are bleeding.
23 Dec 2016, 7:06 p.m, from Thatch: When I'm dead you'll realise your mistake. But it will be too late.
24 Dec 2016, 9.36 a.m, from Thatch: I beg you. Please. Isn't Christmas supposed to be a truce ?
24 Dec 2016, 10:38 a.m, from Thatch: Please, pretty, pretty please. I'll do whatever you want.
24 Dec 2016, 3.16 p.m, from Thatch: Thank you. I mean it. And Merry Christmas !
- Letting go -
As it was, his little brother was – and probably always would be – a wonder. When Ace had stated that spending Christmas alone wouldn't bother him Luffy had been horrified, his eyes widening comically and his mouth hanging open. He had then taken it upon himself to make sure Ace wasn't alone. Because Christmas was no joking matter. And Christmas meat was even better than every day meat.
That was the reason why Ace was sitting at a table overflowing with delicious food cooked by Sanji, discussing with Robin and Nami while listening to Brook, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper singing a Christmas song. Luffy was slightly off key but it was funny listening to him.
Law was there too but as long as he didn't talk to him, Ace had no problem with him being there. He had decided to be more... lenient... so it started with tolerating his presence despite his own personal feelings.
Still the bloody bastard was casting strange looks his way and Ace didn't quite know what to make of them. It was not hateful glare or anything vindictive. It was much more puzzling. A blend of wariness and suspiciousnes... or so it seemed. Did Law think Ace was going to crash the party because he couldn't stand the beast ? Humpf, what a bloody idiot. Ace wouldn't do anything that would make Luffy sad and crashing his Christmas party ? Yeah that wouldn't be good. So Ace was actually quite well-behaved despite the furtive glances cast his way by the moron his brother was infatuated with.
"You know, Ace, I don't know who would win the death match." Robin said, laughing lightly behind her hand, mirth twinkling in her dark eyes.
"What ? What death match ?" Ace asked puzzled, turning his attention to the woman at his side.
"Between you and Torao of course." She replied matter of factly, slowly sipping her glass of red wine.
Ace spluttered and looked at her funnily.
"We're not going to kill each other. And if we were to fight, of course I would win." He said, preening like a peacock.
He remembered all to well that he had lost the last time but without Luffy's interruption he would have won. Definitely. No question asked.
Robin let out her peculiar laugh, a wide smile stretching her thin lips.
"You never know. Maybe it would be a draw with both of you lying in pools of each other blood."
Used to Robin's tendency to say creepy things, Ace simply shook his head and snorted, feigning hurt.
"No way. I would kick his ass."
"Do you want to bet ? I could make a lot of money of a match between the two of you..." Nami chipped in, her eyes taking a sly edge. She was likely rubbing her hands with glee in her mind.
"No thank you, I'm not gonna fight him. Especially on Christmas Eve." Ace refused, looking poised and collected. No need to tell them he would gladly fight the beast but couldn't. Because Luffy wouldn't like it at all...
Nami huffed and went to fetch some more alcohol.
"Sourpuss." She called out.
Ace shook his head but replied nothing, smiling softly.
Luffy had a knack for finding strange – but interesting – friends. All of them were good people and he was glad his brother had people like these he could lean on. He would need it...
Luffy's laugh rung in the room, breaking Ace's deleterious train of thought.
"Ace is a sourpuss !" He began to sing, waiving his hands wildely. "Sourpuss ! Sourpuss!"
Feigning outrage, Ace got up and began to give chase to his silly little brother, laughing merrily. Ace was definitely enjoying himself.
A nearly collasped buffet was all it took to have Sanji dragging Luffy by the ear to sit down. The young man was left pouting, glaring at Sanji and muttering curses. After a short while – five minutes, really – Luffy got up again and the party went on.
"It's midnight ! Merry Christmas !" Luffy belowed, dancing widly on the piano. Brook was looking at him warmly and was even laughing lightly. What a laid back guy. Had it been his piano, Ace would have dragged Luffy down and beat him within an inch of his life.
Everyone followed his lead and wished a Merry Christmas.
"My gift ! My giiift ! Where's my gift ?" Luffy asked, bouncing in the room grabbing everyone by the collar making puppy eyes to get his gift.
As there was too many persons they had decided to do a Secret Santa so that it would be easier.
Ace had drawn Zoro's name. The man liked sake and sword. So between buying him alcohol and trying to find an antique he had decided to go for the latter option. Aided by Robin who was a renowned archeologist, he had found an old katana who had belonged to a samourai. Such katanas were normally sold in the black market and not found easily. Still, a collector named Mihawk wanted to part with some of them and Robin helped him get a nice discount. If Ace had asked Nami maybe he would have gotten it for nothing...
"Thank you Ace." Zoro said, seemingly touched, a soft smile streching his lips as he appraised the sword and its sheath.
"Your very welcome." Ace replied, glad his gift pleased the green-haired man.
"Here." Said someone behind him.
He turned around and nearly smacked his face into the book held in front of him.
"I think you'll like it." Usopp said a genuine smile stretching his lips. "I didn't know what to get you so it's not much but..."
He grinned and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
The book was black and silver words spelled "Memories" on the cover. Opening it, Ace was greeted with smiling faces. Luffy, Sabo and himself wearing hats on their heads, smiling warmly, arms around each other. The three of them looked so happy. With each page turned his smile widened and his eyes dampened. Carefully penned silver words dated all the photos and gave a short description of where the photos had been taken. A picnic, several from their camping trip, a few of the hospital when Luffy had broken his ankle, birthdays...
"I asked Luffy to give me some photos and kinda stole the others from your computer..." Usopp added warily as Ace hadn't said a word since receiving the book.
"I... Thank you Usopp. I... It's really a wonderful gift."
Usopp smiled and patted Ace shoulder.
"Yeah, of course, after all it's a gift from the Great Usopp-sama !"
Laughing Ace wiped his eyes quickly, before a tear could fell from his eyes and smiled warmly.
"Yeah. Thank you great Usopp-sama." Ace said laughing.
Luffy's delighted laughter broke this moment. He had gotten ten coupons to eat at Sanji's restaurant for free. Woah. The man was definitely courageous – if a little crazy – giving his brother this kind of gift...
- Letting go -
Christmas has come and had been strained with Kid since their discussion the week before. It was already Wednesday and neither had brought their conversation up. Still, it was clear something was very wrong between the two of them. Ace spent his time in his office, no longer pretending to work. He was definitely considering selling his shop to Kid. Bonney and Bartolomeo already came to him to know what was wrong but he stayed tight-lipped despite their nagging. They probably didn't want to ask the red-hair. His glare could be really scary. Still they gave up pretty easily as neither wanted to be fired.
Ace regretted how things went south between the two of them. He didn't wanted to strain his relationship with Kid. He liked his friend deeply and was saddened by this situation. He wanted him to move on not to be ... like this ! He couldn't even put a name on Kid's attitude. He wasn't sad or angry but it was like a huge cloud hung over his head, his feature frozen in an eternal frown. He was depressed, wasn't he ? Ace hadn't expected this. Would it have been better if he hadn't told him anything ? Ace wasn't sure. Still, dying with Kid still having hope was worse than having him putter around gloomily for a few month, wasn't it ?
- Letting go -
"Hey, Kid." Bonney called, licking her strawberry flavoured lollipop with delectation.
A grunt was her reply. Huffing she came to stand in front of Kid and looked up, not moving an inch even though the man was glaring at her.
"I'm busy." He snapped.
"What's the matter with Ace ?" She asked.
"Nothing." He said tersely before trying to side-step her.
She grabbed his forearm and squeezed gaining a small grunt in reward. She might be petite but she was strong. Growing up with three brothers tended to do that.
"Piss off, Bonney." He growled threateningly.
She squeezed harder and a slight grimace appeared on Kid's face.
"What's wrong with Ace ?"
He remained silent and looked elsewhere, probably waiting for her to give up. How silly of him. When Bonney wanted something, be it food or answer, she got them. No question asked. She was good at puppy eyes and if it came to that she gave as good as she got. Not willing to let him off the hook, she dragged a reluctant Kid to the break room. She pushed him in a chair and stood before him, tapping her foot on the floor.
"So. Mind telling me what's wrong between the two of you ?"
Silence met her question. Kid didn't move an inch, choosing to simply glare right at her, his arms crossed before his chest, a scowl on his face.
She snorted and put a hand before her mouth as she was about to giggle.
"What are you ? A seven years old brat ?"
That got her a reaction. He made to stand up but Bonney applied pressure on a very sensitive spot on his shoulder and Kid sat back with an unmanly yelp.
"Don't you run, now." She chided him.
She turned around, opened a box stored in the closet and took out a chocolate bar. She went back to Kid and looked at him, sympathy shining in her eyes.
"Here." She said, holding out her chocolate bar.
Kid looked at her funnily and reached out slowly, as if afraid that she would tear his head off for attempting to steal her food.
"Come on." She huffed, waiving the chocolate bar left and right, visibly fed up that it took him so long to take it.
Kid finally grasped the chocolate bar warily and looked at her, suspiciousness clear on his face.
"Is it poisoned ?" He finally asked.
Throwing her hands in the air in exasperation she wondered why she even bothered.
"Of course not, you moron !"
"Then why did you give it to me ? Is it not a limited edition ? You were at my throat last week for "stealing it" when you had already eaten it and didn't remember..."
Puffing her cheeks and pouting she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"I was not. Anyway," She added, her voice mellowing out. "You need it more than me."
Kid laughed brokenly and unwrapped the chocolate bar.
"Have I fallen so low that you have to comfort me ?"
"What ? If you take it like this I'm taking it back !" She said, making a grabbing motion toward the chocolate bar.
Kid was quicker. He licked the whole bar and looked at her pointedly. Making a disgusted face, Bonney took a few steps back.
Sighing, Kid began to talk, his voice a low murmur, his eyes downcast, his muscle wound tighly as if waiting for a blow.
"Ace told me that he can't love me... that there wouldn't be anything between us. Ever."
Bonney was speechless. First Kid had really told her what was wrong and that in itself was surprising. It showed he trusted her to a point and she couldn't help but feel happy to now that. And second, of all the thing she could think of, this didn't even made the list.
"You love Ace ?" She blurted out, not one for delicacy.
Wincing, Kid snorted.
"Since I met him... but he already was with Marco..."
"But they broke up two years ago !" She said, disbelief clear on her features.
"They did and still, he never looked at me. Even once. He still loves Marco..." He murmured dejectedly.
"But he broke his heart !" Bonney cried out, not willing to believe that Ace still loved this asshole. She worked with Ace at that time and had seen the damage this man had done to her boss.
"Yeah" Kid whispered, looking uncomfortable. "But Ace loves him."
Sighing he ate the whole chocolate bar in two bites and Bonney gave him another one, patting his back awkwardly. She had never comforted Kid. He had never needed it somehow. He seemed too strong to need it, as if he was made of steel. Not one to be swayed easily. Still, here he was, grieving for a love story not meant to be.
- Letting go -
It was already the 28th and Marco still had a lot to do before being able to take a real break. Taking over Father's side of business wasn't easy and even if he had hired help and could count on Haruta being a wonderful secretary/assistant/peace maker/manager, his life was stressful.
After Christmas he hadn't had time to rest since he was late in his work. Everything was pilling up more quickly than he thought was possible. Thus why he hadn't had time to fetch the gifts he got from his brothers and had forgotten at his father's house in his haste to go to a meeting. So here he was, at the gate of Father's home.
Heavy clouds were steadily gathering in the sky, concealing the sun and the wind had picked up the last few days, blowing chilly gust of wind that left you frozen. It was freezing and it would probably snow today. A heavy feeling settled in his guts when he thought of snow but he brushed it off, burying it under thoughts of works and meetings.
Arriving at the front steps he saw the door opening and was met with Squardo wrapped up in a warm pale green coat that clashed with the color of his skin. But well, Squardo was never known for his fashion sense.
"Merry Christmas." He said, greeting him.
"Oh hello Marco ! Merry Christmas to you too !" He replied smiling. "It's been such a long time since we last saw each other !"
"It is. You don't come to our party anymore..." Marco told him, his tone neutral. For a few year, Squardo hadn't attended any party that had been held here or at the orphanage but well, everyone had their own life and their own friends.
"Ah yeah, sorry about that." He said uneasily, a smile not reaching his eyes stretching his thin lips. "It's just that my work is hectic so..."
"Ah, I understand... I can relate to you unfortunately..." Marco sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, a habit he had taken when stressed.
With a job like Squardo's it was easy understanding that he couldn't come. Detective wasn't an easy path but if the man liked his job, well, Marco had nothing to say. He would be an hypocrite to find fault to it as his job took most of his own time and he seldom came home.
"Give Father a call from time to time at least. He'll be happy to hear about you." He said at last, knowing that Father liked receiving call from every child he had cared for in his orphanage even if he hadn't adopted them all.
"Yes." He replied, his tone lacking warmth. "Don't worry, I call him from time to time." He went on, a fake smile plastered on his face. "Anyway, what have you been up to since last time ? I'm still sorry about what took place... I thought you knew..." He said, apologetic.
Taken aback Marco didn't know what to say. Was he talking about what happened two years ago ? No.. No one brought that up with him anymore. They knew all too well how badly he reacted
"You know, I never thought he would to that to someone as good as you. Well you never really know the people you care about till it's too late." He said, a croaky laugh escaping from his mouth.
He was.
"Let's not talk about it Squardo." Marco answered scathingly.
"Ah sorry, is it still a sore spot for you ? It's true that it must have hurt... I mean getting betrayed like that..."
"Squardo ..." Marco growled threateningly.
"Ah yeah, yeah, sorry. I should watch what I say. Still, I'm sorry for bringing the news to you..." Catching Marco's glare he shut his mouth. " Anyway, hm, I'm late so I'll go. See you around Marco!" He said, leaving quickly.
If he didn't know him better than that, Marco could have sworn Squardo was goading him. But he had no reason to do so and he tended to let his mouth run so it wasn't anything new. Still it left him in such a bad mood that he hardly greeted his brothers and sisters that came to say hello. He barreled into his room, took the presents and left immediately.
This conversation with Squardo brought so many dreadful memories, it left him light headed. He needed to get drunk. Quickly.
- Letting go -
Marco felt hollow. His burning anger had subsided, he never could stay angry for long. Still, he didn't feel alright. His discussion with Squardo had left him shaken, it had brought back memories that were so painful it was tearing him apart. He tried to push any stray thoughts down in the recess of his mind. God, he needed a drink. Or five. He had never over-indulged in alcohol, it dulled his senses and it made him unable to concentrate. Furthermore, in business, it meant the death of your company.
But tonight, he felt like getting drunk. He wanted to escape his reality.
He knew, deep down, that it hadn't been a good idea to come back. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, jolting his car to the right dangerously. Nearly crashing his car in a lamp-post forced him to relax. Why couldn't he bury his feelings ? Why did he have to think about it ? He had a peaceful life in New-York, but he hadn't had the choice of coming back. His father had to retire and who else could take over if not Marco ? It wasn't fair but it was done now. His siblings all went into other branchs of work and he couldn't let his father's company go to someone else.
He finally arrived in front of his appartement building, parked his car and got out sluggishly. He made his way at a crawling pace through the lobby and to the elevator. Home was such a hollow word, empty of any meaning now. He couldn't help but feel bitter. Home was were the heart was. But when you can't feel your heart anymore, where was your home ? Chuckling bitterly, Marco pressed the button of the elevator.
So much things had changed in two years. Himself, first of all. He had always been a laid back kind of guy, with a ruthless intellect and a poised attitude. Now, a dull ache pulsed in his very being and he had lost his joie de vivre. He appeared cold and unreachable.
His family had changed too. He had always been quite close to his brothers and sisters but things had fallen apart. He didn't confide in them any longer. He lied to them all. But he didn't feel like being pitied; and he wasn't the kind of guy who hold a grudge lasting through eternity. He let things go. So he didn't want his siblings to hold grudges.
His entire life had changed actually. He buried himself under paperwork, trying to find a sense to his life, to hide his pain and his sorrow behind a distant attitude. He had locked his feelings in a box and thrown away the key. Seems it hadn't been locked tight enough...
What hadn't changed were his feelings. Despite being betrayed, he couldn't let go of them. He couldn't just forget about them and live on. It had been such a huge part of his life. Still, bitterness mixed with love in his mind. He couldn't help but want to forgive Ace, to start over but... but he was hurting too much. Would he ever be able to trust him again ? He didn't know and he didn't want to put himself and Ace through this. It was over and he needed to move forward, not look backward.
He had seen him twice since coming back.
First at Izo's. He had let his anger get the better of him because Ace was there, joking with Izo and as soon as the young man had seen him his face had paled. It was as if he had seen a ghost. Maybe he was. A ghost of himself that is. He couldn't bear to look at his ex-lover so he had lashed out at Izo, his brother who had tried to mend things and had been there for him... And then, Ace had ran away quickly. Maybe he felt ashamed after all this years and Marco had found a sense of satisfaction in seeing Ace feeling guilty. He could. But as soon as this idea had crossed his mind he had felt awful. He felt so tortured, he didn't even know what to think anymore.
The second time had been at the hospital. He hadn't expected to see him there. Marco had just wanted to see Sabo, to talk to him. Before everything, they had been friends and Marco felt the need to see him. He hadn't in two years and as he was back, he felt the need to see his friend again. Ace had barreled into the room, tears running down his cheeks, sadness etched on his freckled face. Marco had stayed there, stunned. He had thought it was a dream and when he had understood that it wasn't, he had gotten up, had tried to make him explain what was wrong. Ace had looked at him with hatred, with rage. Why ? He was the one who could feel angry. Not Ace. The young man even had the gall to deny having done anything. Marco's temper had snapped and he had left. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea. Maybe he should have stayed. Still, the burning ache deep inside his chest had made it impossible. He had to get out. He couldn't bear to see Ace's face without hurting. Not that he hadn't been hurting for the past two years. He had simply come to live with it. But seeing him again was like pouring gazoline on fire. Not good.
A wave of self hatred swallowed him and he was left chuckling as the elevator rose. He hadn't moved on.
The face of Ace, as he had seen him a few weeks ago, was stuck, nearly carved, in his mind. Not his smiling freckled face but a face devastated by grief and sorrow, tears gushing out of swollen eyes. Why did it affect him this much ? Seeing Ace in tears should have, if anything, left him indifferent. He shouldn't have felt anything for him ! But he couldn't help it. He wasn't one to hold grudges for long, especially for two years and seeing Ace crying had torn him apart.
He needed to stop caring. Betrayal hurt and Marco couldn't forgive such a thing.
Arriving in front of his door, he took out his keys. Upon turning it in the lock he found that the door was already unlocked.
Suspicious, he pushed it open slowly and peered inside. Was a thief in his home ? But the building wasn't easy to break into with all the cameras... the sound of dishes clattering in the kitchen made him hasten his pace and soon he found himself facing Izo's back who was busy preparing something in his kitchen.
"Izo !" He grumbled. "What are you doing here ?" He asked, removing his coat.
Startled, his brother turned around, a hand clutching his shirt right above his heart.
"Oh God Marco ! You could have made more noise, I nearly had a heart attack !" He said smiling and turning back to his mixing bowl.
"Hm. Sorry. What are you doing in my house ?"
"What ?" He replied confused, still busy with his mixture. "I thought we agreed that I would prepare a cake here since my oven is broken..."
"I don't remember saying yes... " Marco said sighing, feeling drained.
He didn't even have the energy to argue with his brother. He was tired of arguing with him. It was always about Ace, anyway.
"Well, you wouldn't have said no, so no harm done." Izo answered, winking, stucking a finger covered in a pinkish substance in his mouth.
Marco hummed and made his way out of the kitchen. Reaching his bar, he poured himself an overflowing glass of whisky. He nearly swallowed it in one go. It burned his throat as it went down but he didn't care. He felt tears rise in his eyes and at least he could accuse the alcohol of being responsible for them.
He let himself fall on the couch, nearly spilling what was left of his whisky on the floor.
"Are you alright ? You never drink ..." Izo asked, worried, wipping his hands on his apron.
"I'm fine." Marco murmured, closing his eyes.
"Did you have a bad day ? Is something wrong with one of our brother ?" Izo went on, anxious now. He had never seen his brother act like this. Marco seemed depressed. His mask of calm nowhere to be seen.
"Nothing is wrong. I just need to be alone." He sighed, downing his glass.
"What ?" Izo asked startled. "But..."
"Don't worry. I'll be fine tomorrow."
"What happened ?" Izo asked, sitting next to Marco, brows furrowed in worry.
"Nothing."
"You always say nothing !" Izo snapped. "Please, talk to me." He added gently, his voice soothing.
Marco chuckled and got up to pour himself another glass. Making his way back to the couch he decided to pour one to his brother. He sighed, sitting down.
"If I say it's nothing, then it's nothing, Izo." Marco said, a small smile on his lips. It didn't reach his eyes in the least but it gave the appearance of calm. Izo wasn't fooled. He pressed on.
"Marco..."
The blond-haired man sighed again. He didn't want to worry his brother. But he didn't need him to meddle again. He was old enough to take care of his own problems.
"There's nothing to say."
"Do you want me to guess, then ?" Izo asked, taking a slow sip of his drink. He made a face as the liquid hit his throat and coughed.
Chuckling, Marco closed his eyes again.
"No."
"You don't give me any other choice."
"There's no choice to be made." The blond-haired man sighed.
"My guess is that it's because of Ace." Izo said, not minding Marco's reluctance.
Marco frozed but said nothing. It was as good an admission, so Izo was probably going to ask him, again and again. Maybe he just had to reply. Maybe it would lift a weight from his chest. Maybe their relationship could go back to being normal.
"It is, huh ?" Izo asked.
Marco hummed noncommitally. Should he tell him ? Izo settled more confortably into the couch, nursing his drink, waiting for Marco to finally tell him the truth. The silence stretched, comfortable. It wasn't heavy and Izo was no longer looking at him. No longer pressuring him. If he didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't have to. Maybe that's what broke the floodgate. Maybe the fact that he didn't insist anymore made Marco want to talk. But first, he needed another drink.
He got up to fetch his bottle of whisky and poured himself another glass.
"I stumbled upon him at the hospital." Marco started.
Izo nodded, but said nothing, his face a mask of impassivity.
"I was visiting Sabo and I stumbled upon him. It was awful." He said, swallowing a mouthful. "I tried talking to him. I know you told me to do so ages ago ... So I did. But he didn't care. He looked at me with such hatred... He doesn't care about me anymore. I knew it but...
Izo's mouth was still shut. Marco wasn't even talking to him anymore, he was lost in thought, trying to piece everything, to make his brother finally understand what he had been through.
Anger rolled out of Marco in waves and he couldn't stay still. He got up and began pacing.
"He was there, crying. I tried to tell him something. To comfort him maybe. But it was no use. And then I got mad because he put the blame on me, for everything. I'm sick of everyone pining the blame on me." He said, suddenly feeling exhausted.
He was sick of it, alright. Talking brought back painful memories and his mood soured.
"You know, Izo. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to pity me. Or for you to try to make us go back together."
He let out a mirthless laugh.
"I... It hurts too much. Things are broken and can't be mended. You would have tried. I would've broken down further... You would have been the dreadful messenger of his refusal... He would have refused, anyway..." He added, listless.
He stopped talking feeling drained, letting his words sink in. He didn't know what he could say anymore.
"He wouldn't have told you no." Izo whispered, staring straight ahead, his voice soft and caring.
"You didn't see how he looked at me at the hospital."
"I don't, that's true but... But I was there when everything went to hell. He wouldn't have said no."
"Why would he have said yes ? He didn't have any reason. He was happy..."
"He wasn't." Izo cut him, voice still soft. "He was suffering."
"Because of Sabo's accident. I know. Still, it had nothing to do with me."
"He had lost the love of his life and he lost his brother. Do you really think he would have been happy ?"
"The love of his life ?" Marco asked, his voice rising as disbelief overtook his features.
"Why are you surprised ?"
"Because I'm not the love of his life. Otherwise he wouldn't have..."
He let the rest of his words die. Yes, he wouldn't have betrayed him in such a way. You don't do this to someone you love.
"Wouldn't have done what, Marco ?" Izo finally asked the real question, the one Marco had always refused to answer.
"I had no right to be by his side anymore... He had Kid."
"Kid ...? What are you talking about ?"
"Don't tell me you don't know. It's been two years. Surely they've made it official by now." Marco sighed, eyes downcast, his third – or was it his fourth ? – glass empty.
"Official ? You ... Do you think they are together ?" Izo asked, taken aback.
"I don't think that. I know it."
"What ?" Izo cried out.
"Izo, please. I saw him. I saw him with Kid. I have proof. Squardo had warned me but I didn't want to see what was right in front of me. I've fallen hard that night..."
"You think he cheated on you ? No way !" Izo shouted, rising to his feet.
Marco looked at him, a wry smile on his lips.
"I didn't want to believe it too. Still, what's done is done. He made his bed and I was left on the sidewalk."
"That's why you left ?" Izo asked, indignant.
"What shoud I have done ? Wait for him to come up to me and break up with me ? Sorry but I couldn't." Brows furrowed, his anger rose once again. "He had betrayed my trust." He spat. "He knew that I don't take betrayal lightly. He knew that would break me ... !"
"He wouldn't have." Izo said, no longer shouting, trying to placate his brother. He needed to stay calm and understand what the hell he was talking about.
"I was there Izo, damn it !" Marco yelled, getting up. "I saw him. I saw them ! You can't tell me that what I saw is not true !"
The scene played before his eyes, embedded deeply in his heart. The music was loud and the scent of smoke pungent. A mass of people writhing together on the dance floor. Two bodies intertwined closely. The red-haired man bending slightly forward.
"But it's impossible..." Izo tried to placate his brother by placing his hand on his shoulder but Marco shrugged it off and took some steps back.
"You don't believe me ?" Marco asked, hurt shining in his eyes.
"I do but..."
A broken chuckle escaped the blond-haired man and he was left glaring at his brother.
"You don't believe me. Because you believe him. You always pined the blame on me, Izo, didn't you ?" He spat, his temper rising.
Maybe alcohol had made him irrational.
"I didn't pin the blame on you Marco !" Izo cried out, panicked. The situation was slowly getting out of hand. Never had he seen his brother looking so out of it, his eyes wide with furry, his fist clenched, his whole frame shaking. "I just... I mean... I saw Ace suffer. I saw him nearly dead because of it...!"
"Dead ?" Marco asked, his voice toneless, the storm brewing in his eyes betraying his outward calm.
"I told you already ! He was miserable after you left ! I told you !" Izo, said, his temper finally snapping. Marco was accusing him of what exactly ? Not being there for him ? He had been, damn it ! "He nearly took his life because he couldn't handle your break up!"
"I..."
"You had abandoned him ! I tried to make you two talk ! I tried to understand you both ! You should have talked to me and we wouldn't be here right now !" Izo accused him, glaring.
"But..."
"He cares about you ! A lot ! And you still do ! I don't understand how things turned out this way ! How much of an idiot can..." Izo argued, losing his temper.
"He made his bed ! Why do you want me to care when he was the one to end things ?" Marco shouted, hurt dripping from his features.
"I don't want you to care ! You care already !"
"And why does it matter ? It won't change a thing !" Marco spat back.
"It will !"
"It won't ! Because he's better off without me ! He chose Kid over me !"
"No ! Ace doesn't love Kid !"
"Then he doesn't love me."
"He does !" Izo cried out.
"How do you know, dammit ?!" Marco shouted, looking more and more frustrated.
"I just know !"
"God, it's pathetic. Don't make me hope Izo." The blond-haired man finally sighed. He couldn't argue anymore. He didn't feel strong enough to have a shouting match with his brother.
"I'm not..."
"Please. Just... shut up..." He finally said, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"But !"
"Get out. We're done talking." He ordered him, his voice cold as ice.
"You can't just ..."
"Leave me alone Izo, or god help me, I'm making you leave." He said, looking threatening, prepared to pick his brother up and throw him out.
"We're not done Marco ! I will get to the bottom of it !" Izo huffed, looking worried. He left, sulking all the way, casting looks Marco's way every other second.
"The bottom of it ?" Marco whispered tiredly to the ceiling, his front door banging shut. "Well, you won't find anything else but the truth of it all..."
TBC
So much new informations that you had already guessed ^^ It's no longer a surprise really, as you probably all guessed that something had happened... Still this is just the tip of the iceberg ...
Anyway, Sorry for the delay, I really had trouble with the end of the chapter, I was afraid of making Marco OOC ( but you have to take into account that he suffered for two years so that can explain things... ) I hope he wasn't too OOC, feel free to tell me if he was or if you have any remarks ! (About Ace's gift, Bonney and Kid's conversation, Squardo appearance and finally the moment you were all waiting for, the truth of Marco's leaving ! ( but not the whole truth ^^ Next chapter will explore it in deepth) So please leave a review, it really helps me improve and motivate me ( It really does ^^ This chapter is 6.700 words long because of your kind words )!
Next chapter might be next Saturday (14) but as I'm partaking in something funny as hell ( aka my exams) I might not have time to write...
See you ! :D