A/N: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, sometimes I hate myself with how slow going these chapter updates are going. Anyway, on to the fanfiction!
Warning: Yaoi, yuri, het, violence, etc…
Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece
Chapter Three
Marco took his time to observe the three boys he saved. While all three were obviously close, he could tell that his new charge and the older brunette had a completely different relationship. Sure, right now it was completely innocent, considering that they were just kids. The look in the older boy's eyes intrigued and worried him, though. He looked at Luffy like he was his entire world and seemed resigned that he would soon be gone. Not only that, but underneath that, there was hatred that was brought by years of hurt. One that someone who started to believe any and all negative comments about themselves and how they were not worth anything. He knew, because before Whitebeard,that was the same expression he wore dailey. To see it in a kid so young had him wondering what kind of life this broken soul lived. He also knew, after one look at both of the older children, that they would be getting extra guests and hopefully new little brothers.
All the while, Luffy was just thinking about what to do while Ace clutched his hand. He felt several new bonds form when they had met the tall blond man, Marco. Surprisingly, most of the bonds were connected to Ace. This made him extremely happy, because despite him and Sabo helping Ace heal from all the hurt the world caused him, Luffy knew Ace needed more people to care for him. They just managed to stop him from blindly hating his father based on people's opinion who never met the man. Though, the self hatred was still there, and, unfortunately, it'll take time to heal and piece together his soul from all the abuse it has taken. Hopefully, these pirates would take Ace and Sabo with him. They have to, because if they don't, Luffy knows that all the work he and Sabo have done would be wasted. Ace would go back to being that hateful, little broken soul, only this time it would be irreplaceable.
That was how the walk to Makino's bar went. In worried thoughts and resignation as Luffy's time on the island grew shorter and shorter. By the time they made it to the Party Bar, Ace was practically glued to Luffy while Sabo looked ready to just run away. Marco felt his heart break at the sight and knew that even if he had to, he would kidnap them so they would stay with Luffy. He felt his phoenix side agree which surprised him, because despite having it as part of him for many years, it was rarely interested in his life besides his instincts. The fact that it recognizes the three kids as his made him blush a little. He'd never admit it to the others but their teasing of him being a mother hen wasn't too far off. What the others didn't know, was that apparently, despite being a fruit, the phoenix was female. It's why he loved taking care of people despite it making him exasperated. The fact that his phoenix laid claim to these three meant he finally got the kids he secretly always wanted to have. He just hoped Oyaji was okay becoming a grandpa.
He took a deep breath before walking in the bar, the three kids following him in. He smiled as he saw his captain as well as the fourth and sixteenth commander. Thatch and Izo were admittedly the least threatening of the commanders on the ship besides himself if they didn't know who he was. As he walked in, he could tell their attention turned to the kids. He turned to the kids and saw the two elders tense while Luffy stared at Whitebeard in complete awe.
Completely awed was what he was. Luffy could feel all the bonds on this giant man. There were so many: old, new, and yet to form bonds. It almost overwhelmed him. The fact that Ace gained more bonds didn't help. Now he wasn't scared, because he knew Ace and Sabo wouldn't be left behind.
So, without fear, he gasped, "Oh wow old man, you have so many bonds!" Complete silence followed as Ace and Sabo stared at Luffy in horror at calling one of the most powerful pirate captains an old man. The tension broke when Whitebeard began to laugh.
"Gwarara, such a cheeky brat! I'm guessing you're Luffy then." Newgate stated rather than asked. Honestly, he knew which one was Luffy before the boy spoke. The straw hat was a dead giveaway. Though, the giant pirate was also interested in the other two. While Luffy seemed at ease, the other two children looked ready to attack anyone that got too close. There seemed to be some old scars that never healed and he always tried to give others a family when they needed it. He was also a sucker for kids. It took him only one glance to decide that he was also was taking them along with Luffy. To be honest, Newgate had a habit for picking up strays.
Luffy just smiled, "Yep, and the blonde is mine and Ace's brother Sabo while the one next to me is my Ace!" All four pirates took note how Luffy stated that Ace was his as the brunette in question blushed at Luffy's statement.
"L...Luffy!" Ace stuttered out while blushing furiously. That only gained him a confused look from the other, while everyone else looked at the two in amusement.
"What? It's true Ace. You're a part of my soul while I'm a part of yours!" Luffy said simply, as if it were common knowledge. To him, it probably was, since he had such a simple view of the world.
Sabo decided to save his bonded brother some embarrassment. "Most people would only tell others that if they trusted them with everything. It's not a light subject and a lot consider it intimate knowledge Luffy."
"Oh," Luffy exclaimed in understanding, "but they can be trusted. They feel safe, and many bonds have already been formed. That wouldn't happen unless they were going to become a big part of our lives!"
Ace just groaned, but he couldn't help the slight relief he felt at Luffy's statement. "Luffy, most people can't feel the bonds others have."
That had Luffy's understanding. "Ah, so only tell people certain things when you and Sabo trust them yourselves?"
Both nodded and said, "Yes!" While all the adults looked intrigued at Luffy, as they were also learning about some of the abilities Luffy's devil fruit gave him.
All the while, Thatch and Izo were whispering to each other. "So, how much you want to bet Oyaji is planning to take all three of them?" Thatch grinned.
Izo just eye rolled, "I'm not taking a losing bet. We already know the moment he saw them, he wanted to bring them aboard." Neither knew that both Marco and Whitebeard heard them.
Whitebeard just chuckled, causing the two commanders to jump a little then look sheepishly at the one they called Father. Newgate just looked at his first commander, but before he could say anything, Makino walked up to him. Looking at the bartender in curiosity, he waited until she spoke.
"If you take Luffy, then you have to take Ace and Sabo. Those boys need each other, and probably would become very destructive if they were seperated. They are a package deal. You take one, you take them all." She said firmly without fear of the pirates. It gained her some respect from the Whitebeard pirates, since even on their protected islands, people still have trouble speaking to them without awe or fear.
Whitebeard felt an eyebrow raise, assessing the green haired woman before he asked marco, "I don't know, what do you suggest Marco?"
Marco knew his father was just playing around but he still narrowed his eyes. "If you don't take them, Oyaji, I'll kidnap them myself, yoi." This garnered surprised looks from all the Whitebeard pirates, even the captain. Normally, it took Marco the longest to become attached, the only exceptions being Whitebeard and Thatch. The fact that he was basically telling Newgate they were taking all three, not asking, showed how much he already cared.
The kids in question watched them with varying expressions. Luffy had his default smile, the one that took up his whole face, while Sabo watched in amusement. Ace had an expression of confused anger, not realizing that most of what was said was a joke.
Whitebeard just laughed again, "Gwarara, that settles it then. We're taking all three brats with us!"
It was like watching a dam break. Ace and Sabo froze, like they couldn't comprehend what was being said, while Luffy's smile threatened to break his face. Soon though, Luffy found himself being smooshed between the two sobbing ten year olds.
The others looked in concern at the boys. Marco was tempted to gather all of them in a hug, not to mention the feeling of wanting them in his nest, protected and safe. He was saved from any embarrassing instincts when Makino said, "Don't worry, they are just really relieved. They both knew Luffy would have to leave one day, probably without them. It made it hard on them, knowing that the very next day could be Luffy's last with them. The fact that you decided to take all three of them lifted a huge weight off their shoulders." She then gave them a hard look. "That gave you a huge point to earn those two's trust. Luffy trusts a lot more than Sabo and Ace because he can feel the bonds and the aura of people. But Ace and Sabo have had hard living conditions and barely trust at all. When they do though," she continued, giving a warm smile, "they will be your family to the end."
The Whitebeard pirates knew to take the advice wisely. These three boys had lives no one should have. Giving them a family is all the pirates wanted.
Marco went over to the boys, kneeling down. When their attention was on him, he smiled gently. "Why don't we go get your things, and say goodbye to whoever else you want before leaving, yoi?" Ace and Sabo looked at each other, then at Luffy, before nodding in agreement. Luffy surprised the three by taking Marco's hand and giving him a megawatt smile. Marco could feel his heart melt all the while his phoenix side trilled happily at seeing their young happy. Ace took Luffy's other hand while Sabo stood on Marco's right. They left the bar, not seeing how Izo and Thatch watched them go in amazement while Edward Newgate just smiled in contentment. He knew Marco loved kids and wanted his own. Now he had gained not three sons, but three grandsons.
Marco walked with the three kids as they led him through the trash heap. As they passed by the spot where the fight (he used that term loosely, very loosely) happened, he noticed something, well, someone missing.
"What the hell happened to the bastard?" Ace growled as he noticed that the noble was gone.
Sabo just sighed. "The guards must have came and got him. He's likely still alive, unfortunately." Marco could tell he was worried though, so he laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, no matter if he's alive or not, he won't get to you or your brothers. You are now under Whitebeard's protection, and that means they would have to go through not only all the commanders, including myself, but Whiteboard as well to get to you, yoi." He looked over at the other two. "That also goes for you two as well. Besides, if the asshole is still alive, yoi, that means he'll be severely scarred. Most nobles hate even the smallest scratch. Getting scars basically means they're imperfect and he'll lose some status, yoi."
After that was said, Sabo had stars in his eyes, "That's even better!" Soon enough they made their way to the forest where they decided to split. Luffy and Sabo would go to their tree house and get their things while Marco and Ace would get their pirate fund. Marco was a bit concerned about letting two kids go off on their own until he learned they lived there and knew the forest like the back of their hands.
When it was just him and Ace, the first commander could tell he was getting tense again without his brothers. He was thinking of a way to break the ice when Ace did it for him.
"Th...Thank you, for saving us earlier." The freckled boy mumbled.
Marco just hmmed. "Don't worry about thanking me, yoi. I know you might feel indebted to me but honestly I would've done that for anybody, especially kids. You don't owe me anything, yoi."
"But...I couldn't protect them! I couldn't do a damn thing because I wasn't strong enough!" Ace cried out, clenching his fists tightly to his side.
Marco looked at him with astoundment. "Ace, you're just a kid. You still have more time to grow, to get stronger, yoi."
Ace seemed to just get madder. "Yeah? Well even if I'm just a child, I still have been able to take care of us just fine!"
"Just because you can take care of yourself, Ace, doesn't mean you should. Oyaji believed the same thing about everyone on our ship, yoi. It's why he gave us a home when nobody else would, yoi." Marco explained.
That had Ace pausing, looking at Marco with warring expressions, like he was fighting with himself. "Why do you call him father?" He finally asked.
Marco gave him the most serious look, "Because he calls us his sons. Like I said before, everyone else believes we are monsters to the world. Whitebeard believes that all who sail, or wants to, is a child of the sea and gave us a home, no matter where we come from, yoi."
Ace bowed his head and Marco could tell he was on the verge of tears as he whispered, "For the longest time, I hated my dad. People always said he was a monster and any child of his would be a monster too. I began to believe it for a while. It wasn't until I met Sabo and Luffy did I start to see differently, that I shouldn't take the opinions of people who never even met my old man. I..I'm starting to heal but it's hard. I still have this barricade and I still hate myself. Luffy and Sabo are the only two who know who my father is and they still don't hate me. That's why I have to protect them, especially Luffy."
Marco knelt down to Ace, cupping the boys face and wiping the tears before whispering out, "And we can help you grow stronger so you can protect them Ace. Until then, trust us to protect you and them, so you have the chance to be a child, yoi." He sighed shortly after. "I won't pester you about who your dad was, so don't feel obligated to tell me until you're ready. Just know you can ask me for help whenever you need to and I'll be there to take on some of the burdens you carry, yoi." Marco suddenly found himself with an armful of a sobbing ten year old. They stayed like that until Ace was calm enough to see where they were going, but this time, he held Marco's hand as they walked. Finally, they made it to the hidden treasure, which was a lot more than expected.
Ace chuckled at his surprise. "Sabo and I have been raising it for three years before Luffy came along and began helping us raise more."
"Where did it all come from, yoi?" Marco asked, looking at all the jewels and beli.
"Some of it came from off the streets, from fountains, on the trash heap," he started off but then a smirk came over his features, "but most of it came from stealing t from nobles that live in High Town. Kind of like a big fuck you to Sabo's father." This gained a laugh from marco. They then began to gather the treasure up in silence. Marco knew normal adults would scold kids for stealing, but he was a pirate and the nobles deserve it. When they were done, they headed off to meet with the others, and to his joy, his new son (not that he knew it yet) held his hand the whole way there. That made Luffy absolutely beam with happiness and he came up to hold his hand as well. Sabo took Marco's other hand and they headed off back to the bar.
On their way back Sabo asked, "Don't you want to say goodbye to the bandits, Ace?"
"Bandits, yoi?" Marco questioned as Ace groaned and Luffy giggled.
"Shitty gramps left me with bandits who raised me, then left Luffy with them after Shanks left." Ace explained before sighing out, "I'll just leave a note with Makino as shitty gramps can't get mad at her."
'Well that explains a lot' Marco thought with a bit of humor. It wasn't long before they were back at the bar. Ace wrote the letter, while Luffy and Sabo said their goodbyes to Makino before giving his own. They then began to board the giant shhip at the docks when something happened.
"Unhand my son, you filthy pirates!" A familiar voice cried out. The boys tensed as Outlook III and a group of nobles gathered at the docks. Marco saw that the man was bandaged up heavily and his arm and a leg were in casts. Marco didn't even stop the smirk appearing on his face.
"And here I thought you learned your lesson, yoi." Marco drawled out The noble looked at him with a sneer but he could see the hidden fear. "I told you before, Sabo is under Whitebeard's protection, meaning he falls under MY protection. All three of these kids are MINE to protect, you stupid piece of shit, yoi." By the time he finished, he was growling. His phoenix side was making him twitch with a threat of his younglings so close. It was funny seeing the bizarre looks of shock on all of his brothers and sisters who were close enough to hear him. Whiteboard just looked on with interest.
Outlook seemed to say something, but his gaze drifted, before his expression changed to sick glee. "No matter, you all can be blown to smithereens instead."
A bit confused, Marco looked behind him, as did all the Whiteboard pirates. What they saw made most of them curse. It was the Tenryubito which, while not a real threat, was still an annoyance.
The Tenryunito obviously didn't recognize who they were because as he got closer, they could hear, "Pirates, in front of me? What filth! Shoot them down this instant!"
"But sir, that's the Whitebear-" One marine tried to speak.
The Tenryubito wasn't having it though. "Did I ask for you to speak? No! So shoot, don't speak, or do you want to be fired!" The marine shut up then. This really pissed Marco off. Not only was he threatening his family, ordering their execution (or so the Tenryubito thought), h was also threatening his crew. So when the marine shot the bazooka at the Mobey Dick, Marco immediately changed to his phoenix form and took the shot. The kids cried out in horror until they noticed the adults weren't worried. They looked back to see that he was okay and still alive, but the Tenryubito looked at him in rage and fear. "How are you still alive?" He went to grab the bazooka but Marco didn't give him the chance. He divebombed the hull of the ship before flying back to the Tenryubito while the marines tried to keep the ship from sinking. Marco then clawed at the world noble before grabbing him within his talons and flying up with a great swoop of his wings. Once at a certain height, he let go. Marco then began to attack as the man fell from the sky. He took great pride with every screech of pain that escaped the Tenrybito's lips.
By the time Marco landed and transformed back, the nobled were looking at them in fear. Ace, Sabo, and Luffy were looking at him like he was their god. His family was just exasperated, and the Tenryubito crash landed through the sinking ship. Finally, they boarded the Mobey, and were off, leaving chaos in their wake.