Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece
Two years later
…
Do you know what it's like to have a monopoly on me?
…
Marco's eyes slowly opened to see the familiar ceiling that he had grown used to waking up to. He stretched his neck and with a yawn, he moved his head to the side only to be greeted by another familiar sight. Though this was one he'd never tire of. No matter how many days, months or years passed. Seeing a woman with her hair down and fresh from a shower, only donning panties and a thin tanktop was just something any man would be happy to see.
"Mornin', yoi." Marco muttered, wrapping his arms around Aiko's middle and burying his head into her side. The moment he left the warmth of the blanket, frigid air pricked at his skin which only made him squeeze the woman in his arms even tighter in an attempt to steal her warmth. Steal her heat and make it his.
Aiko placed a hand on his torso, rubbing up and down the expanse of his muscled side. He could feel the scars, the ones he had left littered with all the others. He eyed the love bites and countless hickeys that he had placed on her just a few hours ago and when the thought of her flushed face entered his mind he planted an open mouthed kiss on her thigh.
"Morning," Aiko muttered with a teasing smile. "You want to play with me again, Marco?"
He groaned at the sound of his name leaving her lips. "You're not playing fair, yoi."
With quick hands, he reversed their positions and pinned her down so that she was laying beneath him. Her hair spilling over their untidy bed. "Don't go calling my name so easily,Aiko. You want me to make you scream again?"
"You're lucky my rooms soundproof," Aiko said not taking her eyes off of him. "What would you have done then?"
"Want me to show you?"
His hand trailed down her side and fiddled with her shirt as he silently debated whether to take it off or leave it on. Just as he was about to move his hands even more, a knock sounded on the door followed by a voice.
"HEY! Are you two up?!" Haruta yelled from the other side. "If you are don't be getting all frisky. It's already late, you've missed out most of the day, idiots! We need you two up on deck. Now. Do your damn jobs!"
Her words left no room for argument and when they heard the sound of light steps leaving they looked back at each other and let out a sigh. Even if they were together like this, did his mates really have to have such impeccable timing? It's like they knew what he was up to and just decided to cockblock him at every turn.
"Should we get going then?" Aiko asked, honey eyes staring up at him.
He frowned a bit then squeezed her chest roughly, making her let out a yelp. Her back arching and shoving more of her breasts into his hands as he continued to fondle them for a moment. With a sigh, Marco reluctantly let go and helped her up into a sitting position.
"What do they want now, yoi?" Marco muttered irately as he wrapped his blue sash around his waist.
"Maybe Captains back?" Aiko said, pulling on her own clothes and running a comb through her hair.
"Hmm…" He hummed disinterestedly as he took his golden accessory and placed it in its usual spot at his waist.
Shanks had gone ahead to an island occupied by a Marine base. The red head saying something about wanting to drop in, greet them and ask if maybe they could dock because he wanted to buy some more booze for their ship. Akagami really was an idiot. Marco couldn't believe he owed so much to him.
The Whitebeard remnants had split up under Marco's order. Gone off into different groups under one of the division commanders to protect some of the few islands that had once been a part of their vast territory. They all reported back to him at least twice a week and all of the Whitebeard Pirates gathered together once or twice every month. Over the years, much of their land had gone to Blackbeard, the new Emperor. The rest was divided amongst the other three. Marco, after some time had decided to take the Moby Dick and with a few remaining commanders and other subordinates, man it, so that they could sail with Shanks. They assisted the red headed Emperor in taking their lands and making it a part of his official territory. At least the Phoenix could trust that Shanks could keep the islands safe, without asking for anything in return.
He didn't actually want to burden Shanks with letting his brothers follow them around. But, Jill, Jozu and Izou had practically forced him to do so, saying how it would be best for the crew and this way they could repay their debt to Shanks. Marco bet that they just wanted him to stay close to Aiko though.
They were sly fools.
"Ready, yoi?" Marco asked, running a hand through her hair as she put the comb down. He felt a few extra knots and straightened it out with his fingers.
"All set and good to go," she said with a smile.
He ushered her out of the room, grabbing his new jacket right before he left.
Rem and Izou stood on the deck of the Red Force, keeping an eye out for any signs of the Moby Dick or the other Red Hair Pirates that had gone ahead to scout out the next island. Benn Beckman and a few of his subordinates stood off to the side, having a midafternoon drink as they played some kind of card game. He, Haruta and Marco were the only commanders currently on board. Jozu was with Shanks and the rest were off protecting other islands. There were a few Whitebeard Pirates scattered around on the Red Force, mingling with the Red Hair Pirates they had become good friends with. Izou looked up at the skies, they were clear, but he was sure that there was going to be a storm soon. His instincts were never wrong. At least, not with these types of things.
"A storm is brewing," Izou said, bringing his gaze back to Rem.
"We should tell Beckman," Rem muttered, looking off to the side. A mask of cool distance over her features. "Marco too."
Izou suddenly brightened and grinned happily. "Where is that retarded ostrich by the way?"
Rem raised an eyebrow. Izou already knew the answer, the okama commander just liked to hear the words said out loud. "He's with Aiko."
"Ah," Izou's grin only widened at the response. Music to his ears. "They're so cute together."
"If you call constantly trying to one up each other cute, then okay." Rem said with a disinterested shrug.
"But don't you see, Rem?" Izou dramatically rolled his eyes. "That's the beauty of it! Snarky banter is what makes a couple!"
Rem tilted her head, confusedly. "Snarky… banter? Doesn't that just cause frustration?"
"The good kind." Izou said with a nod.
"There is no such thing as good frustration."
Izou raised a challenging brow. "My dear Rem, have you never heard of sexual frustration?"
Rem glared, rising up to her long time friend's words. "That's from lust. Their banter is a form of release at the same time a form of taunting that lust! It doesn't cause sexual frustration, they cause that all on their own because of their chemistry. Banter relieves it for a time, then doubles it the longer they go without any form of physical contact."
This time, both of Izou's eyebrows shot up as he thought it over in his head. That was… true. He wasn't going to admit that though. Instead, he smirked and said, "Aren't you wise? Had a relationship like that before?"
Rem immediately turned away. "I haven't. I've just observed Marco's attitude for a long time. I'm the one that always cook for him, after all."
Izou narrowed his eyes as he continued to observe Rem's side. Her cheeks were a slight red and her arms were crossed in a rare fit of embarrassment. Izou grinned slyly, "Rem did you used to like… Marco?"
Her cheeks only got darker and Izou let out a bark of laughter that had everyone on the deck turning to stare at the two. "M-M… Y-you u-used to l-like… M-M — Pfft – AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Izou doubled over in laughter.
"It was before Hand Island when I first came onto the ship." Rem defended, taking a deep breath in an attempt to keep her composure. "He saved me, but when I found out about Aiko, I dropped it. Besides I had someon—"
"You don't have to explain," Izou said, clasping her on the shoulder.
The thought of a grinning freckled commander invading both their minds. He was happy that she loved the ex-second division commander so much, but he hoped she wouldn't hang onto it for so long that she'd give up on loving others completely. Ace wouldn't want that. Or perhaps he would. He was, after all, selfish when it came to the things he wanted.
Just then, the door to the deck banged open and out came Marco and a loudly protesting Aiko thrown over his shoulder. She continuously banged her fists on his back. Everyone on deck winced at the sound of Marco's bones repeatedly cracking. His blue flames going over the spot a second later. The Phoenix, despite the pain she must have been causing, wasn't even flinching as he continued to carry her. He was a total monster to not even show how much those punches really affected him. No, wait. Aiko was a monster, he was a super monster. Only one extra word. But a completely different league.
"And here they are!" Izou said happily. "Ohhh~ Lovebirds! What are you two up to today?"
Marco turned to face Izou, ignoring Aiko's loud protests to be put down. The Phoenix shrugged as best he could and said carelessly, "I was about to throw her overboard, yoi."
The present Red Hair Pirates immediately stood.
"OI, OI! What do ya think yer trying ta do with Aiko-chan?!" One said.
"Put 'er down!"
"Don't think we'll let ya get away with this just 'cause Captain ain't here!"
"Don't manhandle our Aiko!"
"We haven't given you our blessing, damn Whitebeard Pirate!"
Marco turned to them and shot them a fierce glare, before hiding it behind his mask of usual calm. "Our, yoi?"
"THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!" They yelled in unison.
"AHAHAHHAHAHA!" The present Whitebeard Pirates and bosses of the Red Hair crew laughed loudly. Their joy was contagious because even Aiko started to laugh, abandoning her loud protests. Once Marco saw that, he placed her back down on her feet. His hands on her hips as she continued to laugh and smile as if barely even noticing that he had already put her down just as she wanted. Her happy demeanor had him grinning slightly as he continued to watch her.
"Hey, Phoenix," Aiko said, getting her amusement in control as she got closer and ran her hand up the side of his bare torso. "Don't stare at me like that. I'll melt."
A heavy silence suddenly descended around everyone on deck as they observed the two pirates –no, lovers- with rapt interest. They all held their breath as they waited for Marco to speak, but the man only kept his eyes on Aiko's. It looked like he wanted to smirk, but Marco, being who he was, was able to school his expression to neutral. The Phoenix Commander immediately dropped his hands from their place on her hips.
He said with a slight hint of mockery, "Where do you think you're touching me, pervy lady?"
Everyone's eyes widened. "EHHHH?!"
"OI! Marco!" Izou yelled out from the sidelines. "Say something more romantic!"
Marco shrugged calmly and scratched at the back of his head. Clearly not in the mood to do anything of the sort. Aiko smiled happily up at the Phoenix's uninterested expression, before taking a step back. As everyone continued to bother and fuss over Marco, she walked away, feeling Marco's eyes on her as she left his side. But when she took a seat beside Benn, purposely facing the Phoenix, Marco's attention was already elsewhere. Benn immediately handed her a small bottle of wine, one she took all too happily as she watched her mate light up another one of his cigarettes.
"Got him wrapped around your finger now?" Benn said, coolly. Looking at her from the corner of his eye. He had noticed the Phoenix watching her as she walked away from him. "Whenever he's free, he spends his time with you."
"Would you be disappointed if I were to say that it was the other way around?" She asked, taking a healthy gulp straight from the bottle.
"No." Came the immediate response as he ruffled her hair. He looked at her fondly. The same look he always wore, ever since she was a child first brought to the Red Force. "If he makes you cry, I'll kick his ass."
She grinned. "He won't."
"You sound so sure." Benn muttered, smiling to himself. "He's a pirate, Aiko. Pirates sleep around with women. He's also a man, and one thing I know for sure is that men can make stupid mistakes when a young and pretty thing is dangled right before their eyes."
"Is that experience talking?" She taunted.
"Don't go changing the subject," he lightly shoved her, making her let out an unattractive snort. "We didn't take care of you, so that you could offer yourself up to a careless man."
Aiko looked at Marco as he spoke with Izou and Rem. The man completely ignored the Red Hair Pirates complaints directed at him. She thought of the impressive number of women he had slept with over the years. The number he had told her was just an estimate, so there could have been more. A lot more.
"Careless, huh?" She muttered. "That serious Phoenix?"
"No matter how serious he is, he's still a pirate," Benn said. "That's from experience."
Aiko only smiled.
She'd always be glad for this. That someone was always watching her back, keeping an eye on her every move and wondering if she was safe or if she was hurting anywhere. Both physically and mentally concerned for her well-being. It was one of the greatest parts about having a loving crew filled with worrywart nakama. Unlike them though, she couldn't even imagine the Phoenix with another woman by his side. At least, not willingly. She could barely even imagine him apologizing to her if he were ever to sleep or even touch another woman. The Phoenix just wasn't that type of guy. He was too serious when it came to the things he wanted.
No.
Not serious, stubborn was the word.
That's right.
He was stubborn to the point of foolishness.
"I wasn't raised to just let any man keep me." Aiko finally said, "You know… excluding the time me and the Phoenix first met." Benn gave her an amused close lipped smile. None of the Red Hair Pirates seemed to approve of that particular first encounter. One night stands throughout the years usually amounted to nothing but becoming fuck buddies. It was actually the reason why Benn had brought the topic up. Aiko shrugged slightly, "He's a cocky, arrogant, rude, smart-mouthed, and an overall downright infuriating man… but he's mycocky, arrogant, rude, smart-mouthed, and downright infuriating man."
"Man, huh?" That's right. He wasn't dealing with a lovesick boy. Benn took a moment to let out a long drag of smoke. "I'll still kick his ass if he does anything stupid."
Aiko smiled and didn't bother answering.
She looked out at the sea, the sun was setting. A goodnight kiss from Heaven itself. The sight of it reminded Aiko that she and Marco had practically spent the day in bed and hadn't had a single thing to eat and here she was drinking. Her stomach was rumbling in displeasure.
"Oi, oi." Marco said as he got closer to her, already having freed himself from Izou's clutches.
Benn grinned. Seeing the two of them together had become something of a norm now. Benn stood, patting her on the head before leaving to go and grab himself another bottle of wine since he had so generously offered his to Aiko. The Red Hair pirate first mate clasped Marco on the shoulder as he passed. The Phoenix nodding to him in acknowledgement.
Marco waited for him to get out of ear shot, before speaking. "What are you doing smiling on your own like that for, yoi?"
"What's the matter Phoenix?" Aiko taunted. "Jealous it wasn't you that put it on my face?"
"Don't flatter yourself, yoi." Marco said, bringing his hand up to affectionately wrap a strand of her hair around his fingers. He had gotten a lot touchier in the past two years. Aiko responded by moving her head back, not surprised when those fingers suddenly tugged and refused to let go. The air between them sparking with a tension that never seemed to diminish, no matter how long they spent together.
"My mates are gonna complain again, Phoenix." She said, smiling up at him, regardless. Clearly not caring about what her mates would say. Marco seemed lost in thought, his eyes focused on her as they always were, but they were clouded over with something. A nameless emotion. One she knew or did she? No matter how long their acquaintance, he had always been such a hard man to read.
"Mmm…" Came the loquacious response.
She tilted her head slightly, honey eyes catching his lazy ones. "What are you thinking?"
"About the time I swallowed my pride for you two years ago."
Aiko's eyes widened at the serious response.
"We were a horrible match. I mean, rival pirates, yoi? We even slept together the first time we met and I avoided talking about you. You were like the stain on my history with women, yoi."
Harsh words, but she didn't care. If she was his stain, he was her foolish impulse. Both bad tracks on each other's record, but not a mistake. Never a mistake. She stared into his eyes that were burning bright with fire. A fire that she got to peer into almost every day for the past two years. It was as beautiful as his blue flames, no. Even more so.
"If we were such a horrible match, why stay?" She asked, grinning slightly. She didn't know where he was going with this, but this was Marco speaking. He was going to say something important. The Phoenix, after all, never opened his mouth unless he had something that needed to be said. His neutral expression right now was unreadable, even to her.
He shrugged, bending down to lean closer to her seated form so that he could whisper in her ear. He hated using words to convey whatever it was he felt, but sometimes they needed to be said. Just for the sake of having said them, in case something were to ever happen to him. If he were to die or be forced to do something unthinkable. He needed to have said these words to her at least once because the thought of having that one regret would eat away at him.
"Aiko," he breathed.
Taking a deep breath to prepare himself for words that had never before rolled off his tongue. He should have said them sooner, but this seemed to be the best time. The words were strange, foreign, and completely foolish.
"I'm here because somewhere along the line, I fell in love with you."
Aiko's heart ceased to beat for one long moment, before resuming at triple time. The rest of the world disappeared, she couldn't hear anyone else. They no longer mattered. No one ever did. Not when he stood before her. Aiko didn't throw her arms around him or kiss him lovingly. She didn't shout for joy, nor did she blush and stutter. No. She sat there with a smile plastered on her face that was as bright and blinding as the sun. She couldn't hold back her large grin, she didn't try to. She smiled the way Shanks had taught her to, but this was different.
It was a smile reserved only for Marco.
"What a coincidence," she breathed out. Her voice was low and slightly trembling, only for his ears. "It just so happens that I fell in love with you too."
He captured her lips in a searing kiss.
"Life is far too serious, to be taken seriously."
A/N: Here is the epilogue... I loved this story as I do all my others and am sad to see it end. Please feel free to read whatever else I have if you're interested.
I've released a SABOXOC and an UTAXOC story. Please also visit my WORDPRESS where you can see special Harmless Fun extra stories, such as who the other two men Aiko slept with are and how she got her scars. You can also find out how Aiko and Marco first met! The link is on my profile.
I do hope you share your wonderful reviews. :D
Blob80 out.