Was this too late? Ah well, I got busy and went on a weekend trip and there were some parts I had trouble figuring out how to write as well with getting the point across and trying to keep their characterizations. I think it turned out alright. Also, fair warning, the first part of this is going to be a little page break happy, but it was needed to kind of get the scene I wanted. So I'll let you get onto the story now!
I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE
See you at the bottom!
Ace woke up slowly, his head pounding and slightly nauseous. He closed his eyes tighter before opening them, the light causing him to shut them quickly. A few seconds past and he opened them again, slower this time. His eyes adjusted, not that it mattered much, and the pain in his head grew harsher. Instinctively he knew that if he were to move he'd lose the contents of his stomach.
He frowned, trying to think of what happened, but all of his memories were blurred together and he couldn't tell the start of one for another. Once more he closed his eyes to try and ward of some of the pain in his skull.
"Ace? Are you awake?" The voice next to him was quiet, but it was still making his head throb.
He hoped that shifting would alert the man to the answer of his question.
"Ace?"
With a sigh, he forced his vocal chords to move his throat being scratchy. "Yea."
"How do you feel?"
"M' head hur's" He slurred.
"I'll see what I can do about that in a second." The voice replied, dimily Ace realized he recognized it but he wasn't sure from where, it hurt to think too much. "But first you have to answer a question for me."
He would've whined if not for a particularly sharp pain on the side of his head, really what the hell did he do? Instead he mumbled something along the lines of 'go ahead.'
"If you were to open your eyes, could you see me?"
That was a strange question, he's blind of course he couldn't see someone. "No."
"So you can't see at all, even before your head injury?" The voice sounded weird now.
"N't rea'y" His head was really starting to hurt now.
"I'm going to go get something for your head now."
Ace made no reply, instead he tried to will the pain away.
Marco left the room in a rush, only half trying to find the doctor. He felt bad for using Ace's vulnerable state, it was a break of trust he knew and it was going to be hard to get Ace's forgiveness if the other decided to hold a grudge. There has to be a reason he kept it a secret.
He just couldn't find one. It made perfect sense that Ace wouldn't tell them when he first woke up they were still "enemies", but Ace had taken up pops mark and with that they became family. Marco wanted to feel offended that the young teen didn't completely trust them, he knew the teen was cautious but not trusting the people you agreed to sail with was a deathwish.
Well, he supposed sailing while blind was a death wish in itself.
He still couldn't imagine the teen being blind. Ace had adapted well to be in a new situation, moving like he knew where he was going, even in the early days of him being on the Moby. There hadn't been any times when Ace walked into a wall or tripped over something obvious. Ace acted like he knew where everything was, fought like he knew where everyone was.
Marco paused, how had the teen fought so well? Even going as far as to stop a surprise attack that he hadn't felt until they were too late. Observation haki? But that level of skill it would take years to master it.
He found the doctor bent over a notebook scribbling away at something.
"Excuse me." He called out.
"Oh!" The old man jumped a little.
"He's awake and in pain, yoi."
The doctor hurried to stand up and gather various materials. Marco watched half paying attention, wondering if he could get away with being away while Ace was drugged on pain medication. He shook his head, it might be a bad idea, and he didn't like the thought of leaving the teen alone in the hands of a stranger. He moved aside as the doctor hurried past him and towards Ace's room, and followed after.
He returned to his perch against the wall, watching as Ace was slowly moved into a sitting position, which caused him to vomit at the movement, Marco wrinkled his nose. Eventually he was able to drink down the water with the powdered form of the medicine and returned to a prone position.
"I'll be right back to clean up this mess." The doctor left.
Marco barely noticed when the doctor returned with a mop and started to clean, his eyes trained on Ace. The teen's face was scrunched up in discomfort. The older pirate shifted slightly on the wall.
The doctor finished cleaning and moved to exit the room. "Call me in here if anything else happens."
Marco raised his hand in acknowledgement. After a few seconds of being alone in the room he walked over to Ace's bedside. He hesitated before he raised his hand to try and smooth out the lines of tension in the teen's face(making a point to avoid the darkening bruise), it worked to some extent, and Ace actually leaned into his palm. Quickly Marco pulled his hand back, not sure how else to react.
He ran his eyes over him, taking in the planes of muscles. It was amazing that Ace was so strong when he didn't have something like sight. It was impressive enough to fight a warlord to a stand still, but while blind? He was sure that such a feat would've been impossible.
Marco moved back to the spot on the wall, not having anything else to do while he waited for Ace to wake up and hopefully be able hold some semblance of a conversation. It would take him a while to get used to the fact that Ace couldn't see, but more importantly it bothered him that he didn't notice anything more than 'he's hiding something'.
He blew air out of his nose, he'd just wait patiently.
The next time Ace woke up his head was significantly less muddled and he could actually move it without thinking that it was going to split open. There was a sour taste in his mouth that made his stomach tighten to the point of discomfort. He remembered, vaguely, that he had thrown up last time he was awake. Frowning he tried to remember what else happened, he was sure that he had spoken to someone... Marco? There had been an important question, but Ace couldn't recall it.
He opened his eyes and, not that it mattered, scanned them across what he assumed was the room. Aparently he was alone. Strange.
With a mental shrug, he decided moving was probably bad with how his stomach was clenching. Something was bothering him, he couldn't remember why he had a dull pain on the side of his head nor could he remember what he had told Marco, he was sure that it was important. A few more minutes, and the pain in his head was slowly starting to get worse he recalled what he had told Marco.
Forgetting his idea to stay still he bolted straight up, before he leaned to the side and vomited it was only bile. His arms were shaking as he struggled to keep himself upright and his breath was slowly picking up pace
Oh shit. I can't believe I told him! Shit! Shit! Shit! I can't even keep a secret. Marco knows, he knows. Is that why he's not in here? He probably left because I'm a burden. God dammit why am I such a screw up!
He barely heard the door open. "Oh Ace your aw- Ace?"
Ace stopped, he wasn't sure he was breathing. That sounded like Marco, but the older pirate probably left him on this shitty island.
"Ace!" The sound of rapid footsteps neared.
He recoiled from the touch.
"Sorry."
That's definitely Marco, he's going to kick me off the crew!
"What's wrong?"
He's - Wait what? Ace turned his head towards the sound of Marco's voice, blinking.
"I -" He swallowed. "You know."
"That you're blind?"
He winced, it was weird hearing it said out loud like that. "Yeah."
They both fell silent, Ace waiting for the decisive words that would remove him from the crew. Hell he had only been a part of it for only two months, why was he dreading this so much. The silence was oppressive and Ace was sure the suspense was going to drive him to another panic attack when Marco spoke again, his voice soft.
"Tell me about it."
Huh? Ace was blinking in shock before repeating his mental statement. "Huh?"
"Tell me what you can about your blindness."
Ace opened and closed his mouth a few times trying to decide how to respond to Marco, because this outcome had never occurred to him. No time to worry about what he'll do to me, I have to still make this somehow favorable to me, and maybe even if he does kick off the crew I won't have to worry about everyone finding out.
"I'll answer all of your questions on one condition." Ace said.
Marco blinked, not expecting the teen to be so compliant, he was still worried about what he had walked in on and made a mental note to get a mop. "What is it, yoi?"
"You can't tell anyone, and I mean anyone that I'm blind." Some of the fire that was usually in Ace's voice was back.
He thought about it, he'd have to keep it a secret from the crew, but he didn't think it was likely that he would need to out Ace. Besides he had a feeling that when the time was right and Ace was more trusting of them they would learn about his blindness, maybe he old crew knew? So long as it doesn't affect the crew -
He finished the last part verbally, "I won't tell a soul."
Ace let out a shaky breath and turned to gaze at him fully. Marco thought it was a little weird that Ace was looking at him but not seeing him. How does he do that? It was a question for another time.
"Okay I'm going to start asking you questions now." Marco said. "What caused you to go blind?"
"Its a condition, a disease that slowly steals sight." Ace replied.
"A disease? Did you catch something?"
"No, I was born with it, but I didn't notice it until I was about twelve."
Marco tilted his head, he had never heard of something like that. "What happens with it?"
"It takes your sight away slowly, at first your vision is blurry, and then you lose your color perception even going as far as losing your ability to see light."
He wasn't easily scared, but that sounded terrifying slowly seeing less and less of the world until eventually there's nothing.
"If its a disease then can it be cured?"
Ace made an odd sound. "The doctor that found this out said that there wasn't, but I thought maybe that the grandline would have something to at least slow it down. There's nothing."
His heart clenched at Ace's voice, he didn't sound like a cocky teenage any more, but a lost kid. It must be taking a lot out of him to talk about this.
"So what can you see?" He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
"I can see very vague outlines when it's extremely close, otherwise its just blurred color."
Marco could imagine anyone managing simple tasks like that, much less acts of piracy. "How do you fight?"
"I sense my opponents, it's hard to explain."
"You use observation haki?" Marco asked, haki was common in the new world so he wasn't sure why Ace wasn't using its name.
"Observation haki?"
He's been using it without evening knowing what it is? Marco was incredulous, if Ace had some proper training in it he could easily be one of the better users of it on the ship, probably already is. "Its a fighting style, I'll tell you more about it later."
"Alright." Ace's voice sounded strange, like he was holding back emotion, but he didn't look distressed so Marco figured he was hearing things.
"You're able to move around well, for someone not able to see." He tried to lead Ace into a conversation.
"I count my steps to find my way around, or I use my fire to make a map of them room."
He has that much control over his fruit? The more Ace spoke the more he was amazed by the kid, he doubted anyone else on the crew would believe him if he told anyway (Pops probably would he's seen a lot), using haki at such a high level and using his Devil's Fruit to do something non-destructive while being blind, it sound completely outrageous. Marco was sure if the doctor didn't tell him that there was something potentially wrong with Ace's eyes he would've thought that it was an elaborate lie.
He fell silent for a few moments, and he guessed Ace took that the wrong way, because the teen was moving to lie back down on his side, slowly and facing away from Marco. Quietly, so quiet he almost missed it, the younger pirate spoke.
"You're going to kick me off the crew now right?"
Marco resisted the urge to run a palm over his face, that's what the panic attack was about earlier? He suspected there was something more to it but Ace was hard to read and he didn't have any proof.
"I'm not going to kick you off the crew, you've done nothing wrong." He didn't mention the fact that it was only the captain that could say a person is permanently gone from the crew.
"But I'm blind." The way he said that last word was like it was some sort of forbidden curse word.
"That doesn't change the fact you're a Whitebeard Pirate now."
Ace tensed up, but Marco continued talking. "Pops considers you a son, he wouldn't disown you for something like this."
Ace stilled, he was tense, and Marco waited for him to come to his own conclusion about things ready to help convince him that he was going to be able to stay.
"I-" Ace started then he stopped.
The first mate arched an eyebrow, waiting to see what Ace would say. A few minutes went by and there was still no reply. Then he heard a snore.
He fell asleep in the middle of a sentence? Marco was once again impressed, he shrugged and moved to get a mop. Ace's sleepiness was probably due to the medication.
When Ace awoke for the third time, there was a pain in his head but his stomach had settled quite a lot compared to the upheaval it was earlier. Not that he trusted it enough to move more than a few inches at a time at a very slow and non jerky movement. He assumed whatever pain medication he was given was starting to wear off. Staying still he let the rest of his body catch up before he seeing if he was alone or not.
Truthfully he hadn't expected Marco to react the way he did, he had been so calm about it, maybe confused, but there hadn't been any anger or disappointment. He had thought that the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't let any sign of weakness onto their ship, they were one of the emperors of the sea a place where weakness doesn't belong.
But he'd take his blessing as they came to him since he had so few in his life. Ace finally trusted himself to sense for another person, using what the first mate had called haki. He was surprised to feel that there was someone else, but he was quick to determine that it was Marco.
He blinked open his eyes hoping that the other would notice, his throat felt sticky from the lack of moisture and he didn't think he'd be able to talk well.
"You're up, yoi?"
Ace nodded his head slowly. "Water."
"One second." He heard the shifting of fabric and then footsteps coming towards him. "Can you sit up?"
He adjusted his arms so he could lean against them and slowly push upwards trying as best he could to ignore the churning in his gut. About halfway up Marco steadied him.
"Here."
Ace raised his hand it was slightly shaky from either the medication or the injury. He called his fire to his fingers feeling for the glass, which was pushed into his hand which he gripped. As he brought the drink to his lips slowly, he realized that it was slightly relieving to not have to keep up his act. His skills were rusty after not having to use them in the year since he got his crew.
I screw everything else up, I'm surprised I lasted this long.
"Ace?"
He blinked at Marco's sudden interruption to his thoughts, then he realized he had been just holding the glass and not drinking from it. As quick as he dared he brought the glass up and drank from it, a small slow sip so that it wouldn't agitate his stomach.
Once finished, after take several more sips in the same manner, his throat was feeling better, like he could talk without his voice straining.
"Thanks."
"No problem, yoi. You hungry yet?"
At the mention of food his stomach growled then gave an alarming twist.
Something small maybe?" He suggested, which was something he thought he would never say he's never eaten a small meal in his life if he had the opportunity and even then most of the time was either eat or starve.
"Alright. I'll see what I can find, yoi."
Marco was moving again, his shoes clicking on the floor, "I'm going to call the doctor as well, you've fallen asleep before he could look you over completely."
"Sure." Ace shrugged, knowing he mostly wouldn't have a choice.
The door opened and shut leaving Ace alone. Which, for some unknown reason, caused his head to start throbbing. He moved to grip at his head, the point where the throbbing was the worse, only to wince when his fingers brushed a spot along his temple. What happened? Try as he might he couldn't recall what happened after he and Marco left the inn.
He must've spaced out for longer than he thought because he was surprised when an old, but not unkind, voice spoke.
"How's your head?"
I missed him entering, that could've been bad for me. "Hurts."
"I would figure as much, looks like it was quite an impressive strike."
"Strike?"
"Yes, from Drago's baton."
Ace stopped himself from frowning he would ask Marco about it later.
"How do you feel otherwise?" The doctor asked filling in the silence.
"Sort of nauseous, but nothing else, maybe a little unsteady."
He heard a pen scratching on paper. "Nothing to worry about. Sounds like a typical head injury."
Ace tensed up slightly, getting the feeling from the old doctor's' voice that he wasn't going to like the next part.
"But I do have concern for your eyes."
Knew it. He swallowed. "My eyes?"
"It looked like the back of your eyes were deteriorating."
He let himself relax the tiniest amount. Maybe this doctor knew something more than what Doctor Conner had told him. So for the first time in years, he was going to let someone look at his eyes. "Okay."
The doctor had apparently been prepared for an affirmative answer as there was a sudden click of something (most likely a medical case snap) and something was being set on a metal table.
"First I'm going to shine a light in your eyes."
Ace nodded, wondering if he should adjust himself to better accommodate the doctor. He assumed it wouldn't be much different from the first examination. A light met his eye, and he blinked rapidly for several seconds after to try and ease some of the sting. Once his eye was fully adjusted the light started shifting angles and heard the doctor make several hums. He could only guess the meaning of the noises, it was weird to be examined so thoroughly.
"I've never seen anything like this." The doctor finally said as he switched eyes.
Ace closed his now dry eye and slowly opened it several times. "I was told it was rare."
"It would seem so. When did the symptoms start occurring?"
He lifted his eye to the ceiling in thought. "About six years ago?"
"This amount of deterioration in six years?" There was a tone of surprise.
Ace shifted in nervousness. He wasn't sure he wanted to know but he still asked, this was the best opportunity he had gotten in a while. "Is it bad?"
"I personally have never seen this amount of deterioration in such a short amount of time. I have seen it but there was trauma or age to provide a reason to it." The doctor dropped his voice to a whisper almost like he was talking to himself. "I can't imagine you see much."
"No, not really."
"I wish I was able to do more, but I don't know anything about this condition I fear I'd make it worse. However I can only assume..." He trailed off.
Ace couldn't help himself. "Assume what?"
"Based on the current rate of deterioration, you'll lose what little sight you have maybe two years at best."
"And at worst?"
"A year."
"You're kidding?" He let the words fall before he could stop them.
"No, and that's going off the assumption it won't speed up and you avoid severe trauma to your eyes and head. I think this last blow was bad enough it could've damaged them further."
Ace furrowed his brows. He didn't think that he could see any worse but he hadn't really had the chance to scrutinize his vision. But... the news hadn't been what he was expecting. Completely blind in two years? He felt like he did back then, when he first learned of his failing eyesight, and once more he found himself becoming afraid of that point in the future. With a shake of his head he decided that he would take it day by day like he always had. Besides at least he had one person on the Moby now that knew, it was some comfort (though he didn't think he should tell Marco more than what he already knew, it was too much for him to take in and Ace had known that he was blind.)
"Well, I'm still sorry there's nothing else I can do for you but treat your head injury and even that I can only treat the pain."
"Ah, yeah." Ace was pulled back into reality.
"I'm going to leave the painkiller in here, take them after you eat, I think your companion went to get food. It should be easier on your stomach in this order."
Something was set on the table and rolled a short distance before stopping. Then, Ace assumed, the doctor started packing up.
Once more he was left alone, and as soon as the door closed he let out a shuddering breath. So many things had happened and he just wanted to back to sleep and let things settle down more before he addressed them. He hadn't been this drained when he had found out about his blindness originally. It was like something was pressing down on him. He ran a hand through his hair. Part of him had always expected to wake up one day and have everything be dark, but hearing it was a completely (and probable) circumstance was something completely different.
The door opened and Ace tried to compose himself. He really needed to stop spacing out.
"I have food!" Marco greeted.
Ace looked towards him. "Thanks."
Marco's presence came closer, and he head out both hands for whatever he was going to be eating.
"Sorry its not only broth, its soup. It was the closest I could find."
Ace shrugged, moving so that he was completely upright and crossed his legs. He heard something sloshing and waited for the food to be handed to him, which it was and he quickly adjusted his grip so that it was firmer. He spent a second trying to locate the spoon, not minding the heat from the soup at all. As he took his first bite Marco spoke.
"We'll head back to the ship tomorrow morning. The doctor said you didn't suffer any major damage, yoi."
"Alright." He said after swallowing and took another bite before he spoke again. "What were the exact details of me getting hurt anyway?"
"A seastone bar to your head." Marco replied. "Don't you remember?"
"Its a bit spotty." Ace shrugged taking another spoonful.
"Ah. Well the mission was successful at least."
Ace nodded slightly and Marco didn't speak again. He guessed the older pirate was eating his own meal. Soon after the silence began, Ace was starting to feel full and sick. Lifting the bowl up he hoped Marco would get the hint and take the bowl from him. When Marco took the bowl from him, Ace moved his arm hoping to come into contact with a table, when he didn't find it on one said he switched to the other, the table wasn't there either. He frowned, where could the table be.
"What are you looking for, yoi?"
"There's some pills on a table." He replied, knowing that it would just be easier to have Marco get them for him.
He heard some movement and then "Here."
"Thanks." He took the medication.
Then he settled back down. Not really tired but he knew that the pill would kick in and he'd get drowsy. A tiny part of him wanted Marco to talk so he could have some sort of entertainment while he waited to fall asleep. Though he knew that Marco wouldn't really start a conversation unless he felt it was needed.
It was a decent amount of time before Ace fell asleep, soft snores filling the silence of the room. Marco had a lot of things he had wanted to ask, but he felt like he would overwhelm Ace (and maybe himself.) So he grabbed the book he had been reading and turned to the pade he had been on.
When he awoke the next moment he spent a few seconds trying to orientate himself, he didn't even remember falling asleep. Once he recalled where he was and who he was with he marked the page he was on (which had thankfully just rested open on his lap) and checked on Ace. The teen was still sleeping peacefully. He stood up and stretched, a symphony of cracks in his spine as he did so, reminding him of his age and the fact he shouldn't sleep in hard chairs.
Slowly he made his way outside, the pale light of the rising sun comforted him somewhat, it looked like it would be smooth sailing to the Moby at least. They'd spent enough time on this island, and he was ready to get back to the ship. Yesterday when he had called, he had called while he searched for something Ace could stomach, the first thing that had happened was a mild scolding for a lack of contact and then surprise when he told Thatch (who had been nearest to the Den Den he assumed) that he should inform the crew they'd be back.
Now that he was on the train of thought of yesterday he remembered what he had learned about his newest family member. He pursed his lips, wondering how he should act around Ace now, knowing the teen he would say don't change but it wasn't that easy. Yesterday evening had shown him how independant Ace was, when the teen had tried to find the pills when there was no way he could've found them or moved enough to get them. With a sigh he decided that he would act as he had been and hope that none of the crew noticed if he did act differently.
The sun was higher now, so he went back inside. When he reached the back room Ace was awake and looking up at the ceiling but he quickly changed his gaze so that it was now on Marco. It was a little surprising how easily the teen was able to find his position so accurate. He made a mental note to see if he could help Ace refine his observation haki, he was thinking that it was just impressions and not the full sight like many skilled users had.
"Morning, yoi."
"Morning." Ace replied back yawning.
Marco wondered if the doctor was going to give one last visit before they left. As soon as he thought it the old man entered the room.
"I'm not going to hold you here long, but I came by to give you some painkillers in case the pain comes back."
He handed the small bottle to Marco which was filled with green capsules he had seen Ace take last night. "Thank you."
"Yeah, thanks." Ace echoed.
The doctor raised his hand. "Its the least I can do for the people who got rid of Drago and his gang, treatment is free."
Marco nodded, there hadn't been any proof that it would happen but he had thought at much, people were grateful to pirates when they got them from a worse situation after all
"Well, I'll let you two leave now. You" he was pointing to Ace "don't overexert yourself it."
"I won't." Ace replied quickly.
The older pirate arched a brow, surprised that Ace would be so agreeable but then he figured it was just the teen's eagerness to be able to get out of the bed. As he pondered Ace's reaction the doctor slipped out of the room.
"You think you can stand on your own?" He asked pocketing the pills for the time being.
"Yeah." Ace moved quicker than he had been yesterday and swung his so they were dangling off the bed, brushing the ground.
With careful movements Ace started to stand up, holding onto the table which was now in his reach. About halfway up he stopped and swayed the tiniest amount, Marco started to move forward when the teen righted himself and finished standing.
"See." There was a slight challenge in the voice.
Marco blew air out of his nose, almost like a laugh. "I do, but can you make it all the way back to the boat, yoi."
Ace's face slacked before he set his jaw. "I'll be fine."
Raising his hands in a placating manner which he quickly dropped remembering that Ace couldn't see it, he needed vocal confirmation... not Marco's strong suit. "Just tell me if you need a break."
He hoped that wouldn't rub the fire user's ego the wrong way. Marco assumed it was an okay statement when he wasn't spoken back to in a hostile tone and instead it was just silence.
"Let's go." He took the lead knowing Ace would follow after him.
As he cleared the door he looked back to make sure that Ace was fine, and actually able to follow him. It seemed like the teen, while minorly unsteady, was able to move at a decent enough pace. Marco wouldn't push it, however, he slowed his pace and tried to not look back so often. Ace had been able to walk around an unknown place without much trouble, but the older pirate figured it wouldn't a bad idea to listen for anything.
About halfway to their boat, he could hear more stumbling, it wasn't constant but it was happen in greater frequency as they walked further. Marco glanced back and saw a thin line of sweat on Ace's brow. He pursed his lips, he knew that the teen was obviously pushing himself but he wasn't sure getting Ace into a bad mood was worth all of the trouble. If it got worse, then he would step in, he nodded to himself before he started walking at a slightly slower pace. Which seemed to help. By the time the boat was finally visible Marco was glancing back constantly, during one such look Ace swayed violently and the first mate reacted instinctively reaching out and grabbing the teen's arm to steady him.
"I'm fine." The fire user grit out.
"Sure. Its a short distance back to the boat. The doctor told you not to push yourself, yoi." He tried to make himself sound reasonable, which he did, but he wasn't sure that he managed.
Ace scowled and he relaxed his arm Marco's grip, but the first mate would take it as an acceptance of his words. Slowly, since he knew that the teen wasn't a fan of sudden moved he wound the fire user's arm around his neck. He waited a few seconds for a protest but instead Ace leaned into him (barely but it was there) and that's when he noticed the unnatural heat of Ace, it made sense considering the teen was made out of fire (and he had noticed it before) but this was somehow different; his phoenix basked in the heat it almost felt like was sighing but Marco could tell it wanted the flame. He ignored it.
Ace was a little more rested when they reached the boat, he pushed away from Marco and finished the walk himself. He was a little worried when Ace lit the bottom of his foot on fire (it was a wooden boat after all), but he soon figured out the teen was trying to find the top of the side. The fire used looked back at Marco and the older pirate started moving again.
"I'll get the boat ready to cast off, yoi."
"I'll help." The younger pirate spoke up.
"Its fine, you're supposed to be taking it easy." Marco didn't mention the fact that once the others saw the bruise he wouldn't be able to get away from the questions.
I forgot to tell them Ace got hurt. Marco swallowed, even though it was such a minor injury it was still an injury and the crew would ask about it, well some would.
It took him another few minutes to untie the knot attach the boat to land, there weren't any easily accessible docks and to push the boat into deeper water to make their departure easier. He was never a fan of the pricks he got in his legs from being waist deep in water, but he'd survive.
"Okay, you can get on board now, yoi." He called back the beach.
Ace was standing at the edge of the wet sand, looking around. Marco held the boat steady.
"The water gets waist deep."
With that he saw the teen square his shoulders before wading into the water. He could tell that the fire user wasn't pleased with the turn of events, he wondered if it was a worse feeling sense fire and water were opposites. Ace made it to the boat and once more he was sweating. Marco was about to offer his help to the teen when Ace gripped the edge of the boat and easily climbed in.
Right, he's still a capable pirate even with a concussion and blindness. Marco mentally reminded himself, he knew that if started to act too differently Ace was just going to get mad at him.
He followed the teen's lead and climbed into the boat. He saw that Ace had taken up the spot he had previously sat in, leaving the oars to Marco. He settled himself down, grabbing the oars and starting to row them back towards the Moby. It was high tide, so the reefs weren't as much of a threat but there were some that reached the surface even with a high water level.
As he had thought earlier getting back the the Moby was easy, he had the breeze against him now, but the waves were small and they were lucky to catch a current that made rowing a little easier. Ace had offered to take the oars, but Marco declined saying that "he should just follow the doctor's orders already." The trip back was silent much like the first one had been, minus the few questions Ace had asked.
Marco was guessing that yesterday was still bothering the teen, not to mention the injury. He knew that head injuries took a lot out of a person, so he kept quiet. He shifted and the pill bottle fell out of his pocket. Quickly he caught it before it rolled into a distant corner of the boat.
"If you're in pain the doctor gave me some painkillers, yoi."
Ace flicked his eyes towards him, before sealing his lips, a couple of more seconds went by before the teen soundlessly extended his hand. Marco handed him the bottle and then adjusted the boat's course. He watched as the fire user fiddled with the bottle, getting it open and taking two before sealing it and sticking into one of his pant pockets that sealed.
By the time the sun reached the middle of the sky they were near enough to the Moby that he could hear the daily workings of the ship. He mentally counted down from three, and when he hit one he heard a shout of: "vessel approaching!"
The slowed his rowing, coasting nearer to the large ship, waiting for him and Ace to be recognized. It wasn't too much longer before he heard another shout.
"Its Marco and Ace! Open the door!"
The creaking of wood and hinges started after and navigated the skiff into the 'dock'. Marco had done it enough times he could do it with his eyes closed, but it always paid to be cautious in case of something unforeseen. The good thing about being an expert on docking this skiff was that he didn't have numerous people to run down and help, he'd be able to get to the deck before he was assaulted with questions and welcome backs.
"Oh, and Ace?" He spoke suddenly.
"Hmm?" The teen looked at him.
"Everyone is going to crowd around us." He replied somewhat apologetically.
That seemed to wake the younger pirate up, apparently he didn't do well with medicine.
"Is that so?"
"Its tradition, there's probably a party planned since it was your first mission, yoi."
Ace pulled a face that spoke of his displeasure. Marco now understood the aversion to groups, but he knew that it was one thing the teen was going to have to compromise with. The Whitebeard's liked their parties after all.
Marco was the first to get off of the skiff, rolling his shoulders which were still stiff from his night in a poorly made chair. Ace was right behind him, his was slightly less graceful, but Marco attributed it to the medication. On the brightside Ace would be able to rest a little before the feast started.
Jozu walked down from the platform with the door levers, nodding in greeting before he joined them. His fellow commander glanced at him and then at Ace, Jozu noticed the bruise right away, which wasn't hard considering the size and color of it.
"What happened to you, Ace?"
"Huh? Oh, its just a bruise." The teen shrugged.
Marco crossed his arms, he knew that this was going to be a common question, but at least Ace would get to experience some of the Whitebeard pirate's connection with each other in private.
"How'd you get it though?" Jozu's tone had changed, it was lower.
"In a fight, let my guard down too early.
The first mate nodded, Ace was learning so he hoped that Ace was this compliant to everyone else's questioning, and thankfully Jozu wasn't the type to question too much.
"Let's head to the deck, yoi." Marco suggested.
Jozu grunted, and Ace nodded. The trio walked up in silence, Ace started rubbing at his bruise lightly, and Marco realized that it was the first time Ace was really learning what a visible bruise he had. He shook his head, the teen should have known that getting that hard would leave a visible bruise.
The deck was just as Marco expected, and was used to. It was loud and filled with various forms of welcome backs. He saw Thatch push his way to the front of the crowd. "Welcome back Marco, Ace!"
"Yeah, we were only gone for a couple of day, why the fanfare?" He laughed, he knew the reason well, but it always made him happy, the love of this family.
"You know the reason better than anyone Marco." Thatch grinned back, then he turned his attention to Ace.
Like Jozu it only took the chef a few seconds to notice the oblong bruise.
"Looks like you took a solid hit there Ace."
Ace stiffened, and Marco wanted to give him comfort, but he wasn't sure how he should do that, the teen had been tense since they had reached the deck. "It looks worse than it is."
Thatch looked unconvinced. "You're a logia type right, had to have sea stone or some sort of haki to leave a mark."
Ace shrugged once more. "Its the New World, people have such things. Its not a big deal."
The chef looked to Marco for help, the first mate shrugged Ace wasn't technically lying about the injury or people coming into contact with sea stone, and haki was almost a must if you were going to be a big name in the seas. Thatch was about to continue his inquiry when Haruta bounded up.
"You guys are back already? I thought you guys would be gone for a week?"
"It was easier to find the troublemakers than we thought it would be." Marco answered.
Thatch looked irritated that his questioning had been cut short. Several other crew members came up, and beside him he felt Ace shift somewhat behind him. Marco didn't want to cut his family's celebration short, but he knew the teen just wanted to rest and they still had to talk to Pops.
He took in a deep breath and attempted to address the entire crowd.
"We have to talk to Pops, your questions can wait at least that long, yoi."
There was a murmur of agreement, and it was rare that anyone would object after hearing Pop's name. He started to walk, Ace trailing right behind him looking a little more comfortable as they were given more space. Thatch called after them as they left.
"Don't forget there will be a party tonight!"
Marco raised his hand to indicate that he had heard the chef. He started to head to Pop's room knowing the old pirate wouldn't be out on deck quite yet. The teen followed right behind him, but was starting to slow down.
"Ace?"
"So they're really having this party?"
"Yeah, you'll find out even the most minor of reasons will cause a massive celebration." Marco replied.
Ace made a noise, and the first mate slightly pitied him knowing his distaste for crowds. He smiled to himself before speaking. "Most of the time you can get away when more and more people start going for the sake, the drinking competition will take most everyone's attention."
"Thanks for the tip."
They reached Pop's room not much longer after that. The teen was shifting behind him again as he knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Marco opened the door and held it open for Ace with a whispered "go in." The fire user walked in and moved over to the side leaning against the wall nearest to the door, the first mate came in after, closing the door quietly.
Pops was sitting up on his bed looking at them with a raised brow. "I was surprised to hear you were coming back so soon."
"It was easily taken care of, yoi." Marco answered.
"I wouldn't expect any less," he paused and Marco knew that the question about Ace's face was coming. "And it seems there was a fight."
"Yeah. The bandits didn't want to surrender peacefully and overestimated themselves."
"Ace, my son, you got injured?"
Marco knew without looking that the teen was once again tensed up. It was annoying constantly getting asked about an injury, he knew, and he while he could help deflect the other crewmate's attention it was Pop's duty as their captain and father to look after their wellbeing.
Ace didn't say anything for a few seconds before sighing. "Its nothing bad, just a hit on the head."
"Hits on the head can be bad, damage you can't see." Pops continued.
"I got it checked out."
Marco stopped himself from visibly moving, now the teen was getting defensive which could be counterproductive in the end.
"Marco?" Pops said.
"He did get checked out by a doctor, and we spent a day resting."
Pops nodded pleased with the news. "Anything else happen?"
"Nothing but the small fight with the bandits, yoi." Marco's mind briefly flicked to yesterday's discovery.
"Alright. You may leave. Marco, I wish to speak to you later."
"Sure, Pops."
Ace was already making his way to the door and Marco followed after him. They walked in silence towards Ace's room. Marco knew there was a lot that needed to be said, but somehow he knew that the teen's mood was souring so he didn't push the conversation. He did let his mind wander to what Pop's wanted to speak with him about. It was probably something about the crew, nothing important he guessed otherwise he would've been held back while Ace was allowed to leave. With a nod, he decided that he would head back after he dropped the fire user off at his room.
The teen was about to slip inside, when Marco stopped him. "Remember this party is for you, and you need to make an appearance for the guy's sake. I'll come get you when it's time, yoi."
Ace stayed quiet before sighing in resignation. "Fine."
The teen slipped into his room silently and Marco started making his way back to Pop's room. It was taking less coaxing to get Ace to do things with the family, he noted with some satisfaction. He was also sure that he hadn't given any indication that something was wrong with the teen. There wasn't a doubt that it would be a challenge to keep the secret between them, there were some very observant people on this ship. But he guessed Ace had already accounted for it. He sighed, wondering if he shouldn't just go sleep on his bed until the party.
I think this is a Marco centric chapter, ah well, its good to get another perspective on things isn't it? Well, I hope you liked the chapter! As a kind of future reference thing, the next two chapter's I am going to spend developing the relationships, so if you want to see something maybe leave it in the reviews below and I can see if I can fit it in. I'm thinking before I move on to the big part of the story I'm going to need some more in the relationship department. Well, that was kind of a side note, now on to the actual chat session which is just kind of two points, okay!
1.) I'm glad you're all super excited for my story!
2.) I tried to develop some more Marco and Ace undertones? So I don't know if I got the 'there could be something here' feeling, so why don't you all give me some feedback on what I can do to change it, but keep in mind that they've known each other for barely over two months at this point!
Thanks! See you next time!
We're at the bottom! Please leave your thoughts below!
AS A REMINDER TO MY READERS:
1.) I am doing this for fun so I don't mean to offend anyone so I'm doing my research but if you have any suggestions or something is factually wrong feel free to tell me! Please.
2.) Ace's condition is one that I made up using parts from several others, just because I don't think I could've written any of them the way that I wanted to portray Ace.
3.) I am going to update this irregularly